Game 34: Sixers @ Pelicans 8:30 pm ET The Return of Mad Max Game Thread

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Every night a player has a career game against us. It's every night it seems. We lost this game because we could not get a single stop on defense at all...all night long. PJ was no match for Zion...I'm not sure anyone in the league is, but I think we should have had Embiid guarding him. Problem with that is Jonas V is a thorn and a monster of a man at center in his own right. mismatches all over the floor, they are more athletic than us, but Doc stuck with PJ and Harrell. Thybulle was the only one that was able to put the clamps on CJ tonight and Doc didn't stick with him long enough in my opinion. I think this was also a Paul Reed game if there ever was one, but again, it was Harrell's show tonight. They just outclassed us at the end. Technical fouls, refs doing what the refs do, and1 three pointers for players like Henangomez and Jaxon Hayes...Just no excuse for that stuff. CJ and Zion were great! They're going to be on most nights. We have the players to stop them, but we didn't see that at all tonight. I think Embiid on Zion would have been helpful and again...Thybulle on CJ. This was the most frustrating game I have watched us play in a long time. OKC isn't exactly a pushover team either. We got them tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. Josh Giddey career night incoming! Lugentz Dort gonna hit 9 threes against us. "OMG, this never happens! Lu Dort! Where did this come from?" Alaa Abdelnaby with your turning point of the game "Here you see Lu Dort leaking out in transition, SGA finds him wide open in the corner and BANG...A three from Dort...Number nine for him tonight Kate...A new career high!"

[phillynative]

Even with PJ out there this team should easily be a top 10 offense.

The fact we're still figuring out the offense with 35 games in, it's just sad

The offense doc draws is give it to Embiid and everyone spread out. The whole teams chances are riding in him either scoring and not turning it over. I can see why the harden to Houston rumoured thing is a thing. He has become a role player in this offense

What should the offense be ? And don't say Harden step back 3 or turnover...

[NYSixersFan]

What is this team actually good at?

Shooting? passing? Rebounding? dribbling?

I know they are in the top 10 in defense, but are they actually a good defensive team? I don't see it most nights.

[Murray_17]

Even with PJ out there this team should easily be a top 10 offense.

The fact we're still figuring out the offense with 35 games in, it's just sad

The offense doc draws is give it to Embiid and everyone spread out. The whole teams chances are riding in him either scoring and not turning it over. I can see why the harden to Houston rumoured thing is a thing. He has become a role player in this offense

And that should be a top 10 offense still.

The issue is, we're not getting to an offense where Embiid gets points by spreading defenses out. Harden looks like a role player on thats situations because the call is to iso Embiid as soon as like 20 secs on the clock.

Embiid is great but he cannot iso on the 3 pt line, it's just stupid, you need to create a good look.

Whatever, i just don't see this team going far with the level of design where the players have to call their own offense system because there is non, and the coach is just throwing rotations on the wall.

[brannigan73]

Every night a player has a career game against us. It's every night it seems. We lost this game because we could not get a single stop on defense at all...all night long. PJ was no match for Zion...I'm not sure anyone in the league is, but I think we should have had Embiid guarding him. Problem with that is Jonas V is a thorn and a monster of a man at center in his own right. mismatches all over the floor, they are more athletic than us, but Doc stuck with PJ and Harrell. Thybulle was the only one that was able to put the clamps on CJ tonight and Doc didn't stick with him long enough in my opinion. I think this was also a Paul Reed game if there ever was one, but again, it was Harrell's show tonight. They just outclassed us at the end. Technical fouls, refs doing what the refs do, and1 three pointers for players like Henangomez and Jaxon Hayes...Just no excuse for that stuff. CJ and Zion were great! They're going to be on most nights. We have the players to stop them, but we didn't see that at all tonight. I think Embiid on Zion would have been helpful and again...Thybulle on CJ. This was the most frustrating game I have watched us play in a long time. OKC isn't exactly a pushover team either. We got them tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. Josh Giddey career night incoming! Lugentz Dort gonna hit 9 threes against us. "OMG, this never happens! Lu Dort! Where did this come from?" Alaa Abdelnaby with your turning point of the game "Here you see Lu Dort leaking out in transition, SGA finds him wide open in the corner and BANG...A three from Dort...Number nine for him tonight Kate...A new career high!"

