Sixers coach Doc Rivers disagrees with the perception that his bench needs to score more, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Many league observers believe Philadelphia’s depth could be an Achilles heel, especially after the team gave up Seth Curry and Andre Drummond in last month’s deal for James Harden.
“All year, we were playing with five bench guys. I think that was too many for people,” Rivers explained. “Now, we are playing three bench guys. That’s not enough for people.”
Philadelphia’s bench consists of Shake Milton, Danny Green, Georges Niang and DeAndre Jordan, which likely isn’t better than other Eastern contenders such as Miami or Milwaukee. The team’s starting group certainly makes up for it, however.
“I think the biggest thing everyone is missing is since James has come, we play two starters with the bench,” Rivers continued, alluding to his new substitution pattern. “So when you do that, the bench guys aren’t going to score as much.
“The reason they aren’t going to score as much is because the two starters that are playing with the bench are probably scoring more when they are playing with the bench. So it does change it a little bit for sure.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers superstar Joel Embiid is eager to play in every game before the playoffs, but he understands the importance of being healthy, Pompey writes in a separate article for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Embiid has been playing through a sore back. Philadelphia will need his production in the playoffs, as he’s currently averaging a career-high 30.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
- Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (right knee injury management) will miss the team’s game against Philadelphia on Sunday, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports tweets. VanVleet played nearly 47 minutes against the Lakers in an overtime game on Friday. He leads the team in minutes per game (38.2) and is in the midst of his first All-Star campaign.
- Mitchell Robinson has provided a boost for the Knicks on the offensive glass, Pette Botte of the New York Post writes. The seven-footer has averaged just over four offensive rebounds per game this season, trailing only Grizzlies center Steven Adams. “Huge … those effort plays, they inspire your team,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Our rebounding has been off the charts, that’s a big part of winning. You have to keep improving … keep fighting, scratching. Whatever we gotta do, we gotta do right now.”
“The team’s starting group certainly makes up for it, however.”
I mean, does it?
10-2 with the BEARD maybe working.
May be is two words in this context bro.
The point is…does it? No one knows. You certainly don’t. time will tell.
I hate the bench always gets.
Shake is a talk point guard that can shoot the lights out, Danny Green is a little washed up but he’s a ex champion 3 and D wing with loads of experience. Niang is another solid 3 and D player often at the 3/4. Jordan has been decent since he’s come over as a bench big man.
After that Korkmaz has hot and cold games. Paul Millsap is here, Paul Reed can do bigs if given the opportunity and Isiah Joe has had his moments.
Granted it not the best but it’s definitely not as bad as everyone keeps saying. Miami heats bench has carried by Tyler Herro. Besides him you have the injured Victor Oladipo, Markieff Morris with a sore back, Cody Martin has been playing well but they are a bunch of unproven 2nd round picks or undrafted no bodies. Wait until the playoffs roll round before we praise them so much.
Bucks bench I can’t hate on it, it’s loaded with dudes that I like. Nets have a bunch of guards that shooter and a bunch 33+ year old power forwards, that don’t scare no body.
You may be the only person arguing Philly has a better bench than Miami.
Our bench is trash. Danny leaves it short a lot. Shake forgot how to play. Korkmaz can’t shoot and that’s all he’s good for. DJ is old and doing what he can do. They rely too much on Niang, but he is scoring at least. Joe and Reed have yet to step up. And no one plays good enough defense.
Biggest problem is Tobias tho, like if you could run Tobias featured with the 2nd unit when Embiid or Harden go out you’d be set. But… he is under performing or if they forcefeed him the game is an OT finish against a last place team.
Get to the playoffs anything can happen. But they have a lot of work to do this off-season.
Well, I have tried to talk it up, but the Sixers would be wise to sign Dennis Smith, Jr. to a G League contract, let him heal up and work on his game. Then maybe he oucl help at playoff time.
He has talent, but it hasn’t developed yet.
Seems to me Philly does not miss the guys they gave up, especially since Harden draws enough attention to make guys like Niang get open shots – Doc is correct in that a shorter rotation can make marginal rotation guys more effective due to matchup issues.
Real key here will be, strangely in the era of 3s, how teams play in the paint during the playoffs, and in that regard Philly has a very slight advantage, as long as Jordan stays under 10 min per game, which maintains his effectiveness and gives Embiid a breather.
Portis and Brook are good offensively and on the perimeter, but do not match up well on the boards with Philly. Bam is so mobile he creates problems but so do Giannis and Embiid. This East playoff series will be the most interesting in a long time.
Unfortunately my Bulls have run out of gas at the worst time. They badly need a 3&D guy and for Williams to develop according to his promise. Vucevich is overmatched on defense and focuses too much on shooting 3s. If they hang on to the 5 slot, they will be lucky to get out of round 1. If they slip into 4 home court energy might get them past Boston, but the top 3 have pummeled them this year on the glass.