R2G3 - 76ers vs Celtics - May 5 7:30pm ET ESPN

[Jay555]

Btw, we have to figure out whats wrong with Harden and Maxey.

Lets be constructive

My honest take (and people may get upset because of an MVP trophy) their ability and rhythm are hindered playing with Embiid trodding down the court and waiting for him to catch the ball at the top of the key. We got to see the other end of the spectrum in Game 1 where everything was fast and loose.

Boston is also elite at guarding the Harden-Embiid pick and roll (more like dump). Why are we still trying that?

Maxey is useless standing on a wing. That's not his game.

Exactly right. But we can’t do much about it. We do or die with the big fella. Boston has his numbers unfortunately.

[Jay555]

I used to think this team was a Tobias Harris trade away from being a real contender.

Now, IDK if even that will matter given Harden and Maxey's struggles in games 2 and 3.

Specifically with Harden, I can't pinpoint the root cause of his struggles. Maybe it's because he was overworked during the regular season due to our lack of secondary playmakers. Maybe it's because he is too distracted by the Houston rumors among other things. Maybe it's simply because he chokes in the playoffs.

In any case, IDK if the answer is to bring him back or let him walk. The ideal scenario is a sign and trade, but IDK if that's feasible at this stage in his career.

We could hypothetically let him walk, let Tobias expire in 2024 and make a splash in free agency but that would effectively mean punting another season of Embiid's prime which I could totally understand if he doesn't agree to and thus wants a trade. Then we'd obviously have to do a complete rebuild.

To me, the cleanest and easiest way to see if this core can improve is to keep it intact and move Harris for a better fitting piece or two, and maybe a couple more incremental roster moves, but mainly to change the perspective and approach by bringing in a new coach. Could it possibly be that having this stubborn dinosaur is a root cause of a lot of this group's issues? Only one way to find out.

I'd go so far as to say that if the choice was running it back with Rivers, I would side with Fire Morey and just tear the whole damn thing down. We aren't getting better or winning anything beyond a playoff round as long as this albatross is running things.

Agreed. You never know what’s going to happen. I think this roster is two good wings from winning it all. Harris’ contract can get you that. Sometimes patience is key. But we have gotta to let Doc go and bring in Nick Nurse.

[Jay555]

Celtics made one adjustment after G1. That is putting Brown on Harden, face guarding him. This bothered Harden a lot. Harden is the engine of this team. If he struggles, the team struggles.

Let’s face it. Harden at this point of his career is not going to physically overpower Brown who’s insanely gifted and at his prime.

Now my point is what do you do as a coach to counter that. Well you at least get Harden to switch onto AI or Smart who he had good success playing against in G1 for instance to make him comfortable. You don’t get him to face Brown all the time so he gets nullified. His confidence was shook after getting blocked by Brown.

Another thing is Embiid catches the ball from the Elbow which leads to spacing issues for the whole team. Harden/Tobi brought up spacing after G2. A counter for that is a Embbid / Harden pick and roll and Embiid rolls to the basket. This opens up our O so much than Embiid elbow fade away or jump shot. Embiid can score or kick it out. They are happy for Embiid to get 50 but all others suck. Think about this, Embiid needed 52 pts to beat the Brown less Celtics in the regular season. It doesn’t work against them.

In addition, Melton to the starting line up and Maxey off the bench.

All I am saying is Doc needs to adjust and we need to change up a bit to have a chance. If it’s the same thing, then 1-4 we going fishing soon.

[Embiid P]

To me, the cleanest and easiest way to see if this core can improve is to keep it intact and move Harris for a better fitting piece or two, and maybe a couple more incremental roster moves, but mainly to change the perspective and approach by bringing in a new coach. Could it possibly be that having this stubborn dinosaur is a root cause of a lot of this group's issues? Only one way to find out.

I'd go so far as to say that if the choice was running it back with Rivers, I would side with Fire Morey and just tear the whole damn thing down. We aren't getting better or winning anything beyond a playoff round as long as this albatross is running things.

True. I think that bringing back Harden (even if it punishes us on the back end of his contract) and moving Tobias and/or letting other dead weight (Niang, Harrell, Shake, Korkmaz, etc.) walk is the most realistic scenario.

