Sixers' Richaun Holmes emerges as capable backup for Joel Embiid
CLEVELAND - The 76ers actually have a center on their roster who is capable of stepping in and performing well in place of Joel Embiid.
CLEVELAND - The 76ers actually have a center on their roster who is capable of stepping in and performing well in place of Joel Embiid.
The question isn't: Who has the skill set to be the next Embiid? No one does.
It is: Who has the grit to be Embiid's solid backup? Who has the desire?
Who is willing to put forth the work and sacrifice needed to make folks think less about the fact that the Sixers shipped Nerlens Noel - Embiid's previous standout backup - to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade?
That person is the undersize and unheralded Richaun Holmes.
"He brings it every day," T.J. McConnell said. "I think people know now that he's here to stay. He belongs in this league."
Holmes has aspirations, and his dedication to get better was evident in high school, junior college, college, and now in the NBA. Generously listed at 6-foot-10, Holmes can stretch defenses with his three-point range. His tenacity is also evident when he attacks the rim on dunks or blocks shots into the second row.
Holmes plays with a chip that fuels the normally mild-mannered, loving husband/father whenever he hits the court.
Recently, the 37th overall pick of the 2015 draft out of Bowling Green has played at a higher level than expected for someone with his draft status or coming from a mid-major program.
While he has obviously improved, that's not the main reason for his elevated play. A lot of it has to do with his finally getting the opportunity to play.
He finished with a career-high 25 points on 11-for-16 shooting in a home loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Holmes also had eight rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 31 minutes, 40 seconds of action. He followed that up with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting to go with seven rebounds and two steals in Friday's loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland.
For the season, Holmes is averaging 9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks. He's shooting 56.7 percent from the field and 35.6 percent on three-pointers.
His statistics for points, rebounds, and shot-blocking are a bit misleading.
That's because he has averaged 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 25.9 minutes in 20 games since the NBA all-star break. He had averaged 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 16 minutes in his 31 games before the break.
Back then, Holmes was the fourth-stringer behind Embiid, Noel, and Jahlil Okafor. At times, he was buried so deep on the Sixers bench that he went down to their NBA Development League team - the Delaware 87ers - just to get playing time. He played in six games there.
Holmes rejoined the Sixers for good Jan. 21. That's one day after Embiid suffered a bone bruise in his left knee. An MRI exam later revealed that the standout also had a meniscus tear in the knee. Embiid played his final game of the season Jan. 27 and had surgery March 24. The Noel trade and Okafor's right knee soreness enabled him to display his skills in an extended role. Okafor missed his fifth straight game Friday and is out for the season.
The Sixers weren't expecting the level of consistency Holmes has provided.
"I think a lot of the good teams have those lightning-in-the-bottle players that can just change a game," coach Brett Brown said. "You know, initially, you are wondering can he be one of those. Is he a duration player? I think since he's come into the starting five, you are recognizing that there's more durability."
Exceeding expectations is nothing new for the Lockport, Ill., native.
As a senior at Lockport Township High, Holmes stood just 6-6 and failed to make his all-conference team. His only college interest came from Division II and Division III schools. Eager to earn a Division I scholarship, he enrolled at Moraine Valley Community College.
"Junior college was fun," Holmes said. "Coach [Dedrick] Shannon, my coach there, really pushed me, like kind of gave me the tools to be the player I am today, just that toughness and running the floor. All that came in junior college, all those habits."
Holmes committed to Bowling Green before his junior-college season started because it was the first Division I school to visit his home. He transferred there after earning junior-college all-American honors in his lone season at Moraine.
Holmes went on to become a first-team all-MAC selection and the MAC defensive player of the year for the 2014-15 season.
Holmes credits the late big-man coach Sean Rooks and current big-man coach John Bryant for his emergence as a Sixer.
"They never let me get down on myself," Holmes said. "They always kept the message clear to always stay ready and always keep working. You never know when an opportunity is coming."
It's here now, and people are taking notice.
Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard remembered the first time he played against Holmes last season. Back then, he said, Holmes kept saying, 'Wow, I'm on the floor with Dwight Howard.'
He's matured from that moment.
"He plays with such energy and such passion, it's great to see, especially from a young guy like that," Howard said, "and I'm proud of him."
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