Liberty Ballers: All Posts by Anthony GilbertHonestly have no idea what we’re arguing about anymore.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50717/lb-fav.png2024-02-29T16:59:47-05:00https://www.libertyballers.com/authors/anthony-gilbert/rss2024-02-29T16:59:47-05:002024-02-29T16:59:47-05:00Sixers pushing forward with uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid’s status
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<figcaption>Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Joel Embiid’s status for the rest of the season is up in the air, but the Sixers have to find a way to win games without the reigning MVP.</p> <p id="dJBK0L">The trajectory of the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> has changed dramatically with the injury to the reigning MVP, and rightfully so. Losing Joel Embiid for a few games, weeks or a series is something that has the potential to happen. His impact is so great, that you hope the team can weather the storm in his absence.</p>
<p id="gIA8S2">The trade deadline ushered in some new faces, which addressed shooting, especially from beyond the three-point line with the addition of Buddy Hield. The roster changes have also allowed for Ricky Council IV to play quality minutes and emerge as a new fan favorite. Kyle Lowry is making the most use of his time as he contributes heavily with leadership, rebounds, assists and steals, while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.</p>
<p id="gyEPIa">Tyrese Maxey has been a pillar of consistency, making his first appearance in the All-Star Game, and doing everything as a point guard to keep the team out of the Play-In game scenario. His 25.9 points, 6.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds are exactly what the team needs. He has also been shooting 44.9% from the field and 86.5% from the charity stripe.</p>
<p id="E33vZQ">The only things that remain are the following questions:</p>
<p id="Xbuh2u">Will Embiid return this season?</p>
<p id="6BRoAl">If the MVP does come back from the procedure on his knee, when is the best possible time?</p>
<p id="yK6djI">How far can Philadelphia go with or without Embiid?</p>
<p id="ab6C9Z">A lot has been said about Patrick Beverley since he was dealt to Milwaukee. He has also done some talking about the future and current state of the team. He made an impact on the city of Philadelphia and fanbase. He expounded postgame on Sunday, before exiting the visitor’s locker room. </p>
<p id="Jl0H3O">“Obviously, after Jo went down, that kind of changed the look and makeup of the team...not knowing if he’s coming back and all that,” Beverley said.</p>
<p id="rQnEdt">“It just makes it hard, so if you can get some value back for a 35-year-old, kudos to you ... I respect that, I understand business. I think they [management] are looking into the future, not now, which is how you have to look at things, especially with the team makeup ... with a bunch of guys, bunch of free agents coming next year.”</p>
<p id="Grcafp">Boston is the first overall seed in the Eastern Conference with a 7.5-game lead ahead of second-seeded Cleveland. Milwaukee is third and Philadelphia is sitting at sixth. The NBA Play-In Tournament would include the teams with the seventh through 10th positions in each conference. This begins on Tuesday, April 16 and concludes on Friday, April 19. The tournament is sandwich between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the first round of the playoffs.</p>
<p id="4Bg1Uy">The road to the playoffs, and ultimately toward becoming the last team standing, is treacherous. Philadelphia, if they’re without their superstar center, does not have enough to vie for a championship. The 76ers have to make decisions beyond this season, switching gears to see how they can make a legitimate title run with their All-Star center and point guard on the floor.</p>
<p id="hHrKqe">Everything is within their grasp if Embiid returns. They have the point guard and backup, and they added outside shooting threats. Last and not least, the second unit is anchored with solid veterans, who have embraced their roles. Embiid is the difference maker, and his ability to play is what matters most.</p>
<p id="bVTtjS">There is a lot of pressure on Embiid’s broad shoulders, however the success of this franchise begins and ends with his overall health and availability.</p>
<p id="MZvlXA">Philadelphia will return to action on Friday, March 1 when they host Charlotte (15-43) at 7 p.m.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/2/29/24086999/sixers-joel-embiid-injury-tyrese-maxey-nick-nurse-patrick-beverley-kyle-lowryAnthony Gilbert2024-01-25T14:33:05-05:002024-01-25T14:33:05-05:00Now past the midway point, it’s time for Sixers to prepare for the postseason
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<p>The Sixers are on the right path under Nick Nurse. Now, it’s time to prepare for the playoffs and see if they can finally get to the conference finals.</p> <p id="NRrI47">The Sixers answered any and all questions that have hung over their proverbial heads the past few years. They currently have less games to be played in the regular season ahead of them than they have played overall.</p>
<p id="nzCLnx">Now is the time to prepare for the postseason.</p>
<p id="RRvEtJ">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> have the tools, personnel and, more importantly, the understanding of what it takes to win games. Anything less than a berth into the conference finals would be unacceptable. The reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, who could easily find himself as a back-to-back winner of the prestigious award, would echo a similar sentiment. </p>
