76ers 2023-24 Season Thread Part 2

[Eyeamok]

I haven't commented on it, but Tobias clearly looks hurt. He missed time due to an ankle before the break, and clearly came back early because the team was suffering.

I've been hard on Harris, but he has always been a professional. I am coming around to your way of thinking.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I'm interested in seeing what Kai Jones can do. NBA wise, who does he compare to? Nic Claxton?

[Negrodamus]

I'm interested in seeing what Kai Jones can do. NBA wise, who does he compare to? Nic Claxton?

Watched a few highlights of him last night. I have to say, for all the issues of his personality, his ability to throw his body around and try to dunk everything is impressive. If he's continued to build strength and has addressed his unstable behavior, he's an interesting prospect. Might benefit from some stability on a winning team.

[SixthStreet]

Might benefit from some stability on a winning team.

The Sixers??!

[76ciology]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Evidently during the Bucks game

[x]

Read on Twitter

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Embiid will still be great. But this will have a negative effect on Embiid’s game

[76ciology]

I'm interested in seeing what Kai Jones can do. NBA wise, who does he compare to? Nic Claxton?

His basketball IQ is like Oubre's; he's slow in reading both offense and defense, slow to switch, slow to roll, and so on but he makes up for it with his length and athleticism.

In terms of comparison, perhaps Dereck Lively or Nick Richards, but with less rebounding and physicality.

[76ciology]

I can't help but think that trading Tobias for Siakam was our best chance to win it this year. Siakam would have easily become our go-to guy hunting mismatches on those weave actions or playing that Embiid role, while serving as a corner 3 shooter or high-percentage scorer around the rim alongside Jojo.

Adding Hield to the equation, along with our wing depth, could have made us a top 4 team heading into the playoffs, potentially resembling the Nuggets of the East during the playoffs.

Maxey
Hield
Batum
Siakam
Embiid

That’s a lot of length at 3-4-5, with Oubre and possibly Roco ready to sub at the 3&4 positions.

[Zumramania]

I haven't commented on it, but Tobias clearly looks hurt. He missed time due to an ankle before the break, and clearly came back early because the team was suffering.

I've been hard on Harris, but he has always been a professional. I am coming around to your way of thinking.

Tobias has always been a loser when it matters. Walmart Melo is not a player you want on a winning team. I'm tired of discussing about him and reiterating the same observations for years and can't wait until he's finally gone, I will literally celebrate it.

[Negrodamus]

Kai Jones and Oubre revenge game tonight. We win by 40.

[sixers4real]

It’s been a while guys!

I moved back to Russia because of my business Miss Istanbul so much


So, what’s the Sixers plan?

Survive -> Get back Embiid -> 6 seed -> sweep the Cavs! -> laugh at Rivers Bucks in semis (4-2 win in semis) -> get a win in game 6 against Celtics unlike last year (no Harden and no Doc) -> Finals win against Nuggets because Embiid >>> Jokic

That’s the plan?

I'm sorry to hear you're not happy to be back in Russia (would love to go visit Russia sometime) after your time in Turkey. However, I'm glad to see you back and posting on the message board. Welcome back!

The plan you drew up is what most have mentioned in Sixers Circle podcasts. However, I don't think the Bucks would be that easy to beat. They've been elite on defense lately. Meanwhile, the Cavs and Knicks seem to be one of those paper tiger playoff teams.

Thank you for your words, bro, it’s nice to be back here.

Actually, it’s nice to be back in Moscow as well. My favorite city in the world. I just hate the war so much.

Winter is tough in Russia tho )

So, about the Sixers…

I still miss Harden, to be honest. I still think giving him 3-year max would’ve been worth it with Nurse.

I love this roster, and I’m as optimist as you are. With everybody healthy, we can even compete with Boston.

Bring back Jo, Melton and Roco and I like our chances as the huge underdog.

[Kobblehead]

I just can't talk myself into Kai Jones.

[mjkvol]

I can't help but think that trading Tobias for Siakam was our best chance to win it this year. Siakam would have easily become our go-to guy hunting mismatches on those weave actions or playing that Embiid role, while serving as a corner 3 shooter or high-percentage scorer around the rim alongside Jojo.

Adding Hield to the equation, along with our wing depth, could have made us a top 4 team heading into the playoffs, potentially resembling the Nuggets of the East during the playoffs.

Maxey
Hield
Batum
Siakam
Embiid

That’s a lot of length at 3-4-5, with Oubre and possibly Roco ready to sub at the 3&4 positions.

What makes you believe that Masai would have done Siakam for Tobias? I could see him asking for Maxey as well.

[Kobblehead]

Aren't the Pacers under .500 since acquiring Siakam?

Aren't the Knicks playing at like a 80% win rate with Annunoby?

