Recapping the Sixers First Roller Coaster Ride Since the All-Star Break
The Sixers are officially back! And what better way to get back in the swing of things than a Raul Neto start and going from up 16 to down 16 in less than a quarter. Here are some of the main takeaways from the first game back on the roller coaster.
Joel Embiid Put the Team On His Back
There’s a certain level of calmness created by Joel Embiid’s dominance that masks the chaos that is the Sixers. He started with an easy 11 points, practically bullying Jarrett Allen out of the game. He got the Sixers out to a 20-4 start and it should have been smooth emailing. Once Deandre Jordan entered and everything went haywire, Embiid brought them back in the 2nd half. He started chipping away at the end of first half with a smart 2 for 1, where he sunk his only three pointer. He knocked down 4 clutch free throws to send the game into overtime and had a huge block on Wilson Chandler to preserve the tie. In the midst of an absolute emotional roller coaster, there’s Embiid’s stardom to balance things out.
The Sixers and Nets Have Played the Same Game a Zillion Times
The Nets race out to an early lead. Their guards give the Sixers backcourt first. Sixers lockdown on defense. Sixers prevail in the end. Every game they play is like a microcosm of the playoff series a year ago. The Nets guards are so helter-skelter with their movements they get our guards off balance. Sixers guards look like the chimp at the zoo who sees the magic trick for the first time. They have a certain sense of bewilderment when they see someone breakdown a defender and get to the rim. Who knew you could do that! But, that style of play taketh and giveth away. Late in the fourth quarter, the Nets offense became entirely too dependent on just having one player make a move and beat their primary defender. They had no back-up plan, and they lost because of it. Their guards are good, not great, just good. But next year this team will be a powerhouse.
If You Want To Get Rid of Ben Simmons, Remember That 44-8 Run
Next time you get mad at Ben Simmons and want to trade him, remember that 44-8 run a team with a losing record put on the Sixers in less than a quarter. Philly couldn’t defend well, they were all out of sorts on offense. Everything Ben does well, was glaringly absent during that stretch.
Al Horford.
This guy is running out of excuses. He comes off the bench so that his minutes are staggered with Embiid’s. They were a bad fit together and now he maintains minutes where he solely plays the 5. And he still stinks. This whole time I thought his best role is backing up Embiid to limit his minutes and plug into the Center spot when Joel inevitably gets injured. He was an insurance policy (and a costly one). But, he can’t even do that role. He had one move where he powered through Jarrett Allen and it looked like Horford in his heyday. Aside from that, can’t think of another positive moment all night. Fucking -26.
Alec Burks Is A Guy!
Great game last night from Alex Burk! Remember those aforementioned Nets guards who can get into the lane and score? He can do that! There’s a certain silkiness to his game that he exhibited on his and-one in overtime. And that jumper is WET. Although, his game winning three point attempt in regulation that went from “he’s a hero” to “that was one of the worst misses of all time” in the most hilarious way. Aside from that, great stuff and great get.