Sixers player evaluation: Dorell Wright

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Dorell Wright

Position: Small forward

Status: Unrestricted free agent

Signature game of 2012-13
Wright played some of his best basketball toward the end of the year, posting double-digit points in each of the Sixers’ final five games (three of which were wins). His best overall outing, however, came in late December against the Grizzlies in Memphis. Wright scored a season-high 28 points, hitting 8 of 11 from the field (including five three-pointers to shoot a sizzling 72.7 percent from the field) and 7 of 8 free throws. Wright also added six rebounds and two blocks in the road win.

Wright in 2012-13
It was a tough year for Wright. When he was with the Warriors back in the 2010-11 season, he led the NBA in three-pointers made and attempted. And in two years with Golden State, he started all 143 games in which he appeared.

He wasn’t nearly as successful or valued with the Sixers. Wright started only eight of 79 games in his first season in Philadelphia. Wright shot 37.4 percent from three-point range, which was better than his career average of 36.7 percent. But his field goal percentage dipped to 39.6 percent, by far his worst mark over a full season since entering the NBA.

As a result, Wright’s minutes per game also dropped. He averaged 22.6 minutes, the least he’s played since his final season with the Miami Heat in 2009-10 when he started only one of 72 games.

“I call it the NBA. It’s a roller coaster,” Wright said in mid-March. “Sometimes there are going to be highs and sometimes there’s going to be lows. The thing about it is you beat the lows and try to have as many highs as possible. I understand it. I’ve been through a lot with ups and downs as far as playing time and my efficiency and things like that. So I just have to go out there and continue to play hard and whatever happens, happens.”

Wright’s efficiency rating was 161st in the NBA. While not great, it was 56 spots better than often-useless teammate Nick Young. There are several reasons for that, including Wright taking 1.6 fewer shots per game than Young (while averaging just 1.4 fewer points). Wright is also a better rebounder (he averaged 3.8 per game) and he plays some defense.

Prospectus
It wasn’t a good season for Wright. He certainly regressed. But there was a faction within the Sixers' organization that believed Wright underperformed because, at times, he was forgotten or marginalized.

As with others who have played for head coach Doug Collins, Wright periodically fell out of favor and ended up buried on the bench for long stretches of games. During one span from late-January to late-February, Wright played 16 or fewer minutes in 10 of 16 games. And in six of those outings, Wright played single-digit minutes or not at all.

Wright made $4.1 million on a one-year deal with the Sixers. It’s hard to imagine him commanding much more than that on the open market this offseason considering his unspectacular recent production. The question is whether Wright can return to form, or at least improve his shooting, if he’s afforded more consistent playing time under a new coach.

On Dorell Wright
“I’m going to continue to stay positive. I played for Pat Riley. He was always trying to test you on the mental approach to the game and made sure you stayed strong mentally.”

--Dorell Wright, March 12, 2013

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