When the Philadelphia 76ers put together this roster and decided to have two traditional big men down low in Al Horford and Joel Embiid, everybody knew there would be some awkwardness around the roster and it would be a struggle at times. So, the only way they can create some space is if they start shooting 3-pointers.
With Embiid out, for the time being, the Sixers have run a more Ben Simmons-Horford focused offense ad it has caused the big man to take more 3-pointers. For example, in Wednesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, Horford took nine 3-pointers making two of them. That is a number that will have to remain that high especially when Embiid returns.
“To anoint a specific number, I won’t, what I will say is that we want him hunting that shot as much as he can,” said coach Brett Brown at practice on Thursday. “It’s a shot we promote and encourage. Some of it is I think he’s capable and has more to give in that area and I think when all of a sudden Joel comes back, then that skillset becomes even more important.”
In order for the team to have the proper spacing when the big man returns, they will need Horford to continue firing up 3-pointers. Not just Horford either, it has to be the whole team. They are getting good looks from beyond the arc, like wide-open looks, and they need to keep firing up those shots.
With the league so predicated on having a stretch 4, the 3-pointer is huge for Horford to keep shooting, specifically.
“To say ‘It’s 8, 11’ I’m not going to do that, what I will say is that part of his offensive game interests me maybe even more than anything,” Brown finished with.
The Sixers will battle the Chicago Bulls on Thursday as they look to continue to build momentum for the playoffs. [lawrence-related id=23616,23601,23592]