By Mike Patterson
The Sixers have played three of five games thus far in the Orlando Summer league. They lost all three games, losing to the Rockets, Pacers, and Thunder.
The Sixers roster for Orlando include Michael Carter-Williams (MCW) and Arsalan Kazemi, whom the Sixers drafted 11th and 54th, respectivley.
Justin Holiday and Arnett Moultrie will also be suiting up for the summer. James Southerland, who went undrafted, will reunite with former Syracuse teammate, MCW, for Orlando before traveling to Vegas to play for the Warriors.
The Sixers will play host to the Magic on Thursday and an opponent to be determined on Friday (championship day).
Throughout the first two games, MCW put up big numbers. He is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds. Former Temple Guard Khalif Wyatt is also playing well, averaging 17 points and shooting nearly 47 percent from the field.
However the biggest head turner for the Sixers this summer has been Arsalan Kazemi. He was drafted 54th overall from Oregon and is the first Iranian-born player to be drafted.
In the first game, Kazemi had a disappointing outing with five fouls. He bounced back against the Pacers with six points, four steals and three rebounds in 21 minutes.
The coaching staff decided to play Kazemi at the wing, as opposed to his natural position of power forward. He showed why the team drafted him.
Kazemi hustled for every loose ball, finishing just about every play he was involved in, with his skin squeaking against the hardwood. Whether he is going to the rim for a basket or a rebound, he goes hard.
Kazemi is a high-energy player who runs the floor well and has the potential to be a lockdown defender. However, it's yet to be known how he will fare against the big men of the NBA.
Kazemi impressed fans and writers and looks to have a bright future as a role player with the Sixers this upcoming season.
"I'm sure that I can bring my energy to the team and bring my defensive ability to the team," Kazemi told the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "Obviously, for a rookie, you want to get time a little bit. But it's just all about energy and playing defense. And then, the rest comes later."
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