Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Richardson’s point work ‘pretty good’ for Sixers
PHILADELPHIA >> The Sixers entered training camp with one starting point guard followed by limitless options. By Tuesday, there was a hint of clarity.
With Ben Simmons taking a 106-86 preseason victory over the Detroit Pistons off with a tight back, Brett Brown had the option to slide one of his two veteran candidates, Trey Burke or Raul Neto, into that spot. Instead, he moved Josh Richardson over from the perimeter, handing him the ball and something of a depth-chart boost.
“The preseason is the time to try things and learn,” Brown said. “I’ve never been gun shy about trying things. And sometimes they haven’t worked out so well. Sometimes you trip or something. So that was the mindset: We might as well try it now.”
Slotted as the backcourt complement to Simmons, Richardson had played mostly on the wing in his first four NBA seasons with the Miami Heat. But he had played some at the point, too, as he had at times at the University of Tennessee.
“I’m just happy to be getting playing time, period,” he said. “I just want to be effective where I am at.”
In 25:54, Richardson scored 11 points and made six assists. He shot 4-for-12.
“I thought he was pretty good,” Brown said. “Pretty good. In general, I am excited to look at him as a backup point guard. His ball handling was good. He is lanky and long enough to keep point guards who are harassing him away from him.”
Richardson was excited for the opportunity.
“Going from the wing to the point is a little different, just because you have to be the vocal guy, the guy calling the plays with the ball in your hands,” he said. “You’ve got to think a little bit different when you are on the court. So it is a little bit of a challenge.”
Both Burke and Neto played enough to be noticed, and they will continue what was viewed as the most obvious training-camp position battle.
“It’s up in the air,” Brown said. “Shake Milton is coming in to play some. You see Trey and Raul. You see Josh Richardson come in and be more than serviceable. And so, at some point, I’ll make a decision. It won’t be declared for a while. But at some point I will make a decision and roll with it.”
That choice could be as simple as choosing either Burke or Neto as the backup to Simmons. Or it could involve Brown occasionally shuffling Simmons to the frontcourt and allowing Richardson to create from up top, as he did in the last postseason with Jimmy Butler.
“I love Josh,” said Detroit coach Dwane Casey. “I remember him down in Miami. He’s one of the top defensive guards in our league, as far as his length, his long arms. His shooting really improved through his years in Miami. I think that was a great pickup for this team, because Josh can guard multiple positions.
“He’s mentally tough. He’s physically tough in his demeanor. I’m sure he fits in well, but that was big pickup for that team.”
•••
Norvel Pelle blocked three dunks in the fourth quarter, thrilling the crowd of 14,317 and bringing his teammates to joyous a standing ovation. He had five blocked shots overall.
Known as a defensive stopper, the 6-10 center has no explanation for his timing.
“I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “It’s just second nature.”
He appreciated the support of his teammates.
“It’s like a family base,” he said. “It’s a brotherhood. When one of us does something, everybody is happy.”
••• With Al Horford taking the night off for load management, Furkan Korkmaz started at the three spot, with Tobias Harris shifting to the four.
“You can go to a lot of places on the team and see players with versatility,” Brown said. “Tobias might be the most obvious in profile. But I think that’s the situation that Elton Brand and his front office have created for me, that we are pliable. We can do some different things. I don’t feel a prisoner to having to go to traditional lineups. I think I can move people around based on who we’re playing.”
Korkmaz scored 10 points and hit two of his four three-point shots in 23:19.
“He helped himself tonight,” Brown said.
••• NOTES >> Joel Embiid started but was on an unofficial minutes limit. He played 22:27 and scored 24 points. … James Ennis, who has a bruised calf, did not play. … The Sixers will host the Washington Wizards for a preseason game Friday night at 7.