Nov 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) shoots over Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Twelve games in, and twelve straight losses (not counting how many they ended last season with) is how the Philadelphia 76ers have started this season off. With them having a top three pick to boast that’s supposed to be the cornerstone of the next chapter for the franchise, this is not how the season was supposed to start, but at the same time, it was expected.
Fans are already loving the tanking, and looking forward to getting four possible first round picks in the draft next season. Ben Simmons looks like he could end up as a Sixer, and Dion Waiters has (apparently) voiced to a source that he wants to come to Philly. So, it looks like things are looking up, but their current record definitely doesn’t show it.
On top of all of this, the Sixers continue to play basketball that is actually fun to watch. They’ve kept some games–even against teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks–close and enjoyable. At the same time, they’ve been embarrassed by teams like the Toronto Raptors, and had fans chanting “trust the process” during the fourth quarters of games.
12 games in, and we’ve learned a lot about this young Sixers team.
Next: Okafor is a monster
Nov 14, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (L) and San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (R) battle for the ball on the floor during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jahlil Okafor is a monster
We knew he was going to be good, but did we anticipate him being this good, this early? Most didn’t think Jahlil Okafor could be this good so early on. I had him pegged as a 12-15 point per game guy, while having troubles on defense and at the foul line. Now, the defensive struggles are there, but he’s quieted his doubters from the free throw line, shooting 64.4%. It has been concerning that he missed some critical free throws (see his fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic), but we’ll let that slide as a one-time thing, at least for now.
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In his first 10 games, he has scored double digits nine times.
Okafor has inserted his name as a top contender, especially for his age. In his first few games, he was making himself one of five, one of three, and one of one in some categories, specifically in points. Okafor, through 10 games, had himself as the third player all time in points scored for a teenager in his first 10 games of his career. The only two above him were Dajuan Wagner and Kevin Durant (only trailed Wagner by two points, Durant by 201).
Considering through age 21, which adds a lot more legendary players to the mix like Michael Jordan (the leader in this instance), Allen Iverson, and Paul Pierce, Okafor was still just 19th on that list. For his age, and even for a rookie in general, what Okafor is doing offensively is remarkable.
For all centers 21 and under in their first 10 games of their career, Okafor is third all time in points scored in the first 10 games, trailing just Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon.
It can be considered even more remarkable given that this is a changing time for the center position, and Okafor does things differently than most centers who are expected to space the floor. Okafor dominates the paint like a classic big man, and does it well.
Next: Noel is still impactful
Nov 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Wells Fargo Center. The Mavericks won 92-86. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nerlens Noel is still impactful
Through the first 10 games, Nerlens Noel was averaging 11.5 points, 1.4 blocks, 9.0 rebounds, and 32.3 minutes per game. Really, it doesn’t seem like a whole lot, especially when his counterpart in the front court is doing so much. But when Nerlens missed two straight games, the team obviously missed him.
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After getting ejected against the Orlando Magic, Nerlens missed two straight games due to a wrist injury, which appeared to possibly be because he hit a wall on his way out of getting ejected. Regardless of how he hurt the wrist, he had to miss time, and the Sixers really seemed to need him.
Okafor did well trying to make up for the rebounds that Noel would have offered, pulling in 22 in the two games that Noel missed.
The two games Noel missed proved to be two of the worst games of the season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Of course, they resulted in losses, but they lost by an average of 19.3. The absence of Noel was clear.
When Noel scored just two points against the Indiana Pacers, the Sixers played poorly. When Nerlens is around and doing well, the Sixers do well.
Although not extremely loud, Noel is quietly making an impact on this Sixers team, despite his stat line not showing a whole lot of production on the offensive side. It also points to Noel not getting shuffled out as Okafor grows, and him being a big part of the next chapter of this franchise.
Next: The team is full of surprises
Feb 27, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (white jacket) reacts with team mates after a score against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Wizards 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The team is full of surprises
This one doesn’t need much explanation. I could write just a few names on this slide, and you’d understand the “surprises” that have come with this team. In fact, you probably already know who I’m going to talk about.
Of course, there’s T.J. McConnell, who wasn’t even expected to be on the final roster. McConnell worked hard in training camp and during preseason games, and as one of the only healthy point guards found a point guard spot on the team landing right in his lap. Of course, he earned it, but it was made much easier by all the injuries.
T.J. didn’t start the first few games, as Isaiah Canaan‘s seniority trumped McConnell’s despite Canaan not being built to be a true point guard. McConnell waited, and did well off of the bench, and proved he was ready to start. In the game preceding his first start, he had 12 assists, and no turnovers.
He would follow that up in his first career start with just one turnover and 12 assists yet again. Since becoming the starter, he’s averaging over seven assists and just 2.6 turnovers again. He’s promoting a more productive offense.
The roster is definitely far from polished. In fact, it’s safe to say that most of this roster won’t be here two years down the road. Nerlens Noel is the longest tenured player, and has only been around for three years, so it’s safe to say that the team is fluid, and the roster is changing all the time. But that doesn’t mean that for this season and beyond, there aren’t some surprises on the bench and in the lineup.
I have my eyes on Richaun Holmes and Christian Wood to be the next surprises. With some more confidence instilled in them from head coach Brett Brown in the form of minutes, maybe they could impact further games more than they have, and supply some relief to Noel and Okafor.
Next: Needing to pick up the pace
Nov 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) dives for a loose ball past Indiana Pacers guard Joe Young (1) and guard Glenn Robinson III (40) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Pacers won 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers still need to pick up the pace
Brett Brown has said from the second game in that pace has been a big issue for the Sixers, and a big reason they haven’t come up with any wins. Since then, not that much has changed regarding the pace. The Sixers still have a pace of 96.8, which is 15th out of 30 in the league.
There’s a clear issue with the pace, but it actually is getting better. They currently sit higher than the pace of 95.7 they set last year. Theres a general issue getting the ball down the court quickly and moving things along. Fast break point are not there, although Monday against the Dallas Mavericks, the team seemed to keep up with fast breaks. The pace that night was over 101, much higher than the Sixers average.
This notion of the team doing better with fast breaks and pace is a bit skewed, because it seems like the Sixers play much more sloppy when they get going on fast breaks. 27 turnovers was the product of Monday night against the Mavs, and some of it seemed to be credited to the fact that the Sixers weren’t used to fast break plays.
Next: Sixers need more offensive weapons in order to win
Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Hollis Thompson (31) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers need more offensive weapons in order to get a win
Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are doing a lot to score, both averaging double digit points per game. Besides that, there hasn’t been much of anything as far as getting the ball in the hoop. T.J. McConnell is great at facilitating, but doesn’t assert himself as a scorer. Kendall Marshall likely won’t score much when he comes back. Tony Wroten could, but don’t count on it.
I’m not sure anyone on this team is going to offer themselves as an offensive weapon this season more than they already have. Stauskas has the potential to, but fails to make his shots, shooting just [x]% from beyond the three point arc.
Hollis Thompson has quietly been doing his thing from downtown, shooting 27.3% from three. But besides these, the Sixers are finding themselves undermanned on the offensive end, only scoring 90.6 points per game. That is something that simply may not be fixed this season, and may be something that is fixed by next year, or even the year after that. The process is tough, but watching basketball like this is part of any rebuilding.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers That Need To Step Up
Still, the Sixers scrap for every game, and often come close, even against teams like the Dallas Mavericks, a decent Western Conference team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get a win before Christmas, which is a lot quicker than a lot of people have them.
Overall, the basic attitude of Sixers fans is “we’re glad we aren’t Sacramento Kings fans.”