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The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to piece things together over this final stretch of the season. With 13 games left, the Sixers sit at 23-46 and are 6 games back of the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot in the East while dealing with a slew of injuries.
As the Sixers look to figure this out, coach Nick Nurse is trying to put together the best lineup he can out on the floor. That means turning to players who weren't expected to be playing at this stage of the season. Somebody like Chuma Okeke who wasn't even on an NBA roster until the Sixers signed him to an initial 10-day deal in February and then brought him back on March 16.
Okeke poured in a solid effort in Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder when he had 14 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. He shot 5-for-6 overall and 4-for-5 from deep as he was able to give the Sixers some production with his scoring as well as rebounding by using his size and athleticism. That is what the Sixers are expecting of him.
"Big time game," Nurse told reporters of Okeke. "I think that would be his role is to—he’s got some size. He can catch and shoot the 3s. He can get them off pretty quick, 4 out of 5 tonight, and then he was just all over the glass. Just all over the both ends and that's great. That's exactly how we would want him to play."
Okeke's 10-day deal is set to expire on March 26, but his recent play should be able to earn him another opportunity whether that's in Philadelphia or elsewhere. The former first-round pick of the 2019 draft has NBA rotation potential with his ability to shoot the ball along with his length and size. One has to believe the Sixers will continue looking into what he can bring to the table.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nick Nurse gives insight into Chuma Okeke's expected role for Sixers
Continue reading...
As the Sixers look to figure this out, coach Nick Nurse is trying to put together the best lineup he can out on the floor. That means turning to players who weren't expected to be playing at this stage of the season. Somebody like Chuma Okeke who wasn't even on an NBA roster until the Sixers signed him to an initial 10-day deal in February and then brought him back on March 16.
Okeke poured in a solid effort in Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder when he had 14 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. He shot 5-for-6 overall and 4-for-5 from deep as he was able to give the Sixers some production with his scoring as well as rebounding by using his size and athleticism. That is what the Sixers are expecting of him.
"Big time game," Nurse told reporters of Okeke. "I think that would be his role is to—he’s got some size. He can catch and shoot the 3s. He can get them off pretty quick, 4 out of 5 tonight, and then he was just all over the glass. Just all over the both ends and that's great. That's exactly how we would want him to play."
Okeke's 10-day deal is set to expire on March 26, but his recent play should be able to earn him another opportunity whether that's in Philadelphia or elsewhere. The former first-round pick of the 2019 draft has NBA rotation potential with his ability to shoot the ball along with his length and size. One has to believe the Sixers will continue looking into what he can bring to the table.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nick Nurse gives insight into Chuma Okeke's expected role for Sixers
Continue reading...
