76ers Finding Major Value in Nic Batum Since Trade From Clippers

Last season, former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers often viewed PJ Tucker as the team’s glue guy. He was the player who rarely stuffed the stat sheet but seemed to do all of the little things that tend to go unnoticed on successful squads.

This season, Nick Nurse saw the value in Tucker, but the front office had different plans. In the trade that ended the James Harden saga once and for all, the Sixers sent PJ Tucker packing to the Los Angeles Clippers with the ten-time All-Star.

While Nurse claimed the Sixers would miss Tucker a lot, they are finding a ton of value in his replacement, Nic Batum.

Nurse ‘Sad to See’ Tucker Added in Harden Trade

Since his arrival in Philadelphia, Batum has been in and out of the Sixers’ lineup as he’s been dealing with a personal matter. When the trade was finalized at the beginning of the month, Batum’s debut was delayed, as he missed the first two games of action.

When he debuted against the Washington Wizards on November 6, Batum made his presence felt in a big way. Picking up 17 minutes of playing time, Batum launched five shots from the field, with four of them coming from beyond their arc. He knocked down all but one of his attempts, finishing the game with 11 points.

Over the next three games, Batum garnered an increased role, averaging 29 minutes and even picking up a start against the Indiana Pacers on November 12. Over that three-game span, Batum averaged six points on 60 percent shooting, along with five rebounds, one steal, and one block per game.

The forward went away for another small stretch. Out for personal reasons, Batum missed three of the Sixers’ previous four games. When the team arrived at the Barclays Center to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Batum was cleared for action. He picked up another start, checking in for 23 minutes.

Once again, Batum proved to be extremely valuable to the Sixers.

“He’s got three points, and he’s a plus-25,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse noted after Sunday’s win over the Sixers. “He’s just such a glue guy and a multiple defender and passer, and the one three he does make kind of sparked us and got us going, you know? Really good.”

Nurse wasn’t alone in his praise for Batum. After Sunday’s game, 76ers center Joel Embiid tossed a bunch of praise the veteran’s way, as the Sixers felt his presence enhanced the team on Sunday.

Embiid has High Praise for Nic Batum

“He's the key,” Embiid told reporters. “He's special. With the way we play, he just fits everything we need," Embiid said. "Great shooter, great defender, great passer, great basketball IQ. He just fits everything we need.”

Batum only took one shot from the field on Sunday, successfully knocking down his lone three-pointer. He also grabbed a few boards and dished out three assists as well. While Sunday’s victory was a team effort, Batum had his handprints on the game, finishing the 22-point win over Brooklyn as a plus-25.

“He did do some short stints there, he just kind of needed those today,” Nurse finished. “The ripple effects are we got another body, deeper, and all of that stuff. I think it certainly helps us when he’s in the starting lineup and we still got some guys that are capable starters to come off the bench.”

Batum was a reinforcement on Sunday, and the Sixers have another one coming soon in Kelly Oubre, who’s rehabbing a fractured rib. While Batum replaced Oubre in the Sixers’ starting lineup, the success of both players gives Nurse the confidence that anybody could be the fifth man. For the time being, the Sixers are loving what they can get out of Batum in that spot.