DETROIT–The Philadelphia 76ers have had Nic Batum on the court with them since Halloween when they acquired him from the Los Angeles Clippers in the James Harden deal.
Since joining the Sixers, Batum is averaging 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 52.4% from deep and 60% from the floor overall. He has shown off a high basketball IQ for relocation triples and he has been terrific on the defensive end as well.
However, there is one important skill he brings to the table and that’s the ability to throw a simple entry pass into Joel Embiid. While it may not seem like it’s a big deal, Batum’s ability to read angles, read how Embiid is posting up down low, and see how he’s able to receive a pass is important.
“He’s great,” Embiid said of Batum. “High basketball IQ. Obviously, we have the Cameroonian connection, so we’ve known each other for a long time. So I’m just excited to have him here. Anytime you have guys that have high basketball IQ and just know how to play the game and super, super unselfish, it changes a lot.”
With Batum on the floor and understanding that Embiid needs to be able to receive the ball and run the offense from either the nail or from the 3-point line, that makes those entry passes into the big fella that much more important. Philadelphia has been in need of somebody like that.
“It’s really big,” coach Nick Nurse added. “I think that’s one of the first things that stood out when we got him and he’s got great size, got timing. He’s got the ability—it gives us a chance to do a few more things. You’re not gonna always–those passes when they’re denying and Joel continues to work the correct angles and then Nic can deliver them right there. Those are the ones we’re after.”
Any time the Sixers can get the ball into the hands of Embiid, that makes a big difference for this group. That is when they’re the most successful. Batum understands that better than anybody. His high IQ has been an underrated and important piece of this offense.
“You gotta play one way or the other and if you’re gonna play behind him, we’ll throw it right in, but if you’re going to try to keep it out, we got to change the angles,” Nurse finished. “And Nic can find them.”
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