Eastern Conference | Round 1 | (4) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

[9th Wonder]

Oddly they've been one of the best teams at defending Embiid this season.

They've been awesome at defending Embiid. Quick doubles but not in a predictable way, with long active arms from the other defenders contesting his passing lanes. It's thrown him off for sure, in my mind they bothered him the most of any team (although I wasn't taking notes or anything).

That said, I feel like the Raptors haven't really faced the full-on Harden/Embiid pn'r game, and I think that'll be a much better set for the Sixers than Embiid isos in this series. Hopefully Doc makes ample use of that, cuz the post-ups are much more work and much more room for mistakes against a team like TOR.

I think ur 100% right in depicting their brand of defense on Embiid and it has certainly thrown him off, especially the quick unpredictable doubles. If this was a diff coach I would just say..ok - that's something u can plan for and adjust for but this is Doc so the 76ers have a problem

I think The Harden\Embiid Pnr isn't rly all that scary unless ur actually scared of Harden blowing by you (not a real concern with how he looked and Raps Personel) and/or of Harden trying to score via of floaters and stepbacks.
Meaning if u know he's dishing 75% (either kicking out to a shooter or looking for Embiid\cutters) of the time...it makes it a lot harder to defend.

Doesn't appear to apply to this version of Harden, pehaps he will surprise a lot of ppl...but there is a reason it's a suspect proposition almost a consensus that he can't\won't

As of a few days ago, Embiid was averaging 1.555 points per play on possessions as a roller (since Harden arrived). It's by far and away their best source of offence. I do think Toronto is well suited to disrupting that action a little bit though, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. Whether it was by choice or as a result of Toronto's defence, Philly didn't seem to get into many Embiid/Harden PNR sets the last two Phi/Tor games.

[Tacoma]

Everyone keeps saying "X-Factor" is this or that depth player.

But tbh, the actual X-Factor in this series is one Pascal Siakam.

Because the real question in this series is whether the Raps have a go-to scorer or not.

This season for Siakam has been one long incline rising all year - from missing the start of the year due to shoulder surgery, to feeling his way back into the NBA over his first ~20gms back as a secondary scorer behind Fred, to levelling up to a co-primary ball-handler and primary scorer over his next ~20gms....to then levelling up again and become a stud-level primary scorer and primary ball handler over his last 20gms.

Last 20gms: 39.3mpg, 27.0pts (52.4/36.6/75.9), 8.8reb, 5.6ast/2.6to

And of course 2 of those last 20gms were against PHI, where he did this: 36.5mpg, 31.5pts (50.0/20.0/81.3), 10.0rb, 8.5ast/2.5to

If this latest version of Siakam shows up in the playoffs, then all the narrative about the Raps not having a star primary scorer disappear.

Of course, on the other hand, it could just be a hot streak, and of course we know that Pascal flopped horribly in the playoffs last time he tried to be a #1 option. (though no, it wasn't the celtics who did it - Siakam sucked horribly all bubble long, likely due to that shoulder injury he finally got surgery on).

And then of course there's the fact that back when TOR and PHI matched up in the playoffs last time - Siakam went OFF to start the series, before the 6ers just switched Embiid on to him and Embiid completely shut him down the rest of the series. If embiid can do that again, (maybe even along with Thybulle shutting down Fred), then the raps might be in serious trouble. Of course, Siakam kind of destroyed Embiid one on one the last couple head to head games so maybe Embiid can't stop him like that again.


Anyways, it seems pretty clear that Siakam is the biggest X-Factor in the series. I'm not sure anyone would be surprised by him continuing his recent trend of being a stud #1 option, and I don't think anyone would be surprised if he was a playoffs flop again. When you have that kind of potential variance in one team's most important player, that has to be the X-Factor in the series.

No. The biggest X-factor is still Harden. If he returns to MVP form, Philly will have the 2 best players on both teams and the Raptors are toast even if Siakam stays hot.

[JShuttlesworth]

I don't know if there is a team in the East I'd like to beat more than the Sixers

We should fly Marc Gasol in and sit him court side to give Joel nightmares

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spoooky

How'd that series work out for you?

Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

[metafisical]

The experience here lies in the 2 or 3 top guys in Toronto and the coach.

Pascal and Fred (along with Chrish Boucher and OG even though he was injured for those playoffs) along with Nick Nurse are about as experienced as it gets. Those guys went farther than Harden, Embiid and Doc Rivers ever did.

Those 4 guys will all be on the floor for 30-40+ minutes a game.

Experience is on the Raptors side.

Wait. Didnt Doc Rivers coach the 2008 championship Celtics team?

[stormi]

I don't know if there is a team in the East I'd like to beat more than the Sixers

We should fly Marc Gasol in and sit him court side to give Joel nightmares

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spoooky

How'd that series work out for you?

Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

He literally won his minutes in dominant fashion, can't ask the big fella for too much more

[HotelVitale]

They've been awesome at defending Embiid. Quick doubles but not in a predictable way, with long active arms from the other defenders contesting his passing lanes. It's thrown him off for sure, in my mind they bothered him the most of any team (although I wasn't taking notes or anything). That said, I feel like the Raptors haven't really faced the full-on Harden/Embiid pn'r game, and I think that'll be a much better set for the Sixers than Embiid isos in this series. Hopefully Doc makes ample use of that, cuz the post-ups are much more work and much more room for mistakes against a team like TOR.

I think ur 100% right in depicting their brand of defense on Embiid and it has certainly thrown him off, especially the quick unpredictable doubles. If this was a diff coach I would just say..ok - that's something u can plan for and adjust for but this is Doc so the 76ers have a problem

I think The Harden\Embiid Pnr isn't rly all that scary unless ur actually scared of Harden blowing by you (not a real concern with how he looked and Raps Personel) and/or of Harden trying to score via of floaters and stepbacks.
Meaning if u know he's dishing 75% (either kicking out to a shooter or looking for Embiid\cutters) of the time...it makes it a lot harder to defend. Doesn't appear to apply to this version of Harden, pehaps he will surprise a lot of ppl...but there is a reason it's a suspect proposition almost a consensus that he can't\won't

As of a few days ago, Embiid was averaging 1.555 points per play on possessions as a roller (since Harden arrived). It's by far and away their best source of offence. I do think Toronto is well suited to disrupting that action a little bit though, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. Whether it was by choice or as a result of Toronto's defence, Philly didn't seem to get into many Embiid/Harden PNR sets the last two Phi/Tor games.

Exposed, the entire point of the pn'r is that it doesn't require Harden to be explosive to get into the teeth of the defense. That's literally why the pn'r exists. It's been good for the Sixers even when Harden's iso game has been less reliable (to put it mildly), Harden is still a killer passer in tight spots and he's very crafty with timing so that set has been by far the most reliable set.

I actually thought they were intentionally not running it last game to not expose their hand, only explanation I could fin for why they basically didn't run it at all in the 4th q. They'd been running it steadily in tight games for the weeks before that and even my partner (who doens't knw bball at all) was saying 'how come they're not doing their little play now?' the other night. I hope that's the explanation at least, cuz if they still think Harden, Embiid, and Tobias isos are the way to go at 4th q PO offense again, there's going to be a lot of tears in the Delaware Valley over the next couple weeks.

[JShuttlesworth]

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spoooky

How'd that series work out for you?

Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

He literally won his minutes in dominant fashion, can't ask the big fella for too much more

He's MVP calibre. No one is going to stop him from getting his, he balled out in the game the other day against us too

[HotelVitale]

I don't know if there is a team in the East I'd like to beat more than the Sixers We should fly Marc Gasol in and sit him court side to give Joel nightmares

spoooky

How'd that series work out for you? Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

You said it, man, Embiid got shut down clear as day and Gasol, Kawhi, Ibaka, Lowry, D Green, and Powell are gonna really rein down their fury again on him.

It's like I always say, people don't get that team performance comes down to logos and colors and not the humans who actually play on the court.

[mademan]

I think ur 100% right in depicting their brand of defense on Embiid and it has certainly thrown him off, especially the quick unpredictable doubles. If this was a diff coach I would just say..ok - that's something u can plan for and adjust for but this is Doc so the 76ers have a problem

I think The Harden\Embiid Pnr isn't rly all that scary unless ur actually scared of Harden blowing by you (not a real concern with how he looked and Raps Personel) and/or of Harden trying to score via of floaters and stepbacks.
Meaning if u know he's dishing 75% (either kicking out to a shooter or looking for Embiid\cutters) of the time...it makes it a lot harder to defend. Doesn't appear to apply to this version of Harden, pehaps he will surprise a lot of ppl...but there is a reason it's a suspect proposition almost a consensus that he can't\won't

As of a few days ago, Embiid was averaging 1.555 points per play on possessions as a roller (since Harden arrived). It's by far and away their best source of offence. I do think Toronto is well suited to disrupting that action a little bit though, so it'll be interesting to see how it goes. Whether it was by choice or as a result of Toronto's defence, Philly didn't seem to get into many Embiid/Harden PNR sets the last two Phi/Tor games.

Exposed, the entire point of the pn'r is that it doesn't require Harden to be explosive to get into the teeth of the defense. That's literally why the pn'r exists. It's been good for the Sixers even when Harden's iso game has been less reliable (to put it mildly), Harden is still a killer passer in tight spots and he's very crafty with timing so that set has been by far the most reliable set.

