Sixers know they’re far from ‘high ceiling’ at 2-10 and with NBA’s worst-rated offense

Sixers know they’re far from ‘high ceiling’ at 2-10 and with NBA’s worst-rated offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ORLANDO, Fla. — The on-paper picture isn’t so sparkling now for a Sixers team widely expected to be one of the Eastern Conference’s best before this season.

At 2-10 following Friday night’s NBA Cup loss to the Magic, the Sixers have the NBA’s second-worst record. They rank 30th in offensive rating and 27th in net rating.

The team is 0-2 with the Joel Embiid-Paul George duo. The pair totaled 33 points on 9-for-30 shooting and committed nine turnovers against Orlando. George missed his first eight field goals, Embiid his last eight. Jared McCain was sensational again in defeat (29 points, four assists, no turnovers).

“It’s obviously frustrating,” George said. “No one in here is happy or OK with the start of this season. But 15 seasons (in the NBA) … the season is long. This is not what we expected when we came together, but hopefully, this stretch happens now rather than in the middle of the season.

“We don’t have anything else but to work harder and to stay poised, and to look out for everyone in this locker room. We’re all in this together. … We know we’ve got to collectively get better. We know that this team has a high ceiling. But we can’t expect that just with who’s on the roster. We’ve got to work and expect for this thing to work.”

There’s many explanations for the Sixers’ severely disappointing start. George has played in six regular-season games since returning from a left knee bone bruise. In his second game this season, Embiid’s level of play plummeted Friday after halftime. Tyrese Maxey is sidelined by a right hamstring strain. Along with George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele and exceptional rookie McCain are among the team’s new rotation pieces.

It’s been very hard for the Sixers to develop reliable rotations, go-to plays and good habits. And they can’t afford a cascade of mistakes and missed jumpers. For over six minutes Friday night, the team stayed on 72 points.

“I think we were just not organized as we were…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sixers-know-theyre-far-high-103047972.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-11-16 10:30:00

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