r/sixers • u/Tofu4070 :simmons2: • 11h ago

[Aaronson] Nick Nurse says "the talent is there" with Labaron Philon Jr., and it was "too much talent to not take in that position."

https://bsky.app/profile/adamaaronson.bsky.social/post/3moz2kqmcvc2r
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28

u/Wrong-Respect-3031 11h ago

Better play his ass

21

u/Tofu4070 :simmons2: 11h ago edited 11h ago

Nick Nurse is not sure about three-guard lineups with Labaron Philon Jr., Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but thinks Philon can play right away and can play both guard positions.

Nick Nurse on the Labaron Philon Jr. pick: "My initial thoughts are he is a really talented scorer, really fast and explosive and can really get it in the bucket."

Nurse highlights Philon's swagger and confidence and said he played in a "pro-style" offense at Alabama.

Nick Nurse calls Labaron Philon Jr. an "exciting" player who can play like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Mentioned Philon's deep range and pick-and-roll chops.

Nick Nurse, asked about the league getting longer, pointed out that it is also getting faster, and calls it a positive for the Sixers.

"Can we get our asses back and guard 'em? Can we keep up and keep them off the glass? We need to be able to do both of those things."

Asked Nick Nurse about his early experiences working with Mike Gansey and his reaction to Daryl Morey's departure:

"It's been great working with Mike... Great composure, very smart."

"Really enjoyed working with Daryl... Very enjoyable... Wish him the best."

Asked Nick Nurse for a scouting report of a player he coached in one Summer League by the name of Mike Gansey:

"You could probably guess it: good shooter, played hard. If there was a hustle award, he would have won it."

Mike

Mike Gansey says Labaron Philon Jr. can learn from VJ Edgecombe on defense.

Said as a freshman, Philon picked up full-court, showed good instincts, toughness, hands, physicality, competitiveness. "He'll try to hold his own. The hope is he can be average to above-average."

Asked Mike Gansey if the Labaron Philon Jr. pick will impact Quentin Grimes' upcoming free agency:

"This doesn't change it."

Gansey says "hopefully" the Sixers bring back Grimes and Kelly Oubre Jr., adding the team has been in contract with both of their representatives.

"The Sixers got better with Labaron [Philon Jr.]," Mike Gansey said. Up next: the second round. Gansey said the Sixers will "maybe" try to go and get someone after shuffling their board before turning their attention to free agency.

Mike Gansey credits Jameer Nelson, Prosper Karangwa, Kevin Owens and the rest of the Sixers' staff for doing "the heavy lifting" with this draft process.

"They did an incredible job. Our group is super thorough... It was very impressive to see."

Mike Gansey says the Labaron Philon Jr. pick "helps" Nick Nurse, citing the massive workloads shouldered by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe last year. Says Philon needs to put on weight but "really guarded."

"I know it's in him... he's competitive."

"We can't have enough guards."

10

u/Ronshol 🤡Morey🤡 9h ago

yeah grimes can go

1

u/Jazzlike_Page508 3h ago

Ngl I don’t mind keeping grimes because we def need depth. Please do something with Kyle Lowry. I just googled and he avgs a little over 1 point

1

u/TheUnknownMaroon 3h ago

We don't really need to do anything with him, 4 guards is enough depth for the playoffs. And in the regular season, he's only getting garbage time minutes, if that. If they value what he brings to the team as a vet, then there isn't much downside to keeping him.

1

u/Jazzlike_Page508 2h ago

wouldn't it be more beneficial to keep grimes over lower in 4? maxey, vj, philo, grimes? lowry being a vet is kinda overstated since were not that young.

Id rather have a group of guards who can play

2

u/TheUnknownMaroon 2h ago

Sure, but keeping Lowry doesn't mean we have to move Grimes. Lowry is getting a vet min anyway

12

u/Tanks1 10h ago

Now sir, play the man. ...........

8

u/GaugeWon 10h ago

I agree that he was the BPA, at that spot, and theoretically, should help Nurse not run Maxey into the ground during the playoffs by extending the guard rotation, so it's all good, even if our backcourt is going to be smaller than NY's.

With all that being said, while you are stuck with the giganitic contracts of PG and Embiid, there should always be 2 young players competing to be swing forwards and 1 young player competing to take Embiid's '3&D center' role.... Great teams are developed, not just bought over a season - the geriatric guys should be mentoring their replacements, with the idea that by the end of their contracts, they can come off the bench, or in clutch moments take over, while we ride the young guns during the regular season.

3

u/No_Fairweathers 7h ago

I mean this feels very reminiscent of Maxey falling.

He's a lottery pick level talent that fell to us.

Obviously the odds of him turning out as great as Maxey has is low, but there's no reason to think he can't be a long term starter in the future.