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76ers coach Doug Collins looking for more bench production

The 76ers strength of a year ago is now one of the major question marks. The Sixers are 10-7 and if they had received better production from the bench, one wonders where they would truly be.

The 76ers strength of a year ago is now one of the major question marks. The Sixers are 10-7 and if they had received better production from the bench, one wonders where they would truly be.

After saying that he had had three players (Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young) play at an extremely high level, Sixers coach Doug Collins talked about the need for more punch from the bench.

"We're trying to create something that was maybe our greatest strength (last season) our bench," Collins said after Monday's practice.

In the offseason, Lou Williams, who led the Sixers in scoring last season (14.9 ppg.) signed with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent. Thaddeus Young, who averaged 12.8 points last season, is now in the starting lineup and flourishing.

This year's top scorer off the bench is Nick Young, who is averaging 9.6 points. Young missed Saturday's 93-88 loss in Chicago due to a left great toe hyperextension. He also didn't practice Monday and is listed as a game-time decision.

Remember, that Turner was also part of the bench for a good portion of the season, starting just 20 of 65 games.

Collins mentioned how Spencer Hawes is one of the players who has to pick it up off the bench and offer more consistency.

Another player who was expected to provide a spark off the bench was Dorell Wright. Yet he is averaging 7.9 points in 20 minutes and shooting 33.3 percent from the field (but 37.1 percent from beyond the arc).

Even Lavoy Allen, who has started 11 of 17 games, hasn't really been consistent in either role.

With Young and Turner in the starting lineup and Williams in Atlanta, the Sixers can't be expected to have as talented a bench as last season.

Yet they should be getting more production and it's something that Collins expects to improve.