Three Normal Things: Sixers Vs. Thunder
Three Normal Things: Sixers Vs. Thunder
Three Normal Things
Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He has been legally banned from covering the team in person, and when that ban was set to be lifted, Covid-19 struck. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.
Welcome back to Three Normal Things! Let’s get going.
#1: Thoughts on the Anthony Tolliver signing
After waiving Ignas Brazdeikis earlier this week, the Sixers (temporarily) filled their open roster spot as they signed an experienced veteran, bringing in long-time stretch four Anthony Tolliver on a 10-day contract.
Tolliver, 35, is surely past the peak of his peak powers. But with the way Mike Scott has been struggling as the backup power forward, I see no reason to not at least give Tolliver a shot to show he can be an upgrade in the rotation.
In case you need a refresher on how 10-day contracts work, here you go: a player can sign up to two 10-day deals. After those 20 days, the team must choose to either sign the player for the remainder of the season or let them go. Tolliver likely won’t officially sign for a few days, as the Sixers will look to maximize his availability. Here’s to hoping Tolliver can help!
#2: Furkan Korkmaz and Matisse Thybulle take advantage of their opportunity
Danny Green and Tobias Harris were both out tonight, allowing Korkmaz and Thybulle to enter the starting lineup. Fortunately for the Sixers, neither player took the opportunity for granted, with each of them leaving a tangible impact on the game.
Thybulle did what Thybulle does defensively. On that end of the floor, he was as good as always, including notching three steals in the first half alone. He continued to make heads-up plays as a defender, particularly when away from the ball. We all know that his offense is still very much a work in progress, but his defense continues to astound.
Korkmaz was surprisingly effective as a defender as well, using his long arms to interrupt passes and get deflections -- a skill that he has been gradually improving since the beginning of last season, when Brett Brown began giving him major props for his defensive efforts -- including multiple pick-sixes. And of course, Furkan’s shooting provided some comfort for the Sixers on offense. Obviously, his shot-making is vital. But his quick trigger in itself is of major value to the Sixers, as it makes their half-court and semi-transition offense much more fluid.
#3: Mike Scott responds to the pressure
With his rotation spot possibly on the line over the next few games, Scott had a bit of a coming out party tonight, shooting the ball excellently from beyond the arc, knocking down some key threes for the Sixers.
Scott was efficient, mistake-averse and composed. For his sake, hopefully this is the start of progression to the mean after his ugly start to the year.