Doc Rivers praises Furkan Korkmaz for staying ready to help Sixers
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Furkan Korkmaz hasn’t had the season he hoped he would have. He was in the rotation to begin the season, then he fell out of it, and he wasn’t playing as a result of Philadelphia’s additions jumping in front of him.
He even requested a trade before the deadline expressing a desire that he wants to play. When a trade didn’t materialize, Korkmaz had to remain professional and help the Sixers in any way that he can.
He had a few nice moments in Friday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. He only had two points and he only played 5:27, but it was more than just those two points as Philadelphia needed him in the wake of missing Jalen McDaniels and Danuel House Jr. due to injuries.
“He was good,” coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “Just the one thing he always has, he has a high basketball IQ, and he made great cuts. He actually created a 3 the play before that with this cut. He didn’t get the shot, but it led to a 3, and then the next time, they bit, and went out to the 3-ball, and he cut and got a layup so I thought he was very comfortable.”
It’s important to stay ready in this league. Even when a guy is not playing, it is important to keep the right mindset and continue to put the work in to stay ready when the opportunity arises. Not just for Korkmaz, but for House Jr., and anybody else who is in that situation.
“Guys have to stay ready,” Rivers finished. “Everybody’s not going to play. We have 17 guys. We’re gonna play nine and that means eight guys, if my Marquette math is correct, they’re not gonna play, but they have to be ready to play, and our guys have been that overall all year. Every guy.”
The Sixers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they take on the Phoenix Suns.
