Welcome Guerschon Yabusele

[zaz102]

Let's give Oubre some credit. He was the third best player for the Sixers in the playoffs. He was in the starting lineup most of that run IIRC. Also, once the playofa came, he seemed to really want to fit in with the team rather than stand out which pleasantly surprised me.

I think the ideal scenario is that they bring in starting level F that allows Oubre to slip into the sixth man role. I think he can play in most lineups.

[ProcessDoctor]

Most likely. But with Paul George and Caleb Martin now on the team, don't discount the possibility that Kelly Oubre becomes the Odd Man Out, because he may no longer have a defined role in the main lineups.

Whoever fits best around Embiid, George and Maxey is going to play. That means Rebounding and Corner 3's. That's not Oubre.
When they start matching salaries, it wouldn't surprise me if Oubre and McCain are discussed just as much as Martin.

I don’t think it’s wise to sign him to long term money. He’s athletic and a fan favorite, but the data on him shows he’s still an inefficient player. If you trade KJ + Oubre + pick(s) for a more efficient and useful duo then I think it’s a win.

I like Oubre too. His scoring was sorely needed on last year's team. But he serves no purpose in a lineup that has Embiid, Paul George and Maxey. He's not a "Catch & Shoot" player, he's not a good passer and he's not really a rebounder. Oubre should be a 6th man on this year's team, and it has nothing to do with overall talent. All lineup decisions should be about fit with Embiid and Paul George.

Yea I don’t mind keeping him as a 6th man either. I think we can find a better-fitting 5th starter though.

Maxey/Lowry/Jackson
Martin/Gordon/McCain
George/Oubre/Council
X/Yabusele/Y
Embiid/Drummond/Bona

[NearingZero]

Let's give Oubre some credit. He was the third best player for the Sixers in the playoffs. He was in the starting lineup most of that run IIRC. Also, once the playofa came, he seemed to really want to fit in with the team rather than stand out which pleasantly surprised me.

I think the ideal scenario is that they bring in starting level F that allows Oubre to slip into the sixth man role. I think he can play in most lineups.

It was 6 games, and he hit his 3s at a higher rate than he ever has over the course of a regular season. Too small of a sample to say much IMO. He also didn't provide much rebounding when it was sorely needed.

I'm hopeful that he can adjust his game to complement the current makeup of the team, but that's hardly a sure thing. If he fully buys in, I think he'll be plenty useful, but he still might see a significantly reduced playoff role if everyone's healthy.

[ivysixer2000]

Well I love this signing. During the Olympics, he was the main reason they even made it to the Gold Medal round.

He has flaws, but this late in free agency they all do. His hustle alone will make him a fan favorite when/if he is playing. Now, he is a guy I figure will play when Jojo/Paul are sitting out. That is where he can earn his spot in the rotation. Make no mistake, both will sit whenever possible and we will need some guys out there to play. If they both sit, who is out there? OK, Drummond at center, but what if Jojo/Paul are both unavailable.

Then you have to look at KJ or the Dancing Bear. Injuries are part of the game, and especially from Sixer history. Sure we can go really small with Ricky or something, but that depends on the team we are playing. The competition with KJ and GY will be interesting, as they are both trying for their next contract. GY will make KJ work for it, which is a very good thing for us.

I look forward to watching a full roster I actually like, instead to the junk we had to throw out there last year.

[76ciology]

Oubre is quicker, while Yabusele is stronger. Oubre excels at dribble drives but is inconsistent with his shooting and struggles to exploit mismatches. On the other hand, Yabusele is more effective at stretching the floor and scoring in the post against mismatches, but his lack of quickness limits his ability to drive effectively. Defensively, Oubre is better suited for guarding positions 1-3, while Yabusele is more capable of defending positions 3-5. Yabusele might struggle against quicker 2-3 players, while Oubre could have difficulties with bigger, more physical 4s.

Oubre appears to be the better defender, having proven his ability to shut down star perimeter players like Brunson and being effective as a secondary rim protector. Yabusele, in contrast, resembles Tobias Harris on defense, neutral to above average at best, with a focus on individual rather than team defense. But Yabusele has a better motor and seems to have the size to defend big 4s like Randle or Giannis. Prior to adding Yabusele, we’re lacking that big 4 to defend both star PFs of these two top teams in the east.

Yabusele fits well in an Embiid centric offense. He can stretch the floor, cut to the basket and attack mismatches at the post, whereas Oubre is better suited for a double guard line-up, fast paced dribble drive heavy system.

