Quick stat snapshot of where the Sixers are after 3 games

[Kobblehead]

Thybulle isn't playable in the playoffs. Need to make a small trade for a Caruso or something.

Caruso cant shoot either

36.7% for his career is good shooting. He's shooting even better this year (38.3%).

[76ciology]

Thybulle isn't playable in the playoffs. Need to make a small trade for a Caruso or something.

Caruso cant shoot either

36.7% for his career is good shooting. He's shooting even better this year (38.3%).

Oh ok. Yeah, my bad there.

[Kobblehead]

I think a defensive player needs an offensive trait in order to be playable for the playoffs. Needs to be able to playmake or shoot. I like Caruso because he can do both. Like Melton. Jose Alverado almost swung a playoff series with his two-way play in a 20 mpg reserve G role. I want Caruso to be that for us. That's what the Bucks are hoping to get out of Jevon Carter, btw.

[SixthStreet]

Caruso is better at defense than Thybulle so I'd take him but I wouldn't close the books on Thybulle in the playoffs. He likely will have to be paired with Harden but as long as he takes the 3s it should work. In a dream world I'd like to see him use his defensive instincts to be a better offensive rebounder but that's probably almost as much of a pipe dream as his shooting.

[Kobblehead]

I closed the books on Thybulle because he looks hopeless out there. He doesn't shoot threes and when he does, his percentage is like in the teens. Unless they do what I suggested and send him to the G-League and tell him to shoot 6 threes a game in 30 mpg of action for a 10 game stretch to try to kickstart some shooting confidence, I've given up on him.

[Bum Adebayo]

Thybulle sucks, better to look elsewhere, defense-only will lead you to nowhere in today's NBA.

[76ciology]

Been watching a lot of Jazz games because of Kessler.

Melton-Milton-Tobias reminds me of Clarkson-Sexton-Markanen set-up on offense.

Dribble drive backcourt, bailout option by tweener playing SF.

*Beasley reminds me of Niang, extra push on offense

[Murray_17]

We're right now 3th in defensive rating and have the 6th best Net Rating, so our defense saw a massive improvement over the last 15th games. Our offense rating is 14th tho, that should improve once Harden and Maxey are back.

The question is how to keep the defensive numbers with those two back on the line up, we're currently the best team at defending the 3 point line and we're obviously gonna look bad on that regard with them, especially because we're long as hell with Melton/PJ/Tobias, Reed also is incredibly fast at closing at Shooters on switches and Joel can hold himself on the perimeter if necessary.

It's a difficult conundrum tbh

[Jailblazers7]

I think Melton has made a really strong case to take Maxey’s spot in closing lineups. No clue if Doc will do it but it’s probably best for the team short-term. Maxey gets lost in games too often and Melton is a perfect role player who make his presence felt without the ball & on defense.

[ProcessDoctor]

I think it’s clear Maxey should come off the bench for this team. Melton provides way too much defensively and still has playmaking abilities to boot. Sprinkle in some Thybulle at the 2 as well, and we might have a shot at finishing top 10 in both O/DRTG.

[Murray_17]

I think it’s clear Maxey should come off the bench for this team. Melton provides way too much defensively and still has playmaking abilities to boot. Sprinkle in some Thybulle at the 2 as well, and we might have a shot at finishing top 10 in both O/DRTG.

I think the rising of Melton is making Thybulle expendable unless you put line ups were you want to play zone, like yesterday.

Also, finding playing time for Melton, Milton, Harden and Maxey plus having one of PJ and Tobias at the wings make difficult to find time for Matisse

[ProcessDoctor]

I think it’s clear Maxey should come off the bench for this team. Melton provides way too much defensively and still has playmaking abilities to boot. Sprinkle in some Thybulle at the 2 as well, and we might have a shot at finishing top 10 in both O/DRTG.

I think the rising of Melton is making Thybulle expendable unless you put line ups were you want to play zone, like yesterday.

Also, finding playing time for Melton, Milton, Harden and Maxey plus having one of PJ and Tobias at the wings make difficult to find time for Matisse

Shake’s been playing great but I would play Thybulle over him. Shake would be redundant with Harden and Maxey back in the lineup. Something like:

Harden(32)/Maxey(16)
Melton(28)/Maxey(12)/Thybulle(8)

[76ciology]

We're right now 3th in defensive rating and have the 6th best Net Rating, so our defense saw a massive improvement over the last 15th games. Our offense rating is 14th tho, that should improve once Harden and Maxey are back.

The question is how to keep the defensive numbers with those two back on the line up, we're currently the best team at defending the 3 point line and we're obviously gonna look bad on that regard with them, especially because we're long as hell with Melton/PJ/Tobias, Reed also is incredibly fast at closing at Shooters on switches and Joel can hold himself on the perimeter if necessary.

It's a difficult conundrum tbh

Yup. Been thinking a lot about this.

My solution for now..

Still run the starting unit, if it is effective then we also end games with this unit. Why? Because i think basketball is more than X&Os and you need to make everyone happy.

But in almost all games, we dont play the starting unit as much as before this stretch.

And in almost all games, we give more usage to our bench unit. Let them also be happy so they’d play their 200%.

And to end all games, we need to distinguish whether we end games with 5 guys in our starting unit or 3-4 guys on our starting unit with one 1-2 bench player. That depends on the match-ups and the hot hand.

I think thats the way to play this roster with this much depth and flexibility. You play different shades of gray depends on the situation.

This is also Doc’s style of coaching. But variance happens. So sometimes he makes the wrong reads and sometimes the players just underperforms.

[M2J]

We're right now 3th in defensive rating and have the 6th best Net Rating, so our defense saw a massive improvement over the last 15th games. Our offense rating is 14th tho, that should improve once Harden and Maxey are back.

The question is how to keep the defensive numbers with those two back on the line up, we're currently the best team at defending the 3 point line and we're obviously gonna look bad on that regard with them, especially because we're long as hell with Melton/PJ/Tobias, Reed also is incredibly fast at closing at Shooters on switches and Joel can hold himself on the perimeter if necessary.

It's a difficult conundrum tbh

Yup. Been thinking a lot about this.

My solution for now..

Still run the starting unit, if it is effective then we also end games with this unit. Why? Because i think basketball is more than X&Os and you need to make everyone happy.

But in almost all games, we dont play the starting unit as much as before this stretch.

And in almost all games, we give more usage to our bench unit. Let them also be happy so they’d play their 200%.

And to end all games, we need to distinguish whether we end games with 5 guys in our starting unit or 3-4 guys on our starting unit with one 1-2 bench player. That depends on the match-ups and the hot hand.

I think thats the way to play this roster with this much depth and flexibility. You play different shades of gray depends on the situation.

This is also Doc’s style of coaching. But variance happens. So sometimes he makes the wrong reads and sometimes the players just underperforms.

That type of flexibility only happens when the front office is in agreeance.... and that usually takes the star players agreeing too.

This team isn't in a likely blow it up situation like the Nets or maybe Lakers. They are in a situation where they're trying to keep their stars happy and that's pretty much 3 people. The damn team colluded to do so by over paying for Tucker... Brought in Harden's friends Tucker... House... Harrell. Because they want to keep Harden. You don't think they made promises to Tucker, who had several options at similar money?
They blow it with Harden and let him walkaway for nothing... You lose your window....You know Joel is asking out. It's delicate.

I full heartedly believe that Harden in particular doesn't love playing with Reed. Doc alluded in the Heat series that the players wanted Jordan to play. Whose lineup is the backup center playing with? Harden's lineup. Rivers is with it too, I'm sure... But still the stars have a lot of say in that type of stuff.

Benching Tobias to end a game may be possible, and I think he's done it before. I'm hoping Maxey is possible, not sure. I do believe he'll finish with the right people in the playoffs.

Many of the former supposed top heavy teams that really work have the ability for 2 of 3 to really be able to defend. Both Harden and Maxey are players you kind of hide.

[76ciology]

Harden might play in the upcoming Rox game as per Shams

[DCasey91]

I think ultimately the starting 5 should be changed. Can’t have 2 defensive sieves on the perimeter with Embiid as your center, it’s not a good way to preserve him.

We’ve seen it before when he has little to work with defensively out there we get lit up on the outside. Can’t have 2 exploitable players on defence (3 if you count Tobias in certain matchups).

Tucker/Embiid
Tucker/Reed

Have both been producing excellent results so far

I do think Reed/Embiid can work as well

Maybe it’s just another reason for me to want Melton in the starting lineup but the proof is in the pudding.

Look I think Maxey is an ideal 6th man candidate that’s not to say Milton doesn’t have a role anymore in fact they differ a lot.

Also Thybulle has his moments where it obvious he brings in unique impact. It’s game situational but it is impactful nonetheless.

Finally Nasser Little should get a big look in from our FO. Has the physical tools, athleticism, and is indeed unders on playing time imo.

[Jailblazers7]

I think Nassir Little is poison pilled because of his recent extension so we’d need to trade for him in the offseason but I agree that he’d be a great fit here.

Maxey as 6th man will be easy to test when he comes back from injury. He should be on a minute limit when he comes back from a broken foot so its a golden opportunity to test that rotation for ~10 games.

[Bum Adebayo]

Yeah Maxey is best suited as 6th man off the bench in your starting lineup you'll go nowhere but playoffs fodder...

[SixthStreet]

This Process stretch of hooping should be strong evidence that Rivers doesn't have to play Harden 36+ mpg. Frankly I don't think Harden should play more than 30 minutes if the roster, at a minimum all the guards, is healthy.

[DCasey91]

I think Nassir Little is poison pilled because of his recent extension so we’d need to trade for him in the offseason but I agree that he’d be a great fit here.

Maxey as 6th man will be easy to test when he comes back from injury. He should be on a minute limit when he comes back from a broken foot so its a golden opportunity to test that rotation for ~10 games.

Oh damn haven’t checked the salary but yeah 4/32 it’s going to be harder to trade for

Thoughts on Roco coming back? He’s undervalued atm knows the setup etc.