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

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I don't know how you don't go to Thybulle more while CJ is lighting us up like that. That block from behind was the one point in this game that he looked unsure of himself.

Zion was beasting, but you could have lived with him and Jo going back and forth.

This. Whats the point of that one dimensional scrub if not to use his only skillset defensive chaos. Deanthony was getting cooked had a hard time fighting over screens and of course Embiid hesitant to step up because that's an automatic offensive rebound for the opposing team.

Yeah, you we can't really blame Joel for the lack of rebounding at this point. More often than not he has to come out on the perimeter to help which like you said, leads to an offensive rebound. Melton is a very good defender all things considered, but he got smoked last night. That should have been a Mattise Thybulle game. I don't know what happened with that or why Doc went away from it. Mattise was improving as a cutter on offense and he was contributing. Doc just straight up went away from him for whatever reason.

[youngcrev]

I don't know how you don't go to Thybulle more while CJ is lighting us up like that. That block from behind was the one point in this game that he looked unsure of himself.

Zion was beasting, but you could have lived with him and Jo going back and forth.

This. Whats the point of that one dimensional scrub if not to use his only skillset defensive chaos. Deanthony was getting cooked had a hard time fighting over screens and of course Embiid hesitant to step up because that's an automatic offensive rebound for the opposing team.

Yeah, you we can't really blame Joel for the lack of rebounding at this point. More often than not he has to come out on the perimeter to help which like you said, leads to an offensive rebound. Melton is a very good defender all things considered, but he got smoked last night. That should have been a Mattise Thybulle game. I don't know what happened with that or why Doc went away from it. Mattise was improving as a cutter on offense and he was contributing. Doc just straight up went away from him for whatever reason.

Either Embiid's helping or they're playing zone, both of which feel like the main contributors to our poor rebounding.

And yeah... It's not like Doc has any issue playing Tucker major minutes when he's scoring at about half the rate of Matisse.

Also not sure how this ended up being a Trez game, but I care a little bit less on that. Reed feels like he might be our best physical matchup against Zion based on how he'd covered Giannis... But he also probably would have fouled out in about 8 minutes.

[NYSixersFan]

If Tucker has a "dear arm" or whatever, then why is he playing? He was signed for the playoffs.

[DCasey91]

Roco is actually better suited in the Tucker role, better rebounder, more length, has zero conscious pulling from 3.

Hart as well for different reasons, stronger, younger, monster rebounder, huge tank, can handle the rock, score 10-15

I think Tucker is a liability now he was cooked a season ago.

Doc should be fired by seasons end, as the old saying goes can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

[Sixercise]

This game is probably the pivotal turning point of where this team goes from here. We had a nice fool's gold of a win streak, only to have reality set back in (albeit against a very good Pels squad). At this point, all the players on this team are who they are at this point (Maxey being the only player who has a serious chance to improve). If Rivers doesn't make enough good adjustments on the fly before the playoffs, he really should go.

[ProcessDoctor]

CJ had a career night, can't be too upset about this one. I do think a Tucker upgrade by the deadline is probably needed.

[mjkvol]

If Tucker has a "dear arm" or whatever, then why is he playing? He was signed for the playoffs.

I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count.

[mjkvol]

Doc should be fired by seasons end, as the old saying goes can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

The question remains why we have to waste another entire season before making that inevitable move when time is the one thing this core doesn't have to spare?

As for why, your old saying provides the answer in a nutshell.

[DCasey91]

Would love to get Carlisle here. Offensive guru, managed big time stars before, bloody had GOAT level offence with Nelson as the QB lol. He’d know what to do with Embiid centrism

Interesting to note Thybulle shot 38% from 3 with Harden at the wheel, I do think it should be tried out in place of Tucker.

Doc is turning into Thibs this year, Harden has already been injured and is basically at his highest mins played a game throughout his career (38/38.3) and one of the highest in the league atm.

He’s already played 6 games over 40 mins! FFS which is basically more than a quarter of his games played. It’s beyond a joke now this ain’t Rockets Iron Man Harden.

Finally I miss Joe (hope he plays well today), any player with a pulse would get a good run on the bench as it currently stands

[Embiid P]

Would love to get Carlisle here. Offensive guru, managed big time stars before, bloody had GOAT level offence with Nelson as the QB lol. He’d know what to do with Embiid centrism

Interesting to note Thybulle shot 38% from 3 with Harden at the wheel, I do think it should be tried out in place of Tucker.

Doc is turning into Thibs this year, Harden has already been injured and is basically at his highest mins played a game throughout his career (38/38.3) and one of the highest in the league atm.

He’s already played 6 games over 40 mins! FFS which is basically more than a quarter of his games played. It’s beyond a joke now this ain’t Rockets Iron Man Harden.

Finally I miss Joe (hope he plays well today), any player with a pulse would get a good run on the bench as it currently stands

Harden's MPGs are a bit skewed as we played in a number of OTs since he came back. But now that we have Maxey back, hopefully those MPGs go down a bit.

[mjkvol]

Would love to get Carlisle here. Offensive guru, managed big time stars before, bloody had GOAT level offence with Nelson as the QB lol. He’d know what to do with Embiid centrism

Interesting to note Thybulle shot 38% from 3 with Harden at the wheel, I do think it should be tried out in place of Tucker.

Doc is turning into Thibs this year, Harden has already been injured and is basically at his highest mins played a game throughout his career (38/38.3) and one of the highest in the league atm.

He’s already played 6 games over 40 mins! FFS which is basically more than a quarter of his games played. It’s beyond a joke now this ain’t Rockets Iron Man Harden.

Finally I miss Joe (hope he plays well today), any player with a pulse would get a good run on the bench as it currently stands

Harden's MPGs are a bit skewed as we played in a number of OTs since he came back. But now that we have Maxey back, hopefully those MPGs go down a bit.

'Hopefully' and 'if' always seem to be the operative words around here.

[Bum Adebayo]

There is no need to change Embiid centrism, I understand you are all in on Jokic amazingness and playmaker BS, but 33.8 PPG on 64% TS is recipe for success, let's worry about all the other things please. Embiid is literally making history with his offensive prowess.