Doc Rivers reacts to addition of big man Dewayne Dedmon for Sixers
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers went out and made their move in the buyout market when they added veteran Dewayne Dedmon to their mix of backup centers behind Joel Embiid.
Dedmon, 33 years old out and in his 10th season out of USC, will be looking to provide a defensive presence as well as provide some size to a Sixers team that will really need it on some nights. Standing at 7 feet tall, he provides a bigger option rather than Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed.
Coach Doc Rivers is happy with the addition of Dedmon and what he can bring to Philadelphia as they make their push for a championship.
“I think he’s another big,” said Rivers. “He knows how to play, a vet, a great talker on defense. I like all the things that he can bring us.”
With that being said, it isn’t like Harrell and Reed will all of a sudden be pushed out of the rotation. Per Rivers, it sounds like this will be a three-man backup center rotation.
“We’ll add three to the mix,” Rivers added. “That’s basically what we’ll do.”
Dedmon’s size does give Rivers some relief. Especially, when considering the fact that they will face some taller teams in the playoffs such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It definitely does,” the coach stated. “On nights where—and it’s not a lot of nights, honestly, where size hurts us—but there are some. He’ll be a good use for us.”
Dewayne Dedmon preparing for work #Sixers pic.twitter.com/d6QrLoZeYl
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 15, 2023
Along with his defensive presence, Dedmon can knock down the 3-ball a bit. He has shot it at a 33.5% clip for his career which is solid for a backup big man albeit on only 1.1 attempts per night.
“Yeah, he works on it and he’s done it,” Rivers finished. “I don’t think that’s what we’re looking for, honestly, but the fact that he can do that is an added bonus for sure.”
