76ers 2023-24 Season Thread Part 1

[Negrodamus]

I'm standing by my darkhorse: Keldon Johnson

They have longterm answers at SG/SF/PF in Vassell, Sochan, Branham. Arguably Wemby is a PF. He's taking the second most shots when he's really not as good as Vassell.

I could see them wanting to move on for picks and possible win now pieces like Melton or one of the vets we just brought in.

I don't want it, but I could see Morey being allured by a 24 year old SF/PF who scores 22ppg.

[Jailblazers7]

The biggest knock on that theory is that Keldon seems to be the leader of that Spurs team & he has a very good relationship with Pop. I find it hard to imagine him getting trade with Pop still around.

[the_process]

Some interesting points,

a) Morey’s trade/FA target - he wants a two-way player with some playmaking chops
b) it’ll be hard to get a backup pg who can crack the rotation bc of their depth

seems to rule out a few players, "two way" Lavine, "playmaking" OG

Get ready to learn Siakam fellas

Two way player with play making chops?

Delon Wright!

I've been playing with the trade checker trying to see if there was a way to get around LaMelo's poison pill. Very difficult.

[Arsenal]

Malcolm Brogdon can also fit the profile of a "two-way player with playmaking chops." Would not be surprised at all to see us target him, although I don't believe he could be the 3rd best player on a champion. More like 4th or 5th, which means someone else would also be required.

[SixthStreet]

Cynically, I think Morey is trying to sell someone on Maxey. I don't think he's the second best player on a champion unless he still makes another jump. He still can't score in half court isolation and his only real move in that situation is the side step or step back 3. That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

[Arsenal]

Cynically, I think Morey is trying to sell someone on Maxey. I don't think he's the second best player on a champion unless he still makes another jump. He still can't score in half court isolation and his only real move in that situation is the side step or step back 3. That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

You're selling him short. The guy has done nothing but improve constantly. He may not be ready *right now*, but that's what this season is for, to get him ready for the playoffs.

And for a guy who isn't good enough yet, averaging 26/7/5 on .637 TS is pretty great.

[SixersSince82]

That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

This is why getting the best "3rd guy" is so important. Joel is about 75% of himself once the playoffs start, I agree length will bother Maxey... so who's that 3rd guy that can really take advantage once the good defensive teams have made their adjustments against Jo and Tyrese?

[Arsenal]

That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

This is why getting the best "3rd guy" is so important. Joel is about 75% of himself once the playoffs start, I agree length will bother Maxey... so who's that 3rd guy that can really take advantage once the good defensive teams have made their adjustments against Jo and Tyrese?

Who was the 3rd guy on Denver last year? Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter.
On the Warriors the year before? Jordan Poole or Andrew Wiggins

This talk of needing a 3rd guy is overblown. For all his issues Tobias Harris is just as good as any of the guys I just mentioned.

The real key was those teams ran a modern motion offense where everyone shares the ball, cuts, and finds the open man, instead of non-stop stagnant ISO-ball as we did under Glenn.

Now the new coach has put in a similar offense, which should lead to everyone being more effective come playoff time.

[M2J]

Cynically, I think Morey is trying to sell someone on Maxey. I don't think he's the second best player on a champion unless he still makes another jump. He still can't score in half court isolation and his only real move in that situation is the side step or step back 3. That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

I'm the one calling for more offense, but totally disagree. Maxey can step back to get his shot off, but I think the biggest difference this season is his comfort driving left and being able to pass off his left hand, finish with his left hand or bring it to his right hand fluidly. Of course he's stronger going right. He's also finishing through contact or knocking down the floater.

You don't need to be elite one on one when you're capable of playing like Steph or Lillard and arguably the fastest player in the NBA. Length made it more difficult for him, but with his speed better screens is what made it easy for him to close the game as the best player on the court

[Mik317]

citing one play in which Maxey got blocked in a game that he damn near closed by himself including hitting shots over Kevin Durant as evidence that he cannot be the second guy is a choice.

