WILMINGTON, Del. — The Philadelphia 76ers expect to contend for a title in the 2022-23 season. That makes it difficult for the younger guys on the roster to get playing time.
Second-year guard Jaden Springer, who only played two games as a rookie, is one of those youngsters who will have a tough time cracking the rotation. However, he has been grinding and has become one of the team’s top defenders.
To develop Springer’s offensive game and get him the necessary court time, the Sixers plan to have him play almost as a point guard when he goes to the G League.
“We’re still working on him, and so we’ve allowed him to play a lot of point guard,” said coach Doc Rivers on Saturday. “Something we didn’t see, obviously, when we drafted him, but we’re trying to find a position that he can play, and I actually think he’s more comfortable. He’s not a point guard, but he’s way more comfortable there. He doesn’t try to force it as much because he has the ball in his hands. I thought camp, he did a great job overall at that spot. We’re gonna do a little bit of that in the G League as well.”
As the team convened in Delaware for the team’s annual Blue X White scrimmage, Rivers was happy with Springer on the defensive end. He was on the White team, and the Blue team tried isolating him and going at him with very little success.
“Jaden’s got a great body,” Rivers added. “Strong as heck. I was laughing at the Blue team who decided to ISO Jaden. I was like, ‘That’s not gonna work for you guys very well.’ I think he’s an NBA defender right now. His next step is the rest of stuff.”
Springer has been working hard all summer. Now the goal has to be having it translate to the court. Veteran teammate Georges Niang notices the work he and the other youngsters are putting in.
“I think Paul Reed and Jaden Springer have really had great offseason and making strides along with Isaiah Joe,” said Niang. “I think all those guys were here a lot in Philadelphia and they’ve looked really good when they’ve had their opportunities.”
[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
[listicle id=69184]
[lawrence-related id=69194,69189,69181]