How Good is the Sixers Defense?

Yeah I think it starts with the defense. Without a doubt we bring it on the defensive end night in and night out. That’s what really gives us a chance to win on most nights.

The other reason I think we have been successful is that we are probably kind of tough to prepare for as far as what teams want to do against us defensively.

We have a balanced scoring attack and it’s gotta be pretty tough to key in on particular guys and figure out who you want to stop. We don’t force feed anyone and generally take what the defense gives us (minus the boss being the boss). Kind of a basic offense, but a pretty effective one as well.

What worries me is how the Sixers have persistently had weak 1st halves offensively. You can do that against Toronto or Detroit and still win convincingly. Against Miami or OKC, it could be a disaster, because its doubtful that you can defensively shut down the likes of Wade and James or Durant and Westbrook. So they are gonna need to find a way to come out and score points at the open.

All this love for the defense, we also have the top offensive efficiency in the league. Probably won’t stay there, but let’s not act like we’ve been inept on that side of the ball.

Continuity and a soft schedule have helped thus far.

However, I think another big reason is that Hawes is lighter. He’s defending screens and protecting the rim better than he ever has a Sixer. I think I heard he did p90x and yoga? If it worked for him, I’m going to get out the leotards today!

Now, if they just rebounded better on the defensive end, they’d be winning by 40 for the next 60 games.

Most starters play 30+ min. per game. Hawes’ productivity has been the biggest difference for the team. His rebounding limits other teams 2nd chance shots and he actually blocks shots and changes what other teams try to do. His ability to put up a double-double on a consistent basis gives the Sixers enough post-play to open the offense.

I agree that the schedule has been favorable so far, but the team has been in every game this year and they continue to improve. We don’t know how good the team is, and we won’t until we play the Miami’s and Oklahoma’s. A win over the Pacers tonight is more important now, as long as this team takes one game at a time and focuses on playing their best, they will find they can play with anyone.

The only teams the Sixers really have to worry about are the ones that can neutralize Hawes. I’d like to see more of Vucevic, if he can give us 10 and 10 in 20 min, he deserves more time. The balanced scoring makes this team a nightmare to guard, they need to work on their outside shots to make teams pay for packing it in.

Their only real edge is in execution. They have to be better with the ball then other teams to make up for rebounding against the big teams. Having the poise to handle the pressure of a Miami is what they really need. The ball has to move so fast that any effort to stick a hand in, draws a foul.

It will be interesting to see how we’re going to handle Indiana’s frontcourt. With the addition of David West, plus Psycho T, and Hibbert they are a tough team down-low. Even with Hawes I think we’re going to be in trouble against these guys.