Ad Disclosure
This Version of the Sixers is Worth Buying Back into
By Sean Barnard
Published:
An apathetic fan base is the most dangerous thing a sports team can be faced with. Philadelphia fans are different breed with plenty of passion, but this is still in inescapable feeling that crept its way in across last year’s nightmare 24-win season.
While adding V.J. Edgecombe with the third overall pick is a notable addition, this is mostly the same Sixers roster that fell on its face. Joel Embiid’s health is no more of a sure thing, Paul George has yet to play a game this season, and players like Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry are still taking up spots on the bench. It was a tough sell for the organization to continue standing on the belief that everything that could go wrong did go wrong last year and the best direction was just to run it back.
But through two games it’s pretty clear that while the roster has not changed much, plenty internally has. Tyrese Maxey stood up at the podium during Sixers media day talking about setting the standard:
“I think the biggest thing that I’m trying to accomplish is we need a standard. This is who we are no matter, every single day, no matter who plays, no matter who doesn’t play. When you see the Philadelphia 76ers, this what you see. You’re going to see that team every single night, every single time you turn that TV on, every single time you step foot in whatever arena we’re playing in. This is the team that you’re going to get.”
Nick Nurse shared a similar sentiment about increasing the intensity a month later when asked about his thought process for re-exciting the fanbase:
It is one thing to give the quotes and another to act on it. Maxey started this off by organizing several offseason workouts which included flying out his younger teammates to his hometown in Texas. But this level of standard has been even more clear on the floor.
The Sixers are off to a 2-0 start, but the raw results aren’t even the most encouraging part. Sure, there are plenty of positives from the overall guard play in a backcourt that is shaping up to be the most talented and deepest of this century. Or that Joel Embiid dropped a throwback 20 points in 20 minutes against the Hornets after struggling so much in the season opener.
What’s more clear than anything through the opening two games is the level of fight this Sixers team possesses. The Sixers entered the fourth quarter against the Celtics trailing by 11 points and saw their deficit climb to as many as 13 in the matchup. During the subsequent victory over the Hornets, Philadelphia trailed 96-86 heading into the fourth quarter with Charlotte extending a lead to as many as 12. They won both of these games. Through the opening two games they have outscored opponents 81-55 in the fourth quarter.
While it cannot be quantified in any metric, there is an infectious resilience that is being put on full display. Maxey has led by example and his will to win has never been doubted. Quentin Grimes has shown an impressive commitment on the defensive end and hit the go-ahead three-pointer to put the Sixers up with 15.0 seconds left against the Hornets. Kelly Oubre Jr. deserves more credit than he’s gotten for being willing to do the dirty work and Edgecombe himself has been a tone-setter with his level of competitiveness.
This does not have a the makings of James Harden and Embiid lumbering around without a care as Jayson Tatum drops 51 in a Game 7. Or Ben Simmons refusing to dunk the ball with Trae Young in the paint, leading to an ensuing collapse. Or a team that will get out-hustled for every 50-50 ball and rebound up for grabs as has happened in stretches.
There are still 80 games to figure out exactly how good this Sixers team is and where they will stack up in the wide-open Eastern Conference. But it’s clear that they’re going to give you everything they have on an every-night basis and not wave the white flag until the clock hits zero. If that is the baseline of this team, I can 100% get behind that and think you should too.
Other Sixers Housekeeping items
Joel Embiid will miss his first game of the season on Monday night against Orlando. This will be the first half of a back-to-back as the Sixers will also face the Wizards on Tuesday.
There has been some (unfortunately expected) online criticism for him skipping the opening matchup against Magic, an expected Eastern Conference threat, and playing the Wizards, an expected lottery team. But the pretty clear reasoning here is that it is far too early in the season to be prioritizing matchups and decisions should be made with his health in mind. Following the back-to-back games to start the week, the Sixers will be off until Friday. By making his schedule this way, Embiid will remain in the routine of playing every three days. He played Saturday and then will rest Sunday and Monday before suiting up on Tuesday. Embiid will then have two natural days off on Wednesday and Thursday before Friday’s game.
The former MVP missing Monday’s game should not change the panic meter one way or another. If anything, it is comforting that there does seem to be a more concrete gameplan preserving his body and building back to full strength. Embiid also voiced frustration with his minutes limit following the previous game, but there does not appear to be any sign of this changing in the immediate short term.
Paul George and Trendon Watford remain sidelined with their respective injuries, but have begun practicing. There has been no level of communication for when their season debut target dates will be, but some encouraging strides appear to be taken. Jared McCain seems a bit more of a ways away and still looked to have a cast on his shooting arm while on the bench on Saturday night. There should be some form of update surrounding McCain in the coming days with his surgery happening on September 30th and the revaluation period initially set for four weeks. .
The latest name to be added to the injury list is Dominick Barlow. Despite being on a two-way contract, meaning he cannot play more than 50 games at the NBA level and will spend some time with the Delaware Blue Coats, Nick Nurse has opted to start him in both games so far this season. Standing 6-foot-8 and one of the best athletes on the Sixers roster, Barlow has made his impact felt by attacking the glass at a high rate and being willing to do the dirty work. He did not return after halftime against the Hornets in what is being called a right elbow laceration. Barlow underwent some sort of procedure on the issue and has been ruled out for the next two games. Embiid and Barlow both being out leaves the Sixers extremely shorthanded at the big man spot and this also has been put on the watch list for the perennial strange Sixers injury of this particular season.
Sean Barnard has covered the Philadelphia 76ers and general Philly Sports for over six years in a variety of roles and for multiple outlets. Currently works as a Content Writer for DraftKings Network, Sixers/NBA Insider for Philadelphia's Fox Sports the Gambler, and co-host of Sixers & Phillies Digest on Youtube. Forever Trusting the Process.