Another Big Dom in Philly? Sixers Relying on Barlow – for Now – to Replace George in Lineup

The Philadelphia 76ers: A Shakeup in the Starting Lineup

Nine days, five games. That’s the immediate future for the Sixers on their current West Coast trip, which begins with a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers have won 17 of their last 21 games and are a formidable team, boasting supreme scorers in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, as well as a legitimate big man in Ivica Zubac.

The Sixers will be without Paul George for these games due to his 25-game suspension.

In Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, coach Nick Nurse started Dominick Barlow in George’s place. Barlow collected eight points, three rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes. While this was enough to help secure a win for the team, it wasn’t quite what Nurse had hoped.

Barlow has been part of the group that limited New Orleans forward Zion Williamson to just 11 points on six shot attempts.

However, his overall performance needs improvement. The Sixers struggle with rebounding and are often hurt by their opponent’s second-chance points. In a recent game against the Sacramento Kings, they were outscored by 24-0 in that department.

Nurse has expressed comfort with Barlow, so he may stay in the starting lineup for at least the next few games.

However, over his last 103-plus minutes of play, Barlow has only hauled in 13 rebounds. His hustle is undeniable and his little things like setting picks, deflecting passes, and desire to get a loose ball are all good enough, but nothing that stands out.

One area where Barlow needs improvement is his one-on-one defense. Perhaps there is much more to his game that pleases Nurse, abilities only a coach really sees.

But to keep their playoff hopes alive for the next 25 games, this is the position that needs to be watched very closely.

Nurse does have Jabari Walker, Trendon Watford, Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, maybe even Andre Drummond who could be prospects for that spot. For now, however, it’s Barlow’s.

Can Barlow Keep the Boat Afloat?

The Sixers are currently struggling with their defense and rebounding, areas where they need a strong performance from Barlow. Without George, they’ll have to rely on Barlow for at least eight days and five games. While his effort against New Orleans was positive, he needs to step up if the team hopes to stay in contention.

Barlow’s role is crucial as the team tries to navigate these upcoming games without their star player. His performance will be key in determining whether he stays in the starting lineup for the remainder of George’s suspension or gets replaced by one of the other prospects Nurse has on his bench.

The All-Star Snub

Meanwhile, there’s a growing debate about Joel Embiid’s inclusion as an All-Star reserve. The NBA recently announced its All-Star reserves for this year’s game, which is set to be played at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on February 15. However, Embiid was not included on the list.

Some argue that sending Embiid to his eighth All-Star Game would be a wise move given the circumstances surrounding him.

But there are concerns about all the non-physical practices and “take up your time” things players have to go through during All-Star weekend, especially with the team returning from a West Coast trip less than a week later.

Considering Embiid’s importance to the team and his recent struggles, it might be wise for Nurse to let him enjoy some rest at home. This would help the big man prepare better for the final 28 games of the season. The Sixers’ chances of making the playoffs depend on how they perform in these upcoming games, and Embiid’s health and readiness will play a significant role.

For now, the spotlight is on Barlow as he tries to fill the void left by George.

How he performs over the next few games will determine his future with the team. Meanwhile, Nurse faces the difficult task of keeping their playoff hopes alive without one of their star players.