WE'RE BACK G1: Sixers @ Boston 10/22/25 7:30 ET

[76thBearCub]

Obviously only one game, but McCain and VJ based on what we saw so far looked way better in the NBA than they did in college. So either their games are more suited for the NBA or the Sixers have an otherworldly developmental staff. Or a combination of both.

Id think scouting before development especially this early. Goes with what you first said. But it's looking freaking nice!

[FireMorey]

The only downside to this game is he's going to want to keep #77 if this keeps up instead of switching to #7 after the season when Lowry retires.

[XtremeDunkz]

I haven't posted on here in a long time. I try to forget last season. Tonight was fun. I'm back on board. VJ looks like he already has the necessary confidence. Credit his teammates for that.

[Negrodamus]

Got Charlotte next and I'm honestly concerned about them. They have accumulated enough talent where they might actually make the jump. Destroyed the Nets tonight, who suck. But team looks pretty complete.

[eyeatoma]

Just saw the final score. Is Embiid hurt again, or why did he not play the 4th?

Also, I don’t really want Edgecombe taking 26 shots a night.

He's pulling his usual looks like ass for the first week and half. Least that's what I'm hoping.

[zaz102]

This game felt like the passing of the torch.

[Mik317]

hot takez....or perhaps a recap?

Maxey: Looked like a vet tonight. Those 3 back to back to back 3s was nuts. He also brought the floater back out (did settle for it too much at times tbf) just a baller ass game.

VJ: I had some cowardly hot takes brewing after his early preseason games and then didn't want to get overly excited after beating up on the Wolves G-League...and I am still going to be cautious....but goddam what a first game out. To be "that guy"; he does need to add some wiggle to his game, and become a knock down guy but the fact that he has the ballz to take 26 shots out the gate is just moxie..hell him being pissed at missing those FTs (which were a lock of the century to happen btw) just shows that dare I say it DAWG ENERGY. The idea is that VJ the person is going to do a lot of heavy lifting early on and yeah this game is that for sure.

Biid: yeah....similar to VJ I didn't get overly hype over his last game due to the competition and the fact that he didn't leave the floor even on jumpers. and yeah. Boston has given Biid hell, were doubling him on every catch. He missed open looks which will happen. He has to be a knock down guy to play this way and that just isn't his game and his game doesn't fit the new system (ball stopper) and his new body doesn't allow it to be as effective. The real bad part is the defense...he's food on that end in space. Now Biid is a slow starter normally, on a minutes restriction and its a new year but yeah its bad. HOWEVA him seeming to be fine to play a role in a sense and the fact that Nurse didn't feel like he had to put him back in and he seemed okay with it. BUT the team looked better (on offense..it was dog poop on defense all game, the Celtics just missed shots it feels like) without him and yeah thats a first and one my homer ass don't like but youthier (shout out to Starbury) bodies make up for it.

Barlowe: who da **** is this guy. He's like the Ish Smith of Forwards in that him just being able to do basic forward **** like rebound feels like dark magic. Going to need to be able to hit open shots tho.

Walker: Just a big ass dude who does big ass dude thangz. More chaotic than Barlowe tho.

Grimes: This loser wanted how much amirite? Nah he obviously is just rusty and not used to playing with these guys. Going to be super important regardless as this team just need scoring especially with a hampered Biid. Played some gutsy defense down the end and hit a big 3.

Oubre: He is a pretty man who is just not good enough at the things we NEED him to be good at BUT good enough at them that you hold out hope somehow. He plays hard and also hit a big 3 down the stretch. Felt like he was really good on the boards not sure if the stats back that up. Was lost as **** on defense and again with Biid playing like he has the metal boots from Zelda on, just can't happen. Seems like a great dude but yoyu have to imagine he is gone asap.

Bona: someone called him the new Sammy D. ....yeah. Freak athlete but has a weak ass base which makes it hard to see him play big minutes at the 5 as it kills him on the boards and on defense as he just gets pushed around...which leads to him overextending which leads to fouls. We need our back up 5 to be a stretch 5 so badly.

Drum: he is still washed

Nurse: Already overplaying guys lol. Again him not bringing Biid back in was surprising. Finally using Maxey's speed too.

Yeah I am trying hard to not get my hopes up. I have to try to not get too up or too down about sports in general.. I tend to overthink it and get mad that other people don't see it like I do and it has sadly led to stress lol. I want this team to finally win one so bad especially with Biid as that would be so great...don't think that happens now sadly BUT all of that bull aside...this was a fun ass game and I did a little fist pump which Prichard missed..so I am not fully out to my own detriment but yeah...we got youth to overhype and that is all I can ask for lol.

**** the celtics

[stormi]

Also, I don’t really want Edgecombe taking 26 shots a night.

