Philadelphia 76ers fulfilling hopes from around the world

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 after making a basket and getting fouled in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 after making a basket and getting fouled in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 25: Dario Saric
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 25: Dario Saric

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.

Bill Simmons 'guarantees' Knicks will have one of three stars by next year
Bill Simmons 'guarantees' Knicks will have one of three stars by next year

Daily Knicks

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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.