76ers-Consider this! The Sixers are 25-2 at home; the best home record in this 2019-20 season. Remember when they started off the season with that 5-0 start. Experts were then talking about the Sixers great starting line-up with the likes of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, and newly acquired big man Al Horford. The experts back then were figuring the Sixers to be in the conference finals at least toward the end of the season. 76ers also with the best starting five also had a mediocre bench. Prior to the season start, the bench was the, “Achilles heel”, for the Sixers. The bench featured the 1st round pick Matisse Thybulle, who has turned out to be a great defensive player, James Ennis, Furkan Korkmaz, Trey Burke, Raul Neto and Mike Scott. Some of these players can get hot in a hurry, but they could come in get cold real quick. (76ers Start)
Unfortunately the table turn on the Sixers when they are on the road. Some blame it on coaching. Brett Brown from what I have seen is a pretty decent coach, but there is more to be desired when you have a record of 9-19 on the road.
When you have a great starting five that reach double figures every night, you really need to be able to put in some bench players that can give your starters a spell. You could bring in one or two players that can score and help get defensive stops. It is unusual for a team to have a great winning percentage at home, and yet have a awful record on the road.
Elton Brand GM for the 76ers brought in some help with the acquisition of Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burke formally with the Warriors to help out. Look for the change in bench scoring to go up some. They have been experimenting with Al Horford off the bench during the last few games before the All Star Break. Hopefully Embiid can stay healthy, as well as Ben Simmons continuing his great play.
The 76ers need to be in the top four teams in the East when the season ends, placing with home court advantage at least in the 1st round. As you all would know this Sixer team has been eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs over the last two years. Philadelphia feels as though they are under pressure to get into the conference finals at least, as expectations are high for this team. The unfortunate part of this team is just getting used to each other. You have to remember that they had Jimmy Butler last year, and he basically has been replaced with Josh Richardson. That is no slam on Richardson, as he is no joke on the court, but it just takes playing together for awhile to get the team to gel. Go figure; Jimmy Butler goes to the Heat and they have been the surprise of the Eastern conference this year, at one point sitting in 2nd place in the conference. The Sixers 1st test will be on Saturday when they meet up with the Milwaukee Bucks in Milwaukee. Will we see some type of change for the better? We shall soon see. If it all works out right the bench will be more productive and give the starting five rest when it needs to; so that when the 4th quarter comes around the starters can come back in fresh when needed. Hopefully the team gels, and there will also be a couple of consistent scorers off the bench that can keep the Sixers in the game when needed. Furman Korkmaz seems to be the player that could fill this role, not to mention that Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burke can contribute. Definitely do not sleep on Mattise Thybulle, as this guy is a great defender. His game should open up more during the second half of the season. The Sixers bench is probably ranked 22nd in the league for bench production and maybe lower than that. It only takes a couple of players to turn that bench around, but we will see. Look for the Sixers to be on a roll in the 2nd half of the season. What do you think? Stop by lestalksports.com and leave your opinions.
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76ers Start