The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Coach Brown loves defense, and it shows

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 16: Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during a timeout during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Brown /

Brown coached team well

Well, for starters, the Philadelphia 76ers have three of the top 13 in the NBA in total defensive rating. Simmons, Covington, and Embiid. Only the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks have multiple players. And not one other NBA team has three or more players in that top 15 list.

But the defense does not end with just three players. The Philadelphia 76ers have proven that they have defensive aligned players when the going gets physical. Justin Anderson, T.J. McConnell, Amir Johnson, all have seen time with defensive responsibilities at the forefront of their court time.

Advantage Philly

The worst strategy conceivable for Miami was the method they elected. Intimidation, really? Philly stands intimidate the players more than anything the Heat can do. But oh they tried. Pulling arms, stepping on face masks, running at the Sixers and kocking them down repeatedly, trying to throw Philly into a panic mode?  Laughable. The Philadelphia 76ers have been trolled by all in the past three years. Trying to get “in their heads” of the Sixers team was not a well thought-out plan.

As a result, the 2018 NBA Playoffs find the Philadelphia 76ers standing at 3-1 and going home with momentum.  Still, game four was as ugly and unorthodox of a win as I have ever seen in an NBA Playoff game. The Sixers coughed up 26 turnovers, and only shot 7-31 from the three-point line. Still, the team managed to win 106-102. How?