Sixers Say Goodbye to Vegas

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

The Sixers play their final Vegas summer league game this afternoon, after which there will cease to be any on-court Sixers basketball for a good three months. I’m not sure what the NBA expects us to do during such a moratorium; I hear if you go outside there’s stuff to do, can anyone confirm?

With just 2 hours left for some of these guys to show the Sixers brass what they’re capable of, there’s not much time for opinions to change. Nevertheless, here are a few things I’d like to see happen before the team leaves the desert for another year.

Jahlil Okafor Hitting Some Free Throws

Not all, but some. Big Jah has shot 13-32 (40.6%) from the line in 5 summer league games. The kid has a good-looking stroke at the stripe, but his gargantuan hands and whatever other factors are at play have really made it a tough exercise for him. It would take an 8-10 game to get him back up to 50% on the summer. Seemingly a tall task, but it would be make me feel a whole lot better about his game heading into the fall. Brett Brown and his staff did get Nerlens Noel up to 60.9% in his rookie season, so there’s some cause for optimism.

Pierre Jackson Running the Show

The first year of Pierre Jackson’s four-year deal is guaranteed. It’s guaranteed for $750,000. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/td7gEgUZAC

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) July 17, 2015

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Pappy got slightly above the minimum in guaranteed money on the first year of his deal, seemingly giving him a huge leg up over T.J. McConnell for that third PG spot on the roster. Holding the league-record for D-league points in a game at 58, Jackson is certainly known first and foremost for his scoring. However, if he’s going to be the primary ball-handler for the Sixers come November, I want to see him show off his distribution skills as well. He only has a total of 6 assists through 3 summer league games; I’d like to see him approach that total this afternoon alone.

Scottie Wilbekin Putting on One Last Fireworks Display

Scottie has been arguably the brightest spot of the Sixers’ Vegas session, shooting an even 50% (14-28) from behind the arc across 4 games, including his scorching 6-6 start in the Knicks contest. In a complete 180 from his 0-13 showing with Philly in last year’s Vegas action, it’s only fitting for Wilbekin to end things on a high note. He’s earned a shot to enter training camp with somebody come fall.

Just Win, Baby

I know the results are meaningless, but at 0-4, the Sixers are the only team in the Vegas Summer League without a W. Stick it to Daryl Morey and the Rockets. Sixers, there’s just one thing I want you to do for me. Come here. Win. Win.