Removed from the rotation, the “old” Sixers take their troubles patiently

After three games, the Sixers surprisingly have the worst record in the league, tied with the Rockets and the Magic! A scenario difficult to imagine a week ago. And yet…

Defeated by Boston, Milwaukee and especially San Antonio, the men of Doc Rivers are already in trouble and we will quickly have to find solutions to reverse the trend. Perhaps these will come from the bench, where three players have so far been chomping at the bit, having been prominent parts of Philadelphia’s rotation in recent years: Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton.

Not – or almost not – used by their coach, the three rear / wingers of the Sixers were discarded in favor of PJ Tucker, De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House. A situation obviously difficult to accept, but the NBA is not one to be sentimental…

“ Everyone knows that there is no guaranteed game time here. It doesn’t matter if you’re new or if you’ve been here for six years. What counts right now is the one who puts in his shots, the one who defends the best, because he will stay on the pitch. We all know », remember for example Furkan Korkmaz (7.6 points on average in 21 minutes last season), did not come into play once this week.

For his part, Shake Milton (8.2 points on average in 21 minutes last season) knows that he will have opportunities to remember the good memories of Doc Rivers, because the regular season is long, very long even.

“ If you’re as confident as you say you are and believe in your abilities, then it doesn’t matter [qui est arrivé dans l’effectif] “, he judges as well. ” Things will happen as they should. My mindset has always been, ‘I see the kind of team we’re building and I hope I can impact it and help it the best I can’. And I have the feeling that everyone has the same mentality. »

The disturbing disappearance of Matisse Thybulle…

But perhaps the most disturbing case of the three is that of Matisse Thybulle. Holder 50 times in 2021/22 (for 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 interceptions on average in 26 minutes), the Australian then saw his role diminish in the playoffs, due to his vaccination status and his offensive limits.

Finally, he has now (almost) disappeared from the Sixers’ rotation at the start of the season: only 4 small minutes of cumulative playing time, over three games!

“ He works and he will play, but Danuel House and De’Anthony Melton are ahead of him right now “, However, reassures Doc Rivers about him. ” His attitude is very positive so far. As a manager you always have to take what you think is the right decision for the team, but you also have to take care of the players as such. You have to try to keep them in the right frame of mind. »

Precisely, Matisse Thybulle currently maintains the right state of mind because, even if his coaching-staff has not yet communicated with him regarding his personal situation, he continues to work in his corner, waiting for better days…

“ For me it’s just about staying ready and doing my best on my side “, insists the one who initially aimed for the MIP trophy and who will be free agent protected next summer. ” I don’t know what’s going on the side [du coaching-staff] and what decisions will be made, but I’m waiting for my name to be called. Anyway, I can’t get in myself. Well, I could try, but it probably wouldn’t go so well then… »