In order to maximize their potential, the Sixers will need to find a way to improve their floor spacing and outside shooting, writes Dave Zarum of Sportsnet.ca. Asked after Tuesday’s loss to Toronto about the 76ers’ shooting woes, Joel Embiid replied, “Last year we had some really good shooters and this year we don’t have them.”
Philadelphia does still have some reliable long-distance marksmen on its roster, including J.J. Redick and Robert Covington, but the team has missed Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli in the early going. Assuming Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz don’t turn into outside threats overnight, the Sixers will need more out of Dario Saric, who has made just 23.4% of his three-pointers so far this season.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- With Daniel Theis expected to be sidelined for the next few weeks with a foot injury, Celtics first-round pick Robert Williams is ready to take on an increased role if asked to do so, per Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. As Forsberg relays, coach Brad Stevens praised the rookie’s work ethic and upside, suggesting that he has “no doubt [Williams] could be thrown in when it’s all on the line.”
- Given the presence of Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and Delon Wright on their roster, the Raptors don’t necessarily need a fourth point guard, but Lorenzo Brown has earned a roster spot in Toronto and is ready to make the most of it. Blake Murphy of The Athletic has the story, along with quotes from Brown.
- In an interesting piece for ESPN.com, Anthony Olivieri takes a deep dive into the big bet Raptors president Masai Ujiri is making on his franchise’s culture following this summer’s blockbuster acquisition of Kawhi Leonard.