2018-19 Sixers Season

[xogfog]

These first games since the upheaval of the roster are really just a tune up. I do think the Celtics are a little bit in the 76ers head, but I do think that the talent will win out. The 25 or so games left in the season is all about Brown getting the feel for this roster and getting ready for the playoffs.

[VoteForKalas]

I think blaming the refs is really weak; bad calls were made both ways as happens every night and the Celtics again fought through to find a way to win vs the 76ers.

Blaming someone else is a loser mentality. The 76ers only have themselves to blame as they played poorly again vs our rivals - now 1-7 against Boston, Milwaukee and Toronto this season.

The issues again have been evident for last season, last season's playoff and this season.

Boston plays a physical, defensive first game. They double Embiid and/or Simmons well, get them to turn over the ball or make poor decisions, fill passing lanes, rotate quickly and generally break down the 76ers offensive flow. These lead to break points for them against the 76ers mediocre transition defense.

On offense, they exploit JJ and TJ (and now Kormaz) whenever possible, hit the glass hard for second chances and take advantage of the 76ers weak rotations and 3 pt defense with Hayward et al. They pull Embiid away from the basket and force him and any backup C to defend high pick & rolls consistently.

These feed into the 76ers weaknesses, inexperience and lack of patience. Brown still does not appear to have any adjustments that work. We have to hope he comes up with something and Harris/Butler can help relieve the pressure on Embiid/Simmons and help us dictate on offense for a change.

[phillychuck]

VfK, you're correct in your analysis of how Boston plays, and our failure to solve their style, but one still has to acknowledge that the calls were pretty one-sided last night. Embiid was being mugged consistently down low without anything being called. It's one thing to play physical, it's another to let the Celts play tackle basketball and somehow call Embiid for 5 fouls on the other end. And they missed a crucial, obvious foul in the last 2 minutes that led to a 4-point swing.

If Harris had even an average shooting night we win by 10. That's his fault, not Brown's, to be fair. And we missed what, 8 foul shots in the 4th quarter alone?

[bigegypt0417]

VfK, you're correct in your analysis of how Boston plays, and our failure to solve their style, but one still has to acknowledge that the calls were pretty one-sided last night. Embiid was being mugged consistently down low without anything being called. It's one thing to play physical, it's another to let the Celts play tackle basketball and somehow call Embiid for 5 fouls on the other end. And they missed a crucial foul in the last 2 minutes that led to a 4-point swing.

If Harris had even an average shooting night we win by 10. That's his fault, not Brown's, to be fair. And we missed what, 8 foul shots in the 4th quarter alone?

Sixers lost and in pretty much every way were outplayed by the Celtics...and the Celtics won by 3 points and got away with a really bad foul that set up the game winning 3.

As you said...the sixers were just off last night but you can see how with some time and an established rotation this team is better than the Celtics.

[jimbomill]

Embiid was being mugged consistently

Embiid is getting fouled, but the calls mostly aren't there. As he is a big man, Refs seem to forget that getting hit like that is a foul. If Steph Curry gets hit that way, the ref might need a new whistle because of over use. I'd admire the referee (or umpire) who calls by the defined rules. Can't really think of any,though.

[VoteForKalas]

VfK, you're correct in your analysis of how Boston plays, and our failure to solve their style, but one still has to acknowledge that the calls were pretty one-sided last night. Embiid was being mugged consistently down low without anything being called. It's one thing to play physical, it's another to let the Celts play tackle basketball and somehow call Embiid for 5 fouls on the other end. And they missed a crucial foul in the last 2 minutes that led to a 4-point swing.

If Harris had even an average shooting night we win by 10. That's his fault, not Brown's, to be fair. And we missed what, 8 foul shots in the 4th quarter alone?

Sorry, PC, I see it as a defeatist attitude to focus on blaming someone else and not looking in the mirror.

Sure, the refs missed some calls as they always do. If this was a one game trend, maybe one could try to shrug it off, but these trends go much further than one game as we all know.

That needs to change against good teams like Boston if we want to achieve our goals.

[Philsmania]

The Celtics are beginning to look like they are for this Sixers team what the NJ Devils were to the Eric Lindros era Flyers--the team that always had their number and always ultimately stood in their way.