<p id="ppsVJb">Every team wants to win a championship, and few have felt the sting and pain of continued letdowns and postseason defeat more than Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Paul Reed, and Robert Covington. These men have endured parts or all of the process, playoff futility, and unparalleled success during the 82-game regular season, only to be bounced out of contention prematurely by the likes of Boston, Toronto, Atlanta and Miami.</p>
<p id="S2yIvS">That was then, this is now. Brett Brown is an assistant with San Antonio, and Doc Rivers has stealthy taken the reigns in Milwaukee. Meanwhile Nick Nurse has Philadelphia playing a brand of basketball that encompasses teamwork and defense. The roster is all in on Coach Nurse and his style. One look at a game or the win-loss column and it is easy to see how well the new philosophy has resonated with the team, staff and front office.</p>
<p id="FbmNMy">One subtle, yet very important change is the barbershop within the practice facility. Master Barber Kenny Duncan is one of the best in the business, and he has a chair with all the amenities, directly outside the practice court. He is there all day on Tuesdays and he has helped everyone maximize their time and productivity. More specifically, Duncan cuts by appointment for Daryl Morey, Nurse, Blue Coats GM Jameer Nelson, Embiid, Danuel House Jr., KJ Martin, De’Anthony Melton, Furkan Korkmaz, Mo Bamba, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Head Strength and Conditioning coach Ben Kenyon, and several others.</p>
<p id="zxhRcZ">Anyone on the team can work out, get treatment, get a haircut, and have a meal without leaving the building. Philadelphia has been doing the little things correctly both on and off the court. This has helped to build a winning mentality throughout the franchise. Things have changed quickly from year-to-year for the 76ers and while they have lacked continuity season in and season out, Nurse has remarkably instilled good habits, accountability, and has established a culture of camaraderie.</p>
<p id="Whs58N">The best thing the 76ers can do is continue to prepare, win the matchups against lesser teams, and remain as healthy as possible. They will need to start jockeying for playoff seeding after the All-Star break, however they are playing very well. They currently have a 29-13 record, and things are looking very good for a team that has shown steady improvement from week to week. </p>
<p id="3bWGfa">Philadelphia is third in the conference behind Milwaukee and Boston. They will be on the road for the next five games at Indiana, Denver, Portland, Golden State and Utah before returning home to host Brooklyn on Saturday, Feb. 3.</p>
<p id="GeLFtj">The preparation to get over the second-round hump starts now.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/1/25/24050680/sixers-joel-embiid-nick-nurse-tyrese-maxey-daryl-morey-tobias-harrisAnthony Gilbert2023-12-11T11:00:00-05:002023-12-11T11:00:00-05:00Oubre, Jr. trying to ‘be water’ as Nurse sorts out a crowded rotation
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<p>Kelly Oubre, Jr. has earned a key rotation spot for the Sixers, but his return complicates the Sixers’ rotation.</p> <p id="CRYlnj">Philadelphia has one of the best tandems in the league with reigning MVP Joel Embiid and emerging superstar Tyrese Maxey. Add some solid veterans who know their role to the mix, and you have the potential for a very dangerous team. To this point, the Sixers can be explained in two different scenarios:</p>
<p id="d4FBFx">Philadelphia had a nice rotation before the James Harden trade that featured Kelly Oubre Jr. off the bench with a start or two. The team was playing well, and the rotations were beginning to take shape.</p>
<p id="8L9wl9">After the Harden trade, there were some questions about the second unit, and then Oubre Jr. goes down with an injury. From here, the 76ers had to regroup, and figure what was best for both the starting lineup and bench.</p>
<p id="aVgKFK">The current picture of what Philadelphia is and who they can be is starting to come back into focus, now that the dust has settled and the roster has readjusted to changes in personnel.</p>
<p id="uFvSEZ">Oubre Jr. made his miraculous return on Dec. 6 against Washington. He scored 12 points, with 10 of those coming down the stretch in the fourth quarter, for a narrow 131-126 win. He is back to playing off the bench, as he works to get back into top form. Oubre Jr. has adopted the mindset of Bruce Lee. </p>
<p id="ajmigD">“I try to be water,” Oubre told reporters postgame Friday.</p>
<p id="YrUH2k">Lee was famous for his expertise in martial arts and film, however his philosophy of being water makes perfect sense in reference to Oubre Jr. and his role in Philadelphia. He is fluid and can take the shape of just about anything asked of him.</p>
<p id="9bXHKL">In the win 114-125 over Atlanta on Dec. 8, he played 23 minutes and produced 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and a block with no turnovers. He is averaging 16.0 points while shooting 50.9% in his five games as a reserve this season. The 76ers are 9-1 in the 10 games that Oubre. Jr. has played this year. </p>
<p id="r4o25P">“I really want to help this team do well. I want to be up there with the guys and compete,” Oubre said. “Coach [Nick Nurse] is a genius though. He knows how to coach the game. He knows how to put people in the right places, so I trust him, and I just want to win. I’m here to win.”</p>
<p id="Qda5u7">Head coach Nick Nurse has a good problem on his hands now that Oubre Jr. is back and contributing very well. </p>
<p id="OSYuOn">Kelly Oubre Jr. will get significant minutes which could mean less playing time for a handful of people.</p>
<p id="BM5w5o">“Everybody’s got to stay ready,” Nurse said. “There’s you know, 12, 13 guys that could hit the floor any night so, stay ready’s the theme.”</p>
