Game 21: Sixers’ Mielton vs Hawks’ Dejountrae

[76ciology]

The other guys are more involved on defense. I think i saw PJ tucker came to help Biid on a cat and mouse situation between Trae and Capela. We are also doing a great job closing out and rotating.

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[76ciology]

The other guys are more involved on defense. I think i saw PJ tucker came to help Biid on a cat and mouse situation between Trae and Capela. We are also doing a great job closing out and rotating.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

You can also see Melton was ready to help on this defensive possession

May not be Reed helping out Jojo. But so far, Tucker and Melton getting it done as secondary help on opponent’s cat and mouse game against Biid

[Negrodamus]

In a game where Embiid's jumper isn't falling and we're down 10+, I'd love for him to play like this for the remainder of the game (or until he fouls out):

https://youtu.be/Pfb6t7Tprqs?t=202

Either he obliterates the other team, or he proves that bullyball isn't a sustainable form of offense due to physicality being essentially removed from the game.

[Kova]

And about PJ

Can we remove him from the starting 5

Please

It’s ridiculous

What is your problem?

He sucks?

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

[Stanford]

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

One point would be a blessing at this point

[DCasey91]

In a game where Embiid's jumper isn't falling and we're down 10+, I'd love for him to play like this for the remainder of the game (or until he fouls out):

https://youtu.be/Pfb6t7Tprqs?t=202

Either he obliterates the other team, or he proves that bullyball isn't a sustainable form of offense due to physicality being essentially removed from the game.

I think it’s more so the ineffectiveness of his offensive game when hard doubles come (and they will in the playoffs) physically is still allowed especially to superstars. Doncic/Giannis in particular.

He should be the engine on defence first and foremost. Honestly I haven’t seen this type of defensive pressure since his rookie year which is the most encouraging thing this season.

Rebounding will be our downfall and perimeter athleticism so unless that’s sorted we’ll be staring down the barrel.

But a top 5ish player and a top 20 player will still go a long way.

[Jailblazers7]

I don’t mind PJ because he’s still a very good team defender. But he should be on a strict minute limit so we can keep him to 20-25 mins in the reg season. It’s more valuable for the team long term to see if a Reed/Embiid pairing can work, build chemistry with 3 guard lineups, and save PJ’s legs for when the games really matter.

[DCasey91]

Embiid's passing is already in elite territory, but playing with scrubs that can't shoot has masked that for a while.

I wouldn’t agree with that. I never rated Curry as an elite passer but he’s still way better than Embiid.

Now Jokic/Doncic who are GOAT level/top ten all time different story

But Cousins level? Sure I can buy that.

Watch on YouTube

Did forget how nice he was on passing (hits the shot pocket on difficult makes is highly impressive for his size) but there’s some plays that Embiid can learn here especially the whip passes. Shaq had it later on

Embiid is obviously a better shooter and defender but there’s bits and pieces that he could take into his game.

It’s getting better but the real test is when hard doubles come.

[Bum Adebayo]

What is your problem?

He sucks?

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

Around 10ppg would be fine yeah.

[Stanford]

I don’t mind PJ because he’s still a very good team defender.

PJ was always a play for the postseason. If we get two (maybe three!) good playoff series out of him, it'll be worth the deal, for this year at least.

[Murray_17]

I don’t mind PJ because he’s still a very good team defender. But he should be on a strict minute limit so we can keep him to 20-25 mins in the reg season. It’s more valuable for the team long term to see if a Reed/Embiid pairing can work, build chemistry with 3 guard lineups, and save PJ’s legs for when the games really matter.

I still wonder if a Melton/Reed/PJ/Embiid line up is playable at some point

[Jailblazers7]

I don’t mind PJ because he’s still a very good team defender. But he should be on a strict minute limit so we can keep him to 20-25 mins in the reg season. It’s more valuable for the team long term to see if a Reed/Embiid pairing can work, build chemistry with 3 guard lineups, and save PJ’s legs for when the games really matter.

I still wonder if a Melton/Reed/PJ/Embiid line up is playable at some point

That could actually work against the Bucks in a playoff series as a team designed to slow Giannis. Have PJ hound Giannis on the perimeter and bet that Reed & Embiid can cover enough ground to contest jumpers from Middleton & Lopez when helping.

It’d probably be a net neutral tho because Giannis would match up with Reed and cause chaos playing free safety on defense.

[blargh]

Tobias.

Offensively, transition and spot ups are the reason his scoring is efficient. He’s not that good in creating on offense, but he can if he is in a mismatch like the Nets game where O’Neal was defending him.

Defensively, he’s not a very good one on one defender, not a very good deflector nor not a very good rebounder but he’s above average to good at all 3.

So overall, there’s nothing that stands out in his game. But he plays in his role and is good in his role.

I do think if he’s more selfish, he’ll have more variance to his performance, some really bad games and some really good games where the overall is you get someone like Julius Randle who can pad you 18-20ppg but with bad % and below average on defense. I dont want him to be that.

when you run with pace, move the ball, and everyone do their job on defense, which is how winning teams play, he will look good.

But when you slow down the game, dont move the ball and some people not playing defense that they transfer load to others, he will not look good because that role is chaotic and he is not that good to carry other people’s role.

He’s actually been very effective on iso’s this season. He’s shooting 53% on shots where he’s touching the ball for 6+ seconds, which largely translates into shots he’s created. He’s not an elite creator, but he’s picking the right spots. But totally agree that you want him doing less of that, particularly when the big guns return.

[76ciology]

I don’t mind PJ because he’s still a very good team defender. But he should be on a strict minute limit so we can keep him to 20-25 mins in the reg season. It’s more valuable for the team long term to see if a Reed/Embiid pairing can work, build chemistry with 3 guard lineups, and save PJ’s legs for when the games really matter.

I still wonder if a Melton/Reed/PJ/Embiid line up is playable at some point

That could actually work against the Bucks in a playoff series as a team designed to slow Giannis. Have PJ hound Giannis on the perimeter and bet that Reed & Embiid can cover enough ground to contest jumpers from Middleton & Lopez when helping.

It’d probably be a net neutral tho because Giannis would match up with Reed and cause chaos playing free safety on defense.

Agree. It has its place.

It also depends on how well we’re shooting or how well we’re defending without needing to play big.

[76ciology]

In a game where Embiid's jumper isn't falling and we're down 10+, I'd love for him to play like this for the remainder of the game (or until he fouls out):

https://youtu.be/Pfb6t7Tprqs?t=202

Either he obliterates the other team, or he proves that bullyball isn't a sustainable form of offense due to physicality being essentially removed from the game.

Or he can involve others, let others help in creating (constant dribble drive, passing, pace and movement) and hunt for good to great looks. We’re a more talented team now

This is the maturity we need from Biid and the rest of the team.

[Kova]

He sucks?

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

Around 10ppg would be fine yeah.

Why? In that case who is averaging 10ppg less? Embiid? Tobias? Other starters? Bench?

[phillynative]

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

Around 10ppg would be fine yeah.

Why? In that case who is averaging 10ppg less? Embiid? Tobias? Other starters? Bench?

The sixers are bottom half team as far as PPG and Pace. Middle pack in offensive rating. Guys are injured and in and out of the lineup. Him knocking down 2 wide open corner 3s and maybe a put back layup or cut in layup a game should not take away from anyone else's offense. Why does someone else have to average 10 less points if its all in the flow of the offense.

[Snotbubbles]

Define "sucks". Is it because he is not averaging 20ppg? 15pp? 10ppg?

Around 10ppg would be fine yeah.

Why? In that case who is averaging 10ppg less? Embiid? Tobias? Other starters? Bench?

Why does someone have to average less? It's not a zero sum game, maybe the Sixers could just go from scoring 109 points per game to 119.

[MVP1992]

Around 10ppg would be fine yeah.

Why? In that case who is averaging 10ppg less? Embiid? Tobias? Other starters? Bench?

Why does someone have to average less? It's not a zero sum game, maybe the Sixers could just go from scoring 109 points per game to 119.

Could achieve a 10 point swing each game with 5 less turnovers.

[Eyeamok]

I don't have a clue as to what this team will look like when healthy.

They have been so good defensively. Can't imagine that with Maxey and Harden getting 30 minutes.

But this is exactly why we pay Doc the big bucks. To figure chit like this out. If the 76ers take a big dive on defensive rating when they are fully healthy that is solely on Doc.