There were a couple themes that stuck out in this week’s questions, so I’m lumping them together a bit.
Again, I appreciate the overwhelming response and will try to get to any questions that I didn’t answer next week. Let’s get to it!
These three are loosely connected, so let’s break them down.
I’ll start by saying I want to see a ton of three-guard lineups. I don’t care if everybody is healthy. The strength of the team, now and in the future, is going to be its dynamic guard play. Tyrese Maxey, Quentin
Grimes, Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe all need to play and play a lot. The best way to make that happen is three-guard lineups. Even with a fully healthy roster, these guys might make up four of your top six players. Get them on the court as much as possible.
If we do see three-guard looks, it will require one of Grimes or Edgecombe to slide down to the three. There’s evidence both guys can do it.
I’ll never forget when Grimes was starting for the Knicks in his second season and was tasked with guarding the opponent’s best perimeter player. He went toe-to-toe with Playoff Jimmy Butler and held his own. While there’s not much gameplay film of Edgecombe being asked to guard up (Baylor ran a lot of zone and other funky looks), his athleticism and play strength should lead to success doing so.
As we sit here today, Grimes is the better candidate simply because he’s done it at the NBA level. With that said, once Edgecombe adjusts to the pace and physicality of the league, I see no reason he can’t do it — and do it at a high level. Rebounding is where Edgecombe holds an advantage over Grimes — a sore spot for the Sixers over the last few years (more on that in a bit).
Ideally, you’d like for Paul George to play the four and Joel Embiid to play the five in those situations. The Sixers have not worked in the “ideal” in quite some time, but you could make some interesting combinations work.
Using Trendon Watford and his playmaking at the four to help spring the guards makes sense. Justin Edwards’ shooting would also be useful there. Adem Bona playing with those guys would just be plain fun. Similar to Watford, Broome can offer some playmaking to help the guards while also making up for any rebounding issues. Will touch more on them, but the two-way guys (Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow) are also ideal fits given their ability to make an impact on games without needing to score or even really touch the ball.
Will it work? Maybe! Let’s find out immediately. I would start a three-guard lineup on opening night. Will Nick Nurse agree? My guess would be no. You’re more likely looking at Maxey and Grimes in the backcourt with Kelly Oubre, Jr. starting on the wing.
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills sometimes when talking about McCain. Like I know last season sucked, but did you just not watch the games he played? He dropped 34 on the Cavaliers. Two days later, he gave 29 to the Magic. Those are two great defensive units and he carved them up as a rookie.
I don’t think he starts to begin the year. As noted, I think Nurse goes with the better defensive unit. But man, McCain should get a huge role. I would not be surprised to see him starting by season’s end. It’s also fair to note that the Sixers will likely bring him along slowly coming off his meniscus tear.
Again, two questions that sort of cross over.
The biggest reason for the rebounding issues is the Sixers simply haven’t had many good rebounders. With Embiid’s health declining, he’s been less and less effective in that department. Really, since Ben Simmons left the team has steadily declined. Scanning the roster the last couple seasons, there are no players who stand out for their rebounding. It’s part of why the team made signing Andre Drummond last offseason a priority ... which ... yeah. Nurse’s scrambling style of defense doesn’t necessarily help either.
As mentioned, Edgecombe is a legitimately good rebounder from the perimeter. He averaged nearly seven rebounds per 40 minutes at Baylor and had a double-digit rebound game in his summer league debut. Broome was consistently an excellent rebounder throughout his college career.
Both Walker and Barlow should be able to help there as well. I’m not exaggerating when I say I think both those guys will be able to push for playing time starting at training camp. With their size and activity, they offer skillsets this roster needs, especially at the four position. If one — or both — of them plays well and gets close to their allotted NBA days limit, that would be an outstanding problem to have.
Walker and Barlow were players many expected to get minimum deals this summer. Instead, they took two-way contracts with the Sixers. Surely their representation saw an opportunity here. The Sixers have a clear need at the four position, and Daryl Morey is comfortable shuffling around his two-way spots. Morey has also inked two different players to standard deals the last two seasons after they started on two-ways in Ricky Council IV and Edwards.
With the restrictions of the new CBA, this is a solid approach in attempting to find hidden gems.
More from libertyballers.com:
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- Sixers Tinder: Shawn Long and Alex Poythress will be forgotten
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- Sixers Mailbag: Would you trade Dario Saric in a package to acquire the No. 1 pick?
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- Liberty Links: More than half of ESPN writers pick Joel Embiid for Rookie of the Year
