3 things the Philadelphia 76ers can learn from loss to Nets: Role players have to step up
This last point partially falls on Harden because he wasn’t looking to get his teammates involved. However, the fact remains that the Philadelphia 76ers need more from their role players and start with their other starters.
Maxey has been the third star to Harden’s and Embiid’s duo, but in this game, he only had four points while going 2-7 from the floor. This was by the worst game that Maxey has had playing alongside Harden. The 76ers need more from their second year guard who has shown flashes of being an All-Star all season long.
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Let’s not forget about Tobias Harris who is one of the most overpaid players in the NBA. He finished with 16 points and three rebounds while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 80.0 percent of five 3-point attempts. It’s not a bad game from the perspective he’s the fourth scoring option and he did play ok defense considering he was stuck on Durant. However, when Maxey and Harden were having bad games, Harris has to step up more.
Other players that needed to do more were Thybulle needs to be able to do more on defense against Irving and Durant. Shake Milton who missed all six of his shot attempts. DeAndre Jordan provided solid play with 10 points and nine rebounds, but he’s not going to be enough.
This was a painful loss for the Philadelphia 76ers considering the context of this game, but out of defeat, there’s plenty to learn from it.