Don't focus on McCollum's night as the reason they lost they werent going to win this game. If McCollum had his average someone else would have made up the difference. I'm so happy I didnt watch any of it just put on post game live until I got sick of Mark Jackson telling me how well they played because they shot a good percentage from the field. When you look at this team what good wins exactly do they have this year? The Clippers, Kings, and Utah are there best wins im thinking. This team is going nowhere.

[rocketsfan100]

Even with PJ out there this team should easily be a top 10 offense.

The fact we're still figuring out the offense with 35 games in, it's just sad

The offense doc draws is give it to Embiid and everyone spread out. The whole teams chances are riding in him either scoring and not turning it over. I can see why the harden to Houston rumoured thing is a thing. He has become a role player in this offense

What should the offense be ? And don't say Harden step back 3 or turnover...

He should be playmaking. Setting the offense. It’s not hard to understand. Instead of watching Embiid like the rest of the 4 guys.Run some pick and rolls? And incase you forgot harden was 4-6 from the three point line. He was completely frozen out

[Mik317]

Even with PJ out there this team should easily be a top 10 offense.

The fact we're still figuring out the offense with 35 games in, it's just sad

The offense doc draws is give it to Embiid and everyone spread out. The whole teams chances are riding in him either scoring and not turning it over. I can see why the harden to Houston rumoured thing is a thing. He has become a role player in this offense

What should the offense be ? And don't say Harden step back 3 or turnover...

idk maybe have BOTH OF YOUR GUYS involved in some sort of action.

as is teams just set up for the obvious Biid iso that he will either make or turnover. Its predictable and because no one can block the jumper, no help comes and thus no passing lanes.

Love Biid but just because he can hit tough shots...doesn't mean that has to be the whole offense down the stretch. At least get the ball closer to the rim because the moment he catches from the 3pt line, thats too much ground for him to cover and due to his size its too easy to strip away. It works closer to the rim because its less ground to cover and harder for defenses to collapse.

Again I am no expert but its not that hard but we make it so.

But again who gives a ****....nothing is going to change. We will get away with it enough some games to keep going at it anyway.

[Jay555]

Even with PJ out there this team should easily be a top 10 offense.

The fact we're still figuring out the offense with 35 games in, it's just sad

The offense doc draws is give it to Embiid and everyone spread out. The whole teams chances are riding in him either scoring and not turning it over. I can see why the harden to Houston rumoured thing is a thing. He has become a role player in this offense

What should the offense be ? And don't say Harden step back 3 or turnover...

Harden and Biid pick and roll which thrived during the winning streak. But somehow they stopped doing that in the past two games and went back to watching Biid playing 1 on 4.

[the_process]

That’s not what happened. But it is accurate to say a coaching change is and was never going to happen before yet another playoff flameout. So we wait. Pointlessly.

Ok, he and Brand, whatever, same issue. Brand isn't gonna be fired by the same token even when he is just s figurehead.

Ownership originally tried to hire Morey after Collars. He said no and stayed in Houston.

They let Brett go after getting swept by Boston in the bubble, and Doc was the biggest name coach available. He brought them some credibility at a time they had none. Morey was still under contract in Houston.

Then suddenly Morey became available, who was ownership’s first choice anyway, so they made it happen. Two different jobs, everyone happy collaborating, all that jazz.

I absolutely believe Morey will fire Doc. But not before another playoff disappointment.

Now, is Morey washed? Will he just bring in D’Antoni, and point to his calculator about how Embiid/Harris/Harden is a championship “Big 3”, and his offseason moves consist solely of acquiring other washed up former Rockets? Those are all open questions.

[Murray_17]

He should be playmaking. Setting the offense. It’s not hard to understand. Instead of watching Embiid like the rest of the 4 guys

What offense? you're blaming Embiid for something related to the fact we have no offensive system. And Embiid also has fault because he's not forcing the coach to do what he should do

Even Harden struggle to get his points if his 3 points aren't falling.

[Murray_17]

Harden and Biid pick and roll which thrived during the winning streak. But somehow they stopped doing that in the past two games and went back to watching Biid playing 1 on 4.

They were doing that at the beginning of this game too.

Then Doc subbed Harden out and then went to the stupid lineup that dig us the hole.

[rocketsfan100]

He should be playmaking. Setting the offense. It’s not hard to understand. Instead of watching Embiid like the rest of the 4 guys

What offense? you're blaming Embiid for something related to the fact we have no offensive system. And Embiid also has fault because he's not forcing the coach to do what he should do

Even Harden struggle to get his points if his 3 points aren't falling.

Harden is a brilliant playmaker who can get Embiid easier shots in rhythm in the crunch. But in this offense that is not utilised. It’s Embiid gets it 20 seconds in the shot clock and everyone else are spectators

[Jay555]

Harden and Biid pick and roll which thrived during the winning streak. But somehow they stopped doing that in the past two games and went back to watching Biid playing 1 on 4.

They were doing that at the beginning of this game too.

Then Doc subbed Harden out and then went to the stupid lineup that dig us the hole.

Exactly. That silly lineup shifted all the momentum and we never recovered after that.

Doc needs to go. It's simple as that.

[Jay555]

That’s not what happened. But it is accurate to say a coaching change is and was never going to happen before yet another playoff flameout. So we wait. Pointlessly.

Ok, he and Brand, whatever, same issue. Brand isn't gonna be fired by the same token even when he is just s figurehead.

Ownership originally tried to hire Morey after Collars. He said no and stayed in Houston.

They let Brett go after getting swept by Boston in the bubble, and Doc was the biggest name coach available. He brought them some credibility at a time they had none. Morey was still under contract in Houston.

Then suddenly Morey became available, who was ownership’s first choice anyway, so they made it happen. Two different jobs, everyone happy collaborating, all that jazz.

I absolutely believe Morey will fire Doc. But not before another playoff disappointment.

Now, is Morey washed? Will he just bring in D’Antoni, and point to his calculator about how Embiid/Harris/Harden is a championship “Big 3”, and his offseason moves consist solely of acquiring other washed up former Rockets? Those are all open questions.

Morey's problem is secondary. Getting rid of Doc might be all we need.

Look at where the Nets are now after they got rid of Nash.

I understand it's difficult but with Doc at the helm, this team is not going anywhere and would be sec round material at best.

[ankle420breaker]

Rerun turnover infused 4th quarter performance by Embiid along with his signature soft effort on the glass.

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app

[76ciology]

How to beat us.
- size
- outrebound
- transition baskets

[the_process]

Ok, he and Brand, whatever, same issue. Brand isn't gonna be fired by the same token even when he is just s figurehead.

Ownership originally tried to hire Morey after Collars. He said no and stayed in Houston.

They let Brett go after getting swept by Boston in the bubble, and Doc was the biggest name coach available. He brought them some credibility at a time they had none. Morey was still under contract in Houston.

Then suddenly Morey became available, who was ownership’s first choice anyway, so they made it happen. Two different jobs, everyone happy collaborating, all that jazz.

I absolutely believe Morey will fire Doc. But not before another playoff disappointment.

Now, is Morey washed? Will he just bring in D’Antoni, and point to his calculator about how Embiid/Harris/Harden is a championship “Big 3”, and his offseason moves consist solely of acquiring other washed up former Rockets? Those are all open questions.

Morey's problem is secondary. Getting rid of Doc might be all we need.

Look at where the Nets are now after they got rid of Nash.

I understand it's difficult but with Doc at the helm, this team is not going anywhere and would be sec round material at best.

Don’t disagree. Just waiting for the offseason. Because it won’t happen before then. They aren’t bad enough.

