Furkan Korkmaz, otherwise known as ‘Furky From Turkey wit da Jerky,’ according to Mike Scott, or ‘GOAT-maz’, as said by Ben Simmons, has truly made his mark with the Sixers this season.
https://twitter.com/bensimmons25/status/1218366162792341505?s=21
His Story
Korkmaz has been with the Sixers since the 2017-18 season. Last season, he did not receive the playing time he felt he deserved. This was understandable, though, as rookie Landry Shamet earned minutes with his productivity as a sharpshooter off the bench. Following that, the Sixers decided not to pick up his option for the 2019-20 season. He actually requested a trade in the fall of 2018, but luckily they agreed on a two-year deal.
Furkan Korkmaz will return to the Sixers on a 2-year min deal.
First year guaranteed. Second year with a July 10, 2020 trigger date to become guaranteed, source confirms.
Sixers get a familiar well-respected face & a talented young shooter.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 24, 2019
His Impact
Throughout January alone, Korkmaz has been shooting 42.9% from 3-point range. That follows a very strong December, when he posted a 41.1% clip. As if that is not enough, the Sixers have been 11-2 when Korkmaz has at least three 3-pointers in a game.
As the Sixers have had to adjust to life without Joel Embiid, they have been unable to find much luck in their attempts to “fill” his role. Prior to these past three games, Mike Scott was the replacement starter. Due to Scott’s lack of production, however, Brett Brown decided to change things up by starting Matisse Thybulle in his place. Although that fifth starting spot is important, the Sixers fate many times seems to fall on the players coming off the bench.
Case in point — in the Sixers’ 117-106 win over the Nets, Korkmaz was a monster off the bench. He had 15 points and two rebounds.
Wit da jerky. pic.twitter.com/BOUUqdB1Ax
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 16, 2020
Similarly, in the next game, a 100-89 win against the Bulls, Korkmaz had a career-high 24 points. He was 6-of-9 from 3-point range, and added four rebounds. This was his first time as the Sixers’ leading scorer, and it was the most points by a Sixers’ reserve since Shamet dropped 29 points on January 8th, 2019 (oh how the tables have turned). Brett Brown mentioned that he “had flashbacks of JJ [Redick]… though I don’t remember JJ dunking like that” after this historic night.
What a night for 3⃣0⃣#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/Xc6RAvKiMP
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 18, 2020
The next night, Korkmaz kept the winning streak alive in a hard-fought 90-87 win over the Knicks. He had 17 points, including an important free throw with 4.2 seconds left that helped seal the game.
#NBAVote Furkan Korkmaz pic.twitter.com/B3YZslwray
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 19, 2020
In yesterday’s 117-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Korkmaz contributed 10 points, including a dagger 3-pointer that put the Sixers up by five with 23 seconds remaining.
F U R K A N K O R K M A Z pic.twitter.com/Htck0mYjV6
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 20, 2020
His Controversy
Despite his success, there are still some critical fans who are not happy when he is on the court. However, he has the potential to be a very valuable player to the Sixers, as they continue their search for a consistent bench scorer. If this great stretch of games since mid-December continues, then it is clear that the Sixers have found their man.
Feel like this is an every game tweet, but it is fascinating how Furkan Korkmaz went from someone the Sixers were done with, to hitting clutch threes, and their best(only?) perimeter threat.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) January 18, 2020
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