The Sixers have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they’re starting to feel the effects of a depleted roster, writes Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice. Joel Embiid‘s positive COVID-19 test was the latest challenge for a team that is already playing without Ben Simmons and has seen Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe also sidelined by the virus.
The result has been an increased workload for the remaining rotation players, which is raising concerns about fatigue. Tonight’s game against the Bucks will be the second of a back-to-back, and coach Doc Rivers said he plans to use at least 10 players. Neubeck expects Jaden Springer and two-way player Aaron Henry to both see action, but probably not Charles Bassey, who has only played seven total minutes this season.
There’s more on the Sixers:
- Andre Drummond, who was signed over the summer to be Embiid’s backup, turned in his best game of the season Monday night, Neubeck adds. Drummond collected 25 rebounds in a loss to the Knicks, becoming the first Sixer to reach that total in 34 years. He played more than 38 minutes, but doesn’t seem fazed by the increased workload. “Sleep, sleep as much as we can,” Drummond said. “Take care of our bodies, ice, compress our knees. Guys that have played a lot of games know how to take care of their body. I’ve played a long time, we know what it takes to sustain our bodies for the rest of the year.”
- Because Embiid is symptomatic for COVID-19, there are concerns that his absence could stretch beyond the normal 10 days, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pompey notes that Embiid has historically found it difficult to stay in shape when not playing, so having him out of the lineup could impact the Sixers well into the future. “Obviously, this is an extreme case without Joel,” Rivers said. “We didn’t anticipate this. But, we do have a bona fide starting center. And that helps us for sure.”
- Philadelphia has reportedly talked to at least 10 teams about trading for Simmons, but sources tell Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report there have been “very few firm offers.” Most of the talks have involved setting up two-team and three-team frameworks that the Sixers might accept, but president of basketball operations Daryl Morey hasn’t dropped his insistence on receiving a star player in return.
Love to see all of them in action, 76ers have only good picks every season
Any other team with its three best players out wouldn’t even be a threat at all but we pushed the Knicks who are a strong side to within 10 which included and near 15 point come back in the third.
I didn’t like the Drummond signing much but then told myself it’ll be good if Embiid gets injured which he is prone too. Now he’s got covid and having Drummond is great cause he fills the stat sheet and gives us a chance.
Would be great if we hurry up and traded Ben then our ‘third’ best player could be someone who will actually play when fit.
You’re happy your team lost at home by 7 to the Knicks?
Knicks aren’t that good dude.
Dude this team is missing three all stars ,relying on bench players. Dude this team is gaining experience that will serve it well come playoff time. Dude you are just a sixer hater.
And you’re just a sixer lover. A loss is a loss is a loss.
Dude.
Yes I am happy it was close considering we didn’t have our three best players and we had a near 15 point comeback in the third quarter.
You’re probably going to be happy with a lot of other losses coming up then.
Depends who we play, if we are playing another playoff team and keep it close then sure. Can’t expect much with everyone out. If we can get a couple wins during this tough time it’ll be great
I doubt he is happy….but Knicks? 4 seed last year. This year beat Philly twice, Celtics, bulls and bucks…what qualifies as good to you?
You know that saying a team “isn’t that good” doesn’t mean they aren’t good…right?
Reading comprehension matters.
Another good loss by Philly last night!
I wonder who Morey’s example of a star player is, or what the “firm offers” are. Everyone argues after a Simmons story but what are the options.
The best option for the 6ers and Simmons is anyone that’s actually willing to put on his jersey and play for the 6ers.
I’ve never liked Ben Simmons’ attitude and I think he’s overrated, overvalued and overhyped but for his sake and their own they should trade him for any decent package.
They were doing extremely well before so many players were lost to covid related issues. But the longer Embiid is out, and if the Sixers continue to struggle, then perhaps those outrageous trade demands may finally come down and they will be more amenable to listen to reasonable trade offers.
They’ve got Milwaukee and Toronto at home, then they go on a 7 game road trip. They are gonna drop like a stone in the standings.
No surprise there with Drummond, he has been one of the best players consistently for the last decade, so we all know he will dominate given the chance!
I think it might be good for Embiid to have some time off, this season be it for pain or whatever reason he was playing his worst basketball of his career, so some rest might be good for him to come back healthy & strong, & perhaps go back to his usual level of greatness!
Also helps that when you have an All-NBA center behind you like Drummond, you don’t have to rush it, just take the time however long & come back firing in all pistons!
#FreeBenSimmons
With freedom comes responsibility. He appears to have none.
He has to be free first… then comes responsibility. Almost every other team would gladly pay him his contract value. 76ers just won’t trade him…
free him??? he should be jailed for theft for every check he cashes
Wins against new orleans, detroit twice, okc, and chi and por early in the season with new squads or coach. Philly fans are way too confident….
76ers are starting bench players and winning. I think fans are saying they weren’t and aren’t expecting wins, but it’s nice to see them be competitive and get some wins while they deal with the COVID crisis on the team and Baby Ben’s temper tantrum.
Maybe that’s what the fans are saying.. but I hear a whole lot more optimism than is warranted.
As for the tantrum comment… the organization should do the decent thing and trade him already. Stop being greedy; they’ve already tipped their hand they think he can’t win a championship. How much value can they extract if that’s the public position? They have to trade under value now.
Ben is the greedy one. He signed a max deal. An amount of $$$ no other team could give him. One year later, after he has the contract, he wants to be traded b/c … pick on of the 20 reasons he has given.
Is no one in Philly vaccinated? Shouldn’t be having an outbreak like this.
Sixers just need to maintain a top-5 seed until the deadline. And the Blazers need to be 9th or worse. That’s the path to Dame.
However… the Pelicans tanking again maybe Ingram is available. That would improve the roster at the 3 if they can’t get Beal or Lillard. They’ll have to make A move to go deep in the playoffs. They’ll have to make a savvy move for a point guard too if they deal Simmons for a non guard.
Dude right now if POR wants to swap Dame for Ben, they will have to add a bunch of 1sts & other assets, right?
I mean Dame is playing so horribly bad that even Ben without playing has been better than him!
Ah sarcasm. If only that were the case. The Blazers sucking isn’t them choosing to deal Dame it’s Dame finally being fed up and saying okay trade me.
Another great game last night then.