As was mentioned, also a few bad turnovers, but probably more noticeable since Brown didn’t play
Yeah it was kind of a tale of two halves for JTHe took a ton of shots and was only 55% TS, so it was mildly off.
I think it's also that he was pretty bad in the 2nd quarter when they lost the lead.
Joe is a very very creative coach, and having time to get acclimated and staff to handle details has really unleashed him.I've now heard multiple commenters praise CJM's creativity with coverages - it's not so much that putting PP on Joel for stretches neutralizes Embid, but it fucks with their plans on other parts of the court and fucks up the sets they wanted to run, etc., and just throws them off their game for a bit. I was listening to Max and he loved it - "oh, what's Payton doing over there? If I can see it, why can't the Sixers see it? What are they doing?!?"
It's one thing to hunt PP. It's another thing to be offered the option to hunt PP when you weren't planning to.
It actually means that Paul Reed was +15 (and had a Net of +40) in 15 minutes. Of other note, Jaden Springer, who did a couple of bonehead things that I'm sure drove Nurse crazy was a +20 (Net +50) in 20 minutes as it looked like Reed's and Springer's athleticism helped PHI out when they played.Second, Joel Embiid was a -25 in a game the Celtics won by 10. That means that Philly just crushed the Celtics in the Embiid bench minutes.
I assumed it was just to let Horford catch his breath. Horford was out there nearly minute-for-minute with Embiid, except for a bit at the end of the 3rd IIRC.I've now heard multiple commenters praise CJM's creativity with coverages - it's not so much that putting PP on Joel for stretches neutralizes Embid, but it fucks with their plans on other parts of the court and fucks up the sets they wanted to run, etc., and just throws them off their game for a bit. I was listening to Max and he loved it - "oh, what's Payton doing over there? If I can see it, why can't the Sixers see it? What are they doing?!?"
It's one thing to hunt PP. It's another thing to be offered the option to hunt PP when you weren't planning to.
And the first, too. Horford played 28 minutes, Embiid, 33.I assumed it was just to let Horford catch his breath. Horford was out there nearly minute-for-minute with Embiid, except for a bit at the end of the 3rd IIRC.
I was thinking about it this morning.C's now have the best Net Rating while also having played the toughest schedule. Not bad.
Yeah, I'm starting to think that this team is just that much better than the league.I was thinking about it this morning.
Sitting at 9-2, outscoring your opponents by over 13 points a game, when you have had a schedule that includes the following:
Beat 9-3 Philly on the road by 10.
Lost to 9-3 Philly by 3, also on the road.
Beat the 6-5 Knicks twice, once on the road by 4, and once at home by 16
Beat the 7-4 Pacers by 51 at home
Beat the 7-4 Heat on the road by 8.
Lost to the 8-3 TWolves on the road by 4.
If you eliminate the Celtics games, these teams would be a combined 35-9. They're 2-5 against the C's. And the C's have played 7 of their 12 games on the road.
And I think we all agree the C's haven't even fully "figured it out" yet.
With even rosier glasses, they were -0 in regulation. Without White.Lost to the 8-3 TWolves on the road by 4
https://www.si.com/nba/2023/11/16/joel-embiid-called-celtics-best-team-in-league-sounded-utterly-defeated“We’re professional athletes, That’s the schedule; you just gotta do it,” said Embiid. “But yeah, tough. Especially playing Indiana twice and then on a back-to-back, playing the best team in the league, it’s tough. But no excuses.”
I had that in the back of my mind also, but they had the full complement for the Philly loss.Right and didnt both losses come with someone out? White in both?
this sounds premature. they're possibly better this year than last, where they took us 7 games.He wants out pretty badly.
They also have the pieces to add a third "star" if that's what they want to do. Morey has maneuvered Philly into a pretty good spot.this sounds premature. they're possibly better this year than last, where they took us 7 games.
