In a season where the end of the season is more anticipated than the next game, there have been hardly any positives for the Philadelphia 76ers. They have accumulated more than twice as many losses as wins this season. Yet, amid this moment of gloom, one flicker that has shone on their horizon is Quentin Grimes. Despite the team’s struggles, Grimes has not only given them some ray of hope but has also found a way to enjoy his two months in Philadelphia.
Grimes was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 4 with the aim of helping the Sixers to the play-in tournament and, eventually, the playoffs. Sadly, Philadelphia’s season has gone in the opposite direction since then. After suffering their 10th consecutive loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, the Sixers have yet to get a win for almost three weeks.
The Sixers are 23-54 this season, as they have dealt with injuries of several key players for most parts of the season.
Grimes, however, has been more of a crisis management technician, pulling off consistent performances while the team drowns in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. So far, he has averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 38.3% from deep. He has reached the 20-point mark in 11 of his last 12 games and hit a career-high 46 points against the Houston Rockets.
Despite the conflicting emotions of personal success and team failure, Grimes has found his stay with the Sixers very delightful.
“I think just being around the guys, even though it’s been a little bit of a down year, like nobody is coming in any day in practice with a bad attitude, with a negative mindset,” Grimes said after Thursday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Everybody is coming in ready to work every day, whether it’s before practice or after practice. So, I think just seeing that every day makes it enjoyable to go out there and play with those guys. Knowing that everybody is putting in the same work, nobody is quitting on the season because everybody still has a lot to prove. Whether it’s with this team or another team to watch them.”
“That’s really been the biggest takeaway for me. Everybody is working, keeping the same mindset even though it’s been a little bit of a down year,” Grimes added.
Grimes has particularly improved on his playmaking over the past few games. A point guard in high school, Grimes has been getting back into the feel of running the offense, racking up a career-high 10 assists against the Bucks; the 4.5 assists he averages with the Sixers are also a career-high for him.
“I feel like I’m just getting comfortable,” Grimes said of his playmaking. “Reading the game, kind of being a point of attack on the team for the offensive end, teams are doubling me more, just making the right reads, Yabu popping, or hitting Justin [Edwards] for three. [Adem] Bona was phenomenal tonight, just on the rolls, rebounding, so just trying to make the right reads, hitting the guys, not trying to force too much on the offensive end, but taking what the defense gives me.”
