PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward amid the 25-game suspension of star forward Paul George, they will need others to step up and produce in his absence. It will be hard to replace what he brings to the table, but the Sixers have a number of options they can turn to.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is somebody who will take on the brunt of the responsibility. He’s averaging 14.2 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.5% from the floor and a career-high 36.9% from deep on the season while providing some elite defense as well.
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It is Oubre’s strong play on either end of the floor that gives him the confidence vote from star teammate Tyrese Maxey.
“We’ve seen it,” Maxey said after Oubre had 19 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday. “We’ve seen it last year. We’ve seen it the year before. We’ve see it early this year. He did a really good job early in the season, just kind of playing that role, scoring, rebounding, defending. He had 10 rebounds tonight, which is big time. We’re gonna need it.”
Oubre is a guy who prides himself on being that versatile role player and contributing to winning. This is no different. While things might be a bit more pronounced with George gone at the moment with the suspension, but Oubre is a player who can do a multitude of things on the floor.
“Especially, for that role, and I have trust in him, because Kelly is a guy who isn’t scared of the moment,” Maxey added. “He’s not scared of making a big shot, making a big play, getting a big stop, and we’re gonna need that from him.”
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The Sixers will start a 5-game road trip on Monday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Tyrese Maxey gives vote of confidence in Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr.
