Kelly Oubre Jr. still adjusting to many different roles Sixers ask of him
PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia 76ers now move forward in the wake of Joel Embiid’s injury, they will need other players to step up and replace the production that he brings to the table.
That means a guy like Kelly Oubre Jr., for example, has got to give more on both ends of the floor. In Saturday’s 136-121 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Oubre scored 16 points, but shot only 3-for-14.
The role for Oubre has been a bit up and down all season. There have been stretches when he starts and others when he comes off the bench. He is still adjusting to everything being thrown at him in Philadelphia and is looking to contribute while dealing with an ever-changing role.
“To be honest with you, man, I know I have to do a little bit of everything which I’m happy with doing,” Oubre told Sixers Wire. “It’s not streamlined, but I really don’t know–I know I can score the ball. I know I can get stops on defense.”
Oubre can absolutely score the ball and he is a terrific defender, but he wasn’t able to do much of either in the loss to the Nets. He had a tough time with his 1-on-1 defense and he knows he has to be better than what he showed against Brooklyn in order for the Sixers to remain successful.
“I have to be better at the defensive end and I have to be better on the offensive end so it’s kinda like in the middle of being better at every single thing and focusing on a couple things, but at the end of the day, man, everybody needs to step up,” he continued. “I’m one of those people.”
For some, this can be a lot to handle. The Sixers normally turn to Embiid and ask him to lead the way. Now that the big fella is going to be out for a bit, somebody like Oubre has to step in and give Philadelphia a big boost, and he’s ready for the opportunity.
“It’s not a lot because I love the pressure and I just love the adjustment of everything,” he continued to tell Sixers Wire. “I try to be water throughout it all. If I’m not being communicated of what’s expected of me, then obviously, I don’t have a pinpoint notice, right? Like Jo, come out here and get 10 rebounds, 15 rebounds, and 30 points. We win the game. Right?”
At this point in the season, Oubre would just like to settle into a role and figure out what he can do to help the Sixers win. Coach Nick Nurse is going to continue to count on him to help this team stay afloat without the reigning league MVP.
“For me, it’s like what do I need to do?” Oubre finished. “But at the end of the day, I relish in that and figuring out. The art of basketball, everything changes so I have to be ready to adapt to whatever situation and role that I have to play.”