<p id="pq6S48">Winning is what matters most, and the team will get to a point in the coming weeks where they will fully understand who they are, and what needs to be done to rise toward the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference standings.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/12/11/23996642/kelly-oubre-jr-sixers-nick-nurse-rotation-benchAnthony Gilbert2023-11-21T10:30:00-05:002023-11-21T10:30:00-05:00Don’t overlook Tobias Harris’ impact on and off the court
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<p>Tobias Harris is flourishing under new head coach Nick Nurse and continuing to embrace the Philly community.</p> <p id="6YhBoi">Philadelphia is a tough city. Nothing is easy within the city limits, and the same rings true for the sports franchises. </p>
<p id="NQkgEj">Jrue Holiday was asked prior to a recent matchup against the 76ers for his thoughts on his career and current role with the Celtics.</p>
<p id="jvdPR8">“If you know anything about Philly...if you can play or live here, you can make it pretty much anywhere.” Holiday said. “I think those first four years were really big for me because I grew as a person, I grew in maturity, and then I became an All-Star my last year, then I got traded to New Orleans.”</p>
<p id="oXOxPC">In essence, what Holiday expressed is an expectation and right of passage in regard to Philadelphia. There is a current member of the team who would more than likely agree with Holiday’s sentiment.</p>
<p id="ybP7Ds">Much has been said and written about the contract and performance of Tobias Harris. Nevertheless, he has maintained professionalism and he has done the necessary things to help the 76ers remain relevant in the conference. Last year in the playoffs he was the catalyst for the sweep over Brooklyn after Joel Embiid went down with an injury. Through the start of this season, he has proven to be the person who is able to do whatever is asked of him.</p>
<p id="zmAAiK">The offense is running through Tyrese Maxey and Embiid, however the clear third option has emerged with Harris at the forefront, as the team adjusts to the absence of Kelly Oubre, Jr. Harris is currently averaging 19.5 points while hauling in 6.8 rebounds per game. He is in the last year of his contract, and while that makes him very marketable in a trade, he is proving his value each and every game. He is taking quality shots, shooting 55.9% from the floor, 35.7% from three and 89.1% from the free-throw line.</p>
<p id="p1r2EB">Off the court, he has become a man about town, settling into the restaurants and local shops, making Philadelphia his residence, which is roughly less than 100 miles from his native Long Island. </p>
<p id="yl8JxP">“I’ve been here for some time, I embrace anywhere I’m at,” Harris said. “I live in Philadelphia, I’m a resident here, so I’m always figuring out different places out in the community to be a part of and to support...I support a lot of local coffee shops, and there are different restaurants that I go to, and I respect that scene and the hard work that people put into establishing small businesses for themselves.”</p>
<p id="6qkZZL">Harris has been seen or portrayed as a scapegoat during his tenure as with the 76ers, and he discussed the interesting dichotomy of being on the team and member of the community</p>
<p id="Fg54K4">“It is all part of being in the community, and being somewhere and embracing everything about it outside of sports, so it is fun for me to be out, explore, and meet new people, and build relationships, it’s big, [however], I try to keep it low key.”</p>
<p id="KpmNsl">Harris has let his game do the talking with consistency, a hard work ethic and a team-first attitude. His minutes are up and he’s made the most of his opportunities. He’s maintaining his efficiency from the field and beyond the perimeter. </p>
<p id="jqfgY8">Harris is playing with intelligence and a level of comfort that will propel Philadelphia toward continuity, cohesiveness and more wins.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/11/21/23968548/dont-overlook-tobias-harris-impact-on-and-off-the-courtAnthony Gilbert2023-08-31T13:30:09-04:002023-08-31T13:30:09-04:00The more things change, the more they stay the same with Sixers
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<figcaption>Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Like the Ben Simmons saga before it, the James Harden drama has cast a dark cloud over the Sixers’ season during a time when fans should be excited.</p> <p id="2AVFu7">With training camp on the horizon, the 76ers’ organization have more questions than answers. The team will return their core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris. They have lost the services of Georges Niang, Jalen McDaniels and Shake Milton, who were key contributors off the bench. However the biggest change has been the hot and cold nature of James Harden.</p>
<p id="AFwJTd">First and foremost, he opted into his $35.6 million contract option for the 2023-24 season. He however did this with the notion that he would be traded to a team of his choice, which has been reported to be the Los Angeles Clippers. As things stand currently — like it or not — he is obligated to enter this upcoming season in a 76ers uniform.</p>
<p id="aiQ1i6">This might sound eerily familiar to the tune of how things transpired with Ben Simmons. To make things even more interesting, it was Harden and Simmons who were traded for one another in the first place. Now Philadelphia finds itself back at the beginning, with the drama, fines and uncertainty.</p>
<p id="JcBBGN">Both have proven to be great players, just as they have shown to be inconsistent in the playoffs, when things matter the most. When things are good, they have been great with Harden leading the league in assists this past season with 10.7 per game. He became the first member of the 76ers to earn that title since Wilt Chamberlain in the 1967-68 season. His ability to create his own shot, play the pick-and-roll with Embiid and create quality opportunities for others have given fans a glimpse of what could be.</p>
