Because so many Sixers players are absent as a result of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols, the team is currently relying on its rookies, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Seth Curry is quarantining away from the team after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, and Vincent Poirier are all out due to the league’s health and safety protocols. With those veterans missing, rookies Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Dakota Mathias have all logged significant rotation minutes.
Though All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons returned to action tonight in the Sixers’ hard-fought 137-134 victory tonight against the Heat, wings Furkan Korkmaz and Terrance Ferguson also remained absent. Embiid scored 45 points and pulled down 16 boards.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Because the Celtics have limited wing depth, second-year swingman Romeo Langford may still break into Boston’s rotation this season, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston writes. Forsberg notes that Langford is a solid perimeter defender, but must develop his long-range shooting to become a staple.
- Though the Raptors are currently the No. 13 seed in the East with a disappointing 2-8 record, newly re-signed 6’1″ guard Fred VanVleet continues to contribute to the level of his $85MM contract, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. VanVleet has been the club’s most steady offensive presence, averaging a career-high 20.9 PPG through his first 10 games. “I think the game is just really slow for him right now and that’s a good thing,” fellow starting guard Kyle Lowry said. VanVleet is also averaging a career-high 9.0 three-point attempts per night.
- Former Kings amateur scouting director Gene Cross has been added to the Knicks as a college scout, Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated tweets.
Joe isn’t as high as Maxey but I think he could be a 2nd rd steal.
I actually liked him as a late first round guy
Langford allows them to go to certain versatile lineups that should be interesting to see, even after losing Gordon Hayward. I think he could see time at several positions, once he comes back from his injury
I agree he has some skills that should allow them to mix and match a few interesting lineup combinations. However in the article above it talks about him improving his outside shot. And while it would be tremendous if he could… I’m just not sure 3pt shooting is ever going to be a big part of his game. He’s never really shown the ability to consistently hit 3s in the NBA or elsewhere. But who knows… maybe it’s something he’s spent the off-season working on and he can actually add that to his repertoire. If he can, that would help tremendously to space the floor when he’s on the court. Will be interested to see how he looks when he finally makes his season debut after starting out inactive with the injury.
I think it depends on the spacing around him. I thought he could have been an x factor in the series against the Heat before he got injured. I felt like the outside shot was falling a little more late in the season
Maxey was a nice pick. He’s for real. Big potential for productive 2way player. Embiid has to be #1 option on that team. It should all run thru him. Makes life easier for everyone. Embiid and Ben have always need shooters around them. Remember Tobias had his best yrs under Doc in LA.
Wasn’t Langford a shooter and scorer in college. Don’t know why he hasn’t gotten more playing time. He’s way overdue to me.
Would love to see Lowry end his career in Philly.
Maxey has some remedial Kyle Lowry in him
A good draft is saving Philly… if one can take Embiid for granted!
I really like the Toronto org and think its one of the best around.
Saying all that might it make sense to get optimal value for FVF at the deadline (Hello Knicks) and then dish Lowry somewhere as well(one of my all time favs) …??
IDK, they are tough and I know they can fight there way back into the mix but its always easier to rebuild a yr earlier than a year late …. A tank season this year could go a far ways in the future….theyd be flush w cap the next couple offseasons assuming they take back expirings/youngins from Fred and Kyle
I personally thought they overpaid Van Vleet, and should have let him walk. I dont know that it necessarily does make sense to move Lowry. They could use shooting at the 2/3 spots, and probably a big that can stretch the floor, post defend, and rebound