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Just like every year, the Sixers Summer League has come and gone way too fast. Who were the top 5 players of note during the Summer League? What does it mean for the Sixers 2021-22 season? Let’s break it down.
#5 Jaden Springer
Biggest Takeaways
There was good and bad for Jaden Springer during the Summer League. First, the defense is as advertised. Springer’s elite foot speed and lateral quickness quickly translated. As poor as Springer looked offensively, the exact opposite could be said about his defense. His biggest impression this Summer came on the final game where he led the team with 21 points on 8/14 from the floor and leading the team with a +/- of 14. Sixers fans should be patient with Jaden Springer, who will likely benefit most from a heavy dose of seasoning and development with the Delaware Blue Coats this season.
Jaden Springer has terrific work ethic, so there is little doubt that he’ll eventually put put it all together and become a solid NBA player. The issue at hand is clearly the Sixers’ win now mentality. Despite the struggles, there were certainly flashes of positivity when it comes to playmaking and thriving in spot up situations. It will be interesting to see how Daryl Morey molds this extremely talented 18 year old moving forward. Based on his Summer League performance, I expect very little impact from Jaden Springer this season.
Best Plays
Full Summer League highlight reel
#4 Filip Petrušev
Biggest Takeaways
Filip PetruÅ¡ev was easily the surprise of the Summer League in ways that no one had expected. The Sixers drafted PetruÅ¡ev as a modern stretch big, one who shot 45.1% from 3 and 1.42 points per possessions rolling to the basket (95th percentile) last season. Shockingly the offense did not translate. To be fair PetruÅ¡ev wasn’t exactly given a PNR point guard to thrive with during the Summer League. Ironically however, it was Filip PetruÅ¡ev’s defense that stood out.
Coming in, one of the biggest negatives for the 50th overall pick was his pick and roll defense. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Filip PetruÅ¡ev showed solid fundamentals, lateral quickness and defensive instincts throughout the Summer League. Filip recently signed a one year deal with Anadolu Efes to play for head coach Ergin Ataman next season. Ataman has turned Anadolu Efes into a powerhouse these last three years. Even better, he’s a head coach with tons of experience developing stretch bigs. We’ll all be watching Filip PetruÅ¡ev’s development very closely this season.
Best Play
Full Summer League highlight reel
#3 Paul Reed
Biggest Takeaways
Paul Reed turned a lot of heads with one of the best individual performances of the Summer League vs the Minnesota Timberwolves. Paul Reed finished that game tallying 27 points, 20 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks. Overall, most of Paul Reed’s offensive output came inside the paint on very good efficiency. Despite shooting 44% from 3 for the Delaware Blue Coats last season, Paul Reed’s impact on the perimeter was shocking low where he shot just 4/10 from 3 point range.
Questions will linger regarding what kind of player Paul Reed can become at the next level. Only 2 attempts from 3 point range per game is not exactly eye opening for a stretch big. Beyond that, the majority of his points either came from transition, isolation or around the rim. As I said many times on our Sixers post game shows, Paul Reed is the definition of chaos. He deserves a ton of credit for how much he disrupts on the defensive end. Paul Reed is signed through the 2023-24 season, but will fight for playing time over Georges Niang who has shot 41.3% from three-point range over the past three seasons with the Utah Jazz.
Best Plays
#2 Isaiah Joe
Biggest Takeaways
The bad news? A mild MCL sprain kept Isaiah Joe out of the final game for the Philadelphia 76ers. The good news? Isaiah Joe showed a ton of promise during the Summer League. Most notably, growth was evident in his playmaking, handle and ability to come off screens. It wasn’t always pretty, but Isaiah Joe showed steady flashes on defense. He was frequently seen contesting shots on the perimeter, moving his feet and being physical.
Isaiah Joe’s three point percentages were solid. The most eye opening stat for Sixers fans should be the attempts from beyond the arc. 10 three pointers attempted per game is a direct reflection on Joe’s confidence and fearlessness to shoot from the perimeter. I shouldn’t have to remind you that the Sixers had the second lowest amount of field goal attempts from 3 during the playoffs. In fact, the only team that was worse than the 76ers was the Washington Wizards, who they sent home packing in the first round. Isaiah Joe showed a ton of promise and Doc Rivers should heavily think about finding Joe minutes during the 2021-22 season.
Best Play
Full Summer League highlight reel
#1 Tyrese Maxey
Biggest Takeaways
As big as that Ben Simmons trade is looming, Tyrese Maxey’s development this offseason is everything. Maxey had his up-and-down moments in his first season for sure. On the negative side, he wasn’t the most efficient scorer or defender. He didn’t get to the free throw line enough last season. However, Maxey’s play shined on the biggest stage of his basketball career.
It was great to see the confidence Maxey had earned during the Atlanta Hawks playoff series carry on into the Summer League. How long has it been since we’ve had an off-the-dribble penetrator who can create their own shot in the pick-and-roll? Maxey showcased a wide variety of moves in his arsenal this Summer. 7 three pointers and 5.5 free throws attempted per game is something that all Sixers fans feel very good about. If there was one takeaway from the Sixers play in Vegas, it’s that Tyrese Maxey is ready to breakout in a very big way next season.
