Only four teams have a record above 70%: the Celtics, the Wolves, the Bucks and the Sixers. While they were promised a difficult start to the season, or even a season, because of the Harden soap opera, Joel Embiid's teammates maneuvered perfectly, and management hit the mark by recovering “role players” against the best passer of the last season.
The most complicated thing for Nick Nurse? Give everyone some playing time. If Nicolas Batum quickly settled into the starting five, it is more complicated for others, and the only way to satisfy the players at the end of the bench is to win by a wide margin. As was the case this week with four spankings inflicted on the Wizards, the Pistons twice, and the Hornets. In four matches, the differential is monstrous: +148!
An efficient “third unit”
“They deserve to play, but sometimes life is like that,” testifies Joel Embiid. “That’s why we just want to play the best we can to give them a chance.” We also see that when they enter the match, they don't do anything. They continue to defend hard and, offensively, attack the basket. They always try to do the right thing.”
The players concerned are Danuel House Jr, Mo Bamba or KJ Martin. They take over in the 4th quarter to maintain a gap and show themselves. Their seriousness is commendable in “garbage time”.
“Often someone crosses half the field and shoots,” recalls Nick Nurse about these one-sided fourth quarters. “But they remain very connected to each other, and that's what interests me: each of them has shown that they can play. We'll need everyone. »
Play without looking at the opponent's record
In Philly, we have the luxury of having a “third unit”, some of whom could be starters in certain formations, or at least 7th or 8th man. “It's obvious that the third unit doesn't have Joel Embiid in its ranks, but we still practice the same systems” recalls Mo Bamba. “We always advocate the same spacing, the same concepts. It's about showing coaches that you know the systems, you know the coverages and you're really in it. »
For Joel Embiid, it therefore became a mission to ensure that everyone could play. This allows everyone to be involved in the project, and to prepare everyone to take over in the event of an injury to a player in the rotation.
For the 2023 MVP, there is a completely different approach, compared to previous seasons, and the team is not slacking off against bottom-of-the-table teams.
“We don’t play based on opponents’ records”notes the Sixers pivot. “This year, we seem to want to focus on ourselves. » And Joel Embiid sets the example with an impressive series of games with 30 points and 10 rebounds. In three quarters.
