The playoffs opened with three upsets, but nobody had a worse day than the Sixers, writes Michael Lee of The Athletic. Philadelphia’s problems go beyond the final score, as nearly every fear about the team heading into the postseason came true. Joel Embiid‘s sore knee, Ben Simmons‘ limited shooting range, the lack of a bench, defensive concerns and chemistry issues were all on display as fans booed loudly in a loss to the Nets.
Some observers believe the Sixers compiled the most talented starting unit in the league by trading for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, but those five players only took the court together 10 times in the regular season. And with Butler, Harris and J.J. Redick all headed for free agency, the team could easily break apart if the postseason doesn’t go well.
An even greater concern might be Embiid’s physical condition. Bothered by tendinitis in his left knee that limited him to eight games after the All-Star break, Embiid wasn’t sure if he could play until 15 minutes before Saturday’s contest began. He lumbered up and down the court for much of the afternoon, settled for outside jumpers and was frequently targeted by the Nets on defense.
“I tell him all the time, it’s about him being healthy,” Butler said. “Yeah, he can help us but at the same time, he can hurt us if he gets worse. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely want Jo out there. But we want him healthy.”
There’s more this morning out of Philadelphia:
- Managing partner Josh Harris passed on a chance to give coach Brett Brown a vote of confidence before yesterday’s opener, relays Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Harris has commented before that it could be “problematic” if the team doesn’t make a long playoff run. “What I meant by it is that all of us – Brett, [general manager] Elton [Brand], me, a lot of us, the players on the team. We have high expectations. So that is what I meant,” Harris said when asked about Brown’s future.
- The Sixers won’t stand in the way of any assistant who gets a head coaching opportunity, Brand told Pompey in the same story. They granted permission yesterday for Monty Williams to interview for the open job with the Lakers, where he and Tyronn Lue appear to be the top candidates. “We respect that, the chance to have more responsibility and be a head coach,” Brand said. “For anyone on our staff to have a deeper role, we will honor that. We don’t want dysfunction, we don’t want distractions, but it is what it is.”
- Lindsey Harding was promoted this week to player development coach, the team announced on its website. She joined the organization prior to this season as a pro personnel scout.
I generally don’t knock coaches but I just don’t like the way they play. The talent is there but they don’t seem to play together. They seem to stand around too much…no ball movement. One last thing…in the off season…Simmons must work to learn to shoot
The Sixers have been among the league leaders in passes per game over the past few years so I don’t think it’s lack of ball movement. I would like to see them run more pick and roll with Jimmy/Tobias and Jo as the roll man
They have no clue how to run pick and role. It’s so blatant. Dribble Handoff is all they seem capable of. They have a legit stretch 5 and they cant figure out pick and roll? Nerlens Noel can do pick and roll, Richaun Holmes can do pick and roll. It is the most basic big-guard play you ever learn.
What annoys me is Brett let’s the other team go on a 10 or 15-2 run before calling a timeout.
Too much wing, not enough guard. Not sure it’s the coach’s fault. I realize Philly sort of starts three guards, but not true fullservice guards… no picknroll like @ZA said, no quarterbacking without Oconnell.