The Philadelphia 76ers have finally carved out an identity without Joel Embiid, and their 3-0 record is a testament to that. The team's decision to sit Embiid in the back-to-back game against the Orlando Magic proved to be a masterstroke, as they were able to maximize their available personnel and come out on top.
For years, the Sixers have struggled with identity when Embiid wasn't on the floor. They've had talented players like James Harden, Jimmy Butler, and Ben Simmons before him, but couldn't seem to coalesce around a cohesive system that didn't rely solely on Embiid's incredible abilities. It was a case of grasping at straws, constantly trying to find alternative solutions that never quite stuck.
But now, with Embiid out of the equation, the Sixers have found a rhythm and a sense of purpose. They're playing at a breakneck pace, relying heavily on their guards to initiate offense and create scoring opportunities. It's a system that brings out the best in players like VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 69 points against the Magic.
The key to this new identity is pace. The Sixers are embracing the NBA trend of fast-paced, possession-based basketball, and it's paying dividends. They're getting excellent production from their guards, who are able to create scoring opportunities and set up teammates for easy baskets. Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up in a big way, providing all-around production and showing that he's more than just a one-dimensional scorer.
The Sixers' rotation is also looking sharp, with eight players seeing significant minutes in the first half alone. The addition of undrafted rookie Hunter Sallis, who checked into the game for two stints, was a surprise move but added some much-needed depth to the bench.
As the season progresses, it's clear that this identity is here to stay. The Sixers are finally finding their footing without Embiid, and it's exciting to see what the future holds. With a strong guard rotation and an ability to play at a fast pace, they're poised for success in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, there will always be a place for Embiid on this team. Nurse has stated that the best version of the Sixers includes him, but it's clear that the team is thriving without him. For now, that's enough to celebrate. The 76ers are looking like a legitimate contender, and their 3-0 start is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season.
For years, the Sixers have struggled with identity when Embiid wasn't on the floor. They've had talented players like James Harden, Jimmy Butler, and Ben Simmons before him, but couldn't seem to coalesce around a cohesive system that didn't rely solely on Embiid's incredible abilities. It was a case of grasping at straws, constantly trying to find alternative solutions that never quite stuck.
But now, with Embiid out of the equation, the Sixers have found a rhythm and a sense of purpose. They're playing at a breakneck pace, relying heavily on their guards to initiate offense and create scoring opportunities. It's a system that brings out the best in players like VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 69 points against the Magic.
The key to this new identity is pace. The Sixers are embracing the NBA trend of fast-paced, possession-based basketball, and it's paying dividends. They're getting excellent production from their guards, who are able to create scoring opportunities and set up teammates for easy baskets. Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up in a big way, providing all-around production and showing that he's more than just a one-dimensional scorer.
The Sixers' rotation is also looking sharp, with eight players seeing significant minutes in the first half alone. The addition of undrafted rookie Hunter Sallis, who checked into the game for two stints, was a surprise move but added some much-needed depth to the bench.
As the season progresses, it's clear that this identity is here to stay. The Sixers are finally finding their footing without Embiid, and it's exciting to see what the future holds. With a strong guard rotation and an ability to play at a fast pace, they're poised for success in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, there will always be a place for Embiid on this team. Nurse has stated that the best version of the Sixers includes him, but it's clear that the team is thriving without him. For now, that's enough to celebrate. The 76ers are looking like a legitimate contender, and their 3-0 start is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season.
they're finally ditching the iso-ball nonsense and focusing on building that team chemistry 
vj edgecombe and tyrese maxey are killing it as the sparkplug duo, and kelly ouibre jr's all-around skills are a breath of fresh air 
the rotation is fire too, with hunter sallis's surprise appearance being a genius move 
nurse is spot on when he says this team is better without embiid, but it's cool to see embiid thrive in the absence of his own ego 
now, let's just hope they can maintain this momentum and bring home that chip 
. They're playing so fast & fluidly, it's amazing to watch! The addition of Hunter Sallis must've been a game-changer for the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr.'s been on fire too, and I love how the guards are setting each other up for easy buckets 
. It's great to see the team finally finding their identity without relying solely on Embiid's superhuman abilities 
. The rotation is looking super sharp, and Nurse must be loving every minute of this new system 
. Let's keep it going and see what kinda magic they can make in the Eastern Conference! 
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. But now that they're playing fast-paced basketball without him, it's actually kinda beautiful 
. They've got a great young core and it's exciting to see them gel as a unit 
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, and Hunter Sallis' addition is a nice boost to the bench. I'm hyped for what's to come - this team has all the makings of a legitimate contender 
They're finally finding their footing without Embiid and it's beautiful to see! The pace of the game is so infectious, it's like they're feeding off each other's energy. Kelly Oubre Jr. has really stepped up his game and I'm loving the way he's moving without the ball. And can we talk about Hunter Sallis for a sec? Undrafted rookie and already making an impact 
finally, the Sixers have found an identity that doesn't solely rely on Embiid's superhero skills 
... but let's be real, it's only a matter of time before he's back out there and the whole thing falls apart 
. On a serious note tho, I'm loving the fast-paced, possession-based basketball they're playing right now 
it's so refreshing to see them not just relying on Embiid to carry the team. And yay for Kelly Oubre Jr. stepping up and showing he's more than just a one-dimensional scorer 
. The guards are killing it, creating all these scoring opportunities and setting up their teammates for easy baskets. VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, Tyrese Maxey... they're a deadly combo 
. And Kelly Oubre Jr. stepping up is huge 
Pace is key, and the Sixers are embracing it with open arms 
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, VJ Edgecombe's skills are insane 
, he's more than just a scorer, he's a versatile threat. This fast-paced possession-based basketball is the way to go 
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I'm reading about the 76ers' 3-0 record without Joel Embiid and I'm not feeling it 
They're playing fast-paced basketball which is cool, but let's be real, they still lost James Harden 
. The guards are getting good production but who's gonna stop their opponents? The bench is deep but how long can that last? And what about Embiid's return, is it just a matter of time before he breaks the team's rhythm again?