[Mik317]

How to beat us.
- size
- outrebound
- transition baskets

one guy over 6'9. Said guy is our main offense. He also often contests shots. Our "pf" is 6'5 with a dead arm. Most of our team is slow and plodding.

Doc is a **** but Darryl Morey deserves more heat.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Every night a player has a career game against us. It's every night it seems. We lost this game because we could not get a single stop on defense at all...all night long. PJ was no match for Zion...I'm not sure anyone in the league is, but I think we should have had Embiid guarding him. Problem with that is Jonas V is a thorn and a monster of a man at center in his own right. mismatches all over the floor, they are more athletic than us, but Doc stuck with PJ and Harrell. Thybulle was the only one that was able to put the clamps on CJ tonight and Doc didn't stick with him long enough in my opinion. I think this was also a Paul Reed game if there ever was one, but again, it was Harrell's show tonight. They just outclassed us at the end. Technical fouls, refs doing what the refs do, and1 three pointers for players like Henangomez and Jaxon Hayes...Just no excuse for that stuff. CJ and Zion were great! They're going to be on most nights. We have the players to stop them, but we didn't see that at all tonight. I think Embiid on Zion would have been helpful and again...Thybulle on CJ. This was the most frustrating game I have watched us play in a long time. OKC isn't exactly a pushover team either. We got them tomorrow if I'm not mistaken. Josh Giddey career night incoming! Lugentz Dort gonna hit 9 threes against us. "OMG, this never happens! Lu Dort! Where did this come from?" Alaa Abdelnaby with your turning point of the game "Here you see Lu Dort leaking out in transition, SGA finds him wide open in the corner and BANG...A three from Dort...Number nine for him tonight Kate...A new career high!"

Don't focus on McCollum's night as the reason they lost they werent going to win this game. If McCollum had his average someone else would have made up the difference. I'm so happy I didnt watch any of it just put on post game live until I got sick of Mark Jackson telling me how well they played because they shot a good percentage from the field. When you look at this team what good wins exactly do they have this year? The Clippers, Kings, and Utah are there best wins im thinking. This team is going nowhere.

Read my post again before quoting it next time. I said we lost because we couldn't get stops on the defensive end. Yes...CJ $hitting on us didn't exactly help either. After he was done, Zion came and emptied his on us too. It was a pitiful effort on defense tonight. The refs were calling everything on us, we were lazy at times, we fouled them countless amounts of times while they were shooting threes. I think we're allowed to complain tonight.
With that said, I'm still going to continue to follow this team. Been a fan since 1990. Being that I no longer live in PA, I have to pay to watch the games on a yearly basis. I'm allowed to complain a little bit. Normally I don't, but tonight was frustrating.
I also vehemently disagree with you on the Mcollum outcome. The guy had 42 points against us. Had we at least tried to limit his outburst in the slightest, we would have been looking at a much closer outcome. Giving up wide open threes seems to be a cool thing to do in the NBA these days. Very little effort is given towards defending that shot and whenever you do try to defend it...A foul gets called. Sorry...Absolutely frustrating all around game tonight. Jo literally quit towards the end. He was done...You could see it. He did everything but tap out. Once He fouled Jaxson Hayes by running into him in the act of shooting a 39 foot three it was over. Then he turned the ball over like he always done towards the end of game.
That's the thing with Embiid. He quits at times. This entire team quits at times. Harden quits at times. You're right...We aren't going anywhere this year. Not unless Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, and Giannis all suffer unfortunate injuries right before the playoffs start, and I damn sure am not wishing that on anyone in this league. In fact, it'll be Embiid who gets hurt in April. Not those guys. Sorry again...I'm done for the night. Gonna go do some yoga or some $hit. Maybe jump out of a 4 story window? I don't know...Maybe watch Hellraiser or something.

[Murray_17]

How to beat us.
- size
- outrebound
- transition baskets

One guy shot 10-15 and the only thing he had to do to get wide open was a simple DHO. He took over 60% of the 3's the Pels shoot the entire game

Sorry, this game wasn't about those issues.