Former Temple Star Still a Sixer -- For Now
By DAN STAMM
Updated 1:52 PM EST, Wed, Oct 14, 2009
Could the 76ers be celebrating Christmas early this year?
Dionte Christmas, a former Temple standout, remained on the roster as of Wednesday as the Sixers continued to roll through the preseason.
Christmas, though, seemed a long shot to make the Sixers after going undrafted in last spring’s NBA Draft. The rookie shooting guard was invited to camp before the preseason and he has remained on the roster since.
But, don’t bet on him sticking around much longer. He has struggled to find the court during the preseason only playing 6.3 minutes per game while shooting just 20 percent from the field and grabbing 1.3 rebounds and 2.3 points per game during three games.
With final cuts looming Christmas was anything but a shoo-in to make the team.
The only really big moment for Christmas was when he drained a three-pointer against the Nets last Friday night in front of the hometown fans.
“Today just felt extra good, being home and when I got in, the ovation I got from the crowd,” Christmas said after the game, according to the Temple News. “To know that Philly is behind me throughout the whole process I’m going through… is just really special.”
But, Philly being behind Christmas won’t likely be enough to keep him on the roster.
On Monday the Sixers dropped fellow Philly-native Sean Singletary and veteran Stromile Swift to cut the roster to 15. Teams must cut their rosters to just 12 players before opening day, according to NBA rules.
That meant that three more players must go.
So was there room for Christmas?
The likely answer was no.
The Sixers already had 11 players cemented into the roster. The team could only keep one of four players -- rookie forward Brandon Bowman, veteran guard Royal Ivey, veteran swingman Rodney Carney and Christmas.
The only thing that worked in Christmas’ favor was that the Sixers were short at guard. No. 1 pick Jrue Holiday, Willie Green and Lou Williams were the only true guards certain to make the team. Guys like Andre Iguodala and Carney were more swingmen than guards.
Even if one of the Sixers starts the season on the injured list the team would likely choose Ivey’s defensive ability or Carney’s experience over Christmas’ scoring touch.
So, Sixers fans should appreciate Christmas for now because he likely won’t be around come December.
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First Published: Oct 14, 2009 10:46 AM EST
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