The Sixers look like one of the league’s deepest teams and have a “different vibe” this season under new head coach Nick Nurse, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The other day at practice, we had three teams out, running through the plays,” Tobias Harris said. “We were on the sidelines, me, Joel [Embiid] and Tyrese [Maxey] were saying like we have 15 guys who can be in the rotation. With that means a lot of responsibility with guys just being professional and ready.”
As Pompey notes, newcomers Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington were in the rotation during Wednesday’s victory over Boston, with Batum part of the closing group.
Forward Marcus Morris, another newcomer acquired in the James Harden trade, has only played six minutes in one appearance this season. Nurse said he hopes to get a better look at the veteran forward (Twitter video link via Pompey).
“I want to see him, definitely,” Nurse said. “I still think he’s got a spot in the rotation. He of all the people has played the least, so it’s just a little trickier with him. Just kind of waiting for our moment to give him a chance and see how he looks out there.”
Here are a few more notes out of Philly:
- Gina Mizell of The Philadephia Inquirer (subscriber link) details how the four players acquired in the Harden deal — Batum, Covington, Morris and KJ Martin — have quickly acclimated to their new team. They’ve been going through film sessions, walk-throughs and scrimmages, with player development assistant Rico Hines leading the way. “It’s totally been a village in here,” Hines told Mizell, “with everybody helping [those players] get accustomed to whatever we’re trying to get accomplished. We’ve got a big picture in mind, and that’s what we’re trying to do. Just get a little better every day. Those guys see that. They feel that.”
- After the Sixers defeated Boston on Wednesday and claimed the top spot in the East, reigning MVP Joel Embiid said the team has “a long way to go” but is “on the right path,” writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “There’s so many things that could’ve been better today,” Embiid said. “Taking care of the ball. Missed quite a few shots. Tyrese, he missed a lot of shots that he’s been making. We were not as efficient as we’ve been. But it happens. But, then again, I also like the effort and the intensity defensively, just being together, following the game plan.”
- Maxey has repeatedly mentioned how much he appreciated James Harden as a mentor and teammate. Harden’s fondness for Maxey is quite evident as well, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “He works extremely hard; good things are definitely going to come his way,” Harden said. “He listens, he puts the work in, as a young guy in this league that’s all you can ask for. As he gets more reps at that scoring, play-making role, he’ll figure things out, you know, in a good way, how different teams are gonna guard him. I’m extremely and overly proud of him; he gets an opportunity to showcase his game. … I know he’s gonna have a really good year.”
Will he interesting to see if Morris carves out more minutes. But he could be moved. They haven’t gotten anything from House and Bamba too. Back-up Center and another ball-handler would be ideal. Maybe they don’t swing for the fences, make a smaller move.
Looking at the pieces that may be available… Tyus Jones, Galo, Muscala, Morris if he ever plays, Burks, Wiseman (maybe too much of a project).
If they didn’t have to give up a FRP, bc they have 2 SRPs, I think you could see them do that and go into FA chasing a Siakam, OG, PG13, Kawhi, etc…
Fear is being the Knicks, never getting the guy in FA and that’s the Sixers, they never get a top tier FA. Ever. Biggest signing was JJ. So on the flipside maybe Morey is like I gotta get my guy in the door now, and convince him to stay.
The 76ers have done an excellent job, and deserve a ton of credit for bringing in Nurse and empowering Maxey.
They now have countless different role players they can use to keep guys fresh, and Nurse can mix and match on a nightly basis to maximize their potential.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence the 76ers look much more like a complete team this year, and it looks like they’re having fun again.
I wasn’t so sure they’d ever be as good of a team as they seemed to be with Jimmy, but they’ve certainly developed into a real perennial powerhouse that should be around for years.
This is just another example of how people overlook the importance of team chemistry. Addition through subtraction, and adding those veteran role players should just make them even better once Nurse can get everyone on the same page and get his rotations hammered out.
Good for them!!
Well said.
Good to see so much love for and within a major pro sports team for the City of Brotherly Love. Billy Penn atop of City Hall is smiling.
Just don’t talk to me about the Phillies and we are good!! lol
I’m a Braves fan../: haha
so you telling me I love watching Tyrese Maxi so far this season under Nick nurse. every sicker fan that’s watching these games can see that Maxi is becoming a star/ a superstar right in front of our eyes on a nightly basis. so if he plays like this anywhere near like this the rest of the season he’s going to get himself a nice Mega contract one of yours over anyway still have enough money to add another Max contract to the payroll I believe I read. I thought after they lost to the Celtics last year in game 7 that it might be time to blow it up start again and bees coming off MVP you probably weren’t going to get anything more than you would have last year so let’s do it and obviously I’ve been wrong so far and it looks like it to get better feel Morey did pretty damn good job with the Harden trade in my opinion
If the Timberwolves fall off by the deadline. Conley could be a target.
I think once everyone adjust and gets accustomed it’ll be RoCo as the starting SF.
Which means Kelly Oubre can keep this bench scoring role. Also off the bench Nic Batum and Marcus Morris. Batum can play either forward spot, is good defensively and good at spacing. Morris similarly to PJ Tucker has that alpha older vet mentality which pairs nicely with Pat Beverly. Morris has always been a PF but I think he will also get small ball 5 minutes. Paul Reed will challenge him for minutes which is good.
Great looking roster and depth, great decision hiring Nick Nurse and it’ll be interesting to see how the season plays out. Wouldn’t mind a big name trade (particularly Pascal or OG) but at the same time we don’t need it.
Melton Maxey RoCo Harris Embiid
Beverly Oubre Batum Morris Reed
Did not know the trade a be that lopsided. That load to one player never works out. Clippers need a few extra practices to a team who does not practice. My prediction this trade breaks the Clippers down a few years like a old car.