This is the beginning of a new series by Sixers Wire to pass the time for everybody for the All-Star break. We’re going to take a look back at the 3 goals series from the offseason and see how each player has done in achieving those goals as well as give them a rating on how their season has gone. The rating will be based on a scale of 10 with 10 being how their season has gone based on the goals.
After taking a look at some of the guys at the end of the bench, we add another guy who has spent most of the season buried at the end of the bench: Kyle O’Quinn. The Sixers brought O’Quinn in over the offseason in order to provide depth behind Joel Embiid, but he has barely played. He has, however, provided a good example for his teammates.
We now review O’Quinn’s first half in Philadelphia based on the 3 goals given to him in the offseason:
Giving Embiid a break
O’Quinn was brought in to provide depth behind the superstar big man, but with the way coach Brett Brown has used Al Horford, there has not been a real role for him. He has played in only 22 games on the season, starting one game, and he’s averaged 10 minutes per game. It’s disappointing for an all-around good guy who works hard every day and he was looking for a new opportunity in Philadelphia.
He does have a defensive rating of 102 so far this season. So in a sense, when he does get the chance to play, he does fill the role he’s asked to fill which is to make sure Philadelphia does not fall off a cliff when Embiid goes to the bench. However, with the move of Horford to the bench, there’s not a real role for him anymore. He’s a potential buyout option.
Providing an example
O’Quinn has been a solid member of the locker room all season. He has been the model veteran and accepted his role as the mentor to the youngsters like Norvel Pelle and others who look for an example of how to handle NBA life. This season has not gone as well as he thought as he was expecting a bigger role and instead of sulking, he has been a positive influence on the team.
Being the “adult” in the room
As mentioned above, O’Quinn has not had the season he was expecting. This has been another tough season for him after barely playing for the Indiana Pacers the season before. Brown loves the phrase “the adult in the room” and that’s exactly what the seven-year veteran out of Norfolk State has been in Philadelphia.
With it being buyout season, his name will pop up as an option to be bought out by the Sixers. If he does get bought out, then he will get an opportunity to play again elsewhere. If not, then he will need to continue to provide that veteran presence on this roster. [lawrence-related id=25782,25772,25760]