[M2J]

I don’t think it’s wise to sign him to long term money. He’s athletic and a fan favorite, but the data on him shows he’s still an inefficient player. If you trade KJ + Oubre + pick(s) for a more efficient and useful duo then I think it’s a win.

I like Oubre too. His scoring was sorely needed on last year's team. But he serves no purpose in a lineup that has Embiid, Paul George and Maxey. He's not a "Catch & Shoot" player, he's not a good passer and he's not really a rebounder. Oubre should be a 6th man on this year's team, and it has nothing to do with overall talent. All lineup decisions should be about fit with Embiid and Paul George.

Yea I don’t mind keeping him as a 6th man either. I think we can find a better-fitting 5th starter though.

Maxey/Lowry/Jackson
Martin/Gordon/McCain
George/Oubre/Council
X/Yabusele/Y
Embiid/Drummond/Bona

Not against Oubre being a 6th man, but if he stays committed to defense the way he did last year... He's a fit either way.

2 way player. I know he sometimes can lack focus on the other end, but still willing to take on the hardest assignment and capable of it whether it's a small guy or larger guy due to his length.

Offensively can take advantage of the spacing the 3 stars can create with their shooting as a decisive scorer. Willing to take open shots or contested ones even in big moments, quickly attacks closeouts and teams typically closeout because he is so decisive. That's very capable IMO... See Tucker and Tobias on 2 different spectrums. He cuts well with good instincts, which adds a movement aspect to the offense and he is athletic enough to help out in the dunker spot.... Again a role that isn't utilized well enough with a center like Joel that demands so much attention 15 feet from the basket.

In addition to being a willing shooter, his 3pt shooting was strong with Joel playing. He started November at over 42%, has bike gate, came back over 36% in December. Fell off a cliff coinciding with all the other guys injuries... Mainly Joel. Finished the season with Joel better including playoffs.

I would say that it could be annoying if both Oubre and Martin struggle shooting as starters, and perhaps that can be addressed depending on how Frenchie can play. But I do like that both can do other things on offense

[Sixerscan]

If you told me Yabusele is actually an NBA rotation level 4 he'd probably be the better option to start, but we also have no idea what's real with him yet.

If Oubre has to start it's fine but I think the rotation just flows better with him as 6th man including it being easier to always have one of him or Martin on the court.

[NearingZero]

If you told me Yabusele is actually an NBA rotation level 4 he'd probably be the better option to start, but we also have no idea what's real with him yet.

If Oubre has to start it's fine but I think the rotation just flows better with him as 6th man including it being easier to always have one of him or Martin on the court.

Yeah, the idea of what Yabu might be fills a gap on this team, giving them a ton of lineup flexibility (even if he doesn't play big minutes). Whether he actually is that player at the NBA level now is still a huge question mark, but there's reason to be hopeful.

I think Oubre will start at first because he's got a year under his belt with Nurse, and the contract situation makes it beneficial to keep him happy. But a bunch of other guys should get a chance to show they deserve a significant role. It may take a few months to figure out how it best fits together, at which point they can hopefully address any weak spots with a trade.

[ivysixer2000]

If you told me Yabusele is actually an NBA rotation level 4 he'd probably be the better option to start, but we also have no idea what's real with him yet.

If Oubre has to start it's fine but I think the rotation just flows better with him as 6th man including it being easier to always have one of him or Martin on the court.

Yeah, the idea of what Yabu might be fills a gap on this team, giving them a ton of lineup flexibility (even if he doesn't play big minutes). Whether he actually is that player at the NBA level now is still a huge question mark, but there's reason to be hopeful.

I think Oubre will start at first because he's got a year under his belt with Nurse, and the contract situation makes it beneficial to keep him happy. But a bunch of other guys should get a chance to show they deserve a significant role. It may take a few months to figure out how it best fits together, at which point they can hopefully address any weak spots with a trade.

Well, it would be a nice problem to have, if Yabusele can actually play at this level. I could see him starting and only getting like 15-20 minutes a game. It would be less if he is coming off the bench and not ready but it would be a great problem to have.

I just know in the Olympics he looked like the belonged with other pros pretty easily. Will it translate here, who knows, I can dream I guess. I am concerned about Oubre though, and how he would react to coming off the bench with his contract situation. I could see Yabusele starting, but getting 20 minutes max, while Oubre comes off the bench playing 30 minutes a game.

