Sixers Insider

Roster Review: Shooting Guard

Last Season:

The Sixers found a reliable rotation at shooting guard this season, with Willie Green starting every game he played (74), Lou Williams getting crucial crunch time minutes and Rodney Carney finding some minutes at the two as well.

Green established himself as the Sixers starting shooting guard this season and with the new role came increased playing time and production for the 6’3” Detroit native. Green posted career-highs in points (12.2), rebounds (2.5), assists (2.0), shooting percentage (43.3 FG%) and minutes (26.5). The fifth-year guard showed he could score in bunches for the Sixers. Green averaged 4.7 points in the 1st quarter this season, taking at least 40 more shots than he did in any other quarter. His 48.9% FG in the opening 12 made it his most efficient quarter. Green also stepped up on the defensive end of the floor, usually guarding the opponent’s top perimeter threat.

Lou Williams saw his share of minutes at shooting guard this season as well. Just the opposite of Green, Williams did his work in the fourth, averaging 4.9 points in the final quarter this year. Williams’ explosiveness gave Head Coach Maurice Cheeks another scoring option off the bench, which he used to his advantage by playing Williams late in games.

Rodney Carney also saw some extended time at the two this season. In his second year as a pro, Carney continued to adjust to the NBA game. Carney struggled to find playing time earlier in the season with Kyle Korver still on the roster, but the mid-season trade of Korver opened up some minutes for Carney to show off his world-class athleticism. With his ability to run the floor and finish on the fast break, Carney became a key asset for Cheeks in his up-tempo offense. The University of Memphis product also started to develop his three-point game late in the season, shooting 39.5% (17-43) from beyond the arc in March and then 47.4% (9-19) in April, giving the Sixers a much-needed outside threat.

Next Season

Two seasons after arthroscopic knee surgery, Green said he finally felt comfortable running, cutting and jumping this year. That was clearly evident as Green was very aggressive going to the basket this season. He will need to continue that aggressiveness next season both on the offensive and defensive ends. Green tied his career-high for three-pointers made with 51 over the course of the season.

Carney established himself as an outside threat late in the season, which is something the Sixers needed. Carney said the Sixers staff thinks he can become a Ray Allen type of player, who can knock down shots and is deadly from deep when left open. If Carney can match that comparison, the Sixers will reap the benefits. For Carney, it’s not about making shots; Coach Cheeks said time and time again this year that shots will come and go. The key for Rodney will be to do the little things like rebounding and playing defense that will set him apart from others.

Options

President and GM, Ed Stefanski, has said his main concern will be finding a power forward, and that he hopes his team can strengthen its shooting during the off-season. That would mean continued improvement from Iguodala, Young, Green, Carney, and Williams.

As for the draft, there are some projected shooting guards at #16. Some players that could be there: SF Donte Green, SF Joe Alexander, SG Nicolas Batum, SG Brandon Rush, SG Chase Budinger and SG Chris Douglas-Roberts. All could fit into the Sixers up-tempo offense and still give an outside shooting presence.

This SIXERS.COM season review in no way reflects the ideas or opinions of the Sixers players, coaching staff, scouts or front office.