Kelly Oubre and Dominick Barlow both bring different things to Philadelphia's starting lineup. Which one would be better for a team that intends to make a deep playoff run?
As the Philadelphia 76ers evaluate their starting lineup, the decision between Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow comes down to who can best mesh with the stars in Philadelphia.
Oubre Jr. does this thanks to his versatility, while Barlow is better off the bench, providing a spark of energy.
Oubre's impact begins with his offensive production and positional versatility. This season, he has averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, and nearly 2 assists on a career-high 58.4% true shooting percentage. His ability to space the floor and create offense gives Philadelphia an added variable alongside primary scorers such as Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Oubre does a good job attacking closeouts, running in transition, and contributing as a secondary scorer.
Beyond scoring, Oubre's positional flexibility stands out. He can play as a shooting guard, on the wing, and even as a small-ball four. This allows the 76ers to switch defensively and maintain lineup balance. This adaptability helps the 76ers run lineups that can overwhelm teams offensively and provide additional mobility on defense.
In contrast, Barlow's strengths are more specific. He has earned minutes by playing hard, being an active defender, and rebounding well for his position. Barlow is also a very good finisher, as a 72.7% shooting percentage puts him in the 77th percentile league-wide.
His ability to crash the glass and provide an interior presence has breathed life into the 76ers at times, and there have been games where he has been an offensive threat. The biggest example is his 26-point, 16-rebound performance against the L.A. Clippers on February 2nd. However, Barlow is offensively limited and cannot space the floor and give Philadelphia's main stars more room to work with on offense.
The difference between the two forwards becomes more pronounced when considering lineup fit. With established stars already carrying the scoring load, Philadelphia needs a fifth starter who can complement those players and not get in the way. Oubre's ability to stretch the floor, play with and without the ball, and guard multiple positions makes him a more seamless fit.
Meanwhile, Barlow's skill set may be better suited for a bench role, where his energy can shift momentum and impact the second unit without disrupting the rhythm of the starters.
Overall, while Barlow brings effort and physicality, Oubre provides more versatility and balance. For a team with serious postseason aspirations, that difference could be significant.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com