[phillychuck]

VfK, I think we basically agree. I've posted elsewhere that Brown and the team should learn a few things from this (if they didn't know them already):

Boban can't guard Horford
Redick needs help on defense when the Celtics post him up
or Redick needs to be off the floor when defense is crucial
They need to use Butler and Harris more offensively v. the Celtics rather than posting Embiid all the time.
Furk can't play v the Celtics b/c his defense is just as bad as Redick's and he doesn't give enough offensive value to offset the D

[VoteForKalas]

VfK, I think we basically agree. I've posted elsewhere that Brown and the team should learn a few things from this (if they didn't know them already):

Boban can't guard Horford
Redick needs help on defense when the Celtics post him up
or Redick needs to be off the floor when defense is crucial
They need to use Butler and Harris more offensively v. the Celtics rather than posting Embiid all the time.
Work can't play v the Celtics b/c his defense is just as bad as Redick's and he doesn't give enough offensive value

I guess I'm less sure Brown and the players have learned lessons from all these losses vs Boston and other good teams.

One would have thought Brown would have learned the lessons last season or last season's playoff series loss or this year's 0-3 record vs Boston.

It seems to me he is stuck on how he wants the team to play and does not realize how the personnel fits or refuses to admit the personnel demands a new approach to take the next step.

The 76ers are all in now and the window is limited. Brand and, more importantly, Harris have already expressed similar thoughts. We need to see results. 50+ wins and a playoff round are not enough any more. Brand and Harris want and expect this team to go further this year. I think this year's performance will go a long way to determining the future of not only Brown, but also the personnel. I hope they can figure it out.

[flyers19rw]

This is the NBA. Its been this way for decades. The great equalizer is to have the officials swallow their whistles and the the game degenerate from the rule book. Its also why I refuse to get excited about the sport anymore.

[bigegypt0417]

VfK, I think we basically agree. I've posted elsewhere that Brown and the team should learn a few things from this (if they didn't know them already):

Boban can't guard Horford
Redick needs help on defense when the Celtics post him up
or Redick needs to be off the floor when defense is crucial
They need to use Butler and Harris more offensively v. the Celtics rather than posting Embiid all the time.
Furk can't play v the Celtics b/c his defense is just as bad as Redick's and he doesn't give enough offensive value to offset the D

My criticism on BB is that last night was a bad time to attempt to experiment.

The Sixers had a bad night from the floor which is the major reason, IMO, they ended up losing.

[bkeich]

This is the NBA. Its been this way for decades. The great equalizer is to have the officials swallow their whistles and the the game degenerate from the rule book. Its also why I refuse to get excited about the sport anymore.

It is funny you say that with a handle of "flyers19rw". Hockey to me has always been the sport where the officials change the most during the postseason, basically leaving there whistles in the locker room during the playoffs, especially in the 3rd period.

I do agree though, the Sixers need to be able to compensate for the physical play they will see in the playoffs. It happens anyway, but the Celtics created a roadmap of how to shutdown Embiid and Simmons. It has to come from Harris and Butler (and Reddick).

I do agree with PC, Reddick is a big problem at crunch time on defense. It isnt lack of effort, but he just cant handle bigger, stronger players, his speed is not elite and he just doesnt have any defensive skills that compensate. He is smart but that only gets you so far.

[VoteForKalas]

I do agree though, the Sixers need to be able to compensate for the physical play they will see in the playoffs. It happens anyway, but the Celtics created a roadmap of how to shutdown Embiid and Simmons. It has to come from Harris and Butler (and Reddick).

I do agree with PC, Reddick is a big problem at crunch time on defense. It isnt lack of effort, but he just cant handle bigger, stronger players, his speed is not elite and he just doesnt have any defensive skills that compensate. He is smart but that only gets you so far.

Agreed. The Celtics also have shown how to disrupt Reddick's offensive game too. The quick hand offs, pops or runs off screens are harder with their defensive rotations and hustle. The lack of clean looks and rhythm hurt Reddick a lot.

[Lawman]

Embiid experiencing left knee soreness. MRI revealed no structural damage. He is out for a week and will be treated with PT and "load management."

[phillychuck]

Crap. I'm going Saturday. I get to one game every 2 or 3 years, and I manage to miss my favorite player...

[jimbomill]

Can you trade the tickets?

[phillychuck]

Nope--special box, one night only.

[jimbomill]

Hope it is an enjoyable game for you!

[el-pietro]

You still get to see Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler and others! They are still a really fun team even without Joel. Enjoy it!

[phillychuck]

Actually, I like the style of their game when they don't throw it in the post that much--they were really fun to watch in the last games in 2018 when Jo was out. Tickets include going to the pregame warmups down on the floor, and I was very excited to see Joel in person just doing layups, etc... I guess I'll have to settle for Boban as my giant-sized center.