1 day Ago By Sixers Wire
NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers finally got some reinforcements in Tuesday's matchup with the New York Knicks in the form of Kyle Lowry. The Sixers has been missing his steady presence and ball-handling since Feb. 9 as they have had to rely on unproven players such as Jared Butler, Jeff Dowtin Jr.
, and others.The 19-year veteran played 16 minutes and missed the only shot he took in a 105-91 loss to the Knicks, but Lowry's presence was certainly felt. He was in the ear of guys like Lonnie Walker IV, Butler, Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, and so many others.
He was a leader on the floor for a team in desperate need of one at the moment."It was nice to have leader a bit," Walker said of Lowry. "He's been in the game.
He's gonna show us how to play the right way. Bring some new energy and some new flow within the flow of the game so it was enjoyable."All throughout the contest at Madison Square Garden, Lowry was barking out orders, making sure guys were in the right spots, making sure everybody understood their assignments, and anything else that may have been needed to get across.
All in all, it was what Lowry was born to do and has done in his entire NBA career: lead."It was big," Grimes added of Lowry's presence. "I thought it was huge.
He's a veteran. Being almost 20 years in the league, so being out there, he's definitely the vocal leader out there. Telling us what to do defensively and offensively.
So having him out there was a big help from me, for sure."Lowry, one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Toronto Raptors, has a lot of experience running coach Nick Nurse's system. He knows how he wants everything done like the back of his hand.
For guys like Grimes, Walker, and Butler who have only been with the Sixers for so little time, it is a huge help having Lowry back on the floor for them."Yeah, definitely," Grimes added. "He was definitely orchestrating the offense, and he's out there orchestrating the defense, telling us where to be, because like you said, he knows Nick Nurse’s system like the back of his hand.
He played for him for a while. So it was good to have a guy like that telling where I should be as I get more and more comfortable out there with my kind of scoring role. So he was trying to get me open looks.
So I thought it was great having him out there for sure."Lowry seemed to be in the ear of Walker for quite some time on Tuesday. There were plenty of times when he was pulling him over to the side and was quite animated with his words which is classic Lowry.
He is never going to mince words when he has to get his point across."It was great," Walker said. "I probably took a tough layup.
He told me just being aware, passing the rock, making the right decision. So, I mean, he's a leader. He's a vet, and I think for the most part, even if you don't want to hear it or whatnot, it's best to listen, because he knows the game.
He's been playing for 19 years. So the respect, it wasn't given, it was earned, and he's been a hell of a player, All-Star player, you name it, what he done. He's done it all.
So to have a player like that on this team, and to be able to listen to him and grow and see what you got to get better at, it's a very grateful moment."The Sixers will take on the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Thursday. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Multiple Sixers single out Kyle Lowry after his return vs.
Knicks.
