The Sixers Look Scary

[Kingdibs19]

All of the people saying that Embiid and Harden couldn't run the pick & roll just got exposed for not knowing basketball.

Imagine thinking a former MVP PG and the likely 2022 MVP C would not be able to figure out how to effectively run and use the pick and roll together. SMH @ those people.

[payton2kemp]

I cannot wait until the playoffs, the meltdowns for certain teams are going to be legendary, one way or another. Not even saying the Sixers won't do well, though I've always been a Harden doubter rather than an Embiid one.

The east playoffs are going to be amazing. Especailly with the Nets finishing at the bottom and if they're healthy for the playoffs, the Raptors have played well. All the matchups are going to be tough in the 1st round.

[dshearn]

76ers are probably the team to beat.

So much talent in the east, it is going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out. The playoffs can go in any direction if this happens or that happens. You could make an argument a hot streak on any of the top 6 or 7 teams could push them over the top.

The next few years are going to be a blast watching some of these young guys grow too.

[Marty McFly]

If they remain healthy, they're going to be a very tough out.

[LewisnotMiller]

Clearly you haven't watched Maxey. Maxey is a budding star, who is going to average between 18-20 ppg the rest of the way. Harden has opened up the game for Maxey and has taken away the playmaking responsibility for him. He is a lightning quick guard whose sole job is to attack right now. Take a look at what Maxey has averaged in the last 6 games. Take a look at his season average, and look at what he is averaging with Harden in the lineup. Yes by reputation the Sixers are a 2 headed monster, but Maxey has had a breakout this year, and is a legitimate threat for 20 on any given night.

Yes! Maxey was a 5 star recruit. Small combo guard with shaky outside shot. But what made him a 5 star recruit for Kentucky was his relentless attack at the rim with his speed. Plus he’s always had that floater like trae young (though not perfected like trae obviously). But it’s a very good floater from 10 feet out.

Now he’s worked on his outside game.

He’s extremely dangerous with harden now playing point guard and Maxey gets to roam.

Basically sixers have 3 guys who can get their shot off anytime in half court now. Embiid harden and Maxey. Harris was always unreliable as second option half court dribbling too much.

Maxey isn’t perfect. But he’s got potential to be a borderline top 30 nba player. Nothing to sneeze at. And darn good. Just turned 21 a couple of months ago.

Thank you Chris Paul and especially Mike Muscala game winning shot with OKC 2 years ago that gave the sixers back the 20th overall pick for 2020 (from
Markelle Fultz magic trade)

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/08/13/thunders-mike-muscala-hits-game-winner-costs-thunder-their-first-round-pick/amp/

So basically the sixers traded Markelle fultz and got Tyrese Maxey. As good as a pivot from the diaster of fultz.

I was not high on Maxey at all coming out of college. Definitely missed on that one.

Not just you. I missed it too. I'd like to say that means you're in good company but...yeah...

I thought he had interesting speed, but a bad combination of shaky shooting, size and consistency. Like the bad version, early career Terry Rozier.

[Black Mage]

Embiid was +90 in the series against the Raptors. Even if his "counting" numbers were down, he clearly had a positive impact on the game when he was in there. In that series, the Sixers were THIRTEEN POINTS BETTER PER GAME than the Raptors when Embiid was on the floor. He played FORTY FIVE MINUTES in game 7, and in the three minutes he did not play, the Sixers were MINUS ELEVEN.

Spin THAT, haters.

Oh so now +- matters in a single game and series sample size, but not when other players are setting all time records with it? https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-nikola-jokic-only-trails-lebron-james-and-michael-jordan-already-the-2021-mvp-claims-the-third-spot-on-the-all-time-box-plus-minus-after-touching-15000-career-minutes/

Incredible the mental gymnastics being used. If it matters, then the people who are setting the all time records can't be discounted, right?

Embiid was 6/18 because Marc Gasol matched him minute for minute (both played 45 mins). That's 33%.

Kawhi was the best player on the court in that game and he drilled the GOAT playoff buzzer beater right over...you guessed it...

You mean after Kawhi ran like a running back 8 feet without dribbling once and the refs didn't realize they were officiating a NBA game and not an NFL game?

