CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers added Trendon Watford at the start of free agency because of his versatility at the power forward position. He can handle the ball, hit spot-up threes, and create pick-and-roll opportunities with Joel Embiid and other big men.
Unfortunately, Watford has suffered a series of injuries in his first season with the 76ers and has only played in 19 games so far, but he has shown what he can do, averaging 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 40% from the field in just 16.9 minutes per night.
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As far as fitting in next to Embiid is going to be a process for Watford moving forward in his first season in Philadelphia, but he has such a high basketball IQ that he’ll figure it out eventually.
“When I’m on the floor with him, I’m really trying to be a ball-handler that can play the pick-and-roll with him,” Watford explained. “Obviously, keeping Tyrese (Maxey) off the ball so he can get his footing in the fourth quarter, but me and Joel, we had a small sample size obviously playing together, but I think he trusted me to run the ball.”
Watford know how to play this game at a high level and are one of the most versatile players in the league. Versatility is a theme in today’s NBA game, and it’s important for players to understand this. Watford and Embiid could eventually form a great two-man game.
“Obviously, I’m going to find him in the right spots and be able to cut him off and him being able to find me when he gets double-teamed,” Watford added. “So, it’s been going well, but obviously, the more I play and the more reps I can get with him, it’s going to get better.”
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If there’s anyone on the Sixers who can help Watford figure out how to deal with Embiid, it’s Tyrese Maxey. As a close friend of Watford’s, Maxey can help him learn how to play against Watford and help him grow next to the star big man.
“It takes a lot,” Maxey said. “You’ve got to know. You’ve got to have a good feel for the game. It’s different. Most of us – we didn’t grow up playing with dominant big men, you know what I mean? It gets that much attention, or you have to get the ball to him. So, it’s hard, and it’s different, but once you figure it out, it gets easier every step of the way.”
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wired: Trendon Watford discusses working with Sixers star Joel Embiid