IMO I think the idea of first, second or third guys is outdated....and not really viable for us at this point. Having a system in place and enough talent to make up for any lapses your better players have is the idea ATM. Biid is going to have the ball in the playoffs...for better or for worse. So putting him in a system that negates some of his struggles is the plan....time will tell but this current one makes double teaming him with no regard much harder thanks to just having Oubre cut and also be able to chuck off catch lol The Maxey DHO game also gives us at least a second type of action to run beyond just base pick and pops...as currently constructed in most Biid lineups there isn't any guy you can just leave for the first time in forever. Getting more athletic cutters and unrepentant chucklords (ideally both) will make sure that stays the case. And in said situation, Biid SHOULD have more single coverage but also doesn't always need to shoot as well. Maxey's improvement also gives us a guy who can get buckets in bunches for hopefully knockout punch type runs such as the one last game. And while I doubt it keeps up Tobias post ups have been quicker and insanely efficient this year and Oubre, also doubt it continues, has been the perfect release valve gunner (ala MPJ on Denver). Its still stupid early and we haven't exactly played great teams but honestly just upgrading the Melton role with a more consistent guy is probably the only real sore spots and that may be Batum's washed ass lol.

[Stanford]

Lol people still doubting Maxey

[eyeatoma]

Watched the clip, Daryl did say what 76 and Stormi mentioned, but Mike said in a perfect world. Daryl also said it would be between 2 players at most. They said they would need to make it work, because we're not going to get our dream player. Mentioned that getting a 2nd best player is very hard, but they believe Maxey will be that player. A 3rd best is hard, but they think it's doable.

Not sure if this definitely points to Siakim, he might be one of the candidates, but I'm sure there are others who fit the mold.Who are ya'll thinking other than Siakim, given that Daryl mentioned it could be someone else also. Note Daryl mentioned no names.

I think we have to target to trade two players with total of 60+M of salary to fully max out the cap. Thats how I see it but its not in our control.

I think that 2 way 3rd best player thing gives him a lot to work with. Jerami Grant for instance. He may be looking at Randall too. Lavine is clearly an option. OG

Plus if they trade for that player Harris staying becomes more likely. I feel like the fire power is needed and playmaker can mean someone that is able to generate their own offense enough to carry the team for a while too. OG can't

Lavine is not a 2 way.

[mksp]

Lol people still doubting Maxey

Absurd. We have one young guy to be excited about that's done nothing but get better every single year and people still want to drag him because ________.

If Maxey went top-5 nobody would be doubting him.

[M2J]

I think we have to target to trade two players with total of 60+M of salary to fully max out the cap. Thats how I see it but its not in our control.

I think that 2 way 3rd best player thing gives him a lot to work with. Jerami Grant for instance. He may be looking at Randall too. Lavine is clearly an option. OG

Plus if they trade for that player Harris staying becomes more likely. I feel like the fire power is needed and playmaker can mean someone that is able to generate their own offense enough to carry the team for a while too. OG can't

Lavine is not a 2 way.

Like he said in the interview, you won't get the perfect player. But you can add Zach's offense and easily add enough defense. And just like Maxey, Zach has proven the ability to take part in a top defense. He's physically able to for sure. With Zach, Maxey, and Joel.... You could even play non 2 way defenders

[Covi_Marsh]

Bulls nor Timberwolves were never top defenses lol. When he took part in a good defense? LaVine for all his athleticism is a cone on defense. Teams hunt him because he’s that bad. It’s probably a combination of no effort & not having a defensive IQ. He is instant offense tho.

[eyeatoma]

I think that 2 way 3rd best player thing gives him a lot to work with. Jerami Grant for instance. He may be looking at Randall too. Lavine is clearly an option. OG

Plus if they trade for that player Harris staying becomes more likely. I feel like the fire power is needed and playmaker can mean someone that is able to generate their own offense enough to carry the team for a while too. OG can't

Lavine is not a 2 way.