Yes to the bold X1000. I think we can move Tobias in the summer for a player that fits better and gives us what we need. OG Anunoby is going to be available in the summer. There's no way we take the rebuild route with as close as we are.

I hear that but I honestly don't see Masai letting OG go for cheap especially to a division rival. We saw what he wanted from us for Lowry a few years ago. I can only imagine that OG has more value now than Lowry did back then.

[Jay555]

See how Spo coached circles around Thib.

The guy can coach. We need Nick Nurse to at least see what this group can do before blowing it up, if we get bounced out of sec round.

[mjkvol]

And while people may not be on board with it now, I’m pretty confident that in 5 years most people will look back on it and think differently. Much like everyone did with Ben Simmons. 3 years ago when someone suggested cashing out on Simmons because he’ll never learn to shoot, people hated the idea. Now everyone is all “Dammit… should’ve traded that loser for Booker when we had the chance.”

That may very well be true, but the fact is that right at this moment it's a ridiculous idea in every way.

[mjkvol]

See how Spo coached circles around Thib.

The guy can coach. We need Nick Nurse to at least see what this group can do before blowing it up, if we get bounced out of sec round.

That's the key thing, more than any roster moves. We need to bring in a coach from this century with fresh ideas and insight, one who has watched this team from the outside and can bring that perspective. Without that, you can make all the personnel changes in the world and the result will be the same.

[Jay555]

See how Spo coached circles around Thib.

The guy can coach. We need Nick Nurse to at least see what this group can do before blowing it up, if we get bounced out of sec round.

That's the key thing, more than any roster moves. We need to bring in a coach from this century with fresh ideas and insight, one who has watched this team from the outside and can bring that perspective. Without that, you can make all the personnel changes in the world and the result will be the same.

What Doc does is just " Come on, guys." Nothing else.

[Bum Adebayo]

I don't remember as much Brett bashing as Doc is getting now, when Brett was like 1000 times worse as a coach, funny how that works.

[GoSixersBro]

I don't remember as much Brett bashing as Doc is getting now, when Brett was like 1000 times worse as a coach, funny how that works.

First off, yes Brett received a ton of bashing on here as well as sports radio. Your memory is failing you.

Does Doc receive more? For sure and for good reason.

Brett was working with Ben and Embiid at basically the beginnings of their careers with a franchise who hadn't won 50 games in over 15 seasons. Not to mention this was his first NBA gig and he received a lot of goodwill for going through the Process. We were underdogs through and through. He was still blamed heavily during our 2018-2020 playoff exits, even ahead of Simmons (lol).

Doc Rivers has been a player and coach in this league for 40 years. He's won only a single championship despite being spoiled with rosters choc full of superstar talent for most of his coaching tenure. His colossal disappointments with Boston and the Clippers have almost made people forget his one title, where Thibodeau and the three HoF players (not to mention deep AF bench) receive way more credit.

He walked into another situation in Philly with a top team in the East and couldn't get us as far as Brett (remains to be seen if this year goes 7 games) despite having a better Embiid/roster than BB.

So there, hope that's enough. If this was some stupid race thing then yikes, pal.

[Jay555]

I don't remember as much Brett bashing as Doc is getting now, when Brett was like 1000 times worse as a coach, funny how that works.

First off, yes Brett received a ton of bashing on here as well as sports radio. Your memory is failing you.

Does Doc receive more? For sure and for good reason.

Brett was working with Ben and Embiid at basically the beginnings of their careers with a franchise who hadn't won 50 games in over 15 seasons. Not to mention this was his first NBA gig and he received a lot of goodwill for going through the Process. We were underdogs through and through. He was still blamed heavily during our 2018-2020 playoff exits, even ahead of Simmons (lol).

Doc Rivers has been a player and coach in this league for 40 years. He's won only a single championship despite being spoiled with rosters choc full of superstar talent for most of his coaching tenure. His colossal disappointments with Boston and the Clippers have almost made people forget his one title, where Thibodeau and the three HoF players (not to mention deep AF bench) receive way more credit.

He walked into another situation in Philly with a top team in the East and couldn't get us as far as Brett (remains to be seen if this year goes 7 games) despite having a better Embiid/roster than BB.

So there, hope that's enough. If this was some stupid race thing then yikes, pal.

Doc has a series to coach. Let's see what he comes up with.

