MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 10: Dewayne Dedmon #21 of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half ... [+] of the game nio Spurs at FTX Arena on December 10, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAfter trading Matisse Thybulle in a four-team deal for Jalen McDaniels ahead of the 2023 NBA trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers still had one open roster spot. They filled it Monday by signing center Dewayne Dedmon to a rest-of-season contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Following the trade deadline, team president Daryl Morey acknowledged that the backup spot behind All-Star center Joel Embiid remained a concern, which presumably motivated the Dedmon signing.
"I think what most people worry about is when Joel is off (the court)," Morey said Friday. "How are we going to play when Joel is off? I think we’re going to improve that. That hasn’t been as good as we want it to be.”
While Dedmon offers more size than the Sixers' other backup center options, he isn't likely to fix the major questions they have at that spot. Instead, he appears poised to follow in the footsteps of DeAndre Jordan, the past-his-prime buyout big whom the Sixers regrettably signed after last year's trade deadline.
At 7'0" and 245 pounds, Dedmon is considerably bigger than Montrezl Harrell (6'7", 240 lbs) and Paul Reed (6'9", 210 lbs). He averaged 3.6 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in only 11.7 minutes per game for the Miami Heat this year, and they allowed 1.4 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor (108.9) than they did with him on the bench (110.3).
Opponents are shooting 2.9 percentage points below their typical average with Dedmon as their primary defender this season, albeit in a relatively small sample. They're shooting 8.7 percentage points below their average within six feet and 9.6 percentage points below their average within 10 feet against Dedmon, which provides some semblance of hope that he can offer more rim protection than Harrell in particular.
However, that's about where the positives end.
Miami averaged 13.8 fewer points per 100 possessions on offense with Dedmon on the floor this season compared to when he was off. His minus-12.5 net rating swing was the worst of any Heat rotation member who has played at least 100 minutes. The 33-year-old also has one of the highest foul rates of any big man in the league.
Dedmon has knocked down 11 three-pointers on the season, which is 11 more than Reed and Harrell combined. However, he's a career 33.5 percent three-point shooter on extremely low volume, so opponents will happily concede open triples to him if he's spotting up along the perimeter.
Dedmon has only seven double-digit scoring outings on the season. He nearly has as many personal fouls (61) as made field goals (64). He does have the ability to knock down an occasional jump shot—he's 5-of-11 from 10 feet of the basket to the three-point line this season—but most of his offense comes from within 10 feet.
The Sixers won't need Dedmon to be a high-volume scorer. Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris will continue to carry a majority of the scoring load for them, with De'Anthony Melton, Georges Niang and Shake Milton providing additional help. They just need to not get blown out in the minutes where Embiid is catching a breather, which has been a constant issue for them in recent years. (Embiid was a plus-10 in 45 minutes in the Sixers' two-point loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals, which means they got outscored by 12 in his three minutes off the floor.)
Fixing that issue might be as much on head coach Doc Rivers as it is on Dedmon.
If the Sixers keep Harden on the floor with all of Dedmon's minutes, he'd have an elite pick-and-roll partner with whom to work. Dedmon is averaging 1.15 points per possession as a roll man this season, which ranks in the 50th percentile leaguewide, but he also wasn't playing in Miami with a passer like Harden. However, Rivers tends to run with all-bench or bench-heavy lineups, at least during the regular season. That means Dedmon is far more likely to spend most of his minutes with Tyrese Maxey and/or Shake Milton, both of whom are more score-first guards.
If Rivers shortens his rotation in the playoffs and pairs Dedmon's minutes with Harden, that would give him the best opportunity to make a positive impact. However, the Sixers should spend the final 29 games of the regular season testing out the efficacy of that pairing rather than trying it out cold turkey in the playoffs.
Although we're only a few days past the trade deadline, the Sixers' options on the buyout market were already dwindling. Point guard Reggie Jackson plans to sign with the Denver Nuggets, wing Danny Green is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers and swingman Terrence Ross plans to sign with the new-look Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Still, players such as Hassan Whiteside and DeMarcus Cousins have been free agents all season, while the Detroit Pistons might waive Nerlens Noel in the coming days. The Sixers should have been aiming for a higher-upside option than Dedmon.
The Sixers do still have enough room under the luxury-tax threshold to sign another player to a veteran-minimum contract. The Thybulle-McDaniels swap pushed them from roughly $1.2 million over the NBA's $150.3 million luxury-tax threshold to nearly $1.3 million under it, and Dedmon will have a cap hit slightly below $600,000 if they sign him on Monday, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. However, they'd have to open up a roster spot by waiving a player such as Reed or Harrell, the latter of whom has a $2.8 million player option for next season.
