The Philadelphia Experiment - ...And Live With The Consequences

[Warsaw]

Warsaw, you come across Geltzeiler's SI article?

A lot of it I thought was hyperbolic and some of it demonstrably incorrect, interested to get your views on Embiid's supposed attitude problems though, of course factoring in his brother's death.

So much of that article was ridiculous, and apparently Geltzeiler's had a history of slagging off Hinkie, that I find it pretty hard to take anything of what was written seriously.

The Embiid stuff is the only thing worth considering, and his less than exemplary attitudes towards rehabilitation has been documented, so even that wasn't really new information. And whilst I don't think he blatantly ignored medical advice and broke his foot, I do think he contributed to it not healing properly.

But I don't think any of this is cause to be concern. The article doesn't reflect anything about the Sixers or Embiid as they stand today. He's about to miss his second straight season, I think he gets that if he doesn't get this right, he may never have an NBA career.

 

[Warsaw]

No Covington for two weeks. No Marshall and Wroten. Expect Stauskas to be right, but I don't think he's ever scrimmaged with the team (ditto Kendall).

Haven't watched much of the pre-season, but seen enough to know that the back court is dire. Well we knew that from the start, but still. Canaan will make the final team, but watching him play point is going to be awful. Struggles to get the ball past half court if a press is on.

Start of the season might be brutal, last season start brutal. Okafor should put up his numbers, but will probably be inefficient when he does. But I think Nerlens is on the verge of something great. He's per/36 numbers over pre season have been insane. And he looks much better finishing at the rim. Please don't trade him Sam.

Line's set at 21.5, I'm seeing a 27-55 season. And like last year, much improved after All-Star.

What's everyone else got?

 

[madman]

We are going to have a poor start to the season due to injuries, back court will be a struggle. I think we will get about 25 wins.

I just want to see productive seasons out of players like Noel, Okafor, Stauskas and Covington who could be important players for us in the future.

 

[Dignan]

Good summations, covered most of it

Watched the last few preseason games and yeah, it wasn't pretty. The final game against Boston - holy **** that was bad. McConnell was the only guard who looked like he had a clue, and he was still average. Going to be a tough slog until our back court is fit

Of those coming in, Stauskas is one I'll follow with interest this year. Plenty of talent there for sure, young and a good shooter. If our offence ever functions like it's supposed to he should get some good looks, and if he can knock them down at a good % should post some decent numbers.


Oh and will be keeping an eye on the situation with picks/pick swaps, as usual

 

[madman]

So Saturday night I went out and we were playing table tennis at a friends then I injured my foot.....

It was pretty painful, I couldn't walk so I got it checked at a sports-med today and apparently I've broken my navicular bone, on the right foot as well.

I'm in a moon boot for 6 weeks, and when I get it checked after to see how the healing is going, only then will I find out how long until I fully recover. I want to see if I can return back to basketball faster than Embiid Don't think mine is as bad as his.

 

[Dignan]

That's some hardcore table tennis...

best of luck w recovery madman

 

[Warsaw]

Lay off the Shirley Temples and you'll be right in no time

 

[Dignan]

Pierre Jackson
Scottie Wilbekin
J.P. Tokoto
Jordan McRae
Furkan Aldemir

all waived

 

[PendlesPremiers]

That's a good cull. I'll be watching Christian Wood with interest- a lottery talent with a D-League temperament.

Other than that, this season is about five things:

1. Noel and Okafor's partnership.
2. The Kings' record
3. The Lakers' record
4. The Heat's record
5. The Thunder's record

And it starts tomorrow! Woohoo!

 

[samFFC]

Fun first game - watched with free trial of League Pass.

Okafor is superb - just fantastic. Double teamed most of game, still ended with 26. Caused 8 TO which was a factor of being on the court, being double teamed and first game out. Must stay healthy.

Noel showing progress - blocking and OR particular highlights. If he can take away some of the double team of Okafor that will make them both even more dangerous in the paint.

McConnell gave good hustle and nice to see had healthy minutes. A bit too foul heavy so needs to work on that.

Overall positives:
15 offensive rebounds!
Okafor
Players to come back in

Overall negatives:
22 turnovers - even for night one that is unacceptable. Okafor needs to tighten up on that as time goes by.
12 assists - needs to massively improve. Relates to TO and to Okafor/Noel double team. Improve positioning and can improve assisting with more free flowing shots from the elbow and outside.
26-7 down in fast break points. This should be our strength, especially if the big guys are being held down or off court. Mainly relates to the TO (in terms of giving away 26) but need to move the ball quicker and cleaner. Celtics probably not one of the easiest sides to score fast break points off. Hopefully better outcome in Jazz.

 

[Warsaw]

Okafor straight up bullied Celtics one-on-one. Will be interesting to see how it goes against Gobert.