[bebopdeluxe]

FT bros won't get these calls in the playoffs.

There is a reason Harden always melts down in the 4th Q of big games.

They better hope Embiid is prepared to be a closer. He choked just like Simmons did in that Hawks series.

It's hard for a big man to operate when your PG can't stretch the floor because it's easy to pack the paint and slow him down. The spacing now is night and day. I doubt embiid will have any trouble. I also don't buy that they won't call the fouls. A foul is a foul.

True but thats a lame excuse to not beat a so so Hawks team. Embiid could have found ways to score in the clutch.

Fouls are not called the same way in the playoffs. Thats always been the case.

HE WAS PLAYING WITH A TORN MENISCUS

(or don't you believe that?)

[MotownMadness]

It's hard for a big man to operate when your PG can't stretch the floor because it's easy to pack the paint and slow him down. The spacing now is night and day. I doubt embiid will have any trouble. I also don't buy that they won't call the fouls. A foul is a foul.

True but thats a lame excuse to not beat a so so Hawks team. Embiid could have found ways to score in the clutch.

Fouls are not called the same way in the playoffs. Thats always been the case.

HE WAS PLAYING WITH A TORN MENISCUS

(or don't you believe that?)

What grade tear was it?

[Hello Brooklyn]

It's hard for a big man to operate when your PG can't stretch the floor because it's easy to pack the paint and slow him down. The spacing now is night and day. I doubt embiid will have any trouble. I also don't buy that they won't call the fouls. A foul is a foul.

True but thats a lame excuse to not beat a so so Hawks team. Embiid could have found ways to score in the clutch.

Fouls are not called the same way in the playoffs. Thats always been the case.

HE WAS PLAYING WITH A TORN MENISCUS

(or don't you believe that?)

Man averaged 30 and 12 and youre bringing up his meniscus

If hes capable of playing that well hes capable of not choking in the clutch.

[bebopdeluxe]

True but thats a lame excuse to not beat a so so Hawks team. Embiid could have found ways to score in the clutch.

Fouls are not called the same way in the playoffs. Thats always been the case.

HE WAS PLAYING WITH A TORN MENISCUS

(or don't you believe that?)

What grade tear was it?

Not sure. Most reports had it as a small tear; he did not need surgery to repair it. It happened in Game 4 of the Sixers 1st round series against the Wizards. He didn't play in Game 5, when they eliminated the Wizards, but he did play every game of the Atlanta series. Obviously, he wasn't 100% - I remember the end of Game 4 (I believe...or was it Game 5?) - he had an easy shot right at the rim that would have won the game, but he got zero lift and couldn't finish.

He did his best, but he was far from 100%.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31553588/philadelphia-76ers-joel-embiid-meniscus-tear-right-knee-game-5

[Tottery]

All of the people saying that Embiid and Harden couldn't run the pick & roll just got exposed for not knowing basketball.

I didn't see anyone say that, but if they did...lol. It was a given that would be a strength. They both command too much presence. Pick & roll will be easy for them.

[LewisnotMiller]

All of the people saying that Embiid and Harden couldn't run the pick & roll just got exposed for not knowing basketball.

I didn't see anyone say that, but if they did...lol. It was a given that would be a strength. They both command too much presence. Pick & roll will be easy for them.

I think a few people have started confusing effective roll man with lob threat. When you're as big and skilled as Embiid (or Jokic) it's entirely possible to kill people rolling to the hoop without going above the rim.

(Not that he can't, but just forcing a switch and getting close to the hoop is such a high percentage play for him, it really doesn't matter much)

[76ciology]

Sixers’ shots are going to fall or it’s gonna be a foul fest for your team because both Harden and Embiid can generate fouls off iso and it’s easier to generate fouls off pick and roll.

Sixers transition is also a lot better because Maxey and Thybulle have elite speed then you need specific defenders for Embiid and Harden, this lead to a lot of crossmatch issues and miscommunications.

