Philadelphia 76ers · 7 notes
Jabari Walker, LeBron James and Dean Wade have played center in 76ers lineups with no true big. James said clean rebounding is the key and "we haven't logged enough minutes with it to know good or bad." Wade turned his ankle Oct. 16; James said "he'll be great."
Jabari Walker and Dean Wade are where Nick Nurse will start at backup center with Ariel Hukporti injured, the 76ers coach said at practice. Walker has earned it: "I think Jabari's played outstanding, actually."
Dean Wade said the 76ers are getting players back, without naming who: "hopefully get some reps and kind of get comfortable with each other." Injuries had Wade and Jabari Walker playing center; Walker says a surer shot lets him "space the floor a lot better."
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope says he's on the 76ers' second unit at practice, alongside Jabari Walker: "we play a lot together." His job: "play defense and shoot the ball," and he expects open shots next to LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Losing Ariel Hukporti is "a blow for, for the team, especially this early on," Nick Nurse said at 76ers practice. His small-ball center group: Jabari Walker, Dominick Barlow, Dean Wade and Labaron Philon Jr. He'll "probably go with that crew unless something else emerges."
Jabari Walker is getting minutes for the 76ers as a big man who spreads the floor with his shooting, and Jaylen Brown backed the look after the Knicks game: "He's been hitting shots. He's been rebounding defensively and offensively."
At 76ers practice, Jabari Walker said Joel Embiid has been talking trash in camp, unlike Walker's first year, when Embiid was dealing with injuries: "Joel been competitive and blocking shots and doing what he does. So I'm not worried about him at all."