Is the tank really on in Philadelphia? There are some young 76ers players that might disagree.
Recently 4 young players for the Sixers, Michael Carter-Williams, K.J. McDaniels, JaKarr Sampson and Jerami Grant took to a late night practice after a big team win against the Detroit Pistons.
However, after Wednesday night’s game, at 10:30 p.m., a handful of players walked back into their practice facility.
In an empty gym, all by themselves without coaches, Michael Carter Williams, KJ McDaniels, Jerami Grant, and Jakarr Sampson, went right back to work while most people were in bed.
“When we walk through the door, a lot of people are giving us weird looks like, ‘What are you doing here this late?'” said Carter-Williams.
“It’s just a work ethic, it’s just hunger and just trying to get better,” said McDaniels.
That drive is the reason they are here – sometimes until after 1:00 a.m. – after home games at least a few times a week.
They work on shooting, dribbling, and reworking game situations.
“It’s just a mindset you have to have if you want to be one of the best or if you want to be a great player,” said Grant.
“Clearly we got a lot of work to do but this is where it starts. It starts here, putting the work, putting in the hours,” said Carter-Willams.
“It definitely starts here and I feel like it can be the key to something good – motivation for me,” said McDaniels.
“It’s helped me out a lot. I feel like these extra shots have helped me make one or two more in a game,” said Carter-Williams.
That’s an awesome thing to see that these young players, despite their record, are still going to work hard and try to perfect their craft. As of late, it is showing a little bit for the Sixers winning 2 straight for the 3rd time this season which is a victory in itself for Philly.
Their next game though is going to be against the Atlanta Hawks who will be visiting ‘The Fortress’ aka ‘The Highlight Factory’ aka Philips Arena, home of the Hawks.
