The 76ers fell to 1-6 on the season after Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers. There is no need to panic, but there is one player that head coach Nick Nurse should consider inserting into the starting lineup.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ start to the 2024-25 season has been on par with a horrible plot in a Tubi movie. Over the last few days, the franchise has experienced the suspension of Joel Embiid, an injury to Tyrese Maxey, and the team falling to 1-6 on the season.
It’s too early to panic in the City of Brotherly Love. Paul George is currently finding his grove and he looks healthy.
Despite Maxey suffering a hamstring injury, he continues to show up day in and day out. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been consistent this season and is averaging double-figures due to his ability to create off the dribble. KJ Martin had a solid outing in their Wednesday night loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and Jared McCain may be the steal of the draft thus far.
Right now, the Sixers are struggling with offensive efficiency and generating points in pivotal stretches of games. However, it’s too early to hit the panic button and there is one player that head coach Nick Nurse should consider inserting into the starting lineup: Guerschon Yabusele.
Nurse should be open to putting Yabusele into the starting group because of his big motor. He continues to leave his imprint in each game because of his ability to snuff out loose balls and rebounds.
The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 37.9 percent from three. His numbers may not jump off the page, but his efficiency is key.
The former Boston Celtic can impact the game on both sides of the floor without the ball in his hands.
Yabusele’s strength, size and speed create mismatches for other teams’ frontcourts because of how he can leak out on the break or slip behind defenders in the halfcourt.
Guerschon Yabusele with the hustle to grab this board and kick it out to Tyrese Maxey, who drills the three. pic.twitter.com/jxfa8bgfMS
— Liberty Ballers (@Liberty_Ballers) October 27, 2024
The Sixers’ forward crashes the glass after every shot attempt. The moment a shot goes up, he sprints toward the rim and oftentimes comes up with multiple offensive boards, which creates second-chance point opportunities.
Yabusele has active hands and he plays the passing lanes well.
Ultimately, Yabusele’s performance in the Olympics with France led to his return to the NBA. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old won’t have the ball in his hands as much as he did during the Olympics, but he will still be a huge role piece for this team. He has bought into the vision that Nurse has implemented.
Yabusele is a professional and will focus on being the perfect teammate by getting others involved. His ability to play in any lineup will be pivotal down the road.
If Nurse decides to adjust his starting lineup and add Yabusele, who would he remove? Caleb Martin or Oubre could be two possible candidates because of their contributions from the bench to their previous teams.
Oubre Jr. is averaging 17 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and a putrid 30 percent from three. Nevertheless, he can create his own shot, finish at the rim with either hand, and run the break.
points in the paint. pic.twitter.com/stRgvo2eyB
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 7, 2024
The Kansas product will find a way to generate offense or help the team with a ferocious dunk to change the momentum. Due to his consistency, it would be best to keep him in the starting lineup.
Martin was a key bench player with the Miami Heat but has started six games with the 76ers. Throughout the beginning of the season, he has struggled to find a rhythm and is currently shooting 20 percent from three.
The 6-foot-5 small forward is averaging 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting a career-low 33.8 percent from the floor. It’s too early to panic, but switching him to the second unit may relieve the pressure to produce.
Some players thrive off the bench because they are giving the starters a rest, there is more freedom to create offense, and it’s a comfortable place for them.
There is only a 2.3-point fall-off from a point perspective but the Sixers need a shot in the arm. Martin was brought in to be a 3-and-D player but it’s been an uphill battle thus far.
Again, it’s not time to panic in Philly, but there’s nothing wrong with experimenting with the lineups.