PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are going to have to make some adjustments up and down the roster with James Harden out for at least a month due to a right foot tendon strain.
Mostly, that means Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris will have to take on more offensive responsibility. It also means somebody, likely De’Anthony Melton, moves into the starting lineup and makes an impact.
In Friday’s loss to the New York Knicks, Melton didn’t shoot the ball well. He was 4-for-18 for 12 points, but he had nine assists and caused issues for the Knicks with his defense.
“I feel like my role is not going to change too much,” Melton said after the loss. “Just go out there, play with energy, affect the game on both ends, probably an increase in minutes, but other than that, just continue to play the way I play.”
Melton shot 3-for-11 from deep on Friday, which obviously has to be better, and he also missed the potential game-winning 3 in the corner late in the game. He was shooting 40.2% from deep entering Friday’s contest, so the numbers suggest he will be better than that.
“I felt like it was a good look for me,” he added. “I mean, results is results. If make it, it’s all fine and dandy if I miss, we’re where we’re at. So, I’ll live. I understand where we went wrong on that.”
The nine assists Melton had on Friday is probably a preview for the next month for him. While the Sixers work their way without The Beard, it will be on Melton to take on more of a playmaker role for Philadelphia.
“Definitely,” he finished. “Especially, with the guys we got on this team. We have a lot of shooters on this team. Especially, getting Tobias and Matisse (Thybulle), and Tyrese in transition, and stuff like that. Just continue to kick it up and get the ball moving. I feel like that’s my job.”
The biggest thing is going to continue playing with pace. That will be on Melton, Maxey and Harris. Thewill be on them to ensure that they have success.
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