Philadelphia 76ers fulfilling hopes from around the world
By Bret Stuter
Blue collar team for blue collar city
On the other hand, this team is about as blue collar as they come. Workhorses like Dario Saric, T.J. McConnell, Robert Covington, and Richaun Holmes keep this team grounded. Standouts like Ben Simmons, J.J. Redick, and Joel Embiid keep this team winning. Still, the team is built around the love of the game, the willingness to play to the final buzzer, and the bar set at earning playing minutes. There is little favoritism on this team, as we have witnessed.
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But the team is changing it’s dynamics now. Playing time had been purely a matter of effort. Now, the team needs more than just effort – rather effort, effectiveness, and energy.
Sixers bar raised this year
That is why top-selection rookie Markelle Fultz is not getting playing time. He is putting in lots of effort, but his shot mechanics are discombobulated. The team is focusing on rejuvinating the young man’s shot before he takes the floor.
So too the team is looking at game mechanics. Dario Saric is getting the nod over Jerryd Bayless as the fifth starter now. But that’s not necessarily a “promotion” as it is “fit”. Bayless is that hybrid-guard insurance to defend a guard if Ben Simmons cannot do so. So far in this early seaon, Simmon has proven he is all point guard, plus more. And so, the 76ers have that option to call upon Saric to help in the front court. It’s been a process of acclimating Saric to the role needed with Simmons and Embiid on the floor. But he is finding his groove now. And the Sixers are winning very important games now as a result.