Like he said in the interview, you won't get the perfect player. But you can add Zach's offense and easily add enough defense. And just like Maxey, Zach has proven the ability to take part in a top defense. He's physically able to for sure. With Zach, Maxey, and Joel.... You could even play non 2 way defenders

Not sure I agree at all to be honest.

LaVine is a black hole on offense, can be moody, is injury prone, and takes the ball out of Maxey's hands on the perimeter.

[stormi]

That Suns scrub wing Diop made Maxey look silly with a block the last game and I don't seem him doing anything against say Jaylen Brown in a second round playoff series.

I don't think it's being anti-Maxey to say he has a ceiling short of the second best player on a Embiid-led champion. I still love him.

This is why getting the best "3rd guy" is so important. Joel is about 75% of himself once the playoffs start, I agree length will bother Maxey... so who's that 3rd guy that can really take advantage once the good defensive teams have made their adjustments against Jo and Tyrese?

Who was the 3rd guy on Denver last year? Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter.
On the Warriors the year before? Jordan Poole or Andrew Wiggins

This talk of needing a 3rd guy is overblown. For all his issues Tobias Harris is just as good as any of the guys I just mentioned.

The real key was those teams ran a modern motion offense where everyone shares the ball, cuts, and finds the open man, instead of non-stop stagnant ISO-ball as we did under Glenn.

Now the new coach has put in a similar offense, which should lead to everyone being more effective come playoff time.

I was nodding my head along with you until I got here. Tobias is proportionally an equivalent dropper to Joel Embiid once we enter the second round. Not only does he create zero defensive advantages. He struggles to finish around the rim against playoff length and set defenses, shoots abhorrent percentages, can't create for anyone else and the hitch in his release rears it's ugly head back to the world.

Tobias in five separate post season runs has yet to match what Poole did in his first (scoring/creating/passing) or what Wiggins did in that championship run absolutely tilting the floor against the Celtics which his phenomenal defense against Jayson Tatum and rebounding. He was the second best player in the finals.

Gordon is an elite rebounder/defender/finisher at the rim. MPJ is maybe the best shooter / movement shooter / contested shot maker in basketball and on high volume.

Tobias is a jack of all trades guy, but elite tools win out when it matters most.

[stormi]

I'm standing by my darkhorse: Keldon Johnson

They have longterm answers at SG/SF/PF in Vassell, Sochan, Branham. Arguably Wemby is a PF. He's taking the second most shots when he's really not as good as Vassell.

I could see them wanting to move on for picks and possible win now pieces like Melton or one of the vets we just brought in.

I don't want it, but I could see Morey being allured by a 24 year old SF/PF who scores 22ppg.

What intrigues you most about him (besides him being a former Cat). Banking on age and physical traits?

Feels like a low-iq athlete with all of the natural tools.

If you look at the charts of the worst FG% on drives, worst catch and shoot 3P%, worst 3P% on meaningful volume he's near the tops of the list. Also a very lazy defender.

On the flip side, very good at attacking close-outs and slashing / finishing through contact.

Significantly less intriguing than Branham, Sochan and Vassell especially imo.

[Jailblazers7]

I wonder what the asking price would be for Cam Johnson once the Nets inevitably crumble & get ready to tank after the ASG.

[blargh]

Tobias in five separate post season runs has yet to match what Poole did in his first (scoring/creating/passing) or what Wiggins did in that championship run absolutely tilting the floor against the Celtics which his phenomenal defense against Jayson Tatum and rebounding. He was the second best player in the finals.

Gordon is an elite rebounder/defender/finisher at the rim. MPJ is maybe the best shooter / movement shooter / contested shot maker in basketball and on high volume.

Tobias is a jack of all trades guy, but elite tools win out when it matters most.

Wow, that is a pretty charitable assessment of MPJ

For the record, last year Tobi and MPJ had identical 31% EFG when shooting highly contested (defender closer than 2 feet) jumpers (> 10 ft).