CHARLESTON, S.C.–The Philadelphia 76ers continued their training camp work on Wednesday while at The Citadel in Charleston, SC with hopes of continuing to improve their defense.
The Sixers have the potential to be one of the best defensive teams in the league led by a defensive game-changer in Joel Embiid as well as defensive studs such as PJ Tucker, Matisse Thybulle, and De’Anthony Melton.
However, one player the Sixers might have to consider is young Jaden Springer. The young man is heading into his second season in the league after being the 28th pick in the 2021 NBA draft and playing just two games in the 2021-22 season.
So far to begin camp, Springer has caught the eyes of Tucker and plenty of other Sixers on the roster.
PJ Tucker
“He doesn’t even know how to play yet. That’s the crazy part. He’s just out there just bulldozing. I love it. I’ll hype him up every day. I love it. He played really hard and he’s learning, but he’s a kid. He doesn’t even know yet and he’s already giving that effort and energy every day and he doesn’t even talk either. That’s the crazy part! He just does things and guys like that, especially during these times in the dog days of training camp, love to have him.”
Doc Rivers
“Jaden Springer. I don’t think any of our guys want to see him defensively. We have to find what he can do offensively, obviously.”
Tyrese Maxey
“He’s growing, man. I push him because I love him. He’s a year after me so I guess I’m a little big brother to him, but I’m proud of him. He’s shooting the ball well, too and that’s going unnoticed. What he’s doing on the defensive end, pressuring and getting through screens, Spence (Spencer Rivers) calls him ‘unscreenable’. To be unscreenable in the NBA, that’s a good job.”
Rivers on the change from Springer from a rookie to now
“He was 18. He’s not there yet. I can tell you that now. He’s not there yet, but he’s gonna get there and he’s gonna keep improving.”
Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire
