2018-19 Sixers Season

[VoteForKalas]

Much better game by the 76ers in many facets.

Simmons being aggressive attacking the basket and getting teammates open looks

Embiid being physical and forcing fouls

Harris shooting much better and gaining confidence

76ers showing ways to attack the Nets packed zone before it gets set up

But, overall, the defense was the key - better coverage, not allowing as many easy drives and rebounding harder. Nets still picked and rolled us to death and bombed away from 3, but still improvement on that end fueled the transition game and offense.

Turnovers: 76ers had 12 compared to Nets 14

Free Throw %: 76ers with 81% compared to Nets 76%

3 pt %: Nets shot 15-36 (42%) from 3; 76ers shot 9 for 23 (39%)

We won 2 out of the 3 key indicators and almost neutralized the Nets advantage from 3. Much improved.

[bigegypt0417]

From Brett Brown’s ‘cuss words’ to Ben Simmons’...

[phillychuck]

Bombshell article about Brown and the team:

76ers’ Brett Brown is heading for coaching purgatory

[el-pietro]

Could I get a summary? Unfortunately I can't read the article due to GDPR and the Daily News refusal to find a solution. They have had the same warning up since last May

Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in most European countries. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to the EU market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.

[xogfog]

It basically says Brown has lost the team and Simmons is uncoachable.

[phillychuck]

"But the Sixers are a mess internally, with Brown having long ago lost the locker room following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, but before the acquisition of Tobias Harris. The breaking point came at a game in Portland when Brown had Bruce Bowen address the team about “San Antonio Spurs culture” – a speech that went over like a lead balloon to such an extent that Joel Embiid and Bowen got into each other‘s faces."

and

"A source who spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity said general manager Elton Brand made it known to ownership sometime before the trade deadline that the organization needed to consider trading Simmons because the youngster was simply not coachable"

and

Sixers "stomach virus" was code for covering for hangovers from partying on the previous night.

[zambonir]

Ah, sounds like the Flyers all over again.

That's some serious tabloid journalism there. Of course the Sixers would deny it, but still, I would seriously question some of what's in there as being particularly meaningful (like, sure, how could trading Simmons not have come up?). Also funny the most gossipy and most easily verified part of the story, he got wrong.

I guess you could say the Sixers' unofficial denial matches the story's tone:

Patrick (pmc1423)

But let's cut to the chase - is Brown really coaching for his job assuming they don't lose this first round? And at whose discretion, ownership or Brand's?

[zambonir]

I don't follow NBA media that closely but I think it's interesting that Deadspin or other blogs/outlets haven't even picked up this story yet. Here is Crossing Broad's response:

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2019/04/sixers-vp-of-communications-rips-steaming-pile-of-trash-column.html

[el-pietro]

Nothing on Reddit either on the Sixers specific sub, or the NBA wide one and that place picks up everything.

[bigegypt0417]

But let's cut to the chase - is Brown really coaching for his job assuming they don't lose this first round? And at whose discretion, ownership or Brand's?

If the sixers lose in the first round then I believe that costs Brown his job...although I would imagine if that were true the sixers would at least want to make Monty Williams aware since I think he might be a good candidate.

[zambonir]

Can't really see a scenario where you can take an assistant coach aside and tell him not to leave for a HC gig in case you and your current boss blow this first round series!

Anyway, I agree that if they lose this one (and who knows how they will play in Brooklyn) he might get sacrificed but falling short of a conference finals appearance, especially considering the lack of depth, probably doesn't change anything. Certainly before the season, Brown had more power than Brand. Regardless I don't think Sheridan has a clue where Brown stands with anyone, whether it's Brand or Harris or the players. (As the Crossing Broad story notes he also got the Bruce Bowen anecdote wrong.)

[bigegypt0417]

If you were going to you'd probably mention it to his agent. If you have a coach fighting for his job and you believe you have his replacement on your staff then you might want to do it.

Also...I don't know if it's possible but I'd trade simmons in a davis trade in a second.

Simmons game seems to have shown minimal improvement over 2 seasons.

[VoteForKalas]

Simmons game seems to have shown minimal improvement over 2 seasons.

This is my concern as well.

If Simmons refuses to work on developing his shot, free throws and overall game, that is a big problem.

[bigegypt0417]

Embiid is out...that can't be good.

[kmc1019]

Karma....for his juvenile and unprofessional behavior at the post game press conference regarding his flagrant elbow. This team has not accomplished anything yet and needs to learn some humility.

[bigegypt0417]

That seems a bit extreme...embiid is young and brash.

His game backs it up.

[zambonir]

karma would be if he had a new injury (not that I think the press conference was a big deal. he's a big personality and a little dirty and the Sixers aren't going anywhere without either of those things).

[xogfog]

Well they went somewhere tonight, drilling the Nets 131-115. Agree they can't go far without JoJo, but I think game one woke the Sixers up and they might be able to finish the Nets without Embid. If it means he is rested and the knee is better for Toronto, I might want to hold him out unless the Nets series gets tight.

[zambonir]

It was impressive. Who knows what the right approach is to his "load management?" Play him in the next one and go home and win it in five. Or don't play him and lose then you need him for Games 5 and 6?

[bigegypt0417]

Up 2-1 and the way they did it you'd be smart to sit him game 4.

Simmons was really dominant tonight and 9-11 from the free throw line.

Good team effort.