Before the league shut down operations on March 11 due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Philadelphia 76ers guard Shake Milton was on a roll. He was thrust into a bigger role with the team after Josh Richardson was injured and then Ben Simmons hurt his back and that forced Milton to play larger minutes for Philadelphia.
The second-year guard stepped up in a big way by averaging 12.8 points, 3.1 assists, and shooting a scorching 51.2% from deep in the final 20 games heading into the suspension. That is the type of production that leads the Sixers to believe that Milton can have a big role when the team heads down to Orlando to resume the season.
“He’s been great,” Simmons said on Thursday. “He finished very strong, his confidence is going through the roof now, and since the day I met him, he puts in so much work to where his game is transforming every day. I’m happy to play with him, I love the way he plays, he can knock down shots, get to the rim, he has a high IQ, and he plays hard. From day one meeting him to now, he’s grown so much.”
When the season does resume, coach Brett Brown will most likely want Simmons to continue to play off the ball a bit more and that is where Milton comes in. His ability to handle the ball and play some point guard is going to be a nice advantage for this team to have when the season resumes.
That type of pick-and-roll offense is going to be a nice wrinkle into Philadelphia’s game plan. They need to be able to utilize Simmons to the best of his ability and that is being able to have him out there healthy and ready to go. Having him closer to the rim is something on their mind.
“I feel comfortable just being on the floor,” Simmons explained. “Wherever you’re going to put me or whatever situation it is, I feel like my IQ is high enough to make plays.”
Philadelphia will get back at it on August 1 against the Indiana Pacers. [lawrence-related id=33902,33893,33881]