Tag: Dewayne Dedmon

Sixers’ James Harden seeing improvement from young big man Paul Reed

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden continues to see growth from young big man Paul Reed.

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia 76ers big man Paul Reed continues to develop into a solid big man off the bench. After not playing much to begin the season, Reed has been getting the backup minutes behind Joel Embiid, and he has taken advantage of his minutes.

In Sunday’s win over the Washington Wizards, Reed had six points and six rebounds in 12 minutes. He was terrific on the defensive end, finished well on offense and gave the Sixers production that enabled Embiid to rest.

The biggest observation one can make is Reed continues to build a relationship with James Harden. The two were shaky early, but it’s obvious Reed has a better understanding of what’s expected of him and where he needs to be on the offensive end.

“As a young dude, man, Paul works,” Harden said. “I was in there shooting this morning (Sunday); he was right there with me. When you got a guy that puts the work in and listens, good things are gonna happen for him. He’s already a talented player, but the better connection we can have, the easier it’s going to be on both ends of the floor. He’s been going a really good job at that.”

Reed understands his partnership with Harden is going to be very important. Of course, it will come down to Harden and Embiid, but with Reed continuing to build that duo, it will allow the big fella to get his rest.

“It’s extremely important because when I’m in the game, most times than not he’s in the game, too, and for us to be successful when we’re both out on the court, we have to trust each other, and he got to trust me,” said Reed. “He sees how hard I work. Me and him are the last ones to leave the gym almost every day, so he understands the work I’m putting in. I think that plays a big role in it, too.”

Reed’s work has also caught the attention of his new teammate, Dewayne Dedmon.

“Paul’s doing his thing, man,” Dedmon said. “He’s doing good. He’s figuring out his spots, how to set the screens, and maneuver the angles so he’s on his way.”

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Dewayne Dedmon reacts to making Sixers debut in win over Wizards

Dewayne Dedmon reacts to making his Philadelphia 76ers debut in a win over the Washington Wizards.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers signed veteran big man Dewayne Dedmon off the buyout market on Feb. 13 after they traded Matisse Thybulle to free cap space. They sought a veteran big man with size to give them a boost in that area.

However, Dedmon was hampered by a hip injury at the time of the signing, and he didn’t make his debut with the Sixers until Sunday’s 112-93 win over the Washington Wizards.

In 4:48 of playing time, Dedmon had four points, a rebound and an assist. Albeit in garbage time, he had some really nice moves on the floor. He had a sweeping hook shot in the lane, and he found an open spot on the floor to get an easy dunk as well.

“It just felt good to be back out there, man,” Dedmon said after the win. “Just play basketball and have fun.”

Before the game, coach Doc Rivers mentioned the Sixers wanted to get Dedmon healthy before throwing him out there.

“First of all, we just want to get him healthy,” Rivers said before the game on Sunday. “We think he’s pretty healthy right now, but we’re in a big stretch. We definitely are gonna play him at some point because we want him on the floor and see what he can do for us.”

Afterward, Dedmon confirmed he is healthy and ready to go.

“I feel good,” he smiled. “I feel fine. Did it look like I was hurting? I feel fine.”

Dedmon’s hook shot clearly got his teammates excited as they were happy to see him get out on the floor.

“He was great,” Georges Niang added. “Dewayne Abdul-Jabbar, right? That was awesome. Great for him to get his feet up under him, hit that running hook, I think he got another layup, and just get his feet up under him. I think that was huge.”

Being the elder statesman on the team at 33 years old, Dedmon also earned ribbing from De’Anthony Melton for the hook shot.

“That running hook, I haven’t seen that since the 80s,” Melton laughed. “It was slow, too. You can tell you he an old man. That’s my OG. That’s my Triple OG.”

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Dewayne Dedmon officially active, could make Sixers debut vs. Bucks

Philadelphia 76ers big man Dewayne Dedmon is officially active and he could make his team debut against the Milwaukee Bucks.

MILWAUKEE — The Philadelphia 76ers brought in Dewayne Dedmon off the buyout market following a deadline deal that created cap space. They sent Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers to get below the luxury tax line, enabling them to sign Dedmon after he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs.

Dedmon has not made his Sixers debut due to a left hip issue, but the veteran big man was activated ahead of the matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, .

Coach Doc Rivers doesn’t anticipate him playing considering he has been in only one practice, but the game could force him to change his mind.

“I don’t even know yet,” said Rivers. “He did go through shootaround today (Saturday), but the game will dictate that. I don’t plan on playing him today, but that doesn’t mean he will not play today.”

