Sizing Up the Sixers (4-10):Since gathering for training camp two months ago, the 76ers have, for the most part, been forced to deal with player health issues.There have been situations expected, such as the restrictions placed on two promising young centers, and developments unforeseen, like the right foot fracture to this year's number one draft pick, and lingering left wrist pain that sidelined the projected opening night starting point guard.As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, and as the Sixers have suddenly started to gain steam, news on the injury front has improved. While Joel Embiid's minute budget will likely remain at 24 minutes until at least Christmas, Jahlil Okafor, in Monday's 101-94 victory over Miami, saw his playing time limits lifted.Monday's victory, the Sixers' third in four games, also marked the season debut of Jerryd Bayless. Having signed with the team this off-season, the nine-year veteran represented a keystone acquisition, with his combo guard skill set making him an ideal complement to Ben Simmons, the rookie forward with a gifted facilitating touch. How Bayless and Simmons ultimately fit together is a matter for another day, with the Australian presently in the midst of rehabbing his foot. Simmons' status aside, Brett Brown simply considered it a welcomed sight Monday to have Bayless, and his wealth of experience, at the Sixers' disposal for the first time. “There's a physicality to him that he's a man,” Brown said of the 28-year old, originally the 11th overall pick of the 2008 draft. “He has a toughness to him, and an edge. You saw it a few times. He gets in traffic, he has a bounce.”Bayless took his initial steps onto the floor as a Sixer midway through Monday's opening quarter, replacing Sergio Rodriguez, who, in Bayless' absence, has effectively handled the first-string point guard duties. Bayless missed his two shots in the first half, but got himself going in the third period, when he handed out four of his team-high tying five assists, and netted all four of his points. “I felt good, I felt ok, you know,” said Bayless. “I hadn't played, so it's going to take a little bit to get back into the flow, into the rhythm, but overall, I felt ok.”Brown, too, acknowledged the ripple effects of Bayless' near-two month absence, describing the performance as “completely raw.” The head coach seems to be keeping expectations realistic. “Think about it,” Brown requested. “He last played sort of real basketball, scrimmaging and all that, back at Stockton in training camp. We have really intermittently drip-fed him into scrimmages at practice, because you don't practice a lot in our league. “He hasn't had much of that either, sort of just one-on-one stuff. But I saw good things. I saw a veteran, physical guard that I think can play some combo stuff, both one and two.”Upon being diagnosed with a ligament injury in his wrist in October, Bayless elected not to have surgery. He arrived at the decision on the heels of thorough consultation with members of the Sixers' medical staff, as well as several wrist and hand experts. Since then, Bayless' recovery has been managed by Sixers Director of Physiotherapy and Clinical Diagnostics Scott Epsley. The Arizona product gradually began ramping up his on-court work a few weeks ago, during scripted portions of practice. While he realizes it might take some time before he regains full form, Bayless sounded eager to now finally be in a position to contribute to his new club. “Just continuing to lead by example,” he said Monday, “and help this team out in any way I can.”Prior to joining the Sixers in July, Bayless spent the previous two campaigns in Milwaukee. A year ago, he turned in one of his strongest offensive seasons, averaging 10.4 points and 3.1 assists in 28.9 minutes per game. Bayless connected on on a career-best 101 triples as well. He's now played for seven different NBA organizations, including Memphis, the Sixers' opponent Wednesday night.Sizing Up the Grizzlies (9-5):The veteran Grizzlies have held their own through the first month of the season, entering play Friday as the fourth-best team in the Western Conference. In fact, Memphis, winners of five straight, will be carrying the third-longest active winning streak in the league into Wednesday's contest. The surge has helped the Grizz overcome a sub-.500 start. Memphis spent considerably during free agency this summer, inking point guard Mike Conley to the most lucrative deal in NBA history. The 29-year old has been a steady mainstay with the Grizzlies since the franchise made him the fourth overall draft pick in 2007.Chandler Parsons was another key off-season signing; however, the oft-injured swing man finds himself sidelined again. Parsons missed most of the pre season and the first week of the regular season with a right knee injury. Over the weekend, he was diagnosed with a bruise in his left knee, and is projected to be out two weeks.Long-time Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale replaced David Joerger in May as Memphis' head coach. Series History:Memphis has claimed seven straight meetings from the Sixers, which last earned a home victory over the Grizzlies in February of 2009.The Sixers and Grizz paired up a month ago in an exhibition tilt, with Memphis prevailing 121-91.Wednesday's contest will pit against one another long-time friends and Spanish national team members Sergio Rodriguez, and Marc Gasol. Follow Along:
TV – Comcast SportsNet
Radio – 97.5 FM The Fanatic / Sixers Radio Network
