Philadelphia 76ers Season In Review: Backcourt
By Simon Smith
Nik Stauskas, SG
Year: 3rd Season
2016-17: 80 GP. 27.3 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 39.6 FG%, 36.8 3P%
Nik Stauskas completed his second season in Philadelphia by playing a career-high 80 games, which included 27 starts. But Stauskas was once again unable to break the 40 percent barrier for field goal percentage, coming in at 39.6 percent for the season.
His three-point shooting, however, was a career-high 36.8 percent.
One area in which Stauskas excelled this past season was connecting on three-pointers classified as wide open (six or more feet from the closest defender, per NBA.com). Among players who attempted at least 2.1 per game, he ranked third, hitting at a 46.4 percent clip.
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Stauskas trailed only Tony Snell (47.6 percent) and Klay Thompson (46.8 percent).
Another area in which Stauskas performed admirably was with his passing. With Rodriguez going down with a hamstring injury late in the season, Stauskas was thrust into the role of a pseudo backup point guard.
Over the last eight games of the season, Stauskas averaged 4.4 assists per game. To illustrate the increase in his ball-handling duties, Stauskas passes per game increased from 28.8 to 46.6 over the final eight games.
Stauskas’ most impressive performance came during a blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons. Starting at shooting guard, Stauskas registered a career-high 24 points on an impressive 10-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three.
He also registered five rebounds, two assists and two steals in his 37 minutes of action.
Despite having a year to run on his contract, the Sixers’ upcoming draft and free agency period leave Stauskas’ future in Philadelphia undecided.