PHILADELPHIA -- When the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Quentin Grimes at the deadline from the Dallas Mavericks, the goal was that he would help them get into the play-in tournament and make a push in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, that goal didn't come to fruition despite Grimes' terrific play. He is averaging 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 38.3% from deep with the Sixers since the deadline. Despite the struggles on the floor in terms of wins and losses, Grimes has enjoyed his time in Philadelphia thus far.
"I think just being around the guys, even though it’s been a little bit of a down year, like nobody is coming in any day in practice with a bad attitude, with a negative mindset," Grimes said on Thursday. "Everybody is coming in ready to work every day, whether it’s before practice or after practice. So, I think just seeing that every day makes it enjoyable to go out there and play with those guys."
Yes, the Sixers are 23-54 and it has been a complete failure of a season. Injuries have ravaged them and it seems as if the injury bug just will not leave this team alone. However, the young players on this roster are playing for their NBA futures. A lot of these youngsters are looking to develop while others are looking to build on their current 10-day and two-way contracts.
That's why everybody is coming in to work with a positive attitude which is something Grimes and the Sixers can build on.
"Knowing that everybody is putting in the same work, nobody is quitting on the season, because everybody still has a lot to prove," Grimes added. "Whether it’s with this team or another team to watch them. That’s really been the biggest takeaway for me. Everybody is working, keeping the same mindset even though it’s been a little bit of a down year."
One development in recent games for Grimes, specifically, has been his playmaking. He had 10 assists in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and the 4.5 assists he's averaging in Philadelphia is a career-high for him.
"I feel like I’m just getting comfortable," Grimes said of his playmaking. "Reading the game, kind of being a point of attack on the team for the offensive end, teams are doubling me more, just making the right reads, Yabu (Guerschon Yabusele) popping, or hitting Justin (Edwards) for 3. (Adem) Bona was phenomenal tonight, just on the rolls, rebounding, so just trying to make the right reads, hitting the guys, not trying to force too much on the offensive end, but taking what the defense gives me."
Grimes and the Sixers will look to continue growing and finish strong in the final five games of the season.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Quentin Grimes talks enjoying time with Sixers, advancing as playmaker
