Hard Knocks: Sixers Edition

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Maybe when Brett Brown was hanging out with Chip Kelly at Eagles training camp this offseason, he picked up a thing or two. Much like the 4th preseason game in NFL circles, it seems like the Sixers home game against the Wizards Friday night will be used for full player evaluation on the back end of the roster.

#Sixers Brown: Could sit Covington and Canaan tomorrow night to take longer look at Tokoto & other PGs.

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) October 15, 2015

#Sixers Brown wants to get longer looks at Aldemir, Wood & Holmes, among others.

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) October 15, 2015

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In what could very well be an episode of Hard Knocks, tonight’s contest could go a long way toward determining which players will see their NBA dreams come true, and which will be called into Sam Hinkie’s office later this month to be told, ‘we’d really like you to be in Delaware for us this season.’ Here are the guys who need to put their best foot forward tonight, the Charles James and EZ Nwachukwu of the team, if you will.

One of those ‘other PGs’ mentioned above is Pierre Jackson, who will be making his preseason debut after sitting out much of training camp with a groin injury. That latest setback in what’s been a series of bad breaks for Pappy Jack really has him playing catch-up in the cutthroat battle at the Sixers point guard position. Isaiah Canaan has cemented his status as opening night starter, while T.J. McConnell has played very well thus far in the preseason. Jackson will really have the show the Sixers brass he’s fully healthy and back to his pre-achilles injury self if he’s going to have a chance to make the team.

J.P. Tokoto has seen the court just 5 minutes per game across 2 of the team’s initial 4 preseason contests. To receive such limited time, he must not have been impressing the coaching staff in camp and practice. As they say though, everyone deserves a shot to show what they can do in real game action; the film never lies. The time may be now or never for Tokoto with the Sixers already seemingly set on the wings with Robert Covington, Hollis Thompson, Nik Stauskas, and JaKarr Sampson.

With Jahlil Okafor already nursing a sore knee, the back-up big men positions will hold extra importance for the Sixers at the start of the season. Between Furkan Aldemir, Christian Wood, and Richaun Holmes, the team will only have 2, or possibly even just 1 roster spot available.

Aldemir certainly hasn’t played like he deserves a spot, but he’s guaranteed close to $3M this season. Wood is coming off a tremendous performance Monday, tallying a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He even hit 1 three in 4 attempts (not efficient but at least showing he possesses that skill set). Meanwhile, Holmes has been fairly quiet in a limited role, but as an early 2nd round pick who had a strong summer league, I’d still be surprised if he wasn’t around. We’ll see who, if anyone, continues to stand out.

Now that the you know the key players for tonight’s contest, the only question is, who’s Vince Wilfork in this scenario?