I actually thought they were intentionally not running it last game to not expose their hand, only explanation I could fin for why they basically didn't run it at all in the 4th q. They'd been running it steadily in tight games for the weeks before that and even my partner (who doens't knw bball at all) was saying 'how come they're not doing their little play now?' the other night. I hope that's the explanation at least, cuz if they still think Harden, Embiid, and Tobias isos are the way to go at 4th q PO offense again, there's going to be a lot of tears in the Delaware Valley over the next couple weeks.

The point of a pick and roll is to force the defense into an uncomfortable position. The issue here is that the raps are very comfortable just switching, and they’re comfortable with it because harden cantor punish it (or at least hasn’t been able to yet)

[bisme37]

I voted Raps in 6.

I will not be surprised if it goes either way, and with Joel and Harden the Sixers should be the faves on paper. But I don't like the matchup at all for Philly. The Raps expose the Sixers flaws.. a lack of athleticism and a lack of quality wing players.

Raps are more athletic at every position and I see them running right past them and making them look old. Raps have the coaching advantage. I'm yet to see Harden rise to the occasion in pressure games and Joel has never been a great closer in the playoffs either. All the pressure will be on Philly and Toronto will be playing free and easy. Raps are pretty young but their guys have plenty of experience. Raps are deeper and bigger on the wings and better defensively imo.

I would have voted Raps in 7 but a Sixers fan was trolling me all day yesterday so Raps in 6 haha.

[JShuttlesworth]

spoooky

How'd that series work out for you? Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

You said it, man, Embiid got shut down clear as day and Gasol, Kawhi, Ibaka, Lowry, D Green, and Powell are gonna really rein down their fury again on him.

It's like I always say, people don't get that team performance comes down to logos and colors and not the humans who actually play on the court.

Good burn, even know it has nothing to do with what I said

Just to recap here:

- I made a joke about sitting Gasol courtside, and giving Embiid nightmares
- Poster tells me Embiid went off against us (which he didn't, he averaged 17 on terrible %s)
- I made another joke about Embiid being mentally weak, citing the tears rolling off his face
- You proceed to inform me (which was really helpful btw) that Kawhi, Danny, Ibaka, and Gasol aren't on the team
- Now I'm scrambling trying to figure out who Nurse is going to put on Jimmy and Simmons with those guys all not available

[Duffman100]

I voted Raps in 6.

I will not be surprised if it goes either way, and with Joel and Harden the Sixers should be the faves on paper. But I don't like the matchup at all for Philly. The Raps expose the Sixers flaws.. a lack of athleticism and a lack of quality wing players.

Raps are more athletic at every position and I see them running right past them and making them look old. Raps have the coaching advantage. I'm yet to see Harden rise to the occasion in pressure games and Joel has never been a great closer in the playoffs either. All the pressure will be on Philly and Toronto will be playing free and easy. Raps are pretty young but their guys have plenty of experience. Raps are deeper and bigger on the wings and better defensively imo.

I would have voted Raps in 7 but a Sixers fan was trolling me all day yesterday so Raps in 6 haha.

I can basically see every scenario possible other than the Raps sweeping the 76ers. This series is hilarious and honestly, found money for Raptor fans. What is awesome is there is no pressure on the Raptors (until they get 3 wins...).

[UcanUwill]

aka Cameroonian series.

[Saul Goodman]

Embiid is going to dominate either way in this series so it comes down to can the raptors keep harden and maxey at bay and Siakam continuing his torrid play. No homerism but Raps in 7 in OT

[Duffman100]

Embiid is going to dominate either way in this series so it comes down to can the raptors keep harden and maxey at bay and Siakam continuing his torrid play. No homerism but Raps in 7 in OT

SO much of this series is on Harden. If Philly loses this series and he plays badly, Harden's legacy will take such a massive hit.

[Vampirate]

If Harden plays great and averages 26+ points on good efficiency of better the 76ers easily win. If Harden's current woes continue into the playoffs the 76ers are in deep trouble. Aside from Embiid, there's no one on the 76ers that can go off for 30 easily like Harden, and if harden can't, the 76ers need to rely on Maxey for to help Embiid in scoring.

[everdiso]

Everyone keeps saying "X-Factor" is this or that depth player.

But tbh, the actual X-Factor in this series is one Pascal Siakam.

Because the real question in this series is whether the Raps have a go-to scorer or not.

This season for Siakam has been one long incline rising all year - from missing the start of the year due to shoulder surgery, to feeling his way back into the NBA over his first ~20gms back as a secondary scorer behind Fred, to levelling up to a co-primary ball-handler and primary scorer over his next ~20gms....to then levelling up again and become a stud-level primary scorer and primary ball handler over his last 20gms.

Last 20gms: 39.3mpg, 27.0pts (52.4/36.6/75.9), 8.8reb, 5.6ast/2.6to

And of course 2 of those last 20gms were against PHI, where he did this: 36.5mpg, 31.5pts (50.0/20.0/81.3), 10.0rb, 8.5ast/2.5to

If this latest version of Siakam shows up in the playoffs, then all the narrative about the Raps not having a star primary scorer disappear.