OG was clearly the guy to trade for.

[76ciology]

Aren't the Pacers under .500 since acquiring Siakam?

Aren't the Knicks playing at like a 80% win rate with Annunoby?

OG was clearly the guy to trade for.

OG is a more impactful player than Siakam.

In the context you mentioned, the Knicks would also have a higher win rate if Siakam were with the Knicks and OG were with the Pacers. Largely impacted with Haliburton’s absence and big drop in performance (shooting only 17% on 3s this month among others) and Jalen Brunson’s continued great performance (averaging 30+ppg on almost 50% shooting in the last 15 games).

I don't mind OG or Siakam. It's just that Siakam is a better fit in my eyes because we can generate more mismatches with him, leading to a higher number of high-quality shots.

We can run a Siakam-Maxey pick-and-roll, opening up numerous possibilities on offense. Siakam has been a go to guy for Pacers in a lot of their game such as their last game against the Nets where he scored 28-11-4 and carried the Pacers. In contrast, OG is rarely a go to guy option or rarely asked to create on offense for the Knicks, and has fewer abilities in creating offense for himself and his teammates.

OG would have been better if Embiid's availability were reliable, with him playing most of the season and not experiencing a significant drop in performance. However, given the nature of Embiid's situation, we need someone who can play a similar role (though not at the same level) when Embiid is unavailable or playing poorly.

The issue with Siakam in the past was his lack of floor spacing, but he has since become reliable in shooting corner threes and finishing around the rim, which could be his role when Embiid is back.

Aside from not being a better fit than Siakam, the price tag is also quite high. The Knicks had to give up two 20-point scorers in Quickley and Barrett, along with picks, while the Pacers only gave up role players and a couple of picks with second-round value in other drafts.

Nevertheless, both OG and Siakam would have made us much better, but I trust Morey to have better plans.

[76ciology]

I can't help but think that trading Tobias for Siakam was our best chance to win it this year. Siakam would have easily become our go-to guy hunting mismatches on those weave actions or playing that Embiid role, while serving as a corner 3 shooter or high-percentage scorer around the rim alongside Jojo.

Adding Hield to the equation, along with our wing depth, could have made us a top 4 team heading into the playoffs, potentially resembling the Nuggets of the East during the playoffs.

Maxey
Hield
Batum
Siakam
Embiid

That’s a lot of length at 3-4-5, with Oubre and possibly Roco ready to sub at the 3&4 positions.

What makes you believe that Masai would have done Siakam for Tobias? I could see him asking for Maxey as well.

The Pacers gave up role players (with Bruce Brown being the best among them) and only two first-rounders in a weak draft, which could be equivalent to second-rounders in other drafts, plus a top 1-5 protected first-round pick in 2026. On the other hand, Masai Ujiri can trade Tobias Harris, maybe to the Pistons, to acquire the assets he wants. This could include players like Bogdanovic and Burks, whom he can then ship to the Knicks in exchange for additional second-rounders.

Ultimately, what likely deterred us from making the trade is the risk of losing Siakam (and OG) in free agency, where both seem to be asking for the max contract. Between the two, I'm more willing to pay for a scorer, especially someone who fits well with the unpredictable availability and inconsistency of Embiid.

[76ciology]

We have a tough stretch coming up
-MIA
-PHX
-LAL
-LAC
-KINGS

[76ciology]

I wonder what happened to Ricky Council. I thought he played well and could be a good back-up if Tobi or Oubre are struggling, where we can run weave action and then have Council just bully his way against weak links on defense. I also thought he was showing promise with his 3pt shooting.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I wonder what happened to Ricky Council. I thought he played well and could be a good back-up if Tobi or Oubre are struggling, where we can run weave action and then have Council just bully his way against weak links on defense. I also thought he was showing promise with his 3pt shooting.

Yeah he had a nice little run in February and that was it. He was done...Never to be heard from again.

[the_process]

I wonder what happened to Ricky Council. I thought he played well and could be a good back-up if Tobi or Oubre are struggling, where we can run weave action and then have Council just bully his way against weak links on defense. I also thought he was showing promise with his 3pt shooting.

Yeah he had a nice little run in February and that was it. He was done...Never to be heard from again.

Has anyone who covers the team even asked Nick about this?

Next question is: he's still on a two way right? Don't those players have a max number of days they can be with the big club? Maybe he hit that ceiling?

[the_process]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Evidently during the Bucks game

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Embiid will still be great. But this will have a negative effect on Embiid’s game

It has a negative effect on his game every April. When half your offensive game is foul grifting, it's obviously gonna hurt when you can no longer grift. Same for Harden. And that's why those guys have come up small in the playoffs. You need consistently generated offense, not getting bailed out by refs. And it's why those types of guys cannot be the number one on a title team.