Many fans didn’t think too deeply about it when the Sixers signed Georges “Minivan” Niang this offseason in free agency. They saw him as a stretch 4 who barely saw the floor for Utah. No one expected Georges Niang to be the most consistent bench piece for the Philadelphia 76ers.
With his high level of play as of late and his immediate impact as a big who requires respect from the three-point line, it’s easy to forget how cheap and efficient the big man is. On August 6th, 2021, King Georges put pen to paper on a 2 year, 6.7 million dollar contract with the Sixers following his stint with the Utah Jazz. The signing was met with a few questions about who that was and what he would bring to the team. Many Sixers fans were quick to write him off as just a minor Mike Scott upgrade, something they were glad to have after Scott’s horribly inconsistent year the season before when in reality, Niang is so much more.
Over the course of the year, Niang has been an invaluable piece to the Sixers, averaging 9.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, each being career highs. His shooting splits have been fantastic this season as well, with percentages of 44.0/39.7/87.2.
The Iowa State alum is setting all types of career highs. He is averaging career highs in points per game (9.8), minutes per game (22.8), three-pointers made (2.0), three-pointers attempted per game (5.0), rebounds per game (2.7), and assists per game (1.3). His consistent growth is just another sign of his incredible work ethic. Also, Georges “Minivan” Niang has been the 6th highest scorer on the Philadelphia 76ers and the 2nd highest scorer on the bench, with only Shake Milton averaging more points (10.5).
Niang is also shooting better than Shake Milton is, with Niang shooting 44.0% from the field compared to Shake’s 42.9%. Niang is also shooting 39.7% from three compared to Shake’s 31.6%. Niang’s consistency and production on the bench unit is unparalleled on the Sixers’ second unit and has been a lights-out shooter all year for the team. With so much inconsistency on the team outside of Embiid and Curry, Niang has been showing that he is the perfect role player for this 76ers team.
Niang will never be a superstar player, but he may just be the best player on the Sixers bench. Georges Niang’s shooting and growth as a player and teammate have been amazing to watch. As he makes three after three and continues to produce at a high level for the 76ers, King Georges’ reign as the best member of the bench will continue until the Ben Simmons domino finally falls.
