G16: Sixers v Clippers 11/24 6:00pm ET

[M2J]

I’m skeptical too. The bigger issue is that we won’t be able to build solid chemistry with our players. Embiid’s style of play requires exceptional chemistry to work effectively, unlike a lead guard who can rely on simpler actions like two-man games and isolations, similar to how Harden operates.

Embiid now needs to mold himself into the team concept, or he can go elsewhere. And since I don’t think he is capable of molding to a team concept…

And they need a guy who is actually a lead ball handler, and to make him work with Maxey and/or McCain he needs to be taller and defensively solid. Shooting a plus.

He can’t because we dont have a player who can lead the team, except for him.

Let’s say you just mold him into a role player who would allocate 70-80% of his energy on defense, then who’s gonna run the offense? Maxey and McCain aren’t the types who can carry the offense.

Its a completely different equation if we have Jimmy Butler or James Harden than Maxey.

I truly disagree with that. It's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse. The offensive issues without Joel is Nick Nurse plus some issues with a lack of 2 way 3pt shooting play.

I always give credit that his offensive system fits Joel great, and Maxey fits in great with his movement and shooting. Theoretically George, McCain, and the rest of the team fits too. Even Drummond can handle the DHO. But without Joel and his ability to be a threat himself out of any version of that action that weave/dho/screen concept is bad for this team.

Even in the first 1.5 games with PHX and LAC of George's first games with Maxey... They tried using George in that spot... Which wasn't the dumbest idea, but not exactly comfortable for George who struggled to score from those sets even if he did get DHO and easy assists as Maxey did play well in that game.

When McCain started his reign, they were doing more of just letting him play, not so much within the system. Even within the Yabu/Maxey/Martin/Oubre/McCain lineup they try to keep Maxey and McCain off ball more and let Martin set them up. It's his style to have perimeter playmakers off ball mor. He went to Toronto and did it with Lowry and DeRozan, all the way to FVV and Lowry, and it continues here.

However, that offense is too complicated for fill in players to fulfill (why he uses Lowry so much), and there isn't enough shooting and playmaking when Joel isn't out there.

Ideally with Maxey, McCain, Martin, Oubre, Yabu, they should be playing at a blistering pace 7 seconds or less style pick and pop offense. It's not ideal still because Oubre and Martin and Drummond can't shoot, but they all can score some and they just need to play faster. Instead they play slow and okay trash defense

[JGlanton]

We're making Zubac look like Jokic lol

Zubac is pretty good. No Jokic, but he's skilled.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

When your team has talent and depth and is still a bottom tier team that it's play for the worst record in the league, the blame will and should fall squarely on the coach. I expected more from NN. I got it wrong with him big time.

[Negrodamus]

You know how I know McCain has a higher upside than Maxey? Because when his shot wasn’t falling, he drew 12 FTA and was aggressive. He’s going to continue to grow as a player, but digging out 18 tonight says he’s an absolute gunner. Maxey shot fewer shots, drew fewer FTA as the teams #1 without Embiid out there. He should be taking the most shots and running the team.

[76ciology]

Embiid now needs to mold himself into the team concept, or he can go elsewhere. And since I don’t think he is capable of molding to a team concept…

And they need a guy who is actually a lead ball handler, and to make him work with Maxey and/or McCain he needs to be taller and defensively solid. Shooting a plus.

He can’t because we dont have a player who can lead the team, except for him.

Let’s say you just mold him into a role player who would allocate 70-80% of his energy on defense, then who’s gonna run the offense? Maxey and McCain aren’t the types who can carry the offense.

Its a completely different equation if we have Jimmy Butler or James Harden than Maxey.

I truly disagree with that. It's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse. The offensive issues without Joel is Nick Nurse plus some issues with a lack of 2 way 3pt shooting play.

I always give credit that his offensive system fits Joel great, and Maxey fits in great with his movement and shooting. Theoretically George, McCain, and the rest of the team fits too. Even Drummond can handle the DHO. But without Joel and his ability to be a threat himself out of any version of that action that weave/dho/screen concept is bad for this team.

Even in the first 1.5 games with PHX and LAC of George's first games with Maxey... They tried using George in that spot... Which wasn't the dumbest idea, but not exactly comfortable for George who struggled to score from those sets even if he did get DHO and easy assists as Maxey did play well in that game.

