Sixers keeping an eye on guard P.J. Dozier
CHICAGO - The 76ers could consider selecting South Carolina point guard P.J. Dozier in the second round. He's one of the 20-plus draft prospects they interviewed here at the NBA draft combine.
In addition to being guaranteed a top-six pick, the Sixers have four second-rounders in the June 22 draft.
"I see myself fitting into their system," Dozier said. "They have a great team. Their guard play is really good.
"But I definitely feel like I can come in and definitely provide for them as well."
The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder left South Carolina after his sophomore season. He was the Gamecocks' second-leading scorer at 13.9 points and led them with 2.8 assists per game this past season.
Dozier played some of his best basketball in the NCAA tournament, helping lead South Carolina to its first Final Four since 1973. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
The Sixers, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers were a few of the teams that interviewed him this week.
The Sixers left an impression.
"They are really cool people, really down the earth," Dozier said. "So I enjoyed that interview with them."
He said that the Sixers have a great team, and that their 28-54 record doesn't reflect how good they are. A lot of that is because of injuries, he said.
"It was good seeing [Joel] Embiid get back out there, and of course, everybody is waiting for Ben [Simmons]," Dozier said. "So they have a lot of talent, a lot of talent. It's just in due time they'll come around."
Colangelo raves over projected top picks
Bryan Colangelo was asked about this year's NBA draft class. Based on his answer, one would assume the Sixers president of basketball operations would be OK with selecting any of a number of players.
"Certainly, it's a little bit front-loaded," Colangelo said of the draft. "There's a lot of talent at the top."
He noted that there has been excitement about particular draft classes in the past. But Colangelo thinks the discussion about the talent of this particular group is as accurate as he has seen.
This is a group of players that within the top 10, there are multiple prospects that could become potential all-stars," Colangelo said. "That's the sign of a very strong draft."
Most mock drafts have Washington point guard Markelle Fultz as the first overall pick.
Kansas forward Josh Jackson, UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, Kentucky point guard De'Aaron Fox, Duke forward Jayson Tatum, Florida State forward Jonathan Isaac, Kentucky shooting guard Malik Monk, North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith Jr., Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen and French point guard Frank Ntilikina are the other players projected to go in the top 10, according to nbadraft.net.
Sixers send 'Who's Who' to combine
The Sixers were well represented at the combine. They had a "Who's Who" of staff members here to scout talent, get the pulse of the league and/or work.
Bryan Colangelo along with is his father, Jerry, the Sixers special adviser, were here. Coach Brett Brown and assistant coach Lloyd Pierce made the trip. Vice president of player personnel Marc Eversley, vice president of basketball operations Ned Cohen, vice president of basketball administration/Delaware 87ers general manager Brandon Williams, senior director of basketball operations Vince Rozman, player development consultant Elton Brand and scout Rod Bakers were also on hand.
Meanwhile, 87ers coach Gene Burroughs and Sixers head strength and conditioning coach Todd Wright are working the event.
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