By: JR Reynolds
The Sixers season this year has been like a movie that has struggled to get to the good part. We have seen the departure of the not-so-impressive 2010 2nd overall pick Evan Turner, and seven footer Spencer Hawes. We have seen the 10 day contracts handed out like candy, and we have seen the record-tying 26 game losing streak. But after all of that, what’s left? With the June 26th draft on the horizon, us fans can only imagine how Hinkie plans to top last year, but before all of us get carried away, let's take a look at what players currently make up the mish-mosh of the Sixers roster.
When you look up and down the Sixers bench, it’s extremely difficult to see a possible playoff team in the coming years, but with the right mix of players and a strong head coach in Brett Brown it is definitely feasible. The Heat have LeBron, the Thunder have KD, and the Clippers have Chris Paul. Every successful team in today’s league has their leader, and right now the closest thing the Sixers have to that is 2014 Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams. The 11th pick in last year’s draft is truly the Sixers’ diamond in the rough. MCW finished the season with an impressive stat line. He led all rookies with averages of 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. Carter-Williams also recorded two triple-doubles along the way to the tune of 27 points,12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 23 points, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds. Carter-Williams is all you want in a point guard. The Sixers will need someone who is able to facilitate scoring chances especially with all of these young players the team has and will be getting. MCW will have to be a man among boys for the Sixers, and I have no doubt in my mind he can do that, but there is one glaring flaw in Carter- Williams’ game.
Carter-Williams’ has had problems shooting the ball during his two years at Syracuse and his rookie year in Philadelphia. Before last year’s draft, many scouts couldn’t really picture MCW being able to develop into a solid NBA player because of his shooting woes. Let me tell you they are kicking themselves now. Still Carter-Williams’ 39.5% FG-percentage must improve along with his accuracy from beyond the arc from where he shot 29.1%. As I said before, any good point guard must be able to create shots for his teammates, but they also need to be able to put the ball in the hole when their team needs it. I have faith in Brett Brown’s ability to work with MCW on his shot, as many have reported how far Nerlens Noel’s has progressed since being drafted. I also think it has something to do with the lack of talent the Sixers were dealing with this year. Somebody needed to do the majority of the work and it just happened to be MCW who shouldered the load. Once some more players start to develop, including the many taken in the upcoming draft, Carter-Williams will be able to pass up shots in favor of his teammates.
At the end of the day I think Carter-Williams is someone the Sixers want to have in the fold. There is no denying the impact he brought to the team this year, and it’s exciting to think about how potentially dangerous he could be when surrounded with players of his caliber. You also couldn’t help but feel inspired when MCW said that he would trade his Rookie of the Year award for a playoff spot. If that doesn’t erase any doubts you had about his competitive streak, I don’t know what will. Now I could go down a list of things I would trade for a playoff spot, and maybe even a championship one day, but one of them sure isn’t Michael Carter-Williams.