When McCain started his reign, they were doing more of just letting him play, not so much within the system. Even within the Yabu/Maxey/Martin/Oubre/McCain lineup they try to keep Maxey and McCain off ball more and let Martin set them up. It's his style to have perimeter playmakers off ball mor. He went to Toronto and did it with Lowry and DeRozan, all the way to FVV and Lowry, and it continues here.

However, that offense is too complicated for fill in players to fulfill (why he uses Lowry so much), and there isn't enough shooting and playmaking when Joel isn't out there.

Ideally with Maxey, McCain, Martin, Oubre, Yabu, they should be playing at a blistering pace 7 seconds or less style pick and pop offense. It's not ideal still because Oubre and Martin and Drummond can't shoot, but they all can score some and they just need to play faster. Instead they play slow and okay trash defense

This is partly on Nick Nurse, but it’s mostly a talent issue. The weave actions are designed to give the ball handler an edge by momentarily freezing their defender—forcing them to read the play, whether it’s a ghost screen, fake handoff, or another misdirection. However, the end goal remains the same: if the defense can read it quicker than the ball handler, then ball handler has to beat their matchup.

That’s where Maxey struggles. He’s not consistently good enough at breaking down defenders, especially when it’s a guard, wing, or even a big. Even when he does manage to drive past them, help defenders often recover to contest or block his shot—like what Hartenstein did in the playoffs.

What you mentioned is correct; it worked well against the Nets because of their weaker defensive lineup. But when facing teams like the Clippers, who have length, athleticism, and disciplined defenders that can recover quickly, the lack of top-tier talent becomes glaring. This is where the team’s limitations in talent is most exposed.

[MikRay]

When your team has talent and depth and is still a bottom tier team that it's play for the worst record in the league, the blame will and should fall squarely on the coach. I expected more from NN. I got it wrong with him big time.

Great post I agree

[eyeatoma]

Can't believe they knew about the knee and still gave him that extension. Morey should be thrown out.

This is the biggest thing I have an issue with. I love Jo, but there was no reason to give that extension. I'm guessing it was a thank you for dealing with all the Sixers BS over the years. But we're effectively **** now.

[MikRay]

You know how I know McCain has a higher upside than Maxey? Because when his shot wasn’t falling, he drew 12 FTA and was aggressive. He’s going to continue to grow as a player, but digging out 18 tonight says he’s an absolute gunner. Maxey shot fewer shots, drew fewer FTA as the teams #1 without Embiid out there. He should be taking the most shots and running the team.

This McCain will be better than Maxey for sure

[M2J]

He can’t because we dont have a player who can lead the team, except for him.

Let’s say you just mold him into a role player who would allocate 70-80% of his energy on defense, then who’s gonna run the offense? Maxey and McCain aren’t the types who can carry the offense.

Its a completely different equation if we have Jimmy Butler or James Harden than Maxey.

I truly disagree with that. It's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse. The offensive issues without Joel is Nick Nurse plus some issues with a lack of 2 way 3pt shooting play.

I always give credit that his offensive system fits Joel great, and Maxey fits in great with his movement and shooting. Theoretically George, McCain, and the rest of the team fits too. Even Drummond can handle the DHO. But without Joel and his ability to be a threat himself out of any version of that action that weave/dho/screen concept is bad for this team.

Even in the first 1.5 games with PHX and LAC of George's first games with Maxey... They tried using George in that spot... Which wasn't the dumbest idea, but not exactly comfortable for George who struggled to score from those sets even if he did get DHO and easy assists as Maxey did play well in that game.

When McCain started his reign, they were doing more of just letting him play, not so much within the system. Even within the Yabu/Maxey/Martin/Oubre/McCain lineup they try to keep Maxey and McCain off ball more and let Martin set them up. It's his style to have perimeter playmakers off ball mor. He went to Toronto and did it with Lowry and DeRozan, all the way to FVV and Lowry, and it continues here.

However, that offense is too complicated for fill in players to fulfill (why he uses Lowry so much), and there isn't enough shooting and playmaking when Joel isn't out there.

