Although it can still be a little strange to see Kyle Lowry suit for the Sixers, you can’t deny that he’s been a great addition to the team. Yes, we are making this case from just 5 games played. The soon-to-be 38-year-old from Philadelphia is in his 18th NBA season and is getting his first chance to play for his hometown team.
In his brief time with the Sixers thus far, Lowry has proven to be more than just a locker room veteran. Lowry can still play basketball at a high level and help his team compete for victory. In addition to his veteran leadership, here are three things Kyle Lowry brings to the Sixers.
1. The “it” factor
Throughout his journey as an NBA player, Kyle Lowry has always found a way to succeed. Even early in his career, Kyle Lowry wasn’t the fastest point guard, best passer, best defender, or even best shooter (36.8 percent from 3-point territory for his career). It’s really difficult to pinpoint an exact category or stat that allowed Lowry to have an 18-year career (and counting). Lowry plays hard, plays smart, and has always been consistently good (not great) at what he does best. Lowry has the “it” factor, he makes winning plays and is ultra-competitive.
While this could be due to the injuries the Sixers have faced as a team, Lowry has played 36 minutes and 33 minutes in the Sixers’ last two games and has seemed to do it well. Few fans expected Lowry to record so many while still being able to produce at a high level.
2. A true leader
Kyle Lowry is a true leader. He already has a 10 assist game with the Sixers. In 5 matches, he delivered 29 assists, an average of almost 6 assists per match. Additionally, during this stretch, he only recorded 6 turnovers.
The 76ers need stability more than ever in the absence of Joel Embiid. Kyle Lowry provides it. He can impact the game in multiple ways on the offensive end of the court. He’s crafty, smart, and has a little more speed left in the tank than people give him credit for. When you watch Lowry play with this team, it feels like he’s been playing with the same group of guys for years. It’s only been 5 games but Lowry seems very comfortable in his role on this team.
3. Defense
Kyle Lowry has always been a good defender. If he has certainly lost a notch defensively, his cunning allows him to make up for this delay. Whether he plays 10 minutes or more than 30 minutes, Lowry continues to make winning plays defensively. Lowry knows how to leave an impact on the game, even if his shot doesn’t fall.
Kyle Lowry is 1/7 and still one of the most important players on the field today.
– Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) March 3, 2024
Against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon, Lowry shot just 1 of 9 from the field. Yet even in a game in which he struggled to shoot the ball, Lowry made several key plays on defense, some that will show up on the stat sheet and some that won’t. Kyle Lowry has spent the last decade playing for other Eastern Conference teams. Sixers fans have become accustomed to seeing him harass opposing players with his defensive play. Today, Lowry, almost 38 years old, harasses opposing teams while playing for the Sixers. It’s a breath of fresh air to have a guy like that on your team now.
Kyle Lowry’s previous 2 matches
against Charlotte: 15 points | 10 assists | 6 rebounds | 3-6 3PT | 36 minutes
@Dallas: 8 points | 7 assists | 4 rebounds | 1-9 FG | 1 block | 1 flight | 0 turnover | 33 minutes
Kyle Lowry has started in each of the Sixers’ last two games. He found a way to leave an impact on the game and help the struggling Sixers to two wins.
