76ers' Canaan finding his range at shooting guard

The transition of Isaiah Canaan from point guard to shooting guard is becoming an increasingly effective move for the 76ers.

Although he is undersized for the position, Canaan is thriving as a long-range threat in the Sixers' up-tempo, pick-and-roll offense. The 6-foot, 201-pound Canaan stays positioned at the three-point line as point guard Ish Smith maneuvers around defenders. Smith has three options - shoot the ball, find power forward/center Nerlens Noel for an alley-oop or dish to someone in the perimeter.

Canaan has been clutch lately when he's on the receiving end of the passes.

The third-year veteran has averaged 12 points while making 17 of 34 three-pointers over the last seven games. A situational starter, Canaan has come off the bench in the last six games.

One of his best performances came Saturday in a 108-105 setback to the Golden State Warriors. He made 5 of 9 three-pointers and finished with a team-high 18 points.

"The Pistol opens up a lot of things for a lot of guys, especially Isaiah," Nerlens Noel said of one of the variations of the pick-and-roll that the Sixers utilize. "Ish finds him on the open threes. Ish is able to get the basket a little bit and create for other and kick it out to Isaiah because he's a real good three-point shooter."

Canaan is averaging 10.4 points and shooting 37 percent on three-pointers this season. However, his playing off the ball was never the plan when the Sixers acquired him and a second-round pick from the Houston Rockets in a trade for K.J. McDaniels last Feb. 19. At the time, he was dubbed the replacement for point guard Michael Carter-Williams, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on the same day.

However, Canaan started only 12 games before losing his spot to Smith. The Sixers did not re-sign Smith in the offseason, and Canaan was this season's opening-day starter. He held the spot for only three games this time before eventually moving over to the off-guard spot.

"People may say I'm an undersized shooting guard," Canaan said. "I just say I'm blessed with the ability to shoot the basket, and I can just run the point when they need me to."

Other than occasionally handling the ball, the former Murray State standout usually roams around in the perimeter. Smith usually has handled the ball since being reacquired in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 24. And when he's not on the floor, backup point guard T.J. McConnell is the one running the offense.

So that allows Canaan to do what he does best.

"I just try to read the game, read the defenses," he said. "If they are off of me, then I just rise up and shoot. If they are on me, I try to draw a foul and get to the rim or try to make a play for somebody else."

He's also been playing better on the defensive end. Canaan had four steals on Saturday to tie his career high. He's had eight overall in the last five games.

The 24-year-old's contract expires at the conclusion of the season. However, the Sixers do have a $1.2 million team option that they can pick up by June 30.

"I would love to be here," Canaan said.

The Mississippi native added that he will leave that up to his agent and the Sixers. But the team may have something to think about if he continues to shoot and defend the way he has been recently.

Robert Covington missed practice with gastroenteritis. Coach Brett Brown was unsure if he would practice Tuesday, but he did not expect him to miss the home game Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

kpompey@phillynews.com

@PompeyOnSixers

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