Ideally with Maxey, McCain, Martin, Oubre, Yabu, they should be playing at a blistering pace 7 seconds or less style pick and pop offense. It's not ideal still because Oubre and Martin and Drummond can't shoot, but they all can score some and they just need to play faster. Instead they play slow and okay trash defense

This is partly on Nick Nurse, but it’s mostly a talent issue. The weave actions are designed to give the ball handler an edge by momentarily freezing their defender—forcing them to read the play, whether it’s a ghost screen, fake handoff, or another misdirection. However, the end goal remains the same: if the defense can read it quicker than the ball handler, then ball handler has to beat their matchup.

That’s where Maxey struggles. He’s not consistently good enough at breaking down switched defenders, especially when it’s a guard, wing, or even a big. Even when he does manage to drive past them, help defenders often recover to contest or block his shot—like what Hartenstein did in the playoffs.

What you mentioned is correct; it worked well against the Nets because of their weaker defensive lineup. But when facing teams like the Clippers, who have length, athleticism, and disciplined defenders that can recover quickly, the lack of top-tier talent becomes glaring. This is where the team’s limitations in talent is most exposed.

It's very true that Maxey has work to do one on one... (I would say it's more pull up game efficiency on both levels rather than creating an advantage). But that doesn't change the fact that the system doesn't work for him and they should adjust it for him and the lesser talents. Incorporate it when teams slow down the team, but they need to play faster and create advantages before defenses are set.

The system also doesn't work without all of the top end talent because of lack of spacing. They can just blitz him as we constantly see. It wouldn't ultimately work for Joel without spacing and creation that Maxey brings him... Teams would just load up the paint and crowd him. So judging Maxey in the system without Joel vs Joel without Maxey isn't the thing to do. You're right that it would be easier now for Joel with George and Jared, but fact is we've seen a bit of that and it wasn't all that pretty either and resulted in 0 wins and a couple games under 90pts without Tyrese and with Jared playing well. Tyrese started the season with Drummond/Kyle/and 2 non shooting wings. Who is carrying that to a threatening offense? Joel?

Again, I think it's a fine system for a lineup that includes the full roster. Theoretically, though I find that it's easier to incorporate an abundance of talent by playing defense and faster offensively. You have enough advantage creators and shooters with the Big 4 plus a scorer/shooter from Yabu, Oubre, Martin Trio. The lack of adjustment when the roster isn't right is problematic. Especially when that just means dumbing it down

[Mik317]

the extension was one of those things you do to appease agents and look like you are "taking care" of your star....except idk if Jo has an agent and we aren't a FA destination beyond old washed dudes soooooo...

[76ciology]

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[Kova]

If Maxey is the rising star in this league, and we expect him to take the reigns of this team for the next 10 years, then he can't be taking 13 shots per game, especially when Embiid and George are not on the floor. That's just unacceptable. Iverson would've shot 35 times, no questions asked.

[phillynative]

Embiid now needs to mold himself into the team concept, or he can go elsewhere. And since I don’t think he is capable of molding to a team concept…

And they need a guy who is actually a lead ball handler, and to make him work with Maxey and/or McCain he needs to be taller and defensively solid. Shooting a plus.

He can’t because we dont have a player who can lead the team, except for him.

Let’s say you just mold him into a role player who would allocate 70-80% of his energy on defense, then who’s gonna run the offense? Maxey and McCain aren’t the types who can carry the offense.

Its a completely different equation if we have Jimmy Butler or James Harden than Maxey.

I truly disagree with that. It's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse it's Nick Nurse. The offensive issues without Joel is Nick Nurse plus some issues with a lack of 2 way 3pt shooting play.

I always give credit that his offensive system fits Joel great, and Maxey fits in great with his movement and shooting. Theoretically George, McCain, and the rest of the team fits too. Even Drummond can handle the DHO. But without Joel and his ability to be a threat himself out of any version of that action that weave/dho/screen concept is bad for this team.

Even in the first 1.5 games with PHX and LAC of George's first games with Maxey... They tried using George in that spot... Which wasn't the dumbest idea, but not exactly comfortable for George who struggled to score from those sets even if he did get DHO and easy assists as Maxey did play well in that game.

