[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 This question, or topic, may be out of the blue, but given recent Markelle Fultz news and pictures make this topic sort of a big deal. The recent Markelle Fultz news is that the Sixers are extremely pleased by his progress, his jumper may not be perferct at this moment, but the jumper held up during 5-on-5’s with other Drew Hanlen clients. That is just one part of the news, the other is that they plan on eventually have him in the starting lineup. Logically, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Robert Covington jobs are pretty safe in the starting lineup. I’ve been apart of many debates in who should be the last starter. Should it be the better player or should it be one of the top 5 shooters in the league. 

 Redick and Saric offer many things to the 53 win team and was valuable for the 76ers to have the best starting 5 in the league. One going  to come off the bench, in favor of Fultz, at some point. Dario Saric is the clear choice to come off the bench. Even though he’s the better player of the two and is the better rebounder, defender, and have better size. But, Redick opens up the lane for the 76ers Big 3 by being one of the best shooters, spacers, and off-ball players in the league. Players on opposing teams would not respect Saric jumper like they would do Redick’s jumper. On another note, to maximize Redick’s impact, Brett Brown needs to keep Redick in lineups with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. By having him on the bench, it would be less time he would be on the court with those two. Ben Simmons is one of the best creators in the league, if Redick-Simmons pairing is limited it would hurt both players. Simmons wouldn’t have the same spacing, and Redick wouldn’t have a creator to get the best out of him.

Dario Saric is more valuable for the bench given that he can handle a bigger offensive work load and can play better (than Redick) without Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. While J.J Redick needs Simmons to maximize his impact, Saric is more suited in being a super-6 man, like Manu. Another reason why Saric is better suited as the super-6 is that they need to seperate Robert Covington and Saric. They need to seperate those two because Covington plays better without Dario Saric (http://www.libertyballers.com/2018/7/22/17570484/how-the-sixers-can-maximize-robert-covingtons-offense). By playing Covington at the power forward, on the offensive end, would force opposing 4’s to guard him and run around with him. He shoots better, scores, better, and does virtually everything better with a lineup without Dario Saric. 

So, to maximize Robert Covington and J.J Redick, they either need to play with Ben Simmons and without Dario Saric. This is not saying that Saric is not the better player, but to maximize this roster, they need to have him on the bench as a monster 6 man option that would cause havok on opposing second units. 

Potential Starting Lineup, by defensive assignments:

PG: Markelle Fultz

SG: J.J Redick 

SF: Robert Covington

PF: Ben Simmons

C: Joel Embiid

Thoughts?

Sorry for the grammer.

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

While I think eventually the plan is for him to start, I think the plan is still for him to come off the bench this season. He needs to prove he can shoot the ball consistently enough that he can provide enough floor spacing for lineups with him and Simmons to work. I think the starting lineup will remain the same as last season, and they will allow fultz to run the second unit offense when Simmons sits and play some mins alongside him. If fultz just plays so well that they need him on the court, than maybe this discussion changes, but right now I expect reddick to be the starter. Next season (when reddicks deal is up) is most likely when fultz becomes a full-time starter.

[ChicagoCaseyParticipant]

 I’m going off a report from yesterday about how the 76ers are encouraged about his shot in recent clips and how his shot held up in live action. The report said that he will play big minutes and have a starting spot from the jump. I’m going off information that came out yesterday and if the information is right then either Saric or Redick will be on the bench. My guess would be Saric.

[The GoatParticipant]

 Agree, but Saric is a gun player. He should get big minutes. If Ben is on the ball offensively and the other guys are all a 3pt threat, it’s a really tough team to beat. I expect to see Saric and Bolden (who can shoot it) spend time at the 5 and then only see a traditional big replace Embiid when Ben is off the floor. 

[HitsterParticipant]

 If the 76ers do want to start Fultz then I think Saric or possibly Covington will move to the bench. Reddick’s experience and shooting is maximized on court with Simmons and Embeast.

I think this year though Fultz is possibly best suited being an impact 6th man and having the ball with the 2nd unit when Simmons is on the bench.

 

[dazeoneParticipant]

PG: Simmons. Fultz  backing. Simmons or Reddick as 6th man or TJ first PG pending on matchups

SG: JJ Reddick Korkmaz Shamet

SF: Covington  Wilson Chandler

PF: Saric Bolden

C: Embid Amir Johnson Muscala

Gonna be interesting based on matchups

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 developed James Harden. It’s seems like so long ago but Harden was a fantastic 6th man who could seemlessly run the 2nd unit or be plugged in w/ the starers late in games for scoring punch

Now this ESPN artcile & this thread assume that Fultz regains his shooting touch so for the purpose of this discussion I’ll assume the same thing & I agree w/ the ESPN writer’s modeling Fultz’s development on Harden’s time in OKC

Now, if Harden plays So well that he Must be a starter the choice between Saric & Reddick is a tough one b/c Reddick is such an integral part of that Phila offense – but Saric has been a Beast too – Saric is a bruising in the paint defender & rebounder & does not get nearly enough credit for his wide range of skills – for example Saric is an excellent passer & at 6’10” 250 Lbs he raised his 3pt shooting Avg to 39.3% in his 2nd year last season 

All that being said I’d keep Reddick in the starting unit & put Saric on the 2nd team if Fultz must start b/c Saric So versatile he can function as a Point Center w/ his passing ability on that 2nd Unit or he can flare out as a Stretch 4 & provide 3pt shooting for the 2nd team while Musselman plays Center & Chandler the Wing —- 

Saric, Embiid, Simmons & Fultz are all between 20 – 24 years old & Saric is barely ever mentioned & unlike the other 3 Saric does not have potential Star talent but he is one hell of a young talent to have b/c Saric does so many things well for that Sixers team & he provides great Leadership & his personality is a perfect fit 

Eventually, (probably next summer when Phila chases a Max Free Agent) JJ Reddick won’t be resigned & Phila will start both Saric & Fultz w/ Embiid, Simmons & Covington 

 

 

 

 

[cohenbc1Participant]

 I would just say that there’s a big difference between a Markelle Fultz who’s "fixed his shot" and J.J. Redick.

Redick is 30th in all-time three-pointers made, and will likely be 22nd or 23rd by this time next year if he has a healthy season. He’s a career .415 shooter from 3 — of the guys with more made threes, only Korver, Curry, Nash and Thompson shoot them with a higher percentage.

I bet you will still see Fultz’ man leaving him at times to help out on Embiid. You won’t see Redick’s man doing that.

 

 

[OllstarParticipant]

James Harden leads the league in scoring per minute in the first quarter at .85 points. At 1 point per minute he also leads the 2nd quarter scoring.

Steph Curry scores .7 points per minute in the first quarter and .95 per minute in the 2nd quarter.

Like Harden and Curry, a lot of players actually score more frequently per minute in the 2nd compared to the first. It’s possible the defensive players are better to start the game but it could also have to do with other factors like adrenaline and rythm. 

Redick is in the game for his offense but I think he is less exposed defensively in the first quarters too. 

Until Philly can replace his shooting he has to be the starter.

 

 

 

 

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