<p id="N0blZF">Nonetheless, the opposite side of that coin points right back to the training camp saga from two years ago, when both Simmons and the 76ers’ front office could not align or find common ground. Discord in the front office can often lead to poor performance on the court. Championship-caliber teams are winners from the top brass, down to the playing surface, and locker room attendants. A champion mindset is fostered throughout the franchise and it results in consistency, which opens the door for winning.</p>
<p id="x9zxTj">Embiid will embark on the upcoming year having gotten married this past summer and looking to build upon a stellar MVP performance and league scoring title. Coach Nick Nurse will work to establish a defensive-focused team that plays through Embiid.</p>
<p id="bnDJxS">Newcomers Patrick Beverly and Mo Bamba will add some depth off the bench as well as a strong defensive presence. The roster has changed much more than it should have, however there have been things outside of the 76ers’ control that has led to this outcome.</p>
<p id="hHLU5I">Ben Simmons should have never forced his way out of Philadelphia. The team had a foundation built on players who could play well together, and with another year or two, they could have exceeded the expectations placed upon them. It is difficult to first establish a starting group who can get the wins and results. It is even more difficult to have a bench that knows their role — and most importantly, you need to combine a great team with perfect health in the playoffs.</p>
<p id="pgwAZg">The Sixers are unfortunately in familiar territory with a disgruntled All-Star guard, a few weeks before training camp, media day and the preseason. Harden can absolutely hold out. The NBA collective bargaining agreement states that a player cannot enter free agency the next year if he has missed 30-consecutive days. So, if he decides to not attend camp, he would do so to his own detriment. If he does show his face, will he give his best effort or become a distraction?</p>
<p id="7l1tV3">The more things have changed, the more they have stayed the same. This fanbase has endured a lot, and here’s to hoping things get sorted out, sooner rather than later.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/8/31/23854087/james-harden-trade-rumors-ben-simmons-sixers-joel-embiid-nick-nurseAnthony Gilbert2023-07-14T12:39:23-04:002023-07-14T12:39:23-04:00What Goliath, a documentary about the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, is all about
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<figcaption>Photo by Ken Regan/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Wilt Chamberlain is a Philadelphia legend and almost a mythical figure. A screening of the new documentary Goliath in Philly Thursday reveals much more.</p> <p id="Jl3w2U">The NBA has a vast history of famous franchises, legendary players, coaches, owners and personnel who have contributed to the game in numerous ways. There is one player, however, that continues to loom large above the league after a stellar career, two championships and a laundry list of records that will never be broken.</p>
<p id="CCVOhl">Wilton Norman Chamberlain is best known for his unique abilities as an athlete — his contributions to basketball, as well as volleyball, having been enshrined in the Hall of Fame for the two sports. He also ran track at Overbrook High School and had a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters before carving out a phenomenal NBA career.</p>
<p id="a90oya">Chamberlain is the topic of a new three-part documentary series, <em>Goliath</em> on Showtime. The film aims to show the impact that he made upon the places and people around him within and outside the sporting world.</p>
<p id="YnNqUc">An advance screening of the documentary was shown on Thursday, July 13. It was presented by the Philadelphia 76ers, Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund, Religion of Sports and the City of Philadelphia.</p>
<p id="DrQ6vd">Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney made a proclamation, marking July 13, 2023 as “Wilt Chamberlain Day” to coincide with the premiere and celebration of Chamberlain’s transcendent achievements.</p>
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<p id="luvvSX">The relatives of Chamberlain are a tight unit, as some of them have continued to make Philadelphia their home. A number of the family members were on hand, including his sister Selina Gross who spoke to the audience to shed further light on the life of her brother.</p>
<p id="xkvlIs">“I think it’s going to give people an insight of uncle Dippy, we call him uncle Dippy,” Olin Chamberlain, nephew of the multi-faceted icon said. “I think it will give an insight [to] not only his basketball career, but how he thought of things outside of basketball from an entrepreneurial perspective.”</p>
<p id="gEJOwy">There are three key things to understand about the overall production of the film:</p>
<ul>
<li id="JUwAFL">There is quite naturally a shortage of archival footage, so the producer incorporated something unique called puppet photography, which was done by <a href="https://manualcinema.com/about">Manual Cinema</a>.</li>
<li id="OfURuF">Artificial Intelligence was incorporated to capture Wilt Chamberlain’s voice, as it was used to narrate aspects of the film.</li>
<li id="GYqYnw">An interview with Aaron Levi, Chamberlain’s son.</li>
</ul>
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<cite>Sydney Harlkeroad, The Flawless Focus</cite>
