The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 improvements the Sixers need to make for a playoff run

By Dan Volpone

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before a NBA game against the Miami Heat on February 27, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before a NBA game against the Miami Heat on February 27, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 2: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 2, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 2: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 2, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Defending quicker guards

Overall, defense has been a major strength for the Sixers. They’re fourth in the NBA in defensive rating, according to NBA.com, and they’re anchored by Joel Embiid‘s unmatched presence at the rim.

But Embiid isn’t the only reason for their defensive success. On the perimeter, Ben Simmons and Robert Covington have developed into two of the league’s best defenders. They’re able to use their heights (6-10 and 6-9, respectively) to disrupt passing lanes and switch onto any player on the court.

One place the Sixers defenders have struggled, however, is containing smaller, quicker guards. For a perfect example of this, look no further than Friday night’s game.

Kemba Walker, the Hornet’s 6-1 All-Star point guard, was able to post 31 points and lead his team to a 14 point advantage late into the third quarter. The Sixers love to switch screens, but against quick, crafty guards, this can lead to bad mismatches. Watch here as Dario Saric has to try to contain Walker.

After getting baited and blown by the first time, Saric sags off Walker, who easily knocks down the open jumper.

Asking Saric to guard someone so much smaller and quicker just isn’t fair. And the Sixers will have to figure out how to better handle players like Walker in the future.

In the playoffs, they’ll be charged with the task of covering point guards like John Wall and Kyrie Irving, two of the quickest players in the NBA. Look for the Sixers to use traps and hedges to avoid switching slower players onto the league’s top ball handlers.