Summer Sixers Shine Despite Loss

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Boston 102, Philadelphia 94 – Box Score

The Celtics topped the Sixers in the opening contest of the Utah Summer League, mostly because they shot a sparkling 11-22 from three, while Philadelphia hit just 6-24 from behind the arc. It also helped that Ben Simmons, who led the Sixers with a +9 plus/minus left the game in the fourth quarter with cramps in both legs.

Still, given it’s summer league, the result is largely irrelevant. Instead, let’s take a look at the number of encouraging performances from the Sixers, led by first overall pick Ben Simmons, who was everything he was cracked up to be.

Ben Simmons

As we all knew, the shooting isn’t there. Simmons went just 2-9 from the field finishing with 10 points. He continued his habit of forcing shots near the rim with his right hand when it would be easier with the left (very strange since he shoots left-handed). Still, his shot certainly isn’t broken, as his perfect 6-6 from the foul line would attest.

Everything else was simply sublime though, as he quietly had 8 rebounds and 5 assists, which could have been even more if guys were ready for the creative passes Simmons was throwing their way around the basket. His court vision was everything that was advertised and then some, finding guys in transition, running the pick and roll from the top of the key, dropping dimes in tight windows while driving the lane. He was also a very vocal leader out on the court, calling out assignments and directing guys where to go. Basically, Simmons had the look and feel of a rising superstar.

Once everybody in the league gets a load of the type of scoring opportunities Simmons is creating for people, guys are going to be lining up to play with him. The upcoming season is going to be a lot of fun, as is the 2017 free agency period.

wut. #SummerSixers pic.twitter.com/Biy8qXLdav

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 5, 2016

.@BenSimmons25 threadin' needles to TLC in SLC. #SummerSixers https://t.co/EN7Ami33Dr

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 4, 2016

T.J. McConnell

McConnell entered summer league with a new look, growing his hair out and rocking the side part straight out of either Pleasantville or an advertising pitch meeting at Sterling-Cooper. His game though, was still vintage T.J., as he continues to make the lives of his teammates that much easier.

McConnell shot only 2-8 from the field for 5 points, but added 7 rebounds and 7 assists, and would have had a higher assist total if guys could hit some more open shots. Like he showed during the second half of last season, T.J. just had a controlled pace to his game, remaining poised and patient for the right passing lane to open up and set up his teammates. McConnell is the guy at the gym who you wanted to be on his team for pickup games, because rather than jack up his own shots, he makes the game more fun for you. He didn’t show anything to make me think he won’t be a prominent part of the backup PG rotation again this year.

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. The oops are always nice. #SummerSixers https://t.co/fYLe5GCxXV

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 5, 2016

Richaun Holmes

You may have heard once or twice about how the Sixers have too many big men on the roster. But while all the talk centers around Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and (maybe) Dario Saric, Richaun Holmes would like to remind you not to forget about him.

Holmes did serviceable work on the offensive end, recording 13 points on 2-4 shooting from the field, and an impressive 9-9 from the charity stripe. Rim protection was where Holmes really shined though, recording 5 blocks, and altering a ton of other shots by going straight up and forcing driving Celtics into awkward angles near the rim. He largely did this without fouling, ending with 4 fouls after picking up a couple toward the end of the game for denying Jaylen Brown highlight-reel dunks. If the Sixers do end up trading Noel (please don’t), the team looks to have another viable backline defender in Holmes.

Richaun Holmes has 5 BIG blocks tonight! 🖐 #UtahJazzSL https://t.co/9mtTRmIkfh

— Salt Lake City Summer League (@SLCSummerLeague) July 5, 2016

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Luwawu was the higher-profile guy Sixers fans knew the least about, but his performance in his first professional game stateside mirrored what we’ve read in the scouting reports. His shooting stroke, which has improved over the last couple years, certainly looked good, as he scored 13 points on 3-7 shooting, including 2-5 from three and 5-6 from the foul line. The athleticism was also readily apparent, as Luwawu got out into transition block for some easy buckets and recorded an impressive block on the very first play of the game.

There was one play where he tried to create his own shot in the half court and was blocked in a pretty embarrassing fashion, so there’s still parts of his game in need of improvement. But all the upside was there, and he didn’t look overwhelmed at all by the competition. Luwawu should be an exciting addition to the wing rotation this season.

Christian Wood

We knew from his dominant D-league showing last season that Wood can score against this level of competition and Monday night was no different, as he dropped a team-high 20 points on 7-9 from the field, including 1-2 from three and 5-7 from the foul line. There was a couple minute sequence in the second half where he showed off the whole arsenal: flushing an oop from McConnell, smoothly stepping into and draining the three-pointer, and facing up his man and taking him off the dribble for an and-1.

Defensively, Wood looked a bit spacey and as foul-prone as ever, although he was active on the glass. I still think it’s going to be difficult for the Sixers to carve out a roster spot for him given their plethora of big men, but some NBA team should take a shot at the tantalizing offensive upside.

The Sixers, minus Simmons (who is sitting out as a precautionary measure after the cramps), are back in action today at 5pm against San Antonio.