The Philadelphia 76ers are finally starting to look like a team at full strength, and with it comes the chance for head coach Nick Nurse to evaluate his entire roster. One crucial aspect of this is building continuity within lineups centered around rookie VJ Edgecombe and veteran Paul George.
According to Nurse, their aim is to grow the "VJ-Paul connection" in these units. Both players have unique roles, with Edgecombe often tasked with being a primary ball-handler, while George has traditionally played as a spot-up shooter. This has led to some interesting contrasts in their approaches.
Edgecombe seems more laid-back about it all, stating that he's "still trying to learn" how to handle the added responsibilities. In contrast, George is recognizing his own limitations and sees this partnership as an opportunity for him to get back into his on-ball roots. He's eager to find plays and floor balance with Edgecombe to create more scoring opportunities.
Their defensive prowess, however, has been a welcome sight. The trio of Edgecombe, George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes has formed a cohesive unit that stifles opponents, with a net rating of +9.7 points per 100 possessions.
To unlock their full potential, the Sixers need to find consistency on offense. With Edgecombe and George expected to be key contributors, they're hoping for a more balanced approach that allows both players to thrive in different ways. This partnership could potentially enable Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to spend more time together on the court, as their chemistry has always been a highlight of the team.
Embiid acknowledged that having Edgecombe and George play together could be beneficial, adding that he trusts Nurse's decisions and is excited to see how this lineup works out. The next step for the 76ers will be to find ways to integrate these units seamlessly into their overall game plan.
According to Nurse, their aim is to grow the "VJ-Paul connection" in these units. Both players have unique roles, with Edgecombe often tasked with being a primary ball-handler, while George has traditionally played as a spot-up shooter. This has led to some interesting contrasts in their approaches.
Edgecombe seems more laid-back about it all, stating that he's "still trying to learn" how to handle the added responsibilities. In contrast, George is recognizing his own limitations and sees this partnership as an opportunity for him to get back into his on-ball roots. He's eager to find plays and floor balance with Edgecombe to create more scoring opportunities.
Their defensive prowess, however, has been a welcome sight. The trio of Edgecombe, George, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes has formed a cohesive unit that stifles opponents, with a net rating of +9.7 points per 100 possessions.
To unlock their full potential, the Sixers need to find consistency on offense. With Edgecombe and George expected to be key contributors, they're hoping for a more balanced approach that allows both players to thrive in different ways. This partnership could potentially enable Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to spend more time together on the court, as their chemistry has always been a highlight of the team.
Embiid acknowledged that having Edgecombe and George play together could be beneficial, adding that he trusts Nurse's decisions and is excited to see how this lineup works out. The next step for the 76ers will be to find ways to integrate these units seamlessly into their overall game plan.