The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Not Delivering Rebounds, Especially At Offensive Boards

By Bret Stuter

Nov 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) and guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) talks during a break in the action in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) and guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) talks during a break in the action in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Wells Fargo Center. The Orlando Magic won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) talk during a break in the action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard Sergio Rodriguez (14) talk during a break in the action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Something Worth Looking Into

Of course it goes without saying that this is a very young team with plenty to fix/develop all around. But rebounding is a skillset that can improve dramatically by good coaching.  A team that can win on the boards wins games.

Effective rebounding can help the team in many ways.  It improves a team’s defense by limiting the number of shooting opportunities of the opponent. Conversely, it bolsters a team’s offense by adding to the number of scoring opportunities.  It is the ignition to the fast break.

Rebounding is the duct tape solution to an ailing NBA team. A team that wins the boards has a much easier path.

To the fast break point?  The Philadelphia 76ers have been averaging 10.6 fast break points (courtesy of NBA.com/stats).  Meanwhile, their opponents have been averaging 23.0 fast break points per game.

Nothing is as simple as waving a wand, or saying you will do something, and it magically happens.  If the team prioritizes rebounds, it will take some time to move the needle.  The team cannot passively hope that players returning to health will fix this.

It won’t.

If the team is truly emphasizing defense, rebound drills had better be an integral part of that emphasis.  With rebounds on the upswing, the team will have a better presence in both offense and defense.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers 92.8 PPG Is NBA Worst

The Philadelphia 76ers can no longer rationalize losses on the basketball court as victory on draft night. The team must pull together and become fundamentally sound as it develops and adapts. With the team scoring at the bottom rung of the NBA ladder, the team must be tenacious in improving it’s scoring opportunities.

After all, it’s what Sam Hinkie would do.