Defeating the New York Knicks on opening night would be a glorious sight for the Philadelphia 76ers fans, but it certainly wouldn't define their season. There is much expectation on this star-studded roster, and rightly so. However, the reality is that this championship tilt is a marathon, not a sprint. A strong performance from the team's core and a display of tactical cohesion should be enough to keep fans optimistic.
LeBron James and company must perform
Over an 82-game season, the NBA will throw plenty of twists and turns; the Sixers will hope none involve them. Nevertheless, if a bump in the road is going to happen, any team would rather it be at the start of a campaign than at the tail end of it.
The 76ers have made wholesale changes this offseason. Acquiring stars like Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in such a brief period is unheard of in the second-apron era. It's a problem every franchise would love to have, but now head coach Nick Nurse must create an effective blueprint that complements his new weapons.
Realistically, this won't happen overnight, and it would be shocking if this group of stars were firing on all cylinders when they face off against the Knicks. Regardless of any tactical wrinkles that still need ironing out, LeBron, Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey must produce positive individual performances.
Philly fans will obviously expect a high standard of basketball, but if the team isn't performing, the bare minimum they expect is to see their beloved franchise play with aggression and hustle. If Embiid can school Karl-Anthony Towns, if Brown can lock up Jalen Brunson, or if LeBron can show signs of running the offense, that should help keep fans on their side as they embark on their championship journey.
Nick Nurse won't escape criticism
Expectations aren't just sky-high with the players; the ultimate responsibility of guiding this set of stars to the promised land falls on the head coach. Even one game into the season, if the 76ers can't stay competitive and don't show a clear, tactical identity on the court, pressure surrounding Nick Nurse's job will mount immediately.
While success is a two-way transaction, it is always the head coach who is the first person in the building to take criticism. In this case, it would be deserved. Nick Nurse will never have a more talented group of players to coach; it is his job to quickly create a game plan that suits each individual player -- or pay the ultimate price.
During his time at the helm of the 76ers, Nick Nurse has never had a fair run at the job. Each season, key pieces in his squad fall victim to injury, reducing his time to build momentum ahead of the postseason. That particular saving grace has papered over some glaring tactical cracks. Nurse has relied heavily on isolation basketball and individual brilliance rather than establishing a distinct philosophy that benefits the tools at his disposal.
That approach won't fly this season, especially with the egos amongst the squad. Nick Nurse needs to captivate his audience, and fast. If the Philadelphia 76ers fall to defeat against the New York Knicks on opening night, the head coach must show fans that his players understand their roles, even if early-season rust prevents them from executing effectively.
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