Sixers 3 goals: Tony Bradley needs to take advantage of veteran bigs
This is a new series we are starting at Sixers Wire where we will look at the 17 players that comprise the Philadelphia 76ers roster — 15 under contract and the two players on two-way deals — and give each three goals for the 2020-21 season.
Up next is new big man Tony Bradley, who was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in the trade that sent Zhaire Smith to the Pistons. At 22 years old, his best days are ahead of him, and, as he prepares for the 2020-21 season under the guidance of Doc Rivers, he has a few things he should work on.
For Bradley, his three goals are:
Continue to learn from the vets
As he did with Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz, Bradley should absolutely take advantage of having Dwight Howard and Joel Embiid on his team. As a young player eager to learn, these two veterans have a wealth of experience in this league — even Embiid at age 26 — they can pass on to Bradley.
Howard has been in the league for 16 seasons, and he has seen every type of scenario that could possibly be thrown at him. He just finished a championship run. Embiid has been playing in the league for four seasons, and he has seen a variety of situations. Bradley should feel lucky to be around these two big men and he should use them to move his career forward.
Add to his offense
Bradley mentioned he believes he can be a stretch big man in this league, and he will have to show it when given the chance. Whether it’s in practice or in the opportunity he gets in a game, he has to show he can, in fact, knock down some triples. That would go a long way in proving whether he can stick in this league. Also, if he can learn a post move from Embiid and Howard, that would be great for him.
Push Dwight Howard
As he learns from Howard, he should also be pushing him and have his sights set on him. Howard is here on a 1-year deal and he is going to be 35 before the season begins. Bradley is only 22. The 2021-22 season could be Bradley’s time to finally earn some real minutes as the main backup behind Embiid. In order to do that, he has to show coach Doc Rivers something this season, and he has to use any lessons from the vets to put himself in a better position.