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<p id="92WpgF">“It all began with getting the life rights, and that all comes down to trust, so I gotta credit the Heeltap! [Entertainment] producers Charlie Lindsay and Will, who essentially formed the relationships and secured the rights,” said Jacob Mosler, Producer, GOLIATH and Line Producer, Religion of Sports.</p>
<p id="7cvcb8">He continued by explaining the process to get the film off the ground, sharing, “we got it over to Kevin Garnett and his company Content Cartel, and then they partnered with Village Roadshow, and Happy Madison, which is Adam Sandler’s company, and then they came to Religion of Sports, and our company, led by our co-founder Gotham Chopra, the executive producer. ... and we specialize in telling stories of modern myth makers.”</p>
<p id="LjhVGu">Chamberlain was a complex man with multiple layers. This film takes a look at Wilt Chamberlain the person. It outlines his time navigating sports and the Jim Crow era, his philanthropic efforts for women’s sports and unwavering support of the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</p>
<p id="B87n30">This is a complete look at the man who became a mythical basketball legend and much more.</p>
<p id="qlHGuq"><em>Goliath</em> will be available Friday, July 14 on demand and on streaming platforms for Paramount+.</p>
<p id="3Lke5j">Showtime subscribers can watch part one on Sunday, July 16 at 10 p.m. ET with additional episodes premiering each Sunday.</p>
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https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/7/14/23795094/sixers-wilt-chamberlain-documentary-goliath-showtimeAnthony Gilbert2023-06-02T10:33:06-04:002023-06-02T10:33:06-04:00Nick Nurse did the impossible once. The Sixers are betting he can do it again
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<figcaption>Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Nick Nurse was able to capture the Raptors first championship in franchise history. Now he’s tasked with ending a 40-year drought with the Sixers.</p> <p id="bo41sU">The Sixers were bounced from the second round and Doc Rivers was relieved of his duties as head coach. The vacancy opened the doors to bring in a familiar face who has some history with the team from his time with the Toronto Raptors.</p>
<p id="AlcUfA">The hiring of Nick Nurse will be met with equal parts optimism and skepticism. The Philly faithful are exhausted after enduring a time when the Eagles, Phillies and Union lost in the championship round and the 76ers fell to Boston in the semi-finals, which has become a reoccurring nightmare. </p>
<p id="njk7t0">“You guys [media] have mentioned the second round to me twice already,,” Nurse said at his introductory presser Thursday, “and we’re going to hit that head on. We know we’re judged on how we play in the playoffs.”</p>
<p id="YgiMPx">He elaborated further. </p>
<p id="Vh5uSk">“I would imagine from day one we’re going to talk about that and we’re going to try to attack that,” he said. “We’re going to have to face it, and rise above it...that’s the mentality part that we are going to have to take.”</p>
<p id="Gh0WDY">Everyone from the ownership group and front office staff to the players and fanbase are looking for a big shift which will hopefully lead to playoff success and ultimately an NBA title. </p>
<p id="w6DKF6">The success of both Nurse as coach and the overall betterment of the team will be two-fold. Nurse and his staff will need to make a shift in the culture of the franchise and personnel. Philadelphia is a perennial 50-plus win team who fails to make an impact when the stakes are the highest.</p>
<p id="M0NxJS">Accountability will be a factor, as well as the philosophy of winning basketball that will have to be implemented early and often. The game has evolved, however, a lot of aspects within the fundamentals have remained the same. Team defense/rebounding, passing on offense, and working together as one is the essence of the organizations who have hoisted the trophy over the decades.</p>
<p id="gABUjW">Nurse will have to structure an offense with the league MVP as a front-court force, playing much closer to the basket than he has under Brett Brown or Doc Rivers. This is a necessary step toward shifting the mindset of the team and the nucleus of an inside-out approach to the win column.</p>
<p id="fySzJX">Nurse replaced the Coach of the Year, Dwane Casey, and led Toronto to the 2019 NBA Finals, and they outlasted the Warriors 4-2 in convincing fashion. He also earned Coach of the Year honors in 2020. </p>
<p id="ndbxhn">“It’s similar to Toronto a little bit,” Nurse said of arriving in Philly with expectations.</p>
<p id="iX4giB">The other piece of the puzzle is how James Harden will fit into an offense that could potentially be based upon getting the ball into the post, as opposed to being a team that revolves around Embiid setting the tone from the top of the key or beyond.</p>
<p id="B3nY1S">Coach Nurse had good counsel alongside him during his time with the Raptors. First things first, he hired Phil Handy, who is arguably one of the best player development coaches in the business, and he also appointed local basketball product, Mark Tyndale, who starred at Simon Gratz H.S. and played for John Chaney at Temple University.</p>
<p id="8u5Q67">Through these moves, Nurse was able to bridge the gap from head coach to the players, and he also had the right people who could nurture and build their younger guys like Pascal Siakam. All in all, once Kawhi Leonard was traded from San Antonio, the probability of winning improved dramatically.</p>
<p id="p7730t">The 76ers’ head coaching job is a pressure cooker and the expectations for the franchise to become a real contender are beyond comprehension. The good news is that Nurse has a solid relationship with Daryl Morey, and the roster as it stands is still good enough to be one of the better teams in the conference.</p>
