Yeah exactly HRB
Sixers won 5 straight at home into the all star break.
Since Christmas they have been a top 3 team defensively and a top ten offensive team. Second in net rating overall.
Won without embiid yesterday coming back from 24 down vs the Heat. Nice to do instead of choke a lead.
Sixers are the best rebounding team in the league and that heat game was the most extreme example. They had 60 rebounds to Miami's 29! 23 offensive to Miami's 3. Again without embiid (who has really improved his rebounding) too.
Overall the keys to the improvement are the kids
Embiid is in better shape and he's still great (though still not as great as last year) defensively. Offensively the three hasn't been there but the face up game is legit and he can bully a lot of people.
All but a handful of teams have to double (which embiid is still inconsistent on and is prone to turnovers, but has had flashes).
This opens up the shooting.
In transition Simmons, esp off a board, pushes and creates opportunity for easy shots and if it isn't there he pulls it out.
Saric has been huge, as he's settled back in as a starter and a role has been carved out.
Depending on his matchup and if embiid is on the floor he can create out of the post, he's a wonderful passer but the key is his shot. He always seemed capable of it over time but it's been a big leap. He is up to .387 on 5 threes a game on the season. Mainly behind the break, and at his height it's a tough contest. He's not great defensively but he is smart and tries hard and he's surrounded by help.
Simmons is a revelation defensively is guarding 1-4 and is such a pest in passing lanes, the bbiq shows here.
Covington since he had a bad fall and hurt his back has not been the same guy offensively, part expected regression. He's just not a reliable shooter. But his defense is great.
They added balinelli which is great for shooting and another wing. Likely you have Redick or him in that running around shooter.
This let's you have three potenially reliable shooters, saric, JJ and Balinelli. Covington still is a threat too and can get hot. Anderson is more like Covington good defensively but up and down shooter.
Only weird thing is why Holmes is buried. Yes he's not a great defender yet but he's not THAT bad and he brings leaping ability and the ally ops with good passers around him
Ah well.
Booker is a great hustle guy but the team can't afford non shooters with Ben and amir Johnson getting playing time.
Tj McConnell has been great too. A triple double off the bench the other day. He can run the offense, he can hit a WIDE open 3 (actually at a good clip if he has the space for his.... Not quick shot). He knows his spot and can get there and is a real pest defensively
In short a great backup point