Takeaway Five: The Philadelphia 76ers Are 3-5 At Home
The Philadelphia 76ers began the season with five straight home losses. But in the month of November 2016, the team lost a squeaker to the Orlando Magic 103-101. Another too-close-to-ignore loss followed to the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-101. Finally, three consecutive victories over the Indiana Pacers 109-105 (OT), Washington Wizards (109-102) and Phoenix Suns (120-105). Let’s talk about why that is?
The team has played a consistent starting five. The team has been managing load restrictions at center. With the addition of Ilyasova, the team rotates at power forward position to keep Saric fresh. That has allowed the team to send out the same starting five in eight of twelve games. Consistency breeds consistency. As the same five share the same game time experiences, they build trust and anticipation.
Both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric were welcomed to Philadelphia with unconditional love before they ever played a game. Both players have turned the passion of the fans for their play into productive play. Much like the play of Allen Iverson, or Brian Dawkins, truly successful athletes in Philadelphia learn to convert the raw passion in the stands into passion on the field, or court.
Finally, running against the grain of fans who have been quick to assign blame to head coach Brett Brown, the team’s three win five loss performance at home, despite no play from Bayless, Noel, and Simmons, is nothing short of incredible for this team.
Next: Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Post Game Grades
The Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid on the roster and the soon-to-be-arriving Ben Simmons in January 2017. While this is the earliest for the team to reach three wins since November 2013, there are more potential wins to be had this month.
The team has only played five of their first thirteen contests on the road. Eventually the 76ers will need to translate some of this early success away from home.