Sixers' Nik Stauskas becoming defensive minded

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - If Nik Stauskas had to grade his rookie season, it probably would be well below average. Not so much because of the way he played, but because of the circumstances surrounding his rookie year in Sacramento a season ago. The team went through three coaches, many changes in style of play and won only 29 games.

Stauskas was mostly a bystander for the first three quarters of the season before finally getting substantial minutes as the year mercifully came to an end.

When he was traded to the 76ers last summer, new life awaited for the University of Michigan product, but his season again started slowly with an injury in training camp, followed by some dings here and there, the latest a bruised left shoulder that recently cost him three games.

Perhaps things are starting to turn his way now. He got his second straight start Wednesday against Detroit, a night after posting 15 points and four assists in a win over Phoenix. In that game, Stauskas played a season-high 37 minutes, 48 seconds.

His bread and butter is offense, but his defense is lacking. Head coach Brett Brown has said repeatedly that is where the the 6-6 swingman needs to improve.

"Guard," Brown said of what he's looking for from Stauskas. "He has to play defense, and his shot will fall, and he'll run his lane and maybe he gets kick-aheads from point guards that are willing and he dunks it. He just plays off a bounce and a cocky side he's got. It's all the time, delivered out of defense."

Stauskas knows it. But at times it appears his defense comes when his offense is flowing well. That is the opposite of what his coach wants.

"It is natural sometimes if you're knocking down shots and things are going the right way for you offensively, it's easier for you to kind of set your mind on giving a lot of energy on defense," Stauskas said. "But, with him putting the emphasis on defense, I like to look at it the other way around; that if I get really involved on defense, then that gets me involved in the game and I don't worry about the offense as much. And then the offense just comes. That's the kind of way I like to look at it. But, yeah, when you're knocking down shots and things are going well, it's easy to give that kind of effort and bring a lot of energy on defense."

While his first two NBA seasons probably haven't gone the way he would like, frustration is not setting in this season the way it did in Sacramento.

"Not at all," Stauskas said. "No matter what team you're on, unless you're on the Warriors and you're not losing and you're Steph Curry and everything in life is great, there's going to be ups and downs throughout the league, no matter who you are. That's just part of the game of basketball, and you can't really dwell on that too much. It's just like you have to continue to do your work and if you're playing well, great, and if you're not playing well, continue working until you get yourself back into that rhythm. I felt like before I got hurt with the shoulder I was kind of getting a little more comfortable out there and my minutes were a little bit more consistent. Injuries happen. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out there and find more of that rhythm again."

The league announced Wednesday that Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor were selected to play for Team USA in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Toronto on Feb. 12. The game features first- and second-year players from the United States against a team consisting of first- and second-year players from around the world. The players were chosen by assistant coaches throughout the league.

"I had the privilege of coaching in two All-Star games with Pop (Gregg Popovich)," Brett Brown said. "You walk into that locker room and you see 24 of the best players in the world. You can't help but look at their locker and their sneakers and their uniforms and the display that the NBA puts on, which is spectacular. The environment is A-plus and to look how superstars carry themselves and how they interact with media and people and fans and to socialize and enjoy that but also find a way to learn from the world's best players. It's a wonderful experience.

"I think that T.J. McConnell and Jerami Grant could have easily put their hand up and been considered for that game, too. In general, we want them to enjoy it, learn from it and be proud of the recognition that they have received with the effort that they have put in."

Noel also was selected to play in last year's game.

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