Tipoff from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is set for 8:30 p.m. EST in a contest featuring two of the top teams in the East.

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Injured Dewayne Dedmon finding ways to integrate himself with Sixers

Injured big man Dewayne Dedmon has found a way to integrate himself into the Philadelphia 76ers.

DALLAS — The Philadelphia 76ers have not seed what Dewayne Dedmon can do for them on the floor due to a left hip injury that has not allowed him to make his Sixers debut. That doesn’t mean he isn’t finding ways to be a part of his new team.

While Dedmon hasn’t been able to play, he has integrated himself with his new team rather quickly and be a part of the team as it continues its five-game road trip.

“He’s new to the team,” coach Doc Rivers mentioned of Dedmon. “He’s had one practice and that didn’t go well because he got hurt, but he can be a benefit to us. We believe that and we’ll see how that goes, but the guys like him. He’s integrated himself easy into the locker room. That’s always a good thing.”

Of course, it helps that the team is on the road. The fact he is traveling with the team allows him to be around the team every day.

“Being on the road actually helps probably for guys who are new because they’re forced together more,” Rivers added. “That’s a good thing as well.”

It does look as if Dedmon is getting closer to making his debut. The big man has been a part of pregame workouts, and he went through some shooting drills before the team’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

Philadelphia prepares for the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

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Heat coach Erik Spoelstra not surprised to see Sixers sign Dewayne Dedmon

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra can see why the Philadelphia 76ers brought in big man Dewayne Dedmon.

MIAMI — Dewayne Dedmon has not played for the Philadelphia 76ers since he was picked up in the buyout market, but when he does get on the floor, the idea is he will provide size off the bench behind Joel Embiid.

Dedmon has been sidelined by left hip tightness. When he is able to get back at it, one has to figure that he will get an opportunity to play for this group (unless Paul Reed has anything to say about it).

Before signing with the Sixers, Dedmon played 30 games for the Miami Heat. He played 113 games for Miami across three seasons and he provided minutes for them off the bench before he was sent to the San Antonio Spurs and subsequently waived.

“Dewayne’s a pro,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “We really enjoyed our time with Dewayne. He was really important for us when we first signed him and then last year, when he was healthy, he gave us great minutes, and fit who we are. He’s tough, he’s physical, and he’s a great defensive voice. He can really communicate well.”

Dedmon shot 40.4% from deep in the 2021-22 season for the Heat, albeit on 0.7 attempts per game mostly as a trailer in transition. One has to wonder how much he has left considering the plantar fasciitis he had at the beginning of the season and the hip injury now, but his size and toughness are obvious reasons why the Sixers signed him.

“You can see why they signed him,” Spoelstra added. “He’s another guy with presence in the paint with size, but he’s a really enjoyable guy. He’s a really funny guy behind the scenes. Most people don’t get to see that side of him, we did, and that was probably one of the pleasant surprises of developing that relationship and seeing his humor.”

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Heat’s Tyler Herro explains what Sixers are getting in Dewayne Dedmon

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro explains what the Philadelphia 76ers are getting in Dewayne Dedmon.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers made a move in the buyout market after the trade deadline when they brought in Dewayne Dedmon on a deal for the rest of the season. He stands 7 feet tall, so he brings some much-needed size to the backup big man spot.

While Dedmon has not yet played for the Sixers due to left hip tightness, Philadelphia expects him to bring a toughness and a veteran presence to the bench. In 30 games with the Miami Heat, he averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds before being sent to the San Antonio Spurs in a deal and was waived.

With the Sixers taking on the Heat on Monday at home to begin a home-and-home series, Dedmon’s former teammate, Tyler Herro, was excited for him.

“That’s my guy, Dedmon!” exclaimed Herro. “That’s my dog. I’m sad he’s gone, but he’s another dude that’s just a good leader, a good teammate, a good leader in the locker room. He’s gonna help the Sixers for sure. He’ll definitely help.”

Time will tell when Dedmon will make his debut for the Sixers, but one has to figure that he will make some type of difference off the bench. While Paul Reed has been playing well lately, the Sixers need some experience and size in the playoffs and Dedmon has both.

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Full injury report for Tyrese Maxey, Sixers in road matchup vs. Heat

Here is the full injury report for Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers in the rematch with the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday in a rematch of Monday’s loss at home. After the game, the Sixers had to worry about a few injury scares along with execution issues.

Tyrese Maxey suffered an ankle injury scare at the end of the third quarter when he fell on Miami’s Victor Oladipo’s foot. Oladipo closed out on Maxey’s step-back. Maxey was on the ground grabbing at his ankle before limping to the bench. Afterward, coach Doc Rivers believed Oladipo should have been called for a flagrant foul.

