Dreadful, free-falling Sixers now need to defy gravity

Dreadful, free-falling Sixers now need to defy gravity originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The conventional wisdom is that NBA seasons are long and full of inevitable ups and downs.

To start this season, the 2-12 Sixers have done almost nothing but tumble straight down a steep hill, with gruesome results. It now appears they’ll have to defy gravity to change the story of an absurd, miserable season.

The Wizards, who are on a nine-game losing streak and have four players 20 years old or younger averaging at least 25 minutes per game, sport a better record than the Sixers. Every NBA team does.

As has long been the case during Joel Embiid’s time in Philadelphia, injury misfortune has been rampant. Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George have played once together … technically. George exited the Sixers’ loss Wednesday night to the Grizzlies with a hyperextended left knee.

The clichés about chemistry and rhythm being harder to build on injury-plagued teams are true.

“Different group playing every night,” George said after a defeat last week to the Magic. “It’s still an ongoing process of figuring all this out for everyone. But again, it’s no excuse. We’ve got to get better and we all understand that. But I do think we’ll get to a point where we’ll find an identity. … It’s unfortunate it’s taken a little time.

“Time is not on our side. But, at the same time, I don’t think it’s panic mode still for us. We’ve just got to continue to put in the work. It’s not going to be easy but with this group, I think once we find a flow and a rhythm, it will be great for us in the long run.”

Embiid, for all his near-automatic dominance when available over the years, has never exuded steady, dependable leadership. Maxey reportedly called out Embiid’s habits and tardiness at a team meeting Monday night.

What good habits are the Sixers building? The team ranks second in defensive turnover percentage, but that’s been the only consistent positive for a middling defense. The Sixers have the NBA’s worst offensive rating, they’re subpar on both the defensive and offensive glass, and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/dreadful-free-falling-sixers-now-144922004.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-11-21 14:49:00

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