Legitimately excited to see what happens when Marshall, our only real legit NBA PG, hits the floor with them.

Had a bench of four players with 65 games experience between them (all Jerami).

 

[PendlesPremiers]

I loved it. Okafor's strengths were so apparent, and his weaknesses seem easily rectifiable. Don't dribble out of double teams, pass quickly and reset in the post. Don't try and pass the ball like an overhead bullet.
The final thing he needs to improve will take time, but there should be no stopping him: increase your cardio fitness!

 

[samFFC]

I loved it. Okafor's strengths were so apparent, and his weaknesses seem easily rectifiable. Don't dribble out of double teams, pass quickly and reset in the post. Don't try and pass the ball like an overhead bullet.
The final thing he needs to improve will take time, but there should be no stopping him: increase your cardio fitness!

Thought cardio fitness was super impressive for a debut game where he was in every touch of the ball whilst in court (and had major minutes!!). But yup agree with you - excitement level 9000!!

 

[Dignan]

Well, that was tough viewing (admittedly I had to go out and missed a chunk of the middle of the game).

Just awful offence, 30% from the field. Marshall back will be important.

Stauskas with 12 on debut and shot it well. Okafor was always going to struggle to back up that first game against the likes of Gobert etc but he showed some good aggression and physicality, all good traits to see.

Didn't realise how tough our schedule was early on 'til the commentators mentioned it - 26 of 36 away to start or something? Cleveland up next, too.

 

[samFFC]

Yup considerably less fun this morning! And Cavs up next *shudder*

Need a lot more from offense. Look pedestrian and somewhat amateur at times - trying to clear out and let one guy go one on two with a drive. If we had someone like Lebron this fair enough but have no one of that quality. Until we get that sorted we won't be able to keep in touch with teams home or away!

 

[Warsaw]

DARRRRRRRRRRIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

http://www.nj.com/sixers/index.ssf/...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

'I'm in constant contact with the Sixers,"Saric told Croatia's JutarnjiList. "They wanted me to come this summer, but I couldn't get out of the contract. Next summer I have a way out, and I'm gonna take it. I'll try to go out as the Euroleague champion. That's the dream.'

 

[Warsaw]

Also lol

 

[Dignan]

Home from work and watching replay now.

WHAT THE **** WAS THAT FIRST QUARTER JESUS CHRIST

 

[Warsaw]

Draft Watch


The dream scenario right now is Simmons, Murray (with LAL pick). Will probably die of a heart attack if it happens.

 

[PendlesPremiers]

Draft Watch


The dream scenario right now is Simmons, Murray (with LAL pick). Will probably die of a heart attack if it happens.

Agreed. Though the great news is that three of the top five prospects are small forwards- Simmons, Ingram and Brown. A part of me would actually prefer Ingram of the three.

 

[samFFC]

Home from work and watching replay now.

WHAT THE **** WAS THAT FIRST QUARTER JESUS CHRIST

Second quarter was good too, if played full 12 minutes would have been around 60 points. Wowza!
I didn't see second half but obviously similar story by the sounds of it, better team gets a run on, LeBron and co rise to the challenge and get moving.

But first half, much better fast break play, more good offensive boards, some nice work inside by Noah and good all round FG shooting helps. Defensively Cavs missed a few they shouldn't have but was probably best defence thus far.

 

[madman]

Draft Watch


The dream scenario right now is Simmons, Murray (with LAL pick). Will probably die of a heart attack if it happens.

Hopefully the Lakers get a few wins so their pick becomes unprotected.

 

[Warsaw]

Couple of thoughts.

Best the team has looked as a collective in some while, but really should have come away with the W. Same goes with the game against Cleveland had we not missed open 3s.

Canaan is done, or should be. Was useless tonight, to the point where you could argue he cost us the game. It's pretty damning when you're late into the 4th quarter, with the game on the line, and Brown decides to put in Phil Pressey - the guy we claimed with the hardship excepted earlier in the morning - for his first minutes as a Sixer. And Pressey looked competent!

Really surprised by T.J though. Didn't think much of him coming into the season, but has proven me wrong. His play is what I expected us to get with Marshall (w/more scoring). Some stat line - 7(3-4)/9/12 1 to.

Okafor and Noel man. 4 games into their partnership and they're already one of the better frontcourts in the league. It does leave me a little unsure when/if Embiid gets healthy. But **** me can you imagine the luxury we'd have if one of them came off the bench, or if Noel played the 3.

 

[madman]

Simmons (I really hope) - Noel - Okafor + Embiid

 

[Warsaw]

Canaan is done, or should be. Was useless tonight, to the point where you could argue he cost us the game. It's pretty damning when you're late into the 4th quarter, with the game on the line, and Brown decides to put in Phil Pressey - the guy we claimed with the hardship excepted earlier in the morning - for his first minutes as a Sixer. And Pressey looked competent!

Reverse that!