In a recent mock draft, the 76ers target a 7'2" defensive force in Motiejus Krivas. How would the big man impact the 76ers?
The Philadelphia 76ers continue to be linked to frontcourt depth in recent mock drafts, and the latest from Yahoo Sports has them selecting Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas with the No. 22 pick via the Houston Rockets.
Krivas represents a fit for a team that could benefit from added size, rebounding, and interior defense.
At 7'2 and 260 pounds, Krivas stands out physically. The Arizona big man is an impactful defender who brings legitimate rim protection ability. Using his length and positioning to alter shots in and around the paint. The junior also does well in pick-and-roll situations. While he is not the most explosive athlete, Krivas moves well for a man of his size and can cut off driving angles, preventing guards from getting clean drives to the rim.
Offensively, his game is simple. Krivas is someone who gets their offense around the rim almost exclusively; however, his 62.9% shooting percentage at the rim is low, especially for a big man of his size and stature. This largely comes from rushing his offense in the post and forcing up shots. In the NBA, this will be less of an issue since he will rarely get his number called for post-ups.
Krivas also possesses the potential to expand his shooting range. A 78% free-throw percentage on 4 attempts per night shows a fluid shooting motion and good touch.
If Krivas were drafted to the 76ers, he would be in the perfect situation to show his abilities.
He wouldn't have to worry about posting up and could focus on playing defense, rebounding well, and converting the easy chances at the rim. His role could expand depending on his offensive development, but for the time being, Krivas will likely play a straightforward role at the next level.
Protect the paint, set good screens, and finish at the rim. These are all basic skills for a center, but ones that can lead to a player having a very long career in the league. Krivas isn't the flashiest name in the draft, nor does he possess a skillset that would make a casual fan take notice, but he does all of the things that you want out of a center well, and it's likely that he will have a long career because of it.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.