Biggest problem i see for now is the lack of secondary rim protector outside embiid and rebounding problem. And this is worse when Doc runs Milsap at center when this could be a lot better with Charles Bassey

[kuclas]

Sixers’ shots are going to fall or it’s gonna be a foul fest for your team because both Harden and Embiid can generate fouls off iso and it’s easier to generate fouls off pick and roll.

Sixers transition is also a lot better because Maxey and Thybulle have elite speed then you need specific defenders for Embiid and Harden, this lead to a lot of crossmatch issues and miscommunications.

Biggest problem i see for now is the lack of secondary rim protector outside embiid and rebounding problem. And this is worse when Doc runs Milsap at center when this could be a lot better with Charles Bassey

Doc rivers is making a big mistake trying to play Milsap. He’s washed. Better to play bassey especially if harden is on the floor to generate his own offense with the second team while embiid is off the floor.

Anyone who watched the end of the third quarter/beginning of the 4th with the Knicks as they took a small 3 point lead. They had 6 layups with embiid on the bench. 5 layups in a 90-120 second span in the fourth quarter alone. Zero rim protection or deterrent. The min embiid re entered the games. Guys on the Knicks were less aggressive driving and dribble around embiid more.

That’s the effect embiid has when he’s in the game. Just his presence will do that. Milsap in the game. Knicks guys saw a wide open lane.

[Sane]

Sixers’ shots are going to fall or it’s gonna be a foul fest for your team because both Harden and Embiid can generate fouls off iso and it’s easier to generate fouls off pick and roll.

Sixers transition is also a lot better because Maxey and Thybulle have elite speed then you need specific defenders for Embiid and Harden, this lead to a lot of crossmatch issues and miscommunications.

Biggest problem i see for now is the lack of secondary rim protector outside embiid and rebounding problem. And this is worse when Doc runs Milsap at center when this could be a lot better with Charles Bassey

Doc rivers is making a big mistake trying to play Milsap. He’s washed. Better to play bassey especially if harden is on the floor to generate his own offense with the second team while embiid is off the floor.

Anyone who watched the end of the third quarter/beginning of the 4th with the Knicks as they took a small 3 point lead. They had 6 layups with embiid on the bench. 5 layups in a 90-120 second span in the fourth quarter alone. Zero rim protection or deterrent. The min embiid re entered the games. Guys on the Knicks were less aggressive driving and dribble around embiid more.

That’s the effect embiid has when he’s in the game. Just his presence will do that. Milsap in the game. Knicks guys saw a wide open lane.

The number of points Harden generates from spacing makes it statistically ill advised to put a non shooter on the court. You would have to see a meteoric change in defense to be worth what you'd lose on offense.

Trust me, Capela was a beast and playing the best he's ever played, but Harden was just better with any shooter on the floor instead of Capela. Trust it.

[zimpy27]

It has been a couple games guys. Slow the roll. Wait until a few weeks first. Things need to settle.

[76ciology]

Sixers’ shots are going to fall or it’s gonna be a foul fest for your team because both Harden and Embiid can generate fouls off iso and it’s easier to generate fouls off pick and roll.

Sixers transition is also a lot better because Maxey and Thybulle have elite speed then you need specific defenders for Embiid and Harden, this lead to a lot of crossmatch issues and miscommunications.

Biggest problem i see for now is the lack of secondary rim protector outside embiid and rebounding problem. And this is worse when Doc runs Milsap at center when this could be a lot better with Charles Bassey

Doc rivers is making a big mistake trying to play Milsap. He’s washed. Better to play bassey especially if harden is on the floor to generate his own offense with the second team while embiid is off the floor.

Anyone who watched the end of the third quarter/beginning of the 4th with the Knicks as they took a small 3 point lead. They had 6 layups with embiid on the bench. 5 layups in a 90-120 second span in the fourth quarter alone. Zero rim protection or deterrent. The min embiid re entered the games. Guys on the Knicks were less aggressive driving and dribble around embiid more.

That’s the effect embiid has when he’s in the game. Just his presence will do that. Milsap in the game. Knicks guys saw a wide open lane.

The number of points Harden generates from spacing makes it statistically ill advised to put a non shooter on the court. You would have to see a meteoric change in defense to be worth what you'd lose on offense.

