Dominick Barlow Embraces New Role as Sixers Tweak Starting Lineup
PHILADELPHIA - Change is a constant in the NBA, and for the Philadelphia 76ers, that change came recently in the form of a lineup adjustment. Head coach Nick Nurse made the call to insert Kelly Oubre Jr. into the starting five, shifting Dominick Barlow-who had started 29 games this season-into a bench role.
It’s the kind of move that can rattle a young player, especially one on a two-way contract trying to carve out a consistent role. But Barlow?
He’s taking it in stride. And more than that-he’s embracing the challenge.
“My role is still the same,” Barlow said after the switch. “Just playing with different lineups.
So I think [I’m] trying to find a way to just bring what I do best to a different lineup. That’s the challenge for myself.”
Barlow’s mindset is exactly what you want from a young big adjusting to the ever-shifting needs of a playoff-caliber team. He’s not sulking.
He’s not second-guessing. He’s staying ready-and producing.
In the win over the Rockets and again in the loss to the Knicks, Barlow brought his trademark energy off the bench, doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score but matter just as much: rebounding, contesting shots, and keeping possessions alive.
The decision to start Oubre isn’t a knock on Barlow’s play. This is about fit and floor spacing.
Oubre’s ability to stretch the defense with his outside shooting gives the Sixers a different offensive dynamic-one that forces opponents to respect the perimeter more than they might with Barlow, who’s more of an interior presence. That spacing matters, especially with a ball-dominant lead guard and a big who thrives in the paint.
“Kelly’s playing really well,” Barlow acknowledged. “He’s my teammate.
He’s been starting in this league a long time. So it’s not shocking to me that a guy who’s averaging 15 for us is starting.”
That’s the kind of maturity that earns respect in a locker room. Barlow understands the bigger picture. He knows this isn’t about ego-it’s about what gives the team the best shot to win on any given night.
And Oubre, for his part, has shown nothing but appreciation for how Barlow has handled the transition. It’s a testament to the culture Nurse is building in Philly-one where roles can shift, but the commitment to winning stays the same.
Barlow’s focus remains clear: bring energy, make an impact, and be a positive force-regardless of whether his name is called at tip-off or midway through the second quarter.
“My goal is just to be a positive basketball player,” he said. “Whether that’s coming off the bench, starting, five minutes or playing 40 minutes-I just want to affect the game positively.”
That attitude, paired with his physical tools and work ethic, makes Barlow a valuable piece in Philly’s rotation. He may not be starting right now, but he’s still very much a part of what the Sixers are building-and that’s not changing anytime soon.