<p id="Sbn1uc">This is a great fit on paper, and things will begin to take form once the draft is over and the coaching staff is in place. From there, the heavy lifting will begin and the saga will continue.</p>
<p id="tZ4jqC">Nick Nurse was able to do the impossible once, and Philadelphia is hoping he can make it happen again, and end the 40-year championship drought.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/6/2/23746666/nick-nurse-did-the-impossible-once-the-sixers-are-betting-he-can-do-it-againAnthony Gilbert2023-04-27T12:19:13-04:002023-04-27T12:19:13-04:00Keeping it simple should help Sixers going forward
<figure>
<img alt="Brooklyn Nets v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Two" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j15wH-GUDcCdYUOZjoJ1cAB5sCs=/441x0:4959x3012/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72223472/1482981419.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sixers have superstars and a deeper bench than years past. It’s all about the executing the little things.</p> <p id="x6Bepa">The play-in games are a distant memory and the playoff picture has materialized into the ultimate win-or-go home scenario.</p>
<h3 id="bsiS4K"><strong>South Philly vs. Everybody</strong></h3>
<p id="9YzMJC">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> began their championship run with a matchup over a familiar division foe in the Nets. There is a lot of recent history between the two organizations, however after four games, the first round has come and gone with Philadelphia marching forward. This is a tournament that will last several weeks, and the first team to 16 wins will take home the Larry O’Brien trophy and all the bragging rights.</p>
<p id="NY0YAr">There are three keys for Philadelphia in order to advance:</p>
<ul>
<li id="rPiD5s">Health</li>
<li id="XjqS9l">Star Power</li>
<li id="s4Dy58">Supporting cast</li>
<li id="3JLDhm">Happy and Healthy</li>
</ul>
<p id="9IZ5wj">The biggest and most important factor in every successful team is that they have and will remain healthy enough to work together and contribute at a high level. Everyone has reached the 82-game marker and the majority of the remaining teams have nagging injuries, as players are playing with and through some type of pain.</p>
<p id="ZqrI7w">Joel Embiid has played well enough to win the MVP for a few consecutive years. We all understand this is a regular-season award — nonetheless, important to him and the fans. What does have the utmost importance is the availability of Embiid and his overall ability to do what he does best.</p>
<p id="rr81N2">He has been hampered by a number of things in the playoffs over the years. There is no need to revisit those difficult times, however it is something that he has even acknowledged in stating, “All I ask is no freak injuries, I think I’m due for a big run...and my team, too.”</p>
<p id="eCB1qv">Embiid entered this postseason with no limitations yet he finds himself in an all-too-familiar situation as the team awaits a second-round opponent. The Nets played a rough and tumble style of play to agitate Embiid, and while it worked in spurts, the biggest concern was the fall that caused the knee injury. He averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, while shooting 54.8 from the field, in a total of 66 games, so he needs to be on the floor more often than not.</p>
<p id="WtFzMm">His stats from Game 1 show that he is ready and willing to do whatever it takes with a team-high 26 points, while shooting a perfect 11-11 from the free-throw line. The sweep provides some time for everyone to stay loose, get treatment, and rest for what lies ahead.</p>
<p id="nZzVzR"><strong>Star Time</strong></p>
<p id="lxmBZ2">James Harden has long desired to play for Philadelphia in an effort to suit up with Joel Embiid. The former league MVP feels confident that this is the best place to win a title and put a stamp on what has been a stellar career.</p>
<p id="XXVn39">What unfolded in the playoffs last year should be enough motivation for Harden to rise above and push further than the previous postseason. He came into the series against the Nets as the league leader in assists with 10.7 per game. This is his time to shine and more significantly, score the ball. The 76ers need to continue to get baskets early and often and Harden is someone who can get hot and make teams pay from the inside and out. Harden is one of the all-time great players of this generation and this is his stage to finally align with his hoop dreams and win it all with one of the best 1-2-punches in the association.</p>
<p id="spVvlr">Harden finished the first match with 23 points and a game-high 13 assists, marking his third 20-point, 10-assist playoff game as a 76er. He’ll need to improve from inside the arc in the second round, but the looks were there against Brooklyn.</p>
<p id="iI4jSm"><strong>Teamwork</strong></p>
<p id="dYyjnZ">Philadelphia has big names on the roster. Nonetheless, they will win and lose as a unit. One of the best things about having exceptional talent in Embiid and Harden, is surrounding them with people who can not only help bring out their best, but also work together to move mountains and proceed over the coming months. Philadelphia can score, and now they need to focus on defense and team rebounds. These are the adjustments from game-to-game, series-to-series that have to be made in order to survive. The 76ers finished with 3,356 total rebounds, putting them at 26th out of 30 NBA teams. Embiid has to set the tone and this team will follow his lead. Opponents out-rebounded Philadelphia during the regular season with an average of 41.2 per contest. The 76ers have the personnel who can get the job done on the glass as well as make plays defensively to disrupt the opposition.</p>
