The Philadelphia 76ers season has been, for lack of a better word, severely underwhelming. Injuries are dominating the team, there have been significant negative public relations surrounding the team, and they currently have the second-worst record in the NBA. With a 3-14 record, the Sixers are ahead of only the lowly Washington Wizards. However, despite the negatives, there are still silver linings that Sixers fans can be thankful for this Turkey Day (Gobble Gobble).
Jared McCain
The most obvious thing to be thankful for in Philadelphia has been the emergence of Jared McCain. The 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has been nothing if not impressive. The Sensation has appeared in 17 games, garnering significant minutes in 13 of those. With a season-high of 34 points, McCain has been one of the best in the league when it comes to rookies. As it stands, he is currently the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.
The former Duke product is averaging 23.7 points per game as a starter across seven games this season. With a team that has been struggling for consistent contributors, Jared McCain has given fans something to truly be thankful for. Whether he’s able to help the Sixers right the proverbial ship this season or just a building block for the future, he will surely give the Sixers something to be thankful for today.
Guerschon Yabusele
Another key piece for the 76ers that fans should be thankful for is Guerschon Yabusele today. The former Boston Celtic and Olympic Silver Medalist has been great through his first 17 games. Averaging career highs across the board with 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, all while shooting a career-high 41.5% from beyond the arc. The man has been a beast on defense as well, regularly outworking everyone else on defense and on the boards.
Yabu today, compared to his early years with the Celtics, is a night and day difference. In his first year as a Sixer. In Yabusele’s 17 games this season, he has drained 30 threes. In his two previous years in the league, he made 21 total. The type of player that Yabu turned into during his time playing in France is a night and day difference, and the Sixers should be thankful that he decided to bet on himself, signing the minimum contract they offered him.
Tyrese Maxey’s Leadership
The last thing that Sixers fans should be thankful for on Thanksgiving is Tyrese Maxey’s leadership. The young point guard is just starting his second contract in the league, a five-year max deal worth more than $200 million. Last season, Maxey made the leap to All-Star. This season, after four years of constant production and development on his game, the young point guard has grown into a leader.
While Maxey’s offense prowess is no joke, recently scoring 39 points and dishing out 10 assists in Wednesday’s loss, it’s been his growth as a leader that is the most exciting. It was only a matter of time until Maxey became a serious leader of the team if he wasn’t already.
Challenging Embiid to help hold him accountable this season has been one of the most worth worthy of thanks. While it’s unfortunate that the information was leaked, learning that one of the Sixers’ brightest spots in their future was able to communicate with a veteran of Embiid’s status in that way and have it received positively is one truly a blessing that fans would be wise not to overlook.