Guys will watch their rookie drop the most points in an NBA debut in over 30 years on 62.8% true shooting and start nitpicking field goal attempts

You weren't always this miserable

[BNelley24]

Just saw the final score. Is Embiid hurt again, or why did he not play the 4th?

Also, I don’t really want Edgecombe taking 26 shots a night.

He's pulling his usual looks like ass for the first week and half. Least that's what I'm hoping.

Embiid couldn’t move out there. His defense sucked. No energy. He looks ancient out there. It’s a shame. I’m happy he was out there and stuck to his role. Let’s just hope he stays healthy and gets back into shape. This team relies on maxey, VJ, McCain, and hopefully Paul George

[FlyingArrow]

Also, I don’t really want Edgecombe taking 26 shots a night.

Guys will watch their rookie drop the most points in an NBA debut in over 30 years on 62.8% true shooting and start nitpicking field goal attempts

You weren't always this miserable

Since Wilt. Over 60 years.

[Mik317]

also think we need to find a way to not always have Biid out there with a non shooting big. Junked up the spacing. I like the idea of going double big but tonight didn't feel like the night to go to it as often as we did..i'd use most of Biid's 20-25 minutes in a 3 guard lineup with Oubre (sadly) at the 4 for now...also want to see more Biid in the dunker spot as promised and less him at the top of the key

he also somehow didn't have a TO today

[ProcessDoctor]

Wow. I can’t believe that was his 1st game. Our backcourt is set for the foreseeable future.

Should’ve done everything in our power to move Embiid for Zion. We’re stuck in an awkward place.

[Lou84]

VJ sucks! Am I doing this right? xD Reading the preseason threads there were some ridiculous takes on him. Dude is a baller, I love it!

Sent from my moto g84 5G using RealGM mobile app

[Wilfried]

Great opener and with McCain and PG still not here, we have some hope.
Even shorthanded, this Boston team at home in a season opener is a very tough one

Embiid doesn't worry me too much, he just needs to stay healthy and get his legs back (not so strange he's slow atm, given the fact these are his first games in around 8-9 months). It always takes time with him, and he never will be MVPbiid anymore. But we don't need that either.

Good to see Barlow being what we need (energy and rebounds).

VJ, wow, better than I thought. And unafraid. We have our backcourt for the next 10 seasons I think. Having McCain behind them at the moment, is just great. Doesn't give the opponent one minute of rest.
Maxey, this is your team now, you have the keys, use them like you want

[Stanford]

I kept thinking Barlow was Matisse

[sodmoraes]

Embiid was really bad today. No lift at all, lets hope he can get better in the next 10 games, and maybe get to 70% of the player he was. If he can do it, Jared and PG gets back too, and they play well, i think we can be like 4-5 in the east this year.

[Kolkmania]

What an impact from VJ, 13 3's in his 1st game... Certainly not something I expected. His competiveness and positive energy is such a breath of fresh air. The trio of Maxey, VJ and McCain will be so fun to root for. Let's hope we can get something out of Embiid and George in the next couple of year. Obviousy a rough game for Embiid, but good to see he joined the party despite his poor performance.

[Iverson Armband]

Well, I was definitely wrong on VJ. And couldn’t be happier about it!

[Negrodamus]

The best part of VJ and McCain is they let the offense come to them based on what the defense gives them. If yesterday is what we can expect from Maxey self creation-wise, then these two guys are perfect fits with him. That was exactly the type of offense we've been yearning for for years but couldn't really run during the Embiid show. Not to slight Embiid, but the highs were high and the lows were getting stomped in critical playoff games.

[Slacktard]

Not gonna overreact about Embiid. Rest of yall can if you want. Expect a 20 MPG restriction for him for the time being until he rounds into shape. He'll eventually contribute.

As for the team, George and McCain NEED to get healthy and fast. We can be dangerous with them added to the mix.

Love what Barlow gave us. Dude has that crackhead energy out there. Almost a double double. Love his effort on defense. He already looks like our best wing defender. Needs to clean up the mishaps though on defensive switches. He got burned a few times but so did our entire team until Quetas fouled out. Nurse will have to clean that **** up.

Maxey dropped 40, Edgecombe hit for 34. Can't expect them to do that every night, thus the need for McCain and George to return.

Loved what Samaki Walkers son gave us out there. Dude looks exactly like his dad and plays like him. He was a steal in free agency. Not gonna score a lot, but Jabari battles and that's all you can ask for.

Great win!

TBH, I think Embiid looks like he's in really good shape. Obviously there's a difference between being in shape and being in basketball playing stamina type condition and getting back your quick reactions to basketball movements/activities on the court though.

I'm definitely willing to give him some time... but if a week or two from now we're still having this discussion and looking at the shape he's in (which again I think looks really good) then it's going to move on to permanent physical deterioration and discuss what you get out of him moving forward.