Add one more intriguing young big man to Philadelphia’s seemingly endless frontcourt log jam. Which is a good thing, we suppose. The improved play of 2015 second-round pick Richaun Holmes of late has ignited conversation that not only could the Sixers have their backup center of the future, but – per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer – a possible starter.
In the Sixers’ last five games, Holmes has averaged 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals per game – or roughly 22.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. What’s more, the Sixers have won three out of those five to boot.
“You can count on him,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said of the 23-year-old. “Those effort, energy sort of type things are the reliable part of his game. The other things [three-point shooting, making open 18-footers] at times are outliers and really tip him over the top when he starts doing those other things.”
Pompey isn’t the only local reporter to praise the upstart second-year big man. Jessica Camerato of CSN Philadelphia spoke with teammate Justin Anderson about Holmes recent play for the Sixers.
“He’s a beast,” Anderson said. “I’ve [seen] that for a while. I remember watching him in summer league. He plays extremely hard, and then now he’s shooting the three, his ability to just dunk on people. He’s really good. He’s a really good player. I’m happy for him. When he gets going like that, we’re a tough team.”
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Injured Sixers rookie Joel Embiid is back in Philadelphia while the information from his time rehabilitating his knee in California is reviewed. Jessica Camerato of CSN Philadelphia tweets that there has been no timetable for the next steps.
- That rebounder the Celtics were said to desperately need could very well be right under their nose. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England suggests that forward Jae Crowder could be just that. Blakely writes that Crowder has averaged 7.7 rebounds per game since the All-Star Break.
- Both Brett Brown and Brad Stevens were hired as head coaches four years ago but the rebuilding processes that the Sixers and Celtics have taken ever since differ, Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Cooney suggests that the C’s have had the leg up all along because they started with a better base.
It’s easy to rebuild a team if you can play to make the playoffs, and still be in the running to get the top overall pick each year. Sixers had to lose to get the picks.
Im tired of people thinking Richaun Holmes is a center. He’s only 6’8! At best he’s a stretch 4. Yes he could hit the 3 but hes nowhere near consistent enough. I like him but people need to wake up and realize he’s not a 5. I’ve seen alot of bigs take him down low and score over him with ease.
He has 3 heights listed. 6-10′ on Sixers, 6-8′ in college, 6-9′ for the draft lol.
Dario Saric is 6’10 and you can clearly tell that he’s taller than Holmes.
Holmes is 6’8-6’9. I watched him play in college and met him after a game. I coached a kid in hs that played college ball with him. But, he’s really long. His build is similar to Tristan Thompson
I personally think Holmes is a much better defender than Thompson
I like Thompson’s game, very active hands, very annoying to opposing teams. Holmes looks like he could be just as annoying. Which is what you want out of a back-up 4/5.
Chuck Hayes was a center at 6’6. Wes Unseld at 6’7. Regardless his height, Richaun does not move quickly enough laterally to be a wing player. It’s already his bugaboo with regard to rebounding on the interior and help defense.
Anyway, Brett Brown, coach for life! What he’s done with TJ McConnell, Holmes and Robert Covington, Timothe Luwawu, Nik Stauskas has been remarkable. Even the haul the Sixers got for Jeremi Grant was due to Coach Brown.
Dario Saric and Joel Embiid are phenomenally talented, but they’ve performed far beyond expectations, and some of that has to go to Brown as well.
The fact that Brett Brown is confident in Ben Simmons as a point guard speaks volumes!!!
Ca