*** -- PROCESSING Your Philadelphia 76ers -- ***

RiotZact said:

The Juggler said:

RiotZact said:

The Juggler said:

eeriepadave said:

Embiid back on Saturday I hear? They better beat Cleveland tonight.

Yup. I think they've gone 7-3 without him. Never would've thought that possible, especially with Ben going back to playing more like he was in the first couple months of the season.

Well to be fair, the options have been playing him with Dwight or Bradley, who clog the paint disgustingly for him, or with Mike Scott as a “stretch” 5. Notice that I put the word stretch in quotations, because I’m pretty sure Dwight could hit a higher rate of 3s than Mike has over this stretch. 

Dude, he's an all star. 2 for 11 for 5 points and 3 free throw attempts tonight. That ain't all on Dwight Howard, my man! lol I think he made one single basket all game against the Lakers last week too. Horrible. 

Spacing will always be an issue for him....but that shouldn't stop him from being aggressive and getting foul shots like he was for the previous couple months. Averaged almost 5 turnovers in these last few weeks too. He's gotta be better than that. 

Is George Hill available this weekend?

No official word but hopefully!

I agree with everything you said, but Ben’s greatness has always been contingent on who’s around him. He thrived last year when Embiid was hurt because, as much as we all hate Al Horford, at least he was somewhat of a threat to shoot. I’m not trying to make excuses for him, I’m just saying this is something that has been tried and tested time and again. 

The bad: Simmons’ struggles continue

On the other end of the equation …

Simmons finished with just five points on 2-of-10 shooting in the first half. An optimist might look at that box score and argue that Simmons was aggressive in getting up 10 shots in one half of play, but he wasn’t. In truth, a big part of the reason Simmons converted only two of those attempts was that they weren’t aggressive moves to the basket. Failed hook shots in the paint, a turnaround, a fadeaway jumper and layups in transition that came up short littered Simmons’ disappointing first half.

Simmons is averaging just 13 points on 41 percent shooting from the field since the All-Star break, a period during which Embiid has played only 20 minutes and the hope was that Simmons would pick up some of the slack. The Sixers have been winning, yes, having gone 9-3 since the break. But that’s largely because of their defense, which has been the best in the league (by a considerable margin) over that stretch. The offense has consistently left something to be desired.

Simmons is a player whose confidence seemingly plays a large role in his level of aggressiveness. This team, especially the backup centers, isn’t well suited to play to Simmons’ strengths. That’s something Rivers sort of acknowledged when he went back to having Mike Scott start in Embiid’s place after a one-game reunion and elevating Howard to the starting role.

“The numbers tell us … I don’t need numbers; my eyes tell me — when Dwight starts with that unit, we haven’t gotten off to good starts,” Rivers said of his decision after the game.

Still, the Sixers need to find a way to get the version of Simmons they had before the All-Star break if they’re going to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Deamon said:

RiotZact said:

Wobbie said:

you guys don’t really think your sixers can win it all, do you?

I think it’s possible, but everything would have to go exactly right for it to happen. Shooters would all have to be “on”, Tobi would have to keep closing out games like he has been (he has been less than horrible at this in the previous 2 playoffs), Joel would have to keep Joel-ing. 

The only teams I’m afraid of are the Nets and maybe the Heat if they start firing on all cylinders. 

The Nets are such a question mark. Everyone assumes they’ll be amazing when they’re full strength, but the Sixers’ defense has been smothering at the end of games. Not saying that completely stops those 3, because there probably is no completely stopping them. But on the other side of the floor...what exactly are they doing to stop the Sixers?? We say that defenses “tighten up” in the playoffs, particularly late in games, but what does one of the worst defenses in NBA history look like when it “tightens up”? I just feel like there’s enough of a balance there that things could get interesting. I’m not saying I’m confident, but I’m also not writing the Sixers off just yet without seeing how both teams play each other full strength.

Exactly this.  I also think HCA would be needed.  Can't see us winning a 7 game series vs the Nets without it.  We are such a better team at home than on the road.

Poncier said:

The Juggler said:

Watching this Embiid interview with Reggie Miller....he’s pissed at himself only making 16 of 20 free throw attempts.  How can you not love this guy??

The Timelord was hapless against Embiid, fouling out in 14 minutes. Doesn't have the bulk or the know how (yet) to even attempt to guard him.
Celts only shot to slow him down is to get Tristan Kardashian out of the longest Covid protocol in history, he's at least got some muscle and experience, but can't stop going out at night (has missed last 12 games in protocol, ridiculous, just focus on your multi-million dollar job, not your social life).