The Sixers are back. Well not really; they still sport the worst record in basketball, but thanks to the recent acquisition of 27 year old point guard Ish Smith, they have begun to crawl out of the NBA abyss. Since Jerry Colangelo and Sam Hinkie decided to bring Smith back into the fold, the Sixers are 5-8, and competing in just about every game. Smith has revitalized the team, averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 assists per game and his numbers only tell half the story. He has given Brett Brown much needed stability at the point guard position. The days of the point guard carousel of T.J. McConnell and Tony Wroten are over as Brown can let Smith take the reins. Furthermore Smith has been a catalyst for Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor’s progression.
Jahlil Okafor: 17.5ppg, 6.1rpg, .587 FG%
Nerlens Noel: 11.5ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.5bpg
Since the return of Smith, Okafor’s numbers have taken a bit of a hit, but his efficiency has drastically improved, which is encouraging. Noel has really been helped out by Smith, improving all facets of his game.
The question at hand is whether or not Smith figures to be on this team when the Sixers are done with the rebuild and are competing again. The recent success has been nice, though it has been over just thirteen games, making it tough to make an accurate assessment. If he can play this way over longer stretches, there is little doubt that he will always have a spot on this team, but if his career is any indication, this surge may be short lived. Over five years he has averaged just 4.7 points and 2.9 assists per game, considerably below what he is averaging now with the Sixers. Even if he could average 80% of what he is putting up now, the Sixers may turn to the draft to find their point guard of the future anyway. If the Sixers are awarded the Lakers 4th overall pick in the draft, a selection of a point guard is very likely.
In the upcoming draft, there are two point guards that the Sixers should be looking at with that possible pick. Kentucky point guard Jamal Murray and Providence’s Kris Dunn both have much higher upsides than Smith, which could push him out of the starting lineup and that’s even before the Sixers are truly finished in their rebuild.
Smith has made the Sixers exciting to watch again. He has completely rejuvenated the team with his play and is aiding the development of the Sixers two centerpieces; however in the end, it may not be enough. Once the Sixers have the opportunity, whether it is through the draft or free agency, to bring in a point guard of the future, the career journeyman may have to pack his bags once again. He deserves a lot of credit for steering the Sixers back on the track that they envisioned when they began the rebuild, but by the time the Sixers are playing in late April and May, Ish Smith may not be onboard.
Photo credit: Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