Trust me, Capela was a beast and playing the best he's ever played, but Harden was just better with any shooter on the floor instead of Capela. Trust it.

And Morey said Harden is a better defender on a switch heavy defense. So maybe the plan is to have a switch heavy center and let Milsap play a role similar to PJ Tucker

But man.. milsap is just awful. He moves just as slow as my grandpa

[Sane]

Doc rivers is making a big mistake trying to play Milsap. He’s washed. Better to play bassey especially if harden is on the floor to generate his own offense with the second team while embiid is off the floor.

Anyone who watched the end of the third quarter/beginning of the 4th with the Knicks as they took a small 3 point lead. They had 6 layups with embiid on the bench. 5 layups in a 90-120 second span in the fourth quarter alone. Zero rim protection or deterrent. The min embiid re entered the games. Guys on the Knicks were less aggressive driving and dribble around embiid more.

That’s the effect embiid has when he’s in the game. Just his presence will do that. Milsap in the game. Knicks guys saw a wide open lane.

The number of points Harden generates from spacing makes it statistically ill advised to put a non shooter on the court. You would have to see a meteoric change in defense to be worth what you'd lose on offense.

Trust me, Capela was a beast and playing the best he's ever played, but Harden was just better with any shooter on the floor instead of Capela. Trust it.

And Morey said Harden is a better defender on a switch heavy defense. So maybe the plan is to have a switch heavy center and let Milsap play a role similar to PJ Tucker

But man.. milsap is just awful. He moves just as slow as my grandpa

Give him 10-15 games, lots of rust but I think he's a heady player. Reality is that there's going to be 10 minutes maximum behind Embiid in the playoffs unless it's a blowout. You can slot Thybulle even in there for 10 minutes, you'd be better off than any of the other C's.

Harden is best guarding whichever forward moves least. He is great at man to man especially in the post, switches well. In every playoff series he's ever played in Houston, he's been average to well above average at defense, it was never an issue for the Rockets, the Warriors for years could not isolate him and take advantage. Halfcourt team defense is where he struggles, so he's better off guarding people who are not capable of penetrating from the perimeter. His weakness is with ball movement and players that move without contact only, it's easily hidden and he's never had a DPOY-level talent cleaning up after him at times. He will funnel players into poor shots.

I think the key now is figuring out whether you want Harris or Maxey leading the bench because you need an injection off the bench and one of those two won't eat some nights as the starter.

[Snotbubbles]

Sixers’ shots are going to fall or it’s gonna be a foul fest for your team because both Harden and Embiid can generate fouls off iso and it’s easier to generate fouls off pick and roll.

Sixers transition is also a lot better because Maxey and Thybulle have elite speed then you need specific defenders for Embiid and Harden, this lead to a lot of crossmatch issues and miscommunications.

Biggest problem i see for now is the lack of secondary rim protector outside embiid and rebounding problem. And this is worse when Doc runs Milsap at center when this could be a lot better with Charles Bassey

Doc rivers is making a big mistake trying to play Milsap. He’s washed. Better to play bassey especially if harden is on the floor to generate his own offense with the second team while embiid is off the floor.

Anyone who watched the end of the third quarter/beginning of the 4th with the Knicks as they took a small 3 point lead. They had 6 layups with embiid on the bench. 5 layups in a 90-120 second span in the fourth quarter alone. Zero rim protection or deterrent. The min embiid re entered the games. Guys on the Knicks were less aggressive driving and dribble around embiid more.

That’s the effect embiid has when he’s in the game. Just his presence will do that. Milsap in the game. Knicks guys saw a wide open lane.

I think Thibs totally mismanaged the Knicks yesterday. Joel Embiid got subbed with 2 minutes left in the third Sixers up 7. Both his centers had 5 fouls. They should have immediately went to the bench and only been used for when Embiid re-entered. Instead they both fouled out before Embiid re-entered the game. Once Embiid re-entered (Sixers up 2) it was game over.

[rzzzzz]

That burst at the end, after the Knicks had inched ahead in the 4th, was just crazy. Got to be realistic that this team is not going to put everybody away from start to finish. But the propensity of just going off like that bodes well.