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Sixers' Sampson puts himself in position to improve

JaKarr Sampson says he concentrates on playing with “poise” and “confidence.”

The Sixers' JaKarr Sampson dribbles the ball against the Hornets' Gerald Henderson. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
The Sixers' JaKarr Sampson dribbles the ball against the Hornets' Gerald Henderson. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

BEFORE THE 76ERS faced the Boston Celtics on Friday, it was learned that Michael Carter-Williams would be sidelined with a right foot injury. With point guard Tim Frazier having signed a 10-day contract with the team just a day earlier, coach Brett Brown was forced to shove 6-9 JaKarr Sampson into the starting lineup as the lead guard.

"We felt because he was a college four man last year as a freshman at St. John's, it would make him an ideal candidate to be a starting point guard in the NBA," Brown joked of starting Sampson at the unfamiliar position.

Sampson's reaction was what it always is with everything he's asked to do: He smiled widely, shook his head yes and waited for directions.

In a big way, Sampson is the epitome of Brown's team this year - a group of players who know the key to the season is improving themselves, not worrying about how many wins are accumulated and keeping a positive and upbeat attitude throughout.

That has translated into much improved play by the likes of Sampson, a fringe NBA player who never has self-doubt.

He certainly isn't a point guard. Frazier, who started at the point in Saturday's 89-81 win over the Charlotte Hornets, has averaged more than 35 minutes in his first two games, both with Carter-Williams on the sideline. Still, Sampson will have to man some point-guard minutes until MCW's return.

Sampson is a slasher and an intriguing defender who knows how to use his crazy length to get out on shooters and disrupt smaller players from trying to get to the rim.

"We kind of change it up a little bit," Sampson said of his playing the point. "It's my first time playing point so it's kind of different for me. Pretty much make things as simple as possible, get into our sets we always run. Simple sets just to get us going and get the ball out of my hands. My key is to just play with poise, play with confidence and be aggressive and keep the team involved pretty much.

"Defense is natural. I love guarding the guards on defense. Pressuring them and stuff like that, it comes easy to me. I feel like it's helped my game being able to play a little bit of point this season. It's helped me be more confident in my dribble. Having the ball in my hand has made me more comfortable with it."

Break plans

After tonight's game against Golden State, the Sixers (12-40) won't play again until Friday, Feb. 20 when they host the Indiana Pacers. The All-Star break is extra-long this season, especially for the Sixers. The reason for the longer break is because in years past, All-Star participants didn't get much time off, often playing on Wednesday or Thursday before the Sunday All-Star Game, flying to the All-Star city and then having to participate in the many weekend activities. After the Sunday game, many teams were back in action that Tuesday.

Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel will participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, competing for the United States team against a group of first- and second-year players from around the world. They will play their game on Friday, then pretty much be basketball free for the rest of the weekend, though they will be obligated to make certain appearances.

As for the team as a whole, coach Brett Brown said players will be free to go wherever they want after tonight's game and are not obligated to be back until Feb. 17. The team will then practice the next 2 days to get ready for the final 29 games of the season. During the break, Brown and his staff will keep in contact with the players to make sure they continue their training.

Six shots

Michael Carter-Williams will be a game-time decision for tonight's game. It would be surprising if he plays as it is the last game before the All-Star break, but you never know . . . In the last two games against the Warriors, the Sixers have lost by a combined 83 points. In those games, former Sixer Marreese Speights has combined for 55 points in just under 55 minutes on 21-for-28 shooting . . . Golden State also has two other former Sixers on the roster in Andre Iguodala and Justin Holiday.