5 takeaways from the Philadelphia 76ers’ shorthanded games

Sixers takeaway #4: The Sixers are extremely short on reliable forwards

When Mike Scott has to play over 46 minutes in a game, you know you are short on legitimate NBA forwards. Tobias Harris will soak up most of those minutes, but the team will still be relying on Scott, Danny Green, and Matisse Thybulle to occupy the forward spots. While that group is not terrible, it clearly does not live up to the Sixers’ championship level aspirations.

Sliding Simmons to a forward spot both solidifies the rotation and opens more minutes for Maxey. If Simmons remains at point guard, the Sixers will have to find another way to improve the forward rotation, through trades or the buyout market.

Sixers takeaway #5: Seth Curry and Shake Milton are essential for shot creation and spacing

Nothing was uglier than watching the Sixers play with Maxey on the bench over the last few games. Particularly against Atlanta, the team struggled to get into any offensive rhythm, throwing lazy passes and panicking against ball pressure. Simmons’ return helped against the Heat, but Curry and Milton are needed to get the offense flowing.

Both Milton and Curry grease the offense by drawing defenders while off the ball, something only Isaiah Joe has been able to do at a high level the last few games. The two guards can also attack closeouts effectively, allowing them to flourish alongside offensive creators like Joel Embiid, Simmons, and Maxey.