Harris is playing some good ball so far so not sure they really need a 3rd star. Agree that they’re in a pretty good spot. Looking like a top 3 seed. Really question is can Embiid raise his game in the playoffs for once?They also have the pieces to add a third "star" if that's what they want to do. Morey has maneuvered Philly into a pretty good spot.
“Excuse 1, Excuse 2, and Excuse 3. But NO EXCUSES.Embiid's happy to allow that the Cs are his daddy:
https://www.si.com/nba/2023/11/16/joel-embiid-called-celtics-best-team-in-league-sounded-utterly-defeated
Bingo.Harris is playing some good ball so far so not sure they really need a 3rd star. Agree that they’re in a pretty good spot. Looking like a top 3 seed. Really question is can Embiid raise his game in the playoffs for once?
Not to sound like I'm making excuses for Embiid, but if Maxey is your second star and Tobias Harris is your third star, you might not have enough.Harris is playing some good ball so far so not sure they really need a 3rd star. Agree that they’re in a pretty good spot. Looking like a top 3 seed. Really question is can Embiid raise his game in the playoffs for once?
Maxey is a 28/5/6 guy shooting 43% from downtown. Embiid is an MVP talent. Harris is never flashy but feels like a solid #3. I think the issue is more surrounding the rest of the group and Embiid not really seeming to have that “get on my back” mentality come playoff time.Not to sound like I'm making excuses for Embiid, but if Maxey is your second star and Tobias Harris is your third star, you might not have enough.
I don't want to sound down on either guy. What I mean is that if Maxey is a fantastic offensive player, I'd want a better #3 than Harris. Harris provides some offense but is overrated defensively imo. But the second tier is correct. If I were a Sixers fan, I think that I'd be more concerned about the supporting cast being a bit of a hodgepodge, but who knows. Maybe they just need more time to gel.Maxey is a 28/5/6 guy shooting 43% from downtown. Embiid is an MVP talent. Harris is never flashy but feels like a solid #3. I think the issue is more surrounding the rest of the group and Embiid not really seeming to have that “get on my back” mentality come playoff time.
I agree that their ceiling is lower than this Celtics team or Nuggets team fully healthy but I’d comfortably put them in the tier below.
He's another beneficiary of no-Harden. Harris has been one of the more underrated role players for awhile now. What he does defensively with his ability to defend multiple positions is priceless.Harris is playing some good ball so far so not sure they really need a 3rd star. Agree that they’re in a pretty good spot. Looking like a top 3 seed. Really question is can Embiid raise his game in the playoffs for once?
Is Harris that much worse than Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr.? I think he at least holds his own. The difference is that Philly needs Embiid to be a Jokic-esque world beater and Maxey to be that Murray-esque offensive spark plug. The talent is there for both to happen. The biggest difference is that the rest of Philly’s supporting cast is just a gigantic bag of meh to me.I don't want to sound down on either guy. What I mean is that if Maxey is a fantastic offensive player, I'd want a better #3 than Harris. Harris provides some offense but is overrated defensively imo. But the second tier is correct. If I were a Sixers fan, I think that I'd be more concerned about the supporting cast being a bit of a hodgepodge, but who knows. Maybe they just need more time to gel.
He has to be great, deep into games, for every game in a 7-game series deep into the playoffs, on both sides of the ball.Is Harris that much worse than Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr.? I think he at least holds his own. The difference is that Philly needs Embiid to be a Jokic-esque world beater and Maxey to be that Murray-esque offensive spark plug. The talent is there for both to happen. The biggest difference is that the rest of Philly’s supporting cast is just a gigantic bag of meh to me.
Boston has more elite talent, Denver is deeper, etc. Philly’s only chance is for Embiid to channel 94-95 Olajuwon, really. He can’t simply be good. He has to be great.
If you think of him as a role player, he's definitely underrated. He does a lot of shit well. As a #3 on a contender though, I'm not so sure about him.He's another beneficiary of no-Harden. Harris has been one of the more underrated role players for awhile now. What he does defensively with his ability to defend multiple positions is priceless.