While Maxey returned to the game, the Sixers also had to deal with Tobias Harris who left in the fourth quarter before returning when Maxey fouled out. Afterward, Rivers said it was a calf issue for Harris and that’s why he was gone.

As far as the injury report for the Sixers for Wednesday’s rematch with the Heat is concerned, Maxey and Harris aren’t on it. Dewayne Dedmon is listed as out again due to left hip tightness.

The rematch is Wednesday from Miami-Dade Arena at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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Doc Rivers reveals Dewayne Dedmon will miss a few games before Sixers debut

Doc Rivers reveals that Dewayne Dedmon will miss a few more games before he makes his Philadelphia 76ers debut.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers made a move shortly after the trade deadline, signing veteran Dewayne Dedmon off the buyout market. The veteran out of USC played 30 games for the Miami Heat this season, but has not made his Sixers’ debut.

Dedmon will miss his second straight game on Saturday due to left hip tightness when Philadelphia takes on the Boston Celtics. The veteran big man is 33 years old and Paul Reed has been playing well, so this is one of those injuries the Sixers are looking to take slowly.

When asked if the hip tightness is more of a day-to-day thing, coach Doc Rivers offered up that he’s hoping that it is that way.

“Yeah, I hope,” he said. “Obviously, we just signed him so that would not be good if it was something that — it doesn’t seem like that serious, but we’re gonna keep him out for another couple of games, probably, and then he’ll be back on the floor.”

The Sixers will continue to lean on Reed to hold down the backup center role until Dedmon can return from the injury. When the veteran is ready to make his debut, then one has to wonder how they will work him in slowly.

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PJ Tucker explains what old teammate Dewayne Dedmon brings to Sixers

PJ Tucker explains what his told teammate, Dewayne Dedmon, will bring to the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers have 25 games to go until the playoffs begin in April, and they must integrate the recently acquired pieces into the team fabric.

After trading Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers in a four-team deal that brought in Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets, the Sixers had enough available money under the salary cap to make a move in the buyout market.

They brought in Dewayne Dedmon, who played 30 games for the Miami Heat. While his numbers were underwhelming, the Sixers are confident he can make the team better off the bench. His size and his toughness intrigue Philadelphia.

PJ Tucker played with Dedmon in the 2021-22 season with the Miami Heat, so he is very familiar with what he brings to the table.

“Dewayne brings a versatile, tough big guy that is super vocal,” said Tucker. “He talks just as much as me. He’s loud and he’s got an aggressive voice and he’s been around. He knows how to play. So I think having those kind of guys on the bench to be able to come in on different nights and help us out, it’s gonna be huge for us down the stretch.”

Tucker and Dedmon are from that Heat team that beat the Sixers in the second round of the 2022 playoffs. Miami came within a win of the NBA Finals that season. Now, they look to do the same for Philadelphia.

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Daryl Morey explains the addition of big man Dewayne Dedmon to Sixers

Team president Daryl Morey explains the addition of big man Dewayne Dedmon to the Philadelphia 76ers.

When the Philadelphia 76ers added big man Dewayne Dedmon in the buyout market, there were some immediate questions.

After playing in 30 games with the Miami Heat and not being able to produce as he once could, he was moved to the San Antonio Spurs before being waived.

Dedmon brings the size the Sixers need, but at 33 years old, how much does the veteran out of USC have left in the tank. His net rating on the season is a minus-12.5 and the Heat averaged 13.8 points fewer per 100 possessions when he was on the floor on offense.

However, he was dealing with a pretty bad plantar fasciitis issue to begin the season and one has to wonder if that was the cause of the early season struggles.

Team president Daryl Morey hopped on the “Rights to Ricky Sanchez” podcast and explained the addition of Dedmon:

Dedmon, I know a lot of people were like scratching their head on that one. He’s someone we’ve liked for quite a while. A lot of our players have played with him in the past. This season, people are pointing to a lot of issues, but he did have a fairly significant plantar fascia issue that is resolved. Look, proof is in the pudding, right? I mean, at the end of the day, we’re trying to win the title. So let’s see what happens. … To your point, the initial question we did prioritize Jalen (McDaniels) there more than the center. I mean, you saw what centers were going for. I can’t say the player’s names, but some of them were going for like five second-round picks. Who I would say are non differential to the one that we just picked up.

Morey is right when it comes to the moves that were being made at the deadline. He could have stepped up and brought in another center, but instead, he waited and grabbed Dedmon. Time will tell if the move works, but the reasoning makes sense.

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