The NBA season is currently in hiatus as the world handles the global coronavirus pandemic, but there is hope around the bend that the season can return soon as commissioner Adam Silver has, reportedly, set an NBA return target date of July 31. Therefore, it gives the Philadelphia 76ers a chance to see what they can do in a playoff setting.
For the Sixers to achieve that goal, they will need some help from other guys in support of their star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. One of those other guys is Shake Milton who was playing at a high level before the league suspended operations on March 11.
When, and if, the season can resume, Milton can play a big role in Philadelphia’s playoff run in three ways and those are:
Floor spacing
Milton is actually shooting a scorching 45.3% from deep on 3.3 attempts per game and he was shooting a ridiculous 60.4% from deep in the final nine games heading into the league suspension including a 7-for-9 from deep performance against the Los Angeles Clippers where he tied an NBA 3-point record on March 1.
The Sixers have tinkered with moving Al Horford to the bench and there is a chance that Milton could move into the starting lineup in his place as Philadelphia looks to best use their jumbo lineup. Milton is shooting 44.2% on catch and shoot 3-pointers per NBA Stats and his ability to take a pass from Simmons and knock down that shot efficiently would be welcomed for this team.
Ball-handling ability
The Sixers have made it clear that they would like to move Simmons off the ball at times and make him the roller in the pick-and-roll game. Milton played point guard at SMU and he can handle the ball as well as anybody on the team. He can run that two-man game with Simmons while also having the ability to either score out of that set or set up guys like Tobias Harris or Josh Richardson for open looks. His ability to attack in the early offense will be a welcomed addition to the lineup.
Perimeter defense
Milton has a 7-foot wingspan along with his 6-foot-5 build and he is a guy who can get after it defensively. He is not a lockdown defender like say, Simmons is nor is he a guy who will cause havoc like Matisse Thybulle, but he is a guy who can help out on that end of the floor. His rise on both ends of the floor during the season has been pretty impressive and his confidence does not waver at any moment. He should receive a lot of looks in the playoffs. [lawrence-related id=32440,32424,32416]