Richaun Holmes not worried about Sixers' frontcourt logjam

Share

Richaun Holmes wanted to finish out his rookie season strong. Instead, it was cut short by lingering injuries that sidelined him for 15 of the final 17 games.

This summer Holmes is working to not only stay healthy on the court, but enter his sophomore year stronger than the last. He came to summer league last month visibly more bulked up from when the Sixers’ season ended in April. 

“I’ve been in the weight room heavy,” Holmes said in Las Vegas. “[I’m] just trying to get my body ready to go through the 82-game season and try to withstand the pounding from these big guys in the league.”

Holmes entered the NBA at 245 pounds. His body fat measured around 13 percent, and he chipped away at that throughout the season. This summer Holmes has focused on continuing to lower that percentage. He estimates it is down to six-to-seven percent. 

“I haven’t really put on too much weight,” Holmes said. “It’s more about the body fat.”

Prior to summer league, Holmes had not played since late March. Injuries struck the rookie in the final three months of the season. He missed three games in early February with a sprained ankle. The following month he suffered an Achilles strain and was sidelined for six games. Holmes re-injured his Achilles in his second game back on March 26 and sat out the final nine contests.

After getting his first taste of NBA matchups, Holmes is increasing his strength to counter the competition. Even though he is listed as a power forward at 6-foot-10, the Sixers are utilizing him at the center position. 

“He’s always been a five in our eyes,” summer league head coach Lloyd Pierce said.

Part of playing in the middle means always being prepared at the basket. Rookie point-forward Ben Simmons found Holmes as the recipient of several flashy passes during summer league action. Holmes posted 9.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in six games between Utah and Las Vegas. 

“Ben, he has such great vision,” Holmes said. “He doesn’t have to look at you to pass the ball. You have to be ready. For me, it’s expecting the ball. … When you expect it, it’s easy to catch and finish.”

It remains to be seen how much playing time Holmes will receive with the Sixers. Last season he averaged 13.8 minutes over 51 games (5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds). His playing time and appearances fluctuated as head coach Brett Brown sorted through an overabundance of bigs. 

This offseason the Sixers have added Simmons and forward Dario Saric to the mix, and are expecting Joel Embiid to play as well. That logjam could result in Holmes spending time on the Sixers’ D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, in order to get reps. 

Holmes, though, isn't worried about the "what ifs." His attention is on preparing for next season with the Sixers. 

“For me, it’s just about playing hard, getting better every day and showing what I’ve got,” he said. “I’m not too concerned about outside noise. It’s about getting better and bringing the same intensity every day.”

Contact Us