No he definitely isn't. But there's two of them. If we consider it linearly, agreed as a #3, he's right there. But Denver makes up for not having a great #3 by having two #3s.Is Harris that much worse than Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr.? I think he at least holds his own. The difference is that Philly needs Embiid to be a Jokic-esque world beater and Maxey to be that Murray-esque offensive spark plug. The talent is there for both to happen. The biggest difference is that the rest of Philly’s supporting cast is just a gigantic bag of meh to me.
Boston has more elite talent, Denver is deeper, etc. Philly’s only chance is for Embiid to channel 94-95 Olajuwon, really. He can’t simply be good. He has to be great.
A few ideas:I've been trying to think on why a guy with his particular skillset doesn't work in the playoffs as well and can't come up with a reason besides "runs out of gas". Is it that a game with an inherently slower pace bogs down his offense? Is it that dialed-in defenses can thwart his inside outside game? I'm stumped. It could be as simple as getting him more regular season rest so that there's more tread on the tires come May/June.
Just 4 of every 7 game series.. even LeBron took games off.He has to be great, deep into games, for every game in a 7-game series deep into the playoffs, on both sides of the ball.
I just don't think that's Embiid.
Let's see it in the playoffs. Offensively he's definitely better, and Jaylen is no prize defensively...but Maxey is brutal on that end. The Celtics were picking on him last night, that will increase exponentially as they go deep into the playoffs.The big difference is Maxey. Right now he's better than Jaylen, and that's not a dig on Jaylen.
You’re playing the same team seven times in a row.. in a scenario where you don’t have to rest players.. everyone is keying on him and everyone healthy is available. Just a few differences from the regular season.. it’s not just that he’s running out of gas.If you think of him as a role player, he's definitely underrated. He does a lot of shit well. As a #3 on a contender though, I'm not so sure about him.
No he definitely isn't. But there's two of them. If we consider it linearly, agreed as a #3, he's right there. But Denver makes up for not having a great #3 by having two #3s.
Agreed on the approach. Embiid has to carry his dominant self past the 82 and for the length of the tournament. Personally, I think that he has that in him. Giannis flamed out in the playoffs too, until he didn't. Embiid is that good, but he seems to run out of gas.
I've been trying to think on why a guy with his particular skillset doesn't work in the playoffs as well and can't come up with a reason besides "runs out of gas". Is it that a game with an inherently slower pace bogs down his offense? Is it that dialed-in defenses can thwart his inside outside game? I'm stumped. It could be as simple as getting him more regular season rest so that there's more tread on the tires come May/June.
I like Harris as a person and a player. He’d fit in nicely as a 7th man with the Celtics.He's another beneficiary of no-Harden. Harris has been one of the more underrated role players for awhile now. What he does defensively with his ability to defend multiple positions is priceless.
Good point. Like how the Sox were able to hit Mariano after facing him like 35 times in two years and multiple games in a row. I think that was part of Giannis's problem too. Can key on that guy, see what works, adjust, adjust again.You’re playing the same team seven times in a row.. in a scenario where you don’t have to rest players.. everyone is keying on him and everyone healthy is available. Just a few differences from the regular season.. it’s not just that he’s running out of gas.
If Harris had gotten a Derrick White contract (4/73) as opposed to the deal he actually got (5/180), people would view him VERY differently. He's an excellent role player that got a contract meant for a perennial all-star. Not his fault, and he's played exactly as well as they could have expected (and he is available, very important for a team starring guys like Embiid, Simmons and Harden).I like Harris as a person and a player. He’d fit in nicely as a 7th man with the Celtics.
