Philadelphia 76ers: Shake Milton’s return has been just what the Doc ordered
The Philadelphia 76ers are 5-0 in games with Shake Milton and 2-2 in games without him.
Coincidence? Maybe.
A welcome surprise? Oh, heck yes.
While it was unquestionably fun to watch Furkan Korkmaz run the show as a bizzaro 6-foot-7 point guard, Milton’s presence has helped to settle the team’s second unit and make everyone’s life a little easier, even if number 30 has the ball in his hands a little less often than in games past.
Is Shake Milton the team’s long-term answer at backup point guard? Maybe, maybe not, but the Philadelphia 76ers are unquestionably better in the short-term with Protein Shake on the court for 21.8 minutes of action a night.
The Philadelphia 76ers finally have two point guards in their rotation.
Through the first nine games of the 2021-22 season, the Philadelphia 76ers have averaged 24 assists per game, good for the 11th-best mark in the NBA.
The team has five different players who are averaging at least three assists per game, including Joel Embiid, and has found ways to get everyone involved on the offensive end of the court, as evidenced by their very impressive team statistics.
But though the first four games of the season, the Sixers had a problem. They were only logging assists on 54.9 percent of their shots from the field, which ranked 24th in the Association, and just generally saw more hapless drives than a team with championship aspirations should see.
The solution? Finally get Shake Milton back into the rotation.
In the five games since Milton returned to the court, the Sixers’ assist percentage has risen up to 61.2 percent, good for the 10th best mark in the NBA.
Granted, is that all in Milton? No, but his return has allowed Furkan Korkmaz to play off-ball, where his playmaking is an asset, and just generally given the team more capable ball handlers from which to keep the ball moving and fish for an open look.
That’s good.
Want to know what else is good? Milton is taking 53.2 percent of his shots from within 15 feet of the basket, and making 68 percent of them.
Even if Milton’s shooting averages dip a bit with more volume, adding another capable driver who forces opposing teams to cover the entire halfcourt will keep the Sixers’ offense viable while Tobias Harris is on the mend.
Throw all of that together and you’re left with an offense that isn’t just surviving without Ben Simmons but has found a way to thrive regardless of who is active for any given game.
Next. Tyrese Maxey threw his own birthday party. dark
Should the Philadelphia 76ers be on the lookout for another point guard? Yes. Even as Tyrese Maxey continues to prove his worth as one of the most exciting young point guards in the game, the Sixers are desperate for a veteran point guard who can dish out a half dozen dimes a game while playing good minutes at both ends of the court. But until that day comes, or a surprise trade gifts the Sixers with another offensive facilitator, Shake Milton will continue to be a vital cog in an offense winning without two of their stars.