Ersan Ilyasova needed All-Star break, admits effect of upcoming free agency

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The Sixers resume practice on Wednesday and Ersan Ilyasova will look to be recharged and refocused when he hits the court in Camden. The veteran power forward is determined to find his rhythm after hitting a shooting snag prior to the All-Star break.

“I need it right now, just get away from basketball,” Ilyasova said of the time off following the Sixers’ final game before the break. “Obviously, the last week was kind of up and down. The season is long. Obviously, you have to get your mind out of it. It’s good timing.”

Ilyasova’s plans for the break included traveling to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he owns a home, to spend time with his wife and children who live in Milwaukee. He hoped unwinding with his loved ones would help him move beyond his struggles at the basket.

Ilyasova scored a total of 10 points off a combined 4 for 16 from the field and 1 for 7 from three in the Sixers’ last two games against the Hornets and Celtics.

After shooting above 40 percent from the floor each month since being traded from the Thunder in November, Ilyasova shot 35.6 percent in February. More significantly, his three-point shooting dropped from 35.4 percent in January to 23.4 percent this month.

So what’s caused the hiccup for Ilyasova, who had been a consistent double-figure contributor earlier in the season? There are several factors in play.

“It’s tough,” Ilyasova said. “Obviously, a lot of things going through your mind. Obviously, being a free agent next year, you’re going to kind of overthink it sometimes. It’s like I said, the season is long.”

While Ilyasova’s contract expires after this season, he isn’t pointing to that as the root of all his struggles. He remembers being in a skid like this before when he played for the Bucks and understands it comes with the territory of the league.

“I am not going to say it’s just because of free agency,” Ilyasova said. “You have 82 games, you can’t play perfect. Sometimes you have good games and bad games. Last week I was kind of out of rhythm and missed a lot of shots.”

Ilyasova arrived in Philadelphia with an ultra-professional attitude and his effort is not going to change whether or not his shots are falling. Ilyasova is averaging 5.3 rebounds this month, including three games of nine boards or more.

The Sixers won three of their last four games before the All-Star Break, and even though they weren’t his best offensive performances, Ilyasova is more concerned about the final result.

“It’s not about one person,” he said. “We’re doing something right to win the games. I’m going to try contribute the best way I can.”

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