CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of work to do in terms of making sure they are all on the same page before the playoffs begin in mid-April. While the focus will remain on integrating James Harden into the fold, they also need a backup center.
While Paul Millsap, also acquired in the Harden deal, is a proven veteran, this is his 16th season in the league. It looks as if he has lost a step out there against the more athletic big men in the league.
The Sixers did sign Willie Cauley-Stein to a 10-day deal and he has only played a handful of minutes–in garbage time–and he hasn’t had a chance to show what he can do. With only so much time left to evaluate what he can do, the Sixers want to give him more of a look over the next few games.
“We didn’t do enough in practice to see anything, honestly, but we do anticipate using him quickly,” said coach Doc Rivers at practice on Tuesday. “We just gotta see what he can do for us. We need a rim protector and he can do that. He can supply that.”
Cauley-Stein averages 0.8 blocks per game for his career, but standing at 7-feet tall, he brings something to the Sixers as a guy off the bench who can provide size and rebounding. He can also intimidate incoming ball-handlers and make them think twice at the rim.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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