On several occasions since his arrival at the Sixers, Nick Nurselike Steve Kerr with the arrival of Chris Paul to the Warriors, referred to “ six holders » which he thought he could have at his disposal. “ There might only be five left, yeah! “, laugh about it today the 76ers technician.
To hear it, it therefore seems unlikely that James Harden, who was still conspicuous by his absence at “training camp”, puts on his shorts for Thursday’s opening match in Milwaukee, against the Bucks. The bearded man has not trained with the team for ten days.
But his coach says he contacted him recently by message. “ Like I would with anyone. I just wanted to know how he was, if he was okay, and he said », Reports the former Raptors coach, without revealing the content of the response. Nor even give a clue as to the player’s potential return with the 76ers: “ I didn’t broach the subject. I just made sure he was okay. »
The correct formula of five?
We are thus moving towards a start to the season for Pennsylvania players without the former Rockets MVP. So, what high five for them? Nick Nurse seemingly found the right formula by finishing the preseason, against the Hawks, with Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker and Joel Embiid.
Little used last year, this combination presents on paper a good balance on both sides of the field, with enough shooters to surround the reigning MVP.
Nothing is less certain, however, regarding rotations. “ We’re probably close to 12 guys who are good enough or who have shown us enough to fit into the rotation right now. Maybe even more, but 12 for sure », displays the former Canadian coach.
He could, for example, be tempted to surprise Jaden Springer. About to start his third season, the 28th choice of the 2021 Draft looked good in preseason, averaging 10 points (67% on shots, including 87.5% from distance) in four outings.
Danny Green and Kelly Oubre Jr. as reinforcements
“ I would say that he played his part to be clearly taken into consideration. It’s a rich man’s problem. It gives us another player who plays hard and defends, which is never enough, really. So this is a good problem that we need to solve », Formulates Nick Nurse whose back lines are already busy, reinforced this summer by the arrivals of Danny Green and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The first, with whom the coach won the title in 2019 in Toronto, was “ a big question mark » in relation to his physical level after his long convalescence. But his return to Philadelphia seems conclusive: “ He played very well, so that’s another element that was added to the list. Kelly was clearly the most used. And what made things a little more difficult was the unavailability of (Daniel) House and Furk (Furkan Korkmaz) during the preseason. »
The latter two were still able to show things in preparation, in short sequences. “ These guys have all proven that they can come in and help us in some way. It will all depend on how we go about it, how we go from one night to the next, or what the match requires. Maybe in the middle of the match the plan will change too », Anticipates Nick Nurse to finish.
