Section 215
Fansided

Is toughness over talent an issue for 76ers?

By Darren Yorkman

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

When looking at some of their games over the last few weeks, it seems like toughness may be an issue for the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s almost midway through the 2017-18 season, and the Philadelphia 76ers stand at 15-19, three games out of the last playoff spot,11.5 games out of first place. Center Joel Embiid has talked and tweeted his way into the ire of some of his opponents and even his faithful fans. He has also only missed a total of eight games so far this season, with seven of Philadelphia’s 19 losses coming in those games. His averages of 23.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2 blocks per game are admirable, solidifying him as a bona fide force in the league. His wing man Ben Simmons has displayed a unique blend of court vision, speed, power, and sporadic tenacity has propelled him to the front of most discussions when Rookie of the Year is mentioned. Top pick Markelle Fultz has only appeared in four games this season, and when he is eligible to return will more than likely come off of the bench. Is there reason for Sixers fans to have concern? What can be done to bring some consistency to this young, talented roster, who so far has not given fans much reason to trust the process.

Dario Saric has shown flashes of brilliance. He has also challenged the toughness of his teammates and then promptly got bullied by New York Knicks post players Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter. Then again, Kanter bullied everyone on Christmas afternoon, including Embiid. Still, it is safe to say that the Sixers would not have half of their 15 wins without the dogged determination and grit of the tough, consistent play of Saric. Robert Covington is fourth in the league in three-point shots made, and is just simply stout on defense. He has been struggling some of late, but in part due to his lack of adjusting to teams respecting his three-point prowess and forcing him to put the ball on the floor. J.J. Reddick has provided some exciting moments with his quick release, but it seems that any time there’s a fast break, he is just as quick to release the ball into the hands of the opponent. It has become a disheartening theme to see Reddick, Saric or Simmons running the floor, turning the ball over, and then adding insult to injury by not getting back on defense.

Is this what the Process looks like? Should we hold some accountability to the coaching staff who is directly responsible for at least three of the 19 losses with questionable crunch time decisions? Where do we really stand as a team mired in 10th place in the improving Eastern Conference?

I, as a lifelong Sixers fan, am NOT concerned. I truly believe that Fultz is as good as advertised and is the PERFECT fit for our offense, and is the answer for some of the holes that we have. I believe that our best starting lineup will be Fultz, Reddick, Simmons, Saric, and Embiid, with Fultz and Reddick on a short leash in favor of any combo of Covington/T.J. McConnell. The Sixers are so deep when healthy it is actually frightening, but the problem is we just haven’t been healthy yet. Our future shooter is already on the roster in Furkan Korkmaz and our future backups behind Embiid and Saric are being finely developed overseas.

More from Section 215

Saric hit the nail on the head with Philadelphia basketball being tough, gritty basketball. Guards in the post, hard fouls, tough possessions, ball control and controlling both the boards and the passing lanes. Look at the tapes. Any time we are a serious threat in the NBA, not just a talented afterthought, our identity is TOUGH! When looking at some of the key leaders over the years ranging from Allen Iverson to Charles Barkley, it’s easy to see why Philadelphia has a reputation for being such a tough city. And with tough fans, we like tough players. Not tough talkers, but tough players. You can teach shooting strokes, box out techniques, offensive and defensive plays, but you can’t teach heart.

You see the intense difference when Embiid plays after someone has challenged him or talked crazy to him, as he’s an absolute beast. Embiid has shown signs of greatness, but in his youth, he has also shown that if a real solid player goes about his work in the post and keeps his mouth closed he can post career numbers against the Philadelphia center. It seems that Embiid’s words have provoked every center that he faces. And while head to head he usually comes out on top, as it stands now our TEAM is out of the playoffs, again. Kanter, who normally averages 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, had himself a ball game on Christmas day with 31 points and 22 rebounds. That is potentially a problem. Yes, we got the win against a team with a better record than us, but our toughness is being questioned, and not only internally. Is it up to the coaches to address this? Is it something that can be addressed through a possible trade?

Next: Fultz shouldn't take McConnell's minutes

Whatever the case or reason, the Sixers are not playing up to potential, and if we were not in the Eastern Conference, this would be in dire straights. Instead of being a talented contender, Philadelphia appears to be a talented young team as of late that continues to blow double-digit leads in games they should be winning.