76ers Have Found the Perfect Role for Dean Wade

The Philadelphia 76ers are sitting pretty at 10-3, and it’s been all hands on deck when it comes to getting victories. 

Five of the 76ers' ten wins involve coming back from double-digit deficits. One of the players responsible for helping them secure victories is Dean Wade. Wade was signed to a four-year, $39 million contract with the expectations of being a top defender and also being a huge contributor on offense. 

Due to injuries, Wade has been forced to play out of his natural position and fill in at the center position. While things have seemed bleak when it comes to the small list of centers, Wade has done a tremendous job, all things considered.  It’s unfair to attack Wade when he has to be the band-aid for a position that had concerns going into the season.

With a 6'9" frame, it was easy to choose Wade to fill in, and it’s easy to understand why. Wade can defend all five positions, and his defensive IQ makes him a perfect fit for the job. Through the first 13 games, Wade has a defensive rating of 109.4. While it doesn’t specify the position at center, it does conclude that the team is better defensively when Wade is on the floor.

Wade is going to be a huge part of what keeps this team high in the defensive rankings. In fact, you could say he’s taking on a “PJ Tucker-like” role in that he can be counted on for his defense and may be needed for an occasional corner three-pointer. The only difference is that Wade has better footwork, which allows him a better chance at closing out on a shooter.

Now, there has been some concern about his shooting as of late. Wade is currently shooting 41.7 percent from the field, and it’s been damaging whenever he seems to get his hands on the ball. It could be due to how little he actually shoots the ball, as he only gets around five attempts, if that, in a game. 

Which is okay, because right now his role with the team is to play defense and maintain control of whoever he is guarding. The three-point shot of Wade will soon find its way in the net. But for now, allow his defensive prowess to shine for a team in need of whatever he has to offer, and right now, that’s being the best small-ball center the 76ers could ask for.