Did you by chance listen to Doc on Simmons pod yesterday? He had some real glowing things to say not only about Harris' play, but his personality as well. And his being ok with taking on the 4th man role, whatever it took for the team. It actually annoyed me because I love to rag on him to my Philly friends.He's another beneficiary of no-Harden. Harris has been one of the more underrated role players for awhile now. What he does defensively with his ability to defend multiple positions is priceless.
When I say role player I don't mean like a Pritchard or Kornet. He's fine as a #3 or #4 playing big minutes as a starting 4...he just isn't the alpha type to be a 1-2 guy but he scores nearly 20ppg without having to have plays ran for him but defense is his calling card in todays game where switchability is so important. He's been a real good player in this league but hated so much for his contract which never affected moves Philly had to make. I never got the disdain for him except by those with unrealistic expectations of him.If you think of him as a role player, he's definitely underrated. He does a lot of shit well. As a #3 on a contender though, I'm not so sure about him.
You can also change your defense every game to throw new looks at him.. and the amount of rest you get in the playoffs vs regular season means everyone probably feels as fresh as they have in months.. plus you don’t have to travel as much as usual. I think load management is also huge.. Giannis struggled to beat a Celts team resting basically all of their starters last year.. nobody is resting in the playoffs… unless you’re LeBron and you know you’re going to win game 7.Good point. Like how the Sox were able to hit Mariano after facing him like 35 times in two years and multiple games in a row. I think that was part of Giannis's problem too. Can key on that guy, see what works, adjust, adjust again.
I didn't but my friends close to the Providence College program had glowing things to say about him when he'd fly in to see his brother play a few years ago. Super guy by all accounts.Did you by chance listen to Doc on Simmons pod yesterday? He had some real glowing things to say not only about Harris' play, but his personality as well. And his being ok with taking on the 4th man role, whatever it took for the team. It actually annoyed me because I love to rag on him to my Philly friends.
Hasn’t he been pretty good for Philly? Just not quite up to what was expected or his contract.. but quietly productive.Did you by chance listen to Doc on Simmons pod yesterday? He had some real glowing things to say not only about Harris' play, but his personality as well. And his being ok with taking on the 4th man role, whatever it took for the team. It actually annoyed me because I love to rag on him to my Philly friends.
I have to admit that I love listening to Doc on the Simmons pods and that I really respect his engagement with the Ringer given how much Simmons has criticized him over the years. I'm not sure I'd be secure enough to have a 2-hour public conversation with someone who treated me like Simmons treated Doc. Begrudging respect to him.Did you by chance listen to Doc on Simmons pod yesterday? He had some real glowing things to say not only about Harris' play, but his personality as well. And his being ok with taking on the 4th man role, whatever it took for the team. It actually annoyed me because I love to rag on him to my Philly friends.
Yeah but from a sixer celtic rivalry perspective, the quietly productive was easy pickings!Hasn’t he been pretty good for Philly? Just not quite up to what was expected or his contract.. but quietly productive.
Agreed. Im pretty over Simmons in general at this point, it's very guest dependent. And I've always thought Doc was pretty up front and a good listen.I have to admit that I love listening to Doc on the Simmons pods and that I really respect his engagement with the Ringer given how much Simmons has criticized him over the years. I'm not sure I'd be secure enough to have a 2-hour public conversation with someone who treated me like Simmons treated Doc. Begrudging respect to him.
I heard someone on NBA radio arguing that Alex Caruso (defense) would actually be the best current-Bull fit on the Sixers, assuming Oubre will be back healthy.The 76ers are likely an interesting trade partner with someone like the Bulls. None of the fits are obvious but maybe a LaVine or DeMar can be additive.
That seems like a fit too. Of course, right now I'd be assuming nothing about Kelly Oubre's availability for the rest of the season. He made it a few weeks with a new team, playing well and saying all the right things, before another Oubre thing happened. It likely wont be the last if past performance is any indicator.I heard someone on NBA radio arguing that Alex Caruso (defense) would actually be the best current-Bull fit on the Sixers, assuming Oubre will be back healthy.