NBA Chicago BullsPhiladelphia 76ers

Doug McDermott’s Appearance in Philadelphia Affirms Sixers Made Right Call by Not Drafting Him

Fresh Videos

By @papreps

Doug McDermott, Chicago Bulls,

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

If fans needed any proof that mock drafts mean nothing, Doug McDermott and the Philadelphia 76ers are a perfect case-in-point.

Just about every mock draft a year ago had the Sixers picking McDermott as the second of their two first-round picks. Fortunately, GM Sam Hinkie did not take any of those mock drafts into the War Room and passed on Dougie McBuckets.

McDermott’s latest appearance in Philadelphia came on Wednesday night, playing for the visiting Chicago Bulls. The Sixers lost in overtime, 104-95, but an interesting storyline was that McDermott was a non-factor and that has to fuel some faith in Hinkie’s long-term strategy to recruit great athletes who were high-achievers before reaching the NBA level. In lottery picks like Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, the Sixers have both athleticism and achievement. While a high-achiever in college, McDermott has never shown the ability to create his own shot — a must at the NBA level.

McDermott has spent the entire season proving that Hinkie’s lack of faith in him was well-founded now that he’s with the Chicago Bulls. While most first-round picks are starting or getting significant playing time, McDermott is barely a contributor on the Bulls’ bench. It took him until March 6 to score as many as 16 points in a pro game, a 98-84 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Before that, his previous career high was 12 in a Nov. 4 game against the Orlando Magic. For the season, McDermott has played only in half of the Bulls’ games; against the Sixers, he had just seven points in 10:23 minutes.

That’s not quite what any fanbase should expect from the No. 11 pick in the draft, which McDermott was a year ago. The fact that he’s the Bulls’ problem now has to give Hinkie more street cred in the minds of Philadelphia fans.

Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on