When McCain started his reign, they were doing more of just letting him play, not so much within the system. Even within the Yabu/Maxey/Martin/Oubre/McCain lineup they try to keep Maxey and McCain off ball more and let Martin set them up. It's his style to have perimeter playmakers off ball mor. He went to Toronto and did it with Lowry and DeRozan, all the way to FVV and Lowry, and it continues here.

However, that offense is too complicated for fill in players to fulfill (why he uses Lowry so much), and there isn't enough shooting and playmaking when Joel isn't out there.

Ideally with Maxey, McCain, Martin, Oubre, Yabu, they should be playing at a blistering pace 7 seconds or less style pick and pop offense. It's not ideal still because Oubre and Martin and Drummond can't shoot, but they all can score some and they just need to play faster. Instead they play slow and okay trash defense

I agree about the offense not fitting the lineup and also just nothing looking cohesive. When I saw the lineup of Maxey , McCain , Martin, Oubre and Yabu I thought the sixers were going to push the pace. They lost the game in the first few mins. On offense all they did was brick a bunch of , out of rythm, threes. I dont understand why Oubre and Caleb arent cutting and the ball sticks way too long to everyone who touches it. On defense ,they collapsed into the paint (which was useless because no one on this team is a rim deterant ) and left wide open corner threes. I think NN offense works best with a floor general and we dont have one.

The roster construction is worse than initially suspected and all the signing are underperforming. Drummond looks out of shape and just checked out .Yabu is not a center, both are bad rim protectors .Our wings are all shooting the ball poorly . So not one 3-D player you could rely on consistently on both ends.We have too many short guards and half of them our washed. Maxey didn't take that n̈ext step as a playmaker, imo he just doesn't have the court vision. So the sixers came into the season with (should be retired) Lowry and( Half a season) Embiid as the only playmakers.

NN is starting to look checked out...

[tough83]

it's just a simple fact that this team is so freaking small they cant get through the clippers bigger defenders, only the three games we won are against smaller teams, every team that's won championships have big players, for some reason morey is just chasing names and not looking at the size, heck the 18-19 sixers were so good because they had so much size.

front office and coaches have to go, we have to get someone from the celtics organization, they have been good for so long, at they know how to win.

[eyeatoma]

If Maxey is the rising star in this league, and we expect him to take the reigns of this team for the next 10 years, then he can't be taking 13 shots per game, especially when Embiid and George are not on the floor. That's just unacceptable. Iverson would've shot 35 times, no questions asked.

Maxey still struggles to explode when the onus is on him. He works better off of Jo. It's the next step for him, and the only way for him to get to top 10 player status.

[Stanford]

Um Maxey was taking upwards of 30 shots per game (too many!) before his hamstring injury and subsequent team-mandated minutes restriction. Let's take a moment as a board to think about whether there might be an explanation embedded in there somewhere.

[eyeatoma]

Um Maxey was taking upwards of 30 shots per game (too many!) before his hamstring injury and subsequent team-mandated minutes restriction. Let's take a moment as a board to think about whether there might be an explanation embedded in there somewhere.

His higher shots, didn't results in a lot of great scoring at times. He started the season wildly inefficient. But yeah I agree, since the injury, the low shot volume is probably because of the minutes restrictions. He's also a rhythm player, and needs to get a good sweat in, to find his mojo. Still think he has needs to hone that take over gene. The first quarter of this game, he didn't take a shot for the longest time. The Clippers went on a big run. That's when Maxey should have said, **** this I'm the alpha I'm controlling our destiny. Then it became too little too late, even though he never really got going.

[Black Mage]

the extension was one of those things you do to appease agents and look like you are "taking care" of your star....except idk if Jo has an agent and we aren't a FA destination beyond old washed dudes soooooo...

Ownership has to sign off on that extension and if Morey or FO had really lied about the knee to them he'd be out of a job already. This was either at the direction of ownership or with their blessing.

[Jailblazers7]

It’s hard for me to critique Maxey too hard when he’s on a team that so ill fitted to his game. He’s got no PnR partner at center, no rim protection behind him, no wings that generate turnovers & fast break opportunities, etc. That’s not even accounting for the fact that he’s coming off injury.

[Stanford]

His higher shots, didn't results in a lot of great scoring at times.

The guy you were responding to didn't say anything about efficiency.