It does matter who finishes a tight game, as starting shouldn't matter in that situation.

[76ciology]

Oubre's inconsistent shooting might make him a better fit alongside Embiid, while Yabusele's shooting ability could pair more effectively with Drummond.

That said, I wouldn’t rule out Yabusele eventually starting and finishing games, especially given Oubre’s inconsistencies and questionable decision making in clutch moments. However, I don't see that happening in the short term.

[ivysixer2000]

Oubre's inconsistent shooting might make him a better fit alongside Embiid, while Yabusele's shooting ability could pair more effectively with Drummond.

That said, I wouldn’t rule out Yabusele eventually starting and finishing games, especially given Oubre’s inconsistencies and questionable decision making in clutch moments. However, I don't see that happening in the short term.

Well I do think you are making too much of Yabusele's shooting ability, as we really don't know that yet. But what we do know is he likes to mix it up down low, and Drummond would be in the way of that unlike Embiid. Oubre is more of a perimeter player, and Drummond will not be in his way at all.

If anything, at the moment at least, I think its the opposite except for the fact that Embiid can play with either one or both of course.

[76ciology]

Oubre's inconsistent shooting might make him a better fit alongside Embiid, while Yabusele's shooting ability could pair more effectively with Drummond.

That said, I wouldn’t rule out Yabusele eventually starting and finishing games, especially given Oubre’s inconsistencies and questionable decision making in clutch moments. However, I don't see that happening in the short term.

Well I do think you are making too much of Yabusele's shooting ability, as we really don't know that yet. But what we do know is he likes to mix it up down low, and Drummond would be in the way of that unlike Embiid. Oubre is more of a perimeter player, and Drummond will not be in his way at all.

If anything, at the moment at least, I think its the opposite except for the fact that Embiid can play with either one or both of course.

Both Oubre and Drummond's defenders can easily sag off them, clogging the paint and disrupting our dribble drive offense. This allows opponents to send extra help or simply switch to a zone defense, when they're on the court together.

[ivysixer2000]

Oubre's inconsistent shooting might make him a better fit alongside Embiid, while Yabusele's shooting ability could pair more effectively with Drummond.

That said, I wouldn’t rule out Yabusele eventually starting and finishing games, especially given Oubre’s inconsistencies and questionable decision making in clutch moments. However, I don't see that happening in the short term.

Well I do think you are making too much of Yabusele's shooting ability, as we really don't know that yet. But what we do know is he likes to mix it up down low, and Drummond would be in the way of that unlike Embiid. Oubre is more of a perimeter player, and Drummond will not be in his way at all.

If anything, at the moment at least, I think its the opposite except for the fact that Embiid can play with either one or both of course.

Both Oubre and Drummond's defenders can easily sag off them, clogging the paint and disrupting our dribble drive offense. This allows opponents to send extra help or simply switch to a zone defense, when they're on the court together.

Not disagreeing with you, he just gives us so many options to have now if this works out right. I'm just glad we have this many options for the first time in decades.

Hope is powerful, I haven't had it since 2001. Morey is killing it, and we should pay attention.

[76ciology]

“We’ve tried to sign him [Guerschon Yabusele] for 3 seasons…he continued to improve overseas and he was getting towards the end of his deal…he really wanted to be in Philadelphia.” - Daryl Morey at 97.5

Spoiler:

Bonus

Spoiler:

“He [Paul George] reminds me of some guys I’ve had in the past where they look a little timeless…he for sure does not look like an older player…he looks like a guy right in his prime.”

[76ciology]

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[Kobblehead]

Yabusele has been playing almost exclusively at the 5 so far. Curious to see what his role will be when Embiid comes back. Or if he gets taken out of the rotation and put on the deep bench.

[HotelVitale]

Yabusele has been playing almost exclusively at the 5 so far. Curious to see what his role will be when Embiid comes back. Or if he gets taken out of the rotation and put on the deep bench.

5 doesn't seem sustainable for him but I've really liked his play so far. He's a little off with his rotations on both ends but he plays hard and gives a shirt, and has a decent bag on offense. Also feel like he could be PO-trustworthy in some games too, depending on his shooting etc. Favorite Sixers 11th man in years (no offense to TLC).

[Kobblehead]

When you say "off on his rotations" and in terms of a defensive perspective, are you talking about lack of quickness and mental recognition?

I just feel like he's going to get banished to the bench because at 260, he's not quick enough to defend from a non-C spot even if he had good mental recognition.