.png){kind=small}
Via Nets Daily
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have underachieved so far this season. A team that has title aspirations and the roster to complete those aspirations have not lived up to their potential. But that may have been mainly just the first half of the season story as we are now in the “second half” where teams are usually more focused for the final playoff stretch. The Sixers have some work to do, but this should be some of their goals post all-star break.
Get Some Shooters
At this point, it’s like beating a dead horse, but the Sixers need shooters in order to go far in the playoffs. Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III are decent shooters, but not enough to make a difference. Even though trade season is over, buyout season is here and there are usually a good number of prospects available for the post-season push.
The Sixers needs players that can spread the floor and help Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. There’s speculation that those two cannot work together, but it’s more so that they don’t have the requisite weapons. If the Sixers have more shooters, the game would be easier for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Sixers must get a top four seed
As stated earlier, the Sixers are fifth in the Eastern Conference. The top four seeds are the teams guaranteed home court advantage in the first round. The Sixers can realistically get to the second or third seed, but a fourth seed might be more within their grasp. They are currently sitting 1 game out of the fourth seed. The Sixers need home court advantage. How important is home court for the Sixers? They are 26-2 at home, which is not only the best record in the Eastern Conference, but the best record in the NBA (https://www.nba.com/standings ). The Sixers are only 9-19 on the road, so its needless to say that the Sixers need more home games than road games. Getting a top four seed will give the Sixers a great chance to advance.
Incorporate Joel Embiid more
Joel Embiid has slightly regressed this season his stats have taken a dip showing just that. Ben Simmons has been playing consistently well especially on the defensive end, the role players have done their job for the most part. Embiid needs to get in better shape, but as it is an ongoing season that may be difficult. The Sixers, however, can find ways to get Joel the ball more especially down low.
Joel has shot the ball better in recent games as his field goal percentage is in the high 40s (46.6%, https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html) compared to earlier this season. The Sixers need Embiid in order to win. As good as Simmons is, Embiid has more of an impact. The better he plays, the farther the Sixers can go.
Everyone has written the Sixers off, but they can still make the NBA Finals. They will need some more players and home court advantage would definitely help, but as long as Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid remain focused and engaged, the Sixers can go far.
Commentaires