Nov 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard
(31) drives against Memphis Grizzlies center
Marc Gasol(33) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Phiadelphia 92-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
After a winless November, Philadelphia 76ers fans still have things to look forward to in December.
The first full month of basketball hasn’t gone exactly as planned for the Philadelphia 76ers. At the same time, things seem to be falling exactly into place under the constraints of Sam Hinkie, the team’s general manager. November was a lull for most fans, and a dreary time to be a Sixers fan.
November proved to be yet another winless month for the boys in the red, white, and blue. Now sitting at 0-18, they’ve tied the NBA record for the worst start to a season. 16 of those losses came in November.
Several games were hard fought, fairly close games. A two point loss to the Houston Rockets in their second-to-last game of the month would be their closest margin of defeat, and possibly the toughest loss to date. Six games in November were within five points for the Sixers, which has fans optimistic that very soon, a win is coming up.
November ended on a dramatic note, with rookie center Jahlil Okafor getting into a street fight against a Boston Celtics fan. Distractions like this definitely don’t help the team by any means, and it’s tough to see the young star of the team make such a poor decision.
Despite November being ultimately depressing, it was capped off by a tough six game road trip. Maybe, with an easier schedule in December, things could be looking up for them as the new month unfolds. Here’s what to expect in the upcoming month.
Next: Some wins, more losses
Nov 25, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward
Nerlens Noel(4) sits on the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
A few wins, but more losses
With a new month comes a new phase of the NBA schedule. It’s hard to believe that the team is coming up on being a quarter of the way through the season, but that’s the reality. Although we’ve seen several close games that came down to the final minutes in the fourth quarter, the Sixers have still failed to show they can capitalize, having won no games so far.
The month starts well for them. On the first of the month, they seek a win over the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been just as pitiful as Philly this year. This is the only game that Philly is statistically favored in all season, at this point. It’s also going to be Kobe Bryant‘s last game in Philadelphia. Although the month is filled with a lot of Western Conference teams that may seem hard to beat, the Sixers have kept themselves in the running with a lot of teams that most people counted them out of before the games even started.
The way I see it, looking over the December schedule, there’s 14 games out of 22 that the Sixers should be counted in as “in the running for.” Will they win all of these games? Absolutely not, but they will definitely be in the running through most of the fourth quarter in a lot of them.
Overall in December, expect a few wins, but more losses, as usual. Expecting five wins may even be pushing it, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Philly escape December with five wins, despite distractions that have been present as of late.
Next: An improved second unit
Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard
Tony Wroten(1) before action against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. The Cavaliers won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
A better second unit
The Sixers have some serious depth, but for the most part, it’s been in suits on the end of the bench. Robert Covington, Tony Wroten, and Kendall Marshall have all been regular attenders to the Sixers’ games, but have missed a lot of games. Covington is back, and Wroten and Marshall will be coming back very soon.
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So far, the team has been dealing with not being able to play well down the stretch because they don’t have a second-unit that can keep up with other teams’. But with December is coming a new look to the team. Nik Stauskas, Isaiah Canaan and T.J. McConnell will have some relief in the backcourt with Marshall and Wroten nearing return.
In the three spot, Robert Covington is hopefully headed back to his usual form, and will be reaching his full potential–hopefully–sometime in December. With all of these players coming back and Covington starting to heat up, the Sixers could do some serious damage.
Although Wroten and Marshall coming back doesn’t answer all the questions, it certainly gets us going in the right direction. T.J. McConnell has held things down well, averaging 6.2 assists per game so far, and has been a consistent starter in Marshall’s absence. It’s not clear if Marshall will eventually be the starter, but either way, him coming back gives the Sixers more depth and a better second-unit.
Next: Nerlens could break out of his shell
Nov 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) looks to pass over Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Andrew Wiggins(22) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nerlens Noel breaking out of his shell
Nerlens Noel hasn’t had a great year so far. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s been disappointing, but maybe that was to be expected. It’s tough for any player to change positions, and moving from being a dominant center to a power forward with a jump shot is going to take some time. Noel looked decent in the first few games, but has become a bit stale in November.
Perhaps, though, that staleness derived from an injury Noel sustained. The cause of the injury is still debated, but Noel injured his wrist and was out for a few games. Despite playing decently prior to that injury, when he came back from it, he didn’t seem to be himself.
Before the injury, (not including the game he was ejected in that he didn’t play in full) Noel scored double digit points in all but one game, and had at least two blocks in all but one game.
Since coming back from that injury, though, Nerlens has not been the same, scoring single digit points and rebounds per game, and having zero block games five times. He has only had one game with more than one block.
Some think that he’s having trouble moving over to the four spot, but others think that it’s an issue of Okafor and Noel not being completely compatible.
Me? I think it’s a combination of the two problems, and an injury on top of that that is making things go sour. I also I think it’s something that’s going to get ironed out over times. The more games the two play together, and the more Noel plays at the power forward spot will allow Noel to get used to his revised role.
It starts in December. Be on the lookout for an increase in production from Noel, and be on the lookout to see him break out of the shell he’s been in all season.
Next: A BIG matchup
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward
Kristaps Porzingis(6) looks on from the bench against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
One of the biggest match-ups of the season
After getting booed in New York City when he was selected by the New York Knicks, Kristaps Porzingis has put on a show. Knicks fans have suddenly forgotten that they booed the Latvian player, and are embracing him with open arms.
Porzingis is in high contention for the Rookie of the Year award alongside players like Karl Anthony-Towns and the Sixers’ very own, Jahlil Okafor.
December 2nd marks the first time Okafor and Porzingis are facing off, and it’s bound to be a showdown. Some of the most exciting Sixers games all year have been ones that Jah has had a big matchup in.
Here’s Jahlil’s stat-lines against some of his biggest opponents so far this year.
- Pau Gasol and the Chicago Bulls: 21 points, 15 rebounds.
- Jonas Valanciunas and the Toronto Raptors: 26 points, 7 rebounds.
- Against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs: 21 points, 12 rebounds.
- Against Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat: 16 points, 11 rebounds.
- Against Karl Anthony-Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves: 25 points, 12 rebounds.
Next: Sixers Fans Forgot About Carl Landry
So far this season, Kristaps is averaging 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. It should be an exciting match to see, and one of the best rookie ones of the year.
I personally think Okafor will put on a show and be able to have a big game against yet another powerful big man, but only time will tell us how it will go.