The 76ers might only be one game into the regular season, but JaKarr Sampson is already excited about the rewards he could reap from having committed himself to fine-tuning his game this summer. After making 32 starts in 74 appearances last year as a rookie, Sampson reported to the Sixers’ off-season program on May 18th, the earliest possible date. He got the nod at small forward against Boston, and held his own offensively, racking up 13 points. Sampson had reached that mark only four times previously as a pro.
“I felt like it went well for me,” said Sampson on Thursday, one day after the Sixers’ match-up with the Celtics. He also pulled down four rebounds.
“Like I always do, I’m always going to bring the defensive side. Y’all saw my offensive side, putting in work over the summer, working on my finishes. You saw that last game.”
At least for a night, the work showed. Sampson converted five of his nine field goal tries, with all five makes coming both in the lane, and within eight feet of the rim (on seven such shot attempts). In particular, Sampson was able to muscle his way inside for the Sixers’ first bucket of the game. Then later, about midway through the third quarter, Sampson scored five straight points for the Sixers, helping cut a 10-point deficit in half.
“I think he plays with such a bounce,” said Brett Brown of the undrafted St. John’s product. “He’s such a great story. He’s an A-plus athlete. I think trying to corral him and let him not play in a crowd as much as sometimes he does is my coaching challenge.”
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I think his attack mentality, his aggressive mentality is something I want. He just has to look and feel…the crowd that he’s going into. Sometimes that attack mode gets him in trouble.”
Sampson believes his on-court spirit is an extension of his natural personality.
“I think it comes from me just bringing energy,” said Sampson, who regularly projects a loose, upbeat demeanor, and routinely sports a wide smile. “I’m always bouncy, always got that energy. That’s why I’m out there on the floor. Create energy offensively and defensively.”
With their first road test out of the way, and 10 more away games looming before the calendar flips to December, Sampson and the Sixers will play five of their next seven outings – including Friday’s pairing with Utah – at The Center.
“I’m hype about the home opener,” Sampson said. “I know Philly is hype about it. I know they’re ready to see us, ready to see the season get going there.”
