Five Early Takeaways from the Sixers’ Season Thus Far

Michael Carter-Williams is the Real Deal

Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the most important thing we’ve learned through the Sixers’ first three games is that rookie Michael Carter-Williams is the real deal. The twenty-two year old point guard has taken the city of Philadelphia by storm in Allen Iverson like fashion and has been a major contributor to the Sixer’s 3-0 start.

Coming out of the draft, scouts and executives had their doubts about MCW. During his tenure at Syracuse, Carter-Williams never developed a consistent jump shot and had a problem taking care of the ball. As it stands now, Michael Carter-Williams is proving those scouts to be completely incorrect. The rookie has been a force on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Take a look at the statistical lines for each of his three games thus far:

Against the Miami Heat

22 Points 12 Assists 7 Rebounds   9 Steals 6-10 FGM-FGA 4-6 3PFG

Against the Washington Wizards

14 Points 5 Assists 3 Rebounds    1 Steal 6-15 FGM-FGA 2-6 3PFG

Against the Chicago Bulls

26 Points 10 Assists 4 Rebounds     3 Steals  10-22 FGM-FGA 2-5 3PFG

Each of these statistical lines is impressive in its own right, but what makes them more impressive is that MCW put up these numbers in Sixer’s wins against three very good teams.  In the opener against the Heat, Carter-Williams showed his unlimited potential when he put up a near quadruple-double against the best team in the NBA and Lebron James.

In last night’s win, Carter-Williams put the team on his back when he caught fire in the third quarter and brought the 76ers back from a twenty point deficit to overcome the Bulls. He is now averaging 20 PPG, 9 APG, 4.7 RPG, and 4.3 steals per game. The rookie is shooting 46% from the field and 47% from behind the arc. So much for not having a consistent jump shot right?

No one is expecting Carter-Williams to put up these numbers every single game. MCW will have his fair share of ups and downs throughout the season. However, from these numbers we can see that Michael Carter-Williams has all-star potential. If he continues to work hard on his shooting and taking care of the ball, Carter-Williams will be a franchise player along with Nerlens Noel moving forward.