Philadelphia is the new basketball heaven where everybody wants to be, well, everybody that played for the Atlanta Hawks.
Just two weeks after Marco Belinelli chose to come to Philadelphia, former Sixer Ersan Ilyasova has chosen to Trust The Process. Ilyasova is no stranger to the Sixers or Coach Brett Brown. Last year, he started over current power forward Dario Saric. He played in 53 games for the Sixers and averaged 14.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He only averaged 35.5% from 3, which is the same percentage he’s averaging in less playing time with the Hawks. It was widely thought last year that when the Sixers traded Ilyasova to Atlanta, it was mostly due to letting Dario Saric have a chance to emerge. That plan worked, as Saric almost won Rookie-of-the-Year, and played incredibly well. So why bring Ilyasova back?
The Sixers starting five has been among the top three all season in overall efficiency. The bench has been ineffective. Some moves have been made. The Sixers got some energy and toughness when they traded Jahlil Okafor for Trevor Booker. However, Booker hasn’t always been able to be a good fit on the floor with the Sixers offense. Jerryd Bayless has been awful this season. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had a nice stretch of games starting for an injured J.J. Redick, but has been pretty ineffective since. T.J. McConnell is the first player off the bench for Philadelphia, but despite shooting 50% form the 3-point line, he’s far from instant offense-though an effective player. Marco Belinelli will help.
Adding Ilyasova might enable Brett Brown to get more punch when Joel Embiid is on the bench. Amir Johnson hasn’t been able to provide much. Richaun Holmes has been a curious situation indeed. He provides energy and offense, but Brown doesn’t have any confidence in him. Not saying Ilyasova can play the 5 spot, but the 30-year old is 6-10. He has another quality that the Sixers need-he can create his own shot.
The next big question is who would the Sixers cut to make room for Ilyasova? Booker, who just got here two months ago? Maybe. Bayless? They’re stuck with his contract for another year, so the buyout would be a bit of a hit on the salary cap. TLC? He was a first round pick two years ago and still has potential. Justin Anderson has been hurt, but they love his mentality and leadership. Even though Holmes hasn’t been a big part of things, it would be hard to see him go anywhere. Tough decision!
If the reports of Ilyasova coming to Philly is true, it will be his seventh stop in the NBA. In his career, Ilyasova has averaged 11.0 points a game, shot 44.3% from the field, 36.6% from the 3-point line, and has grabbed 5.9 rebounds a game. Not stats that blow you away, but he would be a tremendous addition to the bench. If nothing else, this gives Brown some more flexibility, and for a team most likely headed to the playoffs, they will need that and more.
