Philadelphia 76ers: 5 reactions from scrimmage win over Memphis Grizzlies

The Philadelphia 76ers came back in style.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ first scrimmage inside the bubble was a success. Despite some second-half lumps, it was a dominant overall performance from a motivated — and healthy — Sixers team.  The result was a 90-83 victory for the “home team.”

In the grand scheme of things, this win doesn’t mean much. It’s a scrimmage, the game was played mostly at half-speed, and the Sixers’ core players were limited in playing time. Joel Embiid didn’t play any in the second half.

Still, there’s always room for takeaways and overreactions. So here they are.

5. Al Horford — yikes!

Yesterday, I wrote about my cautious optimism about Al Horford in his new role. He’s never going to touch the value of his contract, but in theory, he’s an elite reserve big who can anchor the defense, move the basketball, and provide veteran leadership on the floor.

The early results in Orlando, however, left a lot to be desired. Horford did manage five assists, but he scored only five points on 2-for-6 shooting and too alike the pre-hiatus Horford many fans came to despise. The blown open layup has become an unfortunate staple of the Horford experience.

It’s not too late for Horford to make amends and prove his worth. He will get plenty of opportunities, even as the sixth man. He’s still Al Horford, a cachet name with oodles of playoff experience. But this wasn’t the springier, quicker Horford some expected.

4. Embiid, short but sweet

Brett Brown was sure to limit Joel Embiid’s action in this one, and wisely so. Nothing is more important for Philadelphia than delivering Embiid to the postseason at full health. These scrimmages are useful for experimentation, but there’s not much to experiment with when it comes to the big fella.

The Sixers have worked hard to develop Embiid as the hub of the offense. He spent a lot of time in the pick-and-roll against Memphis, a notable evolution for the Sixers offense. He didn’t get a ton of post touches, but his comfort popping into open space — not to mention the countless open shots his screens helped create — was a major positive.

Embiid took a couple minutes to settle in, but once he did, it was full steam ahead. He scored 10 points and corralled six boards in 13 minutes. He was a presence at the rim on defense, he hit two of his four 3-point attempts, and he drew a couple fouls in typical Embiid fashion.

As the cherry on top, Embiid was a jovial presence on the bench. He celebrated 3s for Ben Simmons and Norvel Pelle, and his broad smile graced several cuts to the socially-distant bench. It’s important for Embiid to have fun in Orlando. He’s at his best when he’s having fun, and he seemed to have plenty in this one.

3. Shake looks the part

This was our first look at Shake Milton in the starting five, and while it was nothing special, he gave fans plenty to mine optimism from. Milton dumped in six points, dished out three assists, and hit one of his two attempts from deep.

Milton held his own on defense and looked comfortable as the Sixers’ primary initiator in the halfcourt offense. He helped set up Embiid and Horford in the screen-and-roll, he effectively probed the Grizzlies’ exploitable defense, and he limited mistakes — only one turnover.

Before the game, some were concerned Milton would limit Simmons’ touches. That’s a non-issue, it seems. Simmons exploded for nine points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in 22 minutes. His hands were all over the game, both as a transition creator, and as someone who attacked from the middle of the floor. Simmons even spaced to the corner and attempted two 3s.

Milton and Simmons should get along just fine, and Milton’s floor-spacing, ball-moving presence already has clear benefits for the starting five. He alleviates a lot of the congestion Horford once made more pronounced.

2. Thybulle, Korkmaz hold upper hand

Brett Brown has yet to commit to a concrete 10 or nine-man rotation, and he probably won’t until the postseason starts. But there are clear frontrunners, especially on the wing, where the Sixers have a lot of depth. It’s clear Brown still trusts Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz.

Korkmaz and Horford were the first subs, followed shortly thereafter by Thybulle. It was Thybulle who led all bench wings in minutes with 16. There’s not a ton you can take away from a single scrimmage, but it appears Thybulle and Korkmaz have the edge over Glenn Robinson and Alec Burks, who the Sixers acquired at the trade deadline.

I’ve talked in the past about why Robinson and Burks deserve more recognition, from Brown especially. It’s blatantly obvious — to me at least — that Robinson and Burks are the more well-rounded, consistent players. But there is a certain appeal to Thybulle and Korkmaz, who are younger and more exciting talents.

At his best, Thybulle is the most disruptive wing defender in basketball. Korkmaz is a volume 3-point shooter who has developed a nice chemistry with Philadelphia’s core playmakers. Barring a major surge from the newcomers, we should expect Thybulle and Korkmaz to lock up spots in the playoff rotation.

As for the potential ninth man in Brown’s final rotation, Robinson may have the slight edge over Burks, the latter of whom didn’t touch the floor until under three minutes were left in the first half. Mike Scott and Raul Neto are on the outside looking in.

1. Ben thrives in his new role

Ben Simmons should have no problem as the Sixers’ power forward. In fact, he looks primed to thrive in his new role. This game definitely belonged to Simmons when he was on the floor. He quickly shed his rust and impacted every facet of the game for Philadelphia.

The final stat line for Simmons — nine points, seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals — is emblematic of his versatility. He set screens, occupied the dunker’s spot, worked in the post, and even attempted a couple corner 3s (with one make).

In his minutes at point guard — which came entirely sans Embiid — Simmons was equally effective, pushing the tempo and generating open looks for teammates. The Simmons, Horford, and spacers lineups were effective.

And, I mean, look at this.

https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1286761955236159489

Whether he’s running next to Milton or as the lead ball-handler, the Sixers will still get Simmons the ball early and often on most possessions. This was a fairly aggressive game from him offensively — nine shots in 22 minutes — and his willingness to shoot the long ball will open up a ton. If he takes them on a nightly basis, defenses will eventually recognize it as a threat. Simmons attacking closeouts is a tantalizing thought.

This was a strong first performance in Orlando. The Sixers led by as many as 29 in the first half, and while the Grizzlies are clearly not up to speed yet, it’s important for Philadelphia to build momentum whenever possible. Even if games that don’t count, and in which the bench plays heavy minutes.