Dorell Wright looks around the gym and sees talent. Plenty of talent. He sees shooters, defenders, big men, combination guards, great coaches.
“I’m looking around now and I’m so happy to be here,” Wright said about the Sixers. “We have talent at every spot. We’re going to be tough to beat and I am so happy to be here.”
Wright was acquired from Golden State in the offseason. After two frustrating seasons with the Warriors, Wright was fortunate enough to join an up-and-coming team such as the Sixers.
And Wright is the perfect complement. The 26-year-old is a career 36.5-percent 3-point shooter, and he’s an adept passer and defender.
“Dorell is a very versatile player who will help us on both ends,” said forward Thaddeus Young. “He’s a great shooter and he runs the floor so well. He gets in the passing lanes and creates steals.”
Wright once knocked down nine 3-pointers in one game, so the shooting ability is clearly there. With Andrew Bynum clogging up the middle — barring any injury setbacks — open looks will be readily available for the likes of Wright, Nick Young and Jason Richardson from beyond the arc.
“Andrew commands double teams and it’s going to open things up for me and our other shooters,” said Wright, who scored 17 points in Wednesday night’s 113-99 win, including four treys. “That’s exciting for me. I’m so happy to be here also because of the talent and depth we have on this team. The last two years haven’t had many wins for me.”
Wright is entering his ninth NBA season, but has very little mileage on his body with 354 career games played. He’s anxiously anticipating a breakout season.
“Whether I score one point or 31 points in a game, I just want to win,” Wright said. “I just want to win as many games as possible and get to the playoffs. I saw what the Sixers did last season and how the fans supported them. It was very cool. I want to be part of that this season.”
Sixers rout Cavaliers, on the road for two games
The Sixers are still playing without Andrew Bynum, but that didn’t stop them from blowing out Cleveland, 113-99, Wednesday in an exhibition game.
Nick Young and Maalik Wayns led the way with 19 points apiece. Jrue Holiday had 13 and the Sixers shot 12-of-25 from beyond the three-point stripe.
The Sixers travel up to Brooklyn Friday night to take on the Nets — the team they lost to 108-105 last week — then head to Boston Sunday. On Monday (Oct. 22), they’ll take on the New York Knicks in Syracuse, N.Y.
