Three Standouts from Sixers Preseason
The Philadelphia 76ers preseason has come to an end, as they defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 120-106, on Friday night.
The preseason presented an opportunity for players who usually wouldn't get game time during the regular season to show case their abilities, while also allowing regulars like Tyrese Maxey or Tobias Harris to put on a display regarding what they've been doing in the offseason.
While some of these players are sure to become regulars under Nick Nurse this season, others may spend more time developing, regardless, here are three standouts from the Sixers' preseason.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
One of the surprise pickups this summer was that of Kelly Oubre Jr., who enjoyed a career year last season in Charlotte, averaging 20 points per game on 43 percent from the field.
Apart from a slow start in the opening game against the Celtics, Oubre Jr showed that he hasn't lost any momentum from last year, averaging 14 points on 44 percent.
His 21 point night in the Barclays Center helped the Sixers get their first win of the preseason, scoring above both Harris (18) and De'Anthony Melton (15), who played comparable minutes against the Nets.
The 27-year-old definitely made his case clear for why he deserves more minutes come the regular season, potentially occupying the spot which was occupied by Melton last season.
The defending G League finals MVP had quite the preseason stint with the Sixers, appearing in all four games for more than 10 minutes.
Springer made his case for one of the two-way spots on Philadelphia's roster, dropping more than ten points on several occasions, granted it wasn't his offense which stood out.
Just as former Sixers' head coach Doc Rivers highlighted towards the end of last season, Springer's defense may be his biggest asset, as he averaged 1.2 steals per game.
This average stems largely from his performance against Brooklyn, picking their pockets three times.
Even if Springer is to spend another season in the G League with the Blue Coats, his most recent stint with the Sixers shows that he, developmentally, is still on an upward trajectory, which is nothing but good.
A player that Sixers fans need no introduction to is Paul Reed, after filling in for Joel Embiid during the latter half of last season.
While the preseason wasn't anything unbelievable, it was a clear demonstration from Reed that he deserves more game time, putting up ten points, and six rebounds per game.
As has been the case with the previous two standouts, his highlight worthy game came against the Nets, dropping 18 points and securing five boards.
This preseason showcase might be enough evidence for Nurse to finally give Reed the opportunity he's been waiting for, the clear position to playing backup to Joel Embiid.