<p id="x7uxJf">Throughout the opening round, the Sixers won the battle on the boards and they moved the ball well offensively, as Embiid found his open teammates when the Nets looked to send a double-team. Embiid pulled down 19 rebounds in Game 2, and Paul Reed, who started in place of Joel Embiid for Game 4, hauled in 15 boards, with eight off the offensive glass.</p>
<p id="nWm07n">Tobias Harris benefited from the Nets defensive decisions as he provided consistency from the perimeter and around the basket. P.J. Tucker contributed with key shots, defense and rebounds. This group continues to show how important it is for Philadelphia to continue playing with a total team mindset.</p>
<p id="EtcsaM">The rebounds lead to less possessions for the other team, and the assists have lead to open shots and a big leads.</p>
<p id="XhWtHP">Philadelphia is playing a simplistic form of basketball, and it could potentially pay off with huge dividends.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/4/27/23700553/keeping-it-simple-should-help-sixers-going-forwardAnthony Gilbert2023-03-22T12:12:08-04:002023-03-22T12:12:08-04:00Depth and communication fueling Sixers’ success this season
<figure>
<img alt="Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cGte9Sw4hQv6WX-_ZVE6JVSdOzE=/0x0:5427x3618/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72102635/1247488883.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sixers’ bench is a little deeper and there’s been an attitudinal shift as the team braces for the postseason.</p> <p id="gbTr6T"></p>
<p id="SpZH1B">The winning streak came to an end on Monday night after the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> lost at home 109-105 in double OT against the Bulls. The team heads to Chicago for a rematch, which will kick off a four-game trip beginning tonight at 8 p.m. </p>
<h3 id="4V9bji"><strong>Full-Court Press</strong></h3>
<p id="za5vjm">The Sixers have put together an impressive regular season and with 11 games to go. They are poised to make a run into the playoffs with a real opportunity to contend for the conference title. Joel Embiid will receive his fair share of credit for the achievements of this franchise, however it is a team game and the beauty of this roster is that guys have embraced their role — and found success in doing so.</p>
<p id="TO3KG7">Georges Niang spoke recently on his role and focus with the playoffs on the horizon.</p>
<p id="MAa5p2">“[Bobby Jones] spoke to us about togetherness and everybody buying into their role, which I thought was really cool,” Niang said. “Especially I can relate to that, ‘cause buying into my role has kept me having a job for the last seven years.”</p>
<p id="xqGuob">“At the end of the day, an NBA team has seven or eight roles that need to be filled, and if you can fill one of those roles ... you’ll play a long time. And if you can fill one of those roles on a championship team, you’ll be remembered forever.”</p>
<h3 id="hH79bR">T<strong>he biggest factor in the Sixers’ success has been two-fold:</strong>
</h3>
<ul>
<li id="zaGbBf">All parts of the team have learned and grown to work together as a complete package</li>
<li id="8dY3Si">The communication has been elevated to create a respectful and healthy environment</li>
</ul>
<p id="COfeXl">The team you see today is not the same group that tripped out of the starting block in October. Everyone has gotten to the point where the new faces have become leaders and key contributors. De’Anthony Melton is a defensive stopper who can start, come off the bench, and score if necessary. Danuel House Jr. can defend on the block or perimeter and he also has no issue with starting or being the first person off the bench. Jalen McDaniels has embraced the mentality of being ready when your number is called. And Paul Reed, as well as Niang, know that when the little things are taken care of, then the bigger picture becomes crystal clear, which is to win games and advance throughout the postseason.</p>
<p id="7xkufS">The reserves know that over the span of 48 minutes, anything can happen. It is their job to stay ready physically and mentally when they get into the game, and to make the most of their opportunities. Reed explained the game within the game. </p>
<p id="BMmKh5">“I’m one of the guys who has to do the dirty work,” Reed said. “I have to box out, contest shots, I gotta talk on defense, sprint the floor, set the screens, roll hard — even though a lot of times I probably won’t get the ball, but it creates opportunities for my teammate, so that’s my role for the team — doing all the dirty work.” </p>
<p id="x7QaFO">“You know, boxing out, let’s say you have [<a href="https://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics</a> big man] Robert Williams, I gotta keep him off the glass. Half the time I’m not going to be the one to get the rebound, but as long as the team gets the rebound, that’s all that matters.”</p>
<p id="bopo44">This team has made changes in personnel over the years, and while that takes away from continuity, there are enough familiar faces that have been able to mold this group into a cohesive unit. </p>
<p id="Z3eweC">The additions of James Harden and P.J. Tucker have allowed for the communication to be better at critical moments. The conversations and adjustments within the game have been elevated, and the time spent in the locker room or during flights has reached a new level of camaraderie and accountability. </p>
<p id="vT0bjs">“There was a moment in Cleveland where I thought to myself, ‘Wow, we’re really turning the corner,’” Niang said, “and it was when we were down 13 [points] in the third quarter. Last year we were probably like, ‘uh...we’re probably not going to get this one, but we have Charlotte and Indiana, so we’ll take two out of three.’ ...</p>