Of course, on the other hand, it could just be a hot streak, and of course we know that Pascal flopped horribly in the playoffs last time he tried to be a #1 option. (though no, it wasn't the celtics who did it - Siakam sucked horribly all bubble long, likely due to that shoulder injury he finally got surgery on).

And then of course there's the fact that back when TOR and PHI matched up in the playoffs last time - Siakam went OFF to start the series, before the 6ers just switched Embiid on to him and Embiid completely shut him down the rest of the series. If embiid can do that again, (maybe even along with Thybulle shutting down Fred), then the raps might be in serious trouble. Of course, Siakam kind of destroyed Embiid one on one the last couple head to head games so maybe Embiid can't stop him like that again.


Anyways, it seems pretty clear that Siakam is the biggest X-Factor in the series. I'm not sure anyone would be surprised by him continuing his recent trend of being a stud #1 option, and I don't think anyone would be surprised if he was a playoffs flop again. When you have that kind of potential variance in one team's most important player, that has to be the X-Factor in the series.

No. The biggest X-factor is still Harden. If he returns to MVP form, Philly will have the 2 best players on both teams and the Raptors are toast even if Siakam stays hot.

I guess maybe.

But Harden has been on a pretty steady decline for 3 years now, and his performance in PHI so far is exactly what it was in BKN this year. I guess he could turn back the clock but I think most people see a 32yr old player with lots of mileage and who was never in the greatest shape just not as good as he was anymore.

[Marty_Budda]

Everyone keeps saying "X-Factor" is this or that depth player.

But tbh, the actual X-Factor in this series is one Pascal Siakam.

Because the real question in this series is whether the Raps have a go-to scorer or not.

This season for Siakam has been one long incline rising all year - from missing the start of the year due to shoulder surgery, to feeling his way back into the NBA over his first ~20gms back as a secondary scorer behind Fred, to levelling up to a co-primary ball-handler and primary scorer over his next ~20gms....to then levelling up again and become a stud-level primary scorer and primary ball handler over his last 20gms.

Last 20gms: 39.3mpg, 27.0pts (52.4/36.6/75.9), 8.8reb, 5.6ast/2.6to

And of course 2 of those last 20gms were against PHI, where he did this: 36.5mpg, 31.5pts (50.0/20.0/81.3), 10.0rb, 8.5ast/2.5to

If this latest version of Siakam shows up in the playoffs, then all the narrative about the Raps not having a star primary scorer disappear.

Of course, on the other hand, it could just be a hot streak, and of course we know that Pascal flopped horribly in the playoffs last time he tried to be a #1 option. (though no, it wasn't the celtics who did it - Siakam sucked horribly all bubble long, likely due to that shoulder injury he finally got surgery on).

And then of course there's the fact that back when TOR and PHI matched up in the playoffs last time - Siakam went OFF to start the series, before the 6ers just switched Embiid on to him and Embiid completely shut him down the rest of the series. If embiid can do that again, (maybe even along with Thybulle shutting down Fred), then the raps might be in serious trouble. Of course, Siakam kind of destroyed Embiid one on one the last couple head to head games so maybe Embiid can't stop him like that again.


Anyways, it seems pretty clear that Siakam is the biggest X-Factor in the series. I'm not sure anyone would be surprised by him continuing his recent trend of being a stud #1 option, and I don't think anyone would be surprised if he was a playoffs flop again. When you have that kind of potential variance in one team's most important player, that has to be the X-Factor in the series.

No. The biggest X-factor is still Harden. If he returns to MVP form, Philly will have the 2 best players on both teams and the Raptors are toast even if Siakam stays hot.

Harden hasn’t been in mvp form for 3 years. An X factor is something that has a possibility of happening. Harden putting up 30 and 10 on good efficiency isn’t happening.

[Marty_Budda]

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spoooky

How'd that series work out for you?

Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

He literally won his minutes in dominant fashion, can't ask the big fella for too much more

He averaged 17/8/3 in that series with an embarrassing 37% field goal percentage. I’d say there’s a lot more he could’ve done.

[stormi]

How'd that series work out for you?

Oh right, now I remember, with Embiid crying his way to the locker room

He literally won his minutes in dominant fashion, can't ask the big fella for too much more

He averaged 17/8/3 in that series with an embarrassing 37% field goal percentage. I’d say there’s a lot more he could’ve done.

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That's game 7. That ended in regulation. That means in the 3 minutes he sat the Sixers got stabbed for a net negative 12 point differential. 3 MINUTES.

The fact that he was subpar offensively (battling illness) and still just rocked the minutes the way he did confirms he put on an absolutely generational clinic defensively. Two way superstar.