Hopefully we see some changes, not just "players gotta play harder, Maxey/Embiid need more touches.

Guy needs to run plays. Wait, what I am talking about is not really Doc. Anyways.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Is Doc responsible for keeping these guys focused, motivated, and locked in to what they're supposed to be doing? If so then he's not really doing his job these last two games. The thing with Doc is that he's always underachieved with more and done more with less. When he's coaching a stacked roster it seems as though the results aren't what they should be. When Lou Williams and four scrubs are all he's got, he's giving a Golden State Warrior team that won 70 games fits in the first round of the playoffs. IDK...Again, we beat Boston shorthanded without Embiid. He returns and we're losing by double digits while getting outcoached and outclassed. Doc better have the guys ready for tomorrow. If we come out flat and unprepared without any adjustments, that is going to fall on the shoulders of Doc. Given his longevity and experience, he's got to do better and I'm going to say that he delivers for us tomorrow. Doesn't mean we're winning the series, but I think everyone will be ready to go and we'll tie this thing up.

[Jay555]

https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/37526322/76ers-real-other-examining-game-3-loss
Let's see how we go.

[Mik317]

i don't think the effort was that bad last game....

lot of the loose balls bounced right to defenders and the lapses on defense was more overthinking things IMO. I don't think it was the normal going through the motions low energy game of old this time....if anything on offense dudes were pressing with obvious bad layup attempts or quick shots

[Jay555]

i don't think the effort was that bad last game....

lot of the loose balls bounced right to defenders and the lapses on defense was more overthinking things IMO. I don't think it was the normal going through the motions low energy game of old this time....if anything on offense dudes were pressing with obvious bad layup attempts or quick shots

In other words, they were playing nervously, not freely.

[Ferry Avenue]

It is what it is at this point. The loss to the Hawks two years ago was eye opening. Its a soft team with no confidence in themselves (rightfully). They look like a perennial second round exit team, even when they get an easy match up like the Hawks in the second round, they still find a way to lose. And honestly it starts with Embiid. Has he ever really imposed his will in a meaningful playoff series? Having a center as your featured player is already sub optimal in todays NBA, if that player is also not dominant when it matters it's no wonder the team goes nowhere every year. At least teams like the Bucks were able to take advantage of other teams injuries to win the title, despite Giannis limitations. This team has never even be close to that, other than that year with Butler.

Best post in this forum during this year‘s playoffs.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

i don't think the effort was that bad last game....

lot of the loose balls bounced right to defenders and the lapses on defense was more overthinking things IMO. I don't think it was the normal going through the motions low energy game of old this time....if anything on offense dudes were pressing with obvious bad layup attempts or quick shots

In other words, they were playing nervously, not freely.

Agree iwth Mik, but also agree with you on this. There was a ton of pressure due to it being a home game on the night Embiid took home the trophy. It would be better at this point if we just go out and play basketball as opposed to whatever energy we've come out with these last two games. Guys were battling Friday night...Melton played his heart out, Embiid on one leg, Tucker was amped...It was a fight, but we just didn't land the right punches and kept getting hit whenever we got it close. Horford and Brogdan threes in the fourth were killing us, then Tatum took over. We pressed on offense, Harden was in Simmons mode. With all that we were still right there with them so I think a little focus, a little less anxiety and we'll be ok.

[eyeatoma]

I don't remember as much Brett bashing as Doc is getting now, when Brett was like 1000 times worse as a coach, funny how that works.

Brett was a genuinely nice guy, he wouldn't throw players under the bus and wasn't an **** like Doc.

Not as good a coach though.

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[mjkvol]

I don't remember as much Brett bashing as Doc is getting now, when Brett was like 1000 times worse as a coach, funny how that works.

Brett was a genuinely nice guy, he wouldn't throw players under the bus and wasn't an **** like Doc.

Not as good a coach though.

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

A justified back handed compliment. Brett should never have been the coach once the Process years were over.

[Jhawk03]

Is anyone else besides me sick of the coach as an excuse being a thing year after year?

If this team fails again, I'd love to see Doc step away and we go after Nurse just to once and for all eliminate coaching as a potential excuse for failure. Brett made it too easy to blame, meanwhile Doc's reputation for criticism simply comes with the territory. I really want to see a coach that isn't accompanied with negativity for at least one season before blowing anything up.