<p id="I5xEr4">”Danuel House said something in the huddle, P.J. [Tucker] did, and Doc [Rivers] came in, then we went on a 7-0 run and now we’re back to being only down five and it’s like, that was a moment after that game where it’s like, ‘OK, this is the adversity you go through — that grit, that toughness, that championship teams show and we did that on the road, so that was a moment that I feel like on that road trip ... that feeling you have, like we’re headed in the right direction.”</p>
<p id="nJp6HO">The 76ers have the third seed in the conference with a comfortable lead ahead of Cleveland and a small margin separating Philadelphia from the second and first overall spots. They could potentially gain on the Celtics for the two seed and home court advantage in the coming weeks. That is something worth tracking as the playoff picture comes into focus.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/3/22/23651855/sixers-bench-rotation-georges-niang-deanthony-melton-paul-reed-jalen-mcdaniels-danuel-house-jrAnthony Gilbert2023-02-23T12:45:00-05:002023-02-23T12:45:00-05:00The keys to the Sixers’ success and what they need to improve on after the break
<figure>
<img alt="Philadelphia 76ers v Sacramento Kings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9K-jQOBSID-Pr6ygrRgDTyolX94=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72006035/1246672233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sixers’ improved depth and selflessness shined before the All-Star break, but there are still a couple areas where this team needs to improve to go on a deep run.</p> <p id="X0ElF1">The <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">76ers</a> top brass have done some retooling over the years, from trading for Jimmy Butler to re-signing James Harden. However some of the smaller moves, have paid big dividends. The trading of Ben Simmons was national news, yet the front office has had to fashion the roster in a way that makes basketball sense, without overhauling the lineup too much. This of course, is always easier said than done. So far, things are pretty good, with Philadelphia maintaining the third seed in the conference, as they have played well going into the All-Star break.</p>
<p id="M6H8ue">De’Anthony Melton has an important role in the success of this team. His ability to play both ends of the court is exactly what the backcourt needed. He is someone who can start, come off the bench, as well as finish in the fourth quarter. With averages of 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and a three-point percentage of 40.1, he is the definition of being reliable. His 1.7 steals per game is good enough for fourth overall in the NBA.</p>
<p id="5Xsk6A">The Hollywood, California native is used to being the center of attention, while delivering and most often exceeding the expectations.</p>
<p id="poIQ1l">“I’m ready for whatever,” Melton said recently. “Honestly, me and Tyrese [Maxey] kinda talked about it [starting in place of Maxey] even while he was hurt...what could happen, what may happen, or what might not happen.”</p>
<p id="aolL7Z">“I think we’re two flexible guys that are ready for whatever and ready to just win games,” Melton continued, “so I don’t think that stuff [starting or coming off the bench] really affected either one of us.”</p>
<p id="lVt9ND">Maxey has flourished since his return from injury, and the ultimate challenge is to win games, and secure a favorable seeding for the playoffs. Coach Doc Rivers has a wealth of talent at both guard positions, and no matter who starts or comes off the bench, it has been proven to earn a lot more wins than losses for the 76ers.</p>
<p id="sKVQp1">They have balance, from the caliber of players in the starting lineup to the second and/or third units off the bench. Two things need to happen between now and the end of the regular season:</p>
<p id="eC9kmk"><strong>1.</strong> Remain as healthy as possible. The teams who advance deep into the playoffs talk about how luck plays a factor into their overall success. When coaches and players discuss being lucky, more often than not they are referring to health.</p>
<p id="ScoPuU"><strong>2. </strong>Improve team rebounding. Championships can be made or broken on the boards. Be it offensive or defensive — the game within the game boils down to rebounding and securing the ball. Joel Embiid has enough scorers around him, so he does not have to account for the majority of the points. Crash the boards, and this team will win playoff games and wrap up a few series in less than seven games. Embiid is averaging 10.2 rebounds this season and has 11.2 per contest for his career. His 18 boards against Denver not only helped the 76ers secure a 126-119 win, it showed the world what he could do against the two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic.</p>
<p id="FWybrq">Melton is confident in his teammates and the task at hand. His recent struggles are minimal in comparison to his impact on the team. He entered the All-Star break on a high note as the Sixers outlasted the Cavs 118-112. Melton contributed 17 points, four assists and two rebounds.</p>
<p id="NrpWNm">He provided some insight on his mindset.</p>
<p id="Vsehvt">“Our team is resilient,”Melton said. “I feel like every game is kind of different — the matchups, the schemes and stuff like that — so we’ll just continue to fight, play our game and come out with a victory.”</p>
<p id="dWeLWf">“We have to go out there, play hard, play free, and just play defense,” Melton continued. “I think when we do those three things, with the team we got, the skill we got, I think more times than not, we’re coming out with the results we want.”</p>
<p id="yTsiUU">The 76ers will return to action Thursday night as they host the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com">Memphis Grizzlies</a> at 7:30 p.m.</p>
https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/2/23/23611963/the-keys-to-the-sixers-success-and-what-they-need-to-improve-on-after-the-breakAnthony Gilbert