The Sixer Sense
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5 Takeaways from Memphis Grizzles game

By Kevin Kolodziej

Nov 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looses the ball while shooting during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looses the ball while shooting during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as time winds down on a victory against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as time winds down on a victory against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1 – The Whole Team is Looking More Confident

Earlier in the season, Nik Stauskas and Robert Covington were nearly boo’d out of the City of Brotherly Love. Now, just a couple of weeks later, the duo is playing some of the best basketball of their respective careers, and there’s a simple explanation for it —  Confidence.

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And you can see it every time they touch the ball.

At the beginning of the season, it didn’t even seem like Stauskas wanted to be on the court. Now, every time he steps onto the hardwood, he’s greeted by an ovation from the crowd on hand at the Wells Fargo Center. He is having success driving through the hole and connecting on his shots from 3-point range, and the hometown fans have taken notice.

At the same time, guys like Covington, Jerryd Bayless, Hollis Thompson and Ersan Ilyasova all look equally confident.

Don’t forget about rookie phenom Joel Embiid, either. Despite going up against some of the most talented defensive centers in the league already this year, he calls for the ball each offensive possession. It doesn’t matter who is guarding him, Embiid believes that he can beat them.

That kind of confidence is contagious, and as of late (especially during Wednesday’s game) the team that had just 10 wins a season ago has looked confident against some of the best teams that the NBA has to offer.

The Sixers are off to their best start to a season in three years, and if they want to keep the momentum going, they’ll have to continue to keep their confidence at a high level.