[ad_1]

The Philadelphia 76ers have reached the halfway point of the 2022-2023 NBA season.

After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday night, the Sixers reached their 41st game of the year with a 25-16 record. Currently, the Sixers rank him fifth in the Eastern Conference, behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.

Overall, the Sixers should be content with where they are now given the setbacks they dealt with in the first stretch of the year. As usual, Philadelphia has had to navigate a fair amount of setbacks to some of their key players.

Still, the Sixers managed to remain relevant in the East. As such, Philadelphia was not involved in the catch-up game when key players returned to the floor.

Overall, the Sixers will likely be rated a ‘B’ throughout the first half of the season. Not only did they clear playoff contenders, they bounced back after a slow start and won the game when the odds really piled up against them.

So how did each player perform throughout the first half of the season?

roster scoring

Paul Reed: C+

Doc Rivers was no joke when he said that the Sixers’ rotation, especially the backup center position, would change consistently. First, Paul Reed wasn’t actually playing. After that, he temporarily served as a backup center. Reed eventually returned to the bench. Now, over the last few games, he’s been averaging 16 minutes on the floor. Reed is far from a finished product, but the young center has shown some growth in his third year. He hasn’t quite done it yet.

Montrez Harrell: C+

Harrell lands in the same position as Reed. Rotation, out, in again. Rivers claims neither player has convinced the coaching staff that one man should be Joel Embiid’s primary backup, but it’s understandable. Harrell, on the other hand, has shown that he can succeed. Reed tends to pick up the slack when Harrell struggles in the defensive and rebounding departments. We’re making pretty good progress.

Jaden Springer: N/A

Given that Springer is a sophomore guard on a winnable roster right now, it wouldn’t be fair to give him full marks. Nor am I going to judge Springer based on what he has shown in the league. Because the G League is a whole other world. The good news is that when Springer was recently offered actual playing time (8 minutes), he was 4-4 off the field and he scored 10 points while playing defensively. But that’s not enough time to give him a fair grade.

Furukan Korukumazu: D

After signing a multi-year contract with the Sixers two summers ago, Korkmaz is out of Philly’s rotation. In 23 games, Korkmaz attempted 35 of his 3-pointers, of which he made 34%. That’s a much smaller sample of his size than in the last three seasons, but Korkmaz, who made only 29% of his three of his 266 last year, is doing himself a favor last season. There was no

Danuel House Jr.: F

The Sixers are currently struggling to keep House in a consistent role off the bench after he was slapped on the wrist for cheating to acquire Danuel House Jr. to free agency in the offseason. . Losing a second-round pick and signing a veteran player off the bench with a two-year deal worth more than $8 million is tough. It wasn’t ideal.

Matisse Cybull: C+

It’s been the same story with Matisse Cybull for the last few seasons. Defensively, Thybulle is a threat. Offensively, there is still work to be done. I think the three-point-shot conversation is a bit overrated, but Thybulle averaged 32% (on par with his career average) after his teammates claimed they saw significantly improved shooters in the offseason. Be careful not to overdo it. In fact, the Sixers are a better team with Thybulle in the rotation. Because he boosts defense. The Sixers’ success on both sides of the ball starts on defense. Now you know where I’m going, right?

Shake Milton: B

Initially a victim of Doc Rivers’ reduced rotation, Shake Milton was offered the opportunity to start the stretch and earned a consistent role in Philadelphia’s rotation. There was always the possibility of becoming Unfortunately, injuries have sometimes affected his progress over the last few seasons. Staying healthy in the first stretch of the season, Milton has cemented his place off the bench, averaging 10 points and 4 of his assists and posting a career-best 51% field goal percentage in 37 games.

Georges Nyan: A

To quote Sixers star James Harden about Nian, isn’t it true that “if he’s not shooting, he shouldn’t be on the court?” Giving the Philly a much-needed boost in downhill situations. Niang was brought in by the Philly to knock down threes.

DeAnthony Melton: A

Melton is the Sixers’ best new addition. Philadelphia were desperate for a reliable two-way player for the 2022-2023 NBA season, and Melton delivered on expectations. Melton takes about six 3s per game, averaging 40% over the arc. Defensively, he was a vermin. Melton is averaging 2.8% steals per play and ranks in his 99th percentile. glass cleaning.

PJ Tucker: C+

So while the Sixers probably overpaid the 37-year-old veteran forward, it was a market break for a player with champion experience who beat the team in the playoffs and gave victory to the team’s star player. It’s what you do when you need it. I publicly plead with the front office to go out and do what they can to sign the guy. If you’re staring at a stats sheet all day, Tucker never shined on paper, and neither has he this season. Aggressively, he is disappointed. Again, Tucker isn’t expected to be a massive Philadelphia scorer, but his effective field goal percentage was 58 in Miami last season. This season, that number is down to his 51%. Tucker’s three-pointer percentage also dropped slightly from his 41% to his 37%. It should be noted that health has been a concern for Tucker.

Tobias Harris: B

The veteran forward deserves a lot of credit for constantly adjusting roles with the Sixers while battling trade rumors surrounding him. But at least he accepts being a prolific catch-and-shoot 3-point scorer. This season, Harris has taken five 3s per game, knocking him down 38% of them.

Tyrese Maxsey: B-

Tyrese Maxey was really good before his injury. The young guard scored 23 points per game and made 42% of his three shots. Unfortunately, his broken leg caused him to miss 18 games. Since his return, Maxie has averaged 17 points and drained his 31% of 3-pointers. It’s clear he’s still finding his footing since the injury knocked him down, but Maxie has raised the bar higher for himself. It will be interesting to see how he returns.

Joel Embiid: A

Another big man MVP campaign this season. So why not an A plus? Well, two reasons. The first was Embiid missing his third straight. In total, he has appeared in his 30th of his 41st games for Philadelphia. Second, Embiid’s efforts in certain areas (rebounding, defensively) have been questionable at times. Flip the switch and he becomes a force. When it’s off—he’s well—off. Overall, the shortlist of concerns isn’t much of an issue in the first half of the regular season. The big guys are playing long games and the playoffs are of utmost importance.