Sixers’ Bench Improvement Is A Key Part Of This Season’s Success

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In the Joel Embiid era, the Philadelphia 76ers have never had a strong bench unit. Almost every year, as soon as Embiid stepped off the floor, the Sixers’ bench would fail to maintain a lead on both ends of the floor.

While the Philadelphia bench still isn’t quite elite, its production this season has still helped propel the team to a 31-16 record.

Doc Rivers absolutely deserves credit for the bench improvement, as he has mixed and matched different lineups throughout the season. Staggering James Harden and Embiid’s minutes on the floor so they have time with bench players has kept Philadelphia afloat when the starting lineup isn’t in.

Boasting some shooting, shot creation and defensive ability, here are some of the players who have improved the Sixers’ bench unit most this season.

Tyrese Maxey

Take your pick; Maxey could be considered either a starter or a sixth man.

The third-year guard has started in 22 of his 28 games played, but recently started coming off the bench after Rivers said the team would be going with three different starting lineups based on matchups.

Even in his new bench role, Maxey has continued to thrive. The 22-year-old is averaging 21.3 points on the season, and has become a go-to scorer for the Sixers whenever he’s on the floor.

He also continues to develop offensively — when Maxey came into the league, he was known for his finishing around the rim. He still has an incredible ability to avoid contact at the rim or a put-up gentle floater, but where Maxey has continued to make strides is on the perimeter.

The Kentucky product is now up to 40% from three on 6.4 attempts per game this year. In Philadelphia’s win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, he came up huge with six threes.

The microwave scoring from Maxey is a huge component of the 76ers offense. He will have the ball in his hands more often as he continues to come off the bench, without James Harden and Joel Embiid taking away touches.

Maxey will only lift the rest of the second unit up with him.

De’Anthony Melton

Melton, similar to Maxey, has seen time on both the first and second units throughout the year.

One of the 76ers’ offseason additions, Melton has become one of the best glue guys in the NBA. On both ends of the floor, he finds a new way to contribute every night.

Offensively, Melton is averaging a career-high 11.1 points per game, and has become a knockdown three-point shooter. On top of his catch-and-shoot ability, he can handle the ball well, get his own shot off or create for those around him.

Defensively, he is among the league leaders in steals per game. Melton plays passing lanes often, and uses his big frame for a guard to get his hands on the basketball whenever it’s near him.

Melton has been a starter since Maxey moved to the bench. While Maxey may be the better player, there is a strong argument that Melton’s individual game complements the other starters more.

With Harden and Embiid dominating offensive touches, they need guys who can shoot to create a more balanced and spaced-out offense — and Melton can certainly provide that.

Harden has never been a strong defender. Having Melton alongside him in the starting unit gives the Sixers a guard that can match up well against other guards, allowing Harden to run the offense more.

Whether the coaching staff chooses to stick with Melton or Maxey as a starter, they both continue to produce.

Georges Niang

Speaking of Harden and Embiid needing shooters, Niang has become one of the league’s best catch-and-shoot players.

5.4 of his 7.0 field goal attempts per game are from deep, spacing the floor for Philadelphia. His minutes have often been matched up with Harden, which has been an excellent fit due to the defensive attention Harden draws and his passing ability.

Niang isn’t just a shooter though. While his small frame can limit him defensively, he makes up for some of it with his heart and energy.

A perfect example of this was seen Wednesday against the Nets, when Ben Simmons posted up against Niang. He didn’t back down at all, even drawing a technical foul on Simmons for a slight shove.

Niang brings intensity, shooting and size to the 76ers’ bench, and has a natural fit with the rest of the team.

Shake Milton

Milton has been in Philadelphia for five years now, but is still just 26 years old.

He’s come off the bench in 34 of his 43 games this season. 10.2 points and 3.3 assists per game may not jump off the page, but numbers don’t tell the full story for Milton.

He is an efficient scorer, especially for a guard, and can score from anywhere on the floor. Milton has also provided a spark off the bench when the 76ers have needed it most.

Milton’s shot creation and efficiency has been key for the improvement from the Philadelphia bench.

As the team looks to capture a high seed in the East and go into the playoffs with momentum, Milton’s presence as a scorer off the bench will be an underrated X-Factor.

Sixers bench — Matisse Thybulle has been the Sixers’ stopper off the bench this year. (Photo courtesy of Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Matisse Thybulle

While Thybulle hasn’t quite progressed offensively like many fans had hoped, the Australian wing is still a one-man wrecking crew defensively.

Whenever the Sixers need a stop, they can count on Thybulle. It may be disappointing that his minutes have been almost split in half since last season, but he still gets his job done.

Rivers has been able to bring in Thybulle to shut down the opposing team’s best scorer. Whether it’s against wing or a guard, Thybulle’s quick feet, long frame and strength allow him to match up against nearly anybody.

In the future (unless he is traded), the Sixers will certainly want more offensively. But in the meantime, Thybulle can be counted on to bring a defensive intensity from the Sixers’ bench.

Stay tuned for more breaking NBA content, including trades, contract updates and more news from every team.

Featured image courtesy of Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images

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