Dedmon gives the Sixers more insurance behind Embiid, but he isn't likely to raise their ceiling. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks still appear to be a class ahead of the Sixers in the Eastern Conference, which has them staring down the prospect of yet another second-round playoff loss.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac or RealGM. All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Bryan Toporek, Senior Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2023/02/13/dewayne-dedmon-isnt-likely-to-solve-the-sixers-backup-center-problem/
By: Bryan Toporek, Senior Contributor
Title: Dewayne Dedmon Isn't Likely To Solve The Sixers' Backup Center Problem
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2023/02/13/dewayne-dedmon-isnt-likely-to-solve-the-sixers-backup-center-problem/
Published Date: 02-14-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it take for a basketball superstar to reach the top?
To become a true NBA superstar requires a lot more dedication and time. Becoming an NBA star requires years of hard work, physical conditioning, and skill development. The average player spends between three and five year in college to perfect their skills before being eligible for the draft. Once drafted, players have to be able to perform in the NBA, get a starting position on their team, and win MVP awards or All-Star teams. For this to happen, you need more guidance and coaching from coaches and trainers. Ultimately, becoming an NBA superstar is not something that happens overnight or within a few short years. These accolades are only possible with dedication, dedication, and perseverance. You can be a NBA legend if you have the right mindset.
What is the NBA salary ceiling?
The salary cap in the NBA is a set amount that limits the total salary of each team's roster. This limit is determined by the league each year. This limit is set by the league each year to ensure equal playing field between teams. It prevents teams from signing multiple high-priced athletes and creates an unfair advantage. Teams must stay under the cap to sign free agents or make trades. They can exceed it if they use certain exceptions, such as signing a player with Bird rights or offering a player a contract with portions of their salary counted against the cap and the remaining portion paid out as a bonus. The salary cap is an integral part of the league and helps to ensure a competitive balance between teams.
Who holds record for most NBA career playoff wins?
LeBron James is the leader of the pack, with an impressive record of 174 wins in NBA Playoffs history, and 266 games played. It's not surprising that he is today's most desired basketball player.
What is the NBA Draft, exactly?
The NBA Draft, an annual event that allows teams to select eligible players for the league, is an annually held event. Each team gets one pick each round. The NBA Draft takes place every June. The order of drafts is determined by teams' previous seasons records. The worst team will get the first pick while the best team will receive the last. Teams can choose college or international players between the ages of 19 and 19. This is a crucial event for teams, as it allows them acquire new talent and builds their rosters. It also offers players the chance to transfer from their college or international leagues to join the NBA.
Statistics
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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How To
How an NBA Getty Images photographer captures the perfect shot
This article aims to show how an NBA Getty Images photographer can capture the perfect shot. The first step is selecting the right location. Next, you must choose the best angle from which to shoot your photo. Finally, anticipate what might occur next.
- Step 1: Finding the right place
You can get the best out of every photograph by choosing the right time and place to take it. You could lose the moment if there is too much activity. Also, you want to avoid people blocking your view. Find a spot that isn't blocked so they can't see you taking photos.
When you find a spot that is good, get snapping. It is always easier for you to move closer and not further back.
- Step2: Choosing the Best Angle
After you have chosen the location, make sure to think about your camera angle. This is the most important aspect of capturing a great photo.
Choose a position that gives you a clear view of the subject matter without getting in the way of anything happening. If you are trying to catch a player playing basketball, then look at him through the basket. You'll have a good frame with no obstructions.
Next, look for interesting angles. You should look for angles that show something different about the athlete. An athlete's height will be highlighted by a low angle, while his athleticism will be highlighted by a high angle.
The last is framing. Framing is how things are placed within a frame. When choosing the best composition, balance the foreground (what is nearest to the lens), with the background.
- Step3: Anticipating Next What
Think ahead. It is important to think ahead if you spot something unusual, like someone jumping into the lane and a ball rolling toward you rim. Do not hesitate to shout "action" and "cut".
You can freeze the scene when you hear those words. Next, wait until the action resumes before you move again. The scene will be frozen so that you can focus on the shutter button.
You'll always get the best shot by following these steps. With practice and patience, you'll be able to master your craft as an NBA Getty Images photographer and take stunning photos that will last a lifetime.
