Towards the tail end of the offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers added Kelly Oubre Jr. to their ranks, as they continued to bolster their lineup ahead of the approaching season.
Oubre, who had spent the previous two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets putting up an average of 21 points, came in and made an instant impact in Philadelphia.
Across his first eight games with the Sixers, Oubre would evolve from a bench player to a starter, after the departure of P.J. Tucker from the lineup, averaging 16 points per game on an impressive 50 percent from the field.
Even after a nearly month-long absence due to a fractured rib, the 28-year-old has managed to provide the Sixers with a boost off the bench after his return, averaging 11 points and three rebounds.
Yet, according to Sixers’ head coach Nick Nurse, Oubre’s impact goes beyond his stats, describing him as an X-Factor, providing a presence on both sides of the court.
“He just gives us this X-Factor type player, he’s going to jar some balls loose defensively, get us out in transition, usually has a tip dunk off the offensive glass,” Nurse explained to reporters, “Another two or three that he gets us which keeps us alive for another possession, then he’ll vault up and give us a couple of threes.”
While the 28-year-old didn’t provide too much of a defensive presence against his former team on Saturday night, he more than made up for it on the offensive end, scoring 12 points, which includes two makes from beyond the arch.
Nurse highlighted other notable attributes that Oubre brings to the Sixers roster, notably his energy and athleticism, which have helped lead to an increase in his team’s efficiency on he court.
“He’s doing a lot, it’s usually just the energy and athleticism, I mean he’s explosive,” said Nurse, “he’s providing that explosive spark, energy-wise, and it’s also translating to productivity as well.”
This productivity can be reflected in Philadelphia’s 13-1 record while the 28-year-old has appeared in the lineup while dropping to a 5-6 record without him.