76ers Finding Major Value in Nic Batum Since Trade From Clippers
PJ Tucker was frequently seen as the team’s glue guy by former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers during the previous campaign. He was the athlete who, while seldom stuffing the stat sheet, appeared to perform all the small things that successful teams tend to overlook. Nick Nurse recognized Tucker’s potential this season, but the front office had other ideas. The Sixers traded the ten-time All-Star to the Los Angeles Clippers for PJ Tucker, capping up the James Harden story once and for all. Despite Nurse’s assertion that the Sixers would miss Tucker dearly, they are really benefiting from Nic Batum, who is taking Tucker’s position. Ever since coming to Philadelphia, Batum has come and gone from the Sixers’
On November 6, in his first game against the Washington Wizards, Batum left a significant impression. Batum, who played for seventeen minutes, took five shots from the field, four of which were from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 11 points after making all but one of his shots. Batum saw a rise in playing time over the next three games, averaging 29 minutes. On November 12, he even got the start against the Indiana Pacers. Batum averaged six points on 60% shooting,
five rebounds, one steal, and one block per game across those three games. The front vanished for a little while more. Batum was absent from three of the Sixers’ prior games due to personal issues.
On November 6, Batum made a major impression in his debut game against the Washington Wizards. After gaining 17 minutes of playing time, Batum made five field goals, four of which were beyond the arc. He scored 11 points in the contest after making all but one of his shots. In the following three games, Batum saw his playing time rise to an average of 29 minutes.
On November 12, he even started against the Indiana Pacers. During those three games, Batum averaged five rebounds, one steal, one block, and six points on 60 percent shooting per game. For a brief while longer, the forward vanished. Batum missed three of the Sixers’ prior games due to a personal absence.
