2023-2024 Sixers Season

[Purduke]

Guess I haven't watched enough of Harden's career, but as a Rorschach, I see Lenin in an elf's cap.

[phillychuck]

I sure wouldn't want that on my wall. Even the Embiid painting is not something I picture outside of a gallery.

[zambonir]

I've got no issue with the art one way or another, just fascinated by Morey's fannishness towards his own players, and to Harden specifically. He talked yesterday about how he still looks forward to being there for his Hall of Fame induction.

Imagine if Howie Roseman had a sculpture of Carson Wentz in his living room. (I would assume has a picture of Nick Foles or a framed jersey in his office, but that's different.)

[bkeich]

I reiterate my opinion that the in season tournament is the dumbest idea since Baseball Home Field in the World Series based on who wins the All Star Game.

It isn’t even in the middle of the season, it is after 2 weeks. It is not preseason, or at the start of the season, it is at the 5% of the schedule milestone? Why?

Are they going to celebrate winning? Is it even 1% as important as winning the actual title? Who will remember who won?

Players on the winning team get 500K, then 200 and 100 based on where the team landed. Most good players won’t care at all, rookie’s in league minimum will be excited. Should team play the guys that are actually playing for the money?

It kinda screws up the schedule in a way. If you advance you have to presumably play harder teams, thereby increasing the schedule difficulty for the season. Fair?

Some teams will get a short break if the lose a couple games. Some teams might choose to take advantage of that, particularly if they move the games to later in the season.

All hail the 2023 1/2 Champions.

[zambonir]

I'll agree it seems a little dumb this early but I think people will get into it as it progresses. It will take 5-10 years to really evolve.

[phillychuck]

I like it a lot. Breaks up the long slog of 82 games.

[xogfog]

The Sixers looked good again today. Nurse's system really works well without Harden. The game flows better, everyone is getting shots. Four guys are averaging 20+ a game. Oubre has been a real nice fit. The bench could be a bit better, we'll see if pieces get moved around before the trade deadline, but I like what I'm seeing now.

[zambonir]

Haven't really been tested yet (Phoenix was at like 40%) but agreed. The deadline move might be a few swaps/more depth rather than the proverbial "third star" (and Tobias would still probably take exception to that concept if you let him have the role).

[phillychuck]

They need a second functional point guard for the playoffs (a TJ type) who can give them 10-15 solid minutes. If Cov and Batum can play 20 or so minutes each, they are fine at wing. Right now their 2-deep looks like this:

1 Maxey/P.Bev
2 Melton/Oubre
3 Oubre/Cov+extra minutes from one of the 4's
4 Harris/Batum
5 Embiid/Reed

Martin/Morris/Springer/Furk find some minutes when guys are out; Bamba and Batum play 5 when Embiid is out.

I really think Batum can be good with this team, especially if he's on the floor with some of the shooters; he's a fine passer/link.

[zambonir]

Functionally, of course they are still probably second-round losers and possibly not a top four seed but at least right now the latter looks extremely viable. The point guard thing is true but most of the big trade possibilities will be other types of players. The assets (in terms of the expiring salaries) might be best saved for summer. Or they might go get Anunoby and re-sign him.

[bkeich]

Embiid with 48 points with 8 1/2 minutes to go against the Wizards. He may not play much more if at all.

That sounds great, but the flaw has been that he had to do so much during the season that he either was injured or out of steam by the playoffs. Almost seems like a repeat.

I would love to see them limit his minutes during the season, but no chance of that.

[phillychuck]

48 points in 30.5 minutes. That's one way to limit minutes-- to win big.

[bigegypt0417]

So i'm going to go out on a limb and say this sixers teams is better than any time under Doc just due to coaching...Nurse is a better coach and he will maximize their talent...I think they also now have the flexibility to make moves as the deadline gets closer.

This team IMO is a top 4 seed and maybe 3.

[xogfog]

First real measuring stick coming up tomorrow vs. the Celtics. I don't count the Bucks game, even though they only lost by a point, being the first game of the year and before the trade.

[zambonir]

I mean I think you can view the Bucks game as a positive given that, though they are not exactly locked in yet themselves.

[schillingfan]

Watched the second half of the Celtics game. Except for assuming they had won with two minutes to go, they were fun to watch. Maxey has so much energy. Didn’t miss Harden at all.

[bkeich]

He never actually played for the Sixers, but he is certainly a well known guy in Philly. Future GM?

Sources: Nelson named 76ers' G League GM

[zambonir]

Yeah it seems like this is only a story because he's a beloved local guy. How much does the G League GM really do separately from the NBA front office? If anything it seems to me it's a bigger story that Prosper Karangwa is now full-time in Philadelphia (but he was already a Sixers VP).

I was on a plane with Jameer once. Not one of those situations where you go, "that guy must be in the NBA" (but I recognized him).

[zambonir]

Hate to see this for him and for the team and just as someone who puts his life on the crossing the street in Center City and South Philly all the time.

Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. is stable after getting hit by a car

[bkeich]

Sad for Oubre as he was excelling so far this season. Hopefully he can recover quickly.