The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Why Philadelphia 76ers Are Improving

By Bret Stuter

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) and forward Robert Covington (33) shoot at the basket from the second floor balcony during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) and forward Robert Covington (33) shoot at the basket from the second floor balcony during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Dario Saric (9) battle with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Dario Saric (9) battle with Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Kaleidoscope

The Philadelphia 76ers have played a total of 20 games this season, nearly 25 percent of the season is complete. Of those 20 games, the team has started the same five just 50 percent of the time. Part of that flux is the need to manage Joel Embiid’s game load. He has not started in games on two consecutive days yet. Another aspect is the change of roles at power forward, where Ersan Ilyasova arrived and assumed the starting role at the four over Dario Saric.

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Compared to last season, this roster has been steady Freddie.

Injuries Hurt

With injuries, comes excessive minutes which must be absorbed by the remainder of the roster. The dreaded logjam at center has yet to arrive, as centers have been limited in playing time. This team has been thin in positions believed to be robust: small forward, point guard and even power forward.

Only shooting guard has boasted depth and  consistent roles with the team so far this season.

But despite shallow depth at many positions, head coach Brett Brown has been able to slow down the Kaleidoscope.  In lay terms, the line up is remaining the same.

Yes, Henderson came off the bench on one night.  It’s also true that Covington came off the bench on another night.  Finally, Dario Saric and Ersan Ilyasova are competing for a starting role, each starting in 10 games so far this season.  Consistency breeds improvement.   Improvement breeds attitude. Attitude breeds consistency.

The team is starting its climb off the runway.