Sixers Don’t Need to Look Far for Rim Protector

The Sixers are reportedly still looking for a big man to backup starter Joel Embiid.  According to ESPN NBA Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers will be aggressive in pursuit of DeAndre Jordan as a backup to Embiid.

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The team already signed veteran center WIllie Cauley-Stein to a 10-day deal, and head coach Doc Rivers said on Tuesday that he expects to give the former No. 7 overall pick some more minutes starting Wednesday night, saying the team needs a rim protector behind Embiid.

The team doesn't need to aggressively pursue Jordan or play Cauley-Stein more minutes.  They have two better options right in their own locker room.

Paul Reed and Charles Bassey.

Of the two, Bassey intrigues me the most.  When give the opportunity to play some extended minutes this season, he has impressed.

Bassey had 13 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks on 6-of-10 shooting in 22 minutes off the bench against the Grizzlies back on Dec. 13 and 12 points with seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks in 19 minutes off the bench in a Nov. 18 games against Denver.

So in the two games, the second-round pick scored 25 points, 17 rebounds and registered seven blocks in 41 minutes.

He has been a rim protector at all levels.

At 6-foot-11 he has the size and athleticism to be a great shot blocker and rim protector. His junior at Western Kentucky, Bassey averaged 3.1 blocks per game, and for his career averaged 2.6 per contest for the Hilltoppers.

Reed is another young, athletic big man that the Sixers could turn to, who has produced when give the opportunity.

Reed scored six points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his latest outing when Andre Drummond in only 13 minutes back on Feb. 11 and the next night against Cleveland he played in just 15 minutes, but managed to grab seven rounds (five offensive) with three steals.

These young players have shown when given the chance they can produce.  With Embiid off the court for about 12-15 minutes per game in the playoffs, Bassey and Reed are better options than Cauley-Stein and Jordan.