Reliable Trendon Watford ready to assume more responsibility for 76ers
· Yahoo Sports
DETROIT -- As the Philadelphia 76ers took the floor at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday morning for shootaround to prepare for a battle with the East-leading Detroit Pistons later that evening, they were a bit thin.
Kelly Oubre Jr. joined the long list of injuries the Sixers are dealing with at the moment as he will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to an elbow sprain. He was in the midst of a very good season before suffering the injury in Tuesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
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Oubre will join Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George on the sidelines as the Sixers will be very short-handed for a bit. That means more minutes and responsibility will be placed upon the reliable and versatile Trendon Watford.
"I mean, it’s been changing all year, I feel like just with different lineups and, obviously, players being out," Watford told Sixers Wire of his new role. "Me playing different positions, so I mean, obviously, when most of the main guys go out, the backups have gotta be more aggressive and more assertive, but it’s just another game for us. Another game for me, but you’re right, though."
Watford is averaging 6.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 16.5 minutes per game. He's only taking 4.9 shots per game, but he's shooting 51.7% from the floor and has the ability to consistently get into the paint and make things happen. With the main guys out for Philadelphia, more responsibility will be placed upon him to do more in other areas. Especially, in transition.
"I feel like it’s just something I do well and can get things going when I rebound the ball," Watford explained. "I think my best games have come from when I defensive rebound the ball well and being able to push and get things going, so it’s important for me. That’s how I wanna play. In certain lineups, you gotta slow the ball down a little bit, feed whether it’s big fella, whether it’s Tyrese, whatever we in, but that’s what I like to do. Just get out and just be who I am."
Another aspect he will bring to the floor is his voice. He is a vocal leader for the Sixers even when their main guys are out there, but that part of his game will likely be highlighted even more when considering everything going on.
"I think it’s the same approach, but probably a little bit more with not having, obviously, the main guys on the court," he said. "I’m pretty vocal even if they are on the court, so it’s pretty much the same for me, but it’s probably going to be a little bit more just to help the guys out and put guys in the right spots."
The Sixers will need to find ways to stay afloat and stay within hailing distance of the top 6 in the East and guarantee a playoff spot. Watford will certainly play a role in Philadelphia finding a way to do so.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Reliable Trendon Watford ready to assume more responsibility for 76ers