Summer Sixers Game Thread vs. Utah

The Summer Sixers dropped their 2022 opener last night, 103-99, to Memphis. Be sure to read our Harrison Grimm’s takeaways from the game, but here are some of my quick thoughts as well.

Paul Reed should absolutely have first crack at the backup center job heading into the season. I understand why the Sixers have him playing here — to work on his perimeter defense and outside game offensively to continue evaluating whether he can see time at the four — but he’s clearly an NBA player. For the second year in a row, much Too Good for Summer League.

Jaden Springer is still just 19 years old, so I’m by no means giving up on him, but hard to see him anywhere but in Delaware again this season. The defense is solid and I like his finishing ability around the rim, but he can’t do two pretty important things at this stage of his career: dribble in traffic or shoot consistently from the perimeter. I think he would be about a zero on offense at the NBA level right now and there’s no room for that with the aspiring contender Sixers. The last couple plays of the game were a perfect encapsulation of his current game: terrific defensive play at the rim to rip the ball away and keep it a one-possession game, followed by getting his pocket picked trying to drive for the game-tying bucket. Again, hate to sound too harsh given his age, but another year of seasoning seems necessary.

We already saw last year that Charlie Brown Jr. can defend at the NBA level. His defense is as solid as ever, and he hit a couple threes on his way to 15 points. If he keeps knocking down at least an average number of shots, and has put his adventures finishing around the rim behind him, I could definitely see Charlie adding some wing depth for the big club this season.

I’m still on the fence with Isaiah Joe. His shot looks so pure, but 4-of-12 from three isn’t exactly a heater, which is kind of where we’ve always been with Joe: good vibes, subpar results. Joe appears to be the low man on the totem pole if the Sixers need to open up a roster spot, and I’d say that’s still the case after last night.

Trevelin Queen was a guy I really wanted to take a close look at, but he was unavailable due to reconditioning, reportedly because he hasn’t played since April. I can’t say I understand that reasoning, since the rookies participating haven’t played in games since March. Hopefully, Queen is ready to roll soon.

Here’s Utah’s Summer League roster. The Summer Jazz lost to Oklahoma City last night, 98-77.

Follow along in the comments as the Summer Sixers look to secure their first win of 2022.

Game Info

Who: (Summer) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (Summer) Utah Jazz
When: 9:00 pm ET
Where: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Watch: ESPN2
Follow: @Liberty_Ballers