A new day, a new disappointment for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite Joel Embiid breaking the odds and suiting up, the 76ers, as if clockwork, found themselves in another collapse of epic proportions, this time to a nominal rival in the Miami Heat. After Philly mounted a 19-point lead during the second frame, the hosts completely took it from there, guzzling the visitors to the tune of an eventual 17-point drubbing.
The freefall continues for the 76ers, which are now 2-11 on the season. The odd thing is there is no clear resolution to their struggles as of the moment, as the squad has just consistently looked unsynchronized on the floor, really, on both ends.
Having said that, the players cannot shoulder all the blame for this one. If there is one thing this game proved to everyone, it is that Nick Nurse has become an absolutely flummoxing figure for the team all season long.
Nick Nurse may be on the hot seat after latest 76ers collapse
Before this game, 76ers fans had started bemoaning the decisions of Nick Nurse this season. Unlike in years past, the champion head coach’s imprint on the team this time around has been of the negative variant for the most part.
Against Miami and Erik Spoelstra, his puzzling act has been on full display. Case in point? His multitudes of wild decisions on the rotation that arguably cost them the game.
Guerschon Yabusele, who has been awesome all season long, was basically handed a DNP against a team which he matches up with so well. Miami, perennially undersized, is basically the perfect opponent for the burly, yet effective Yabusele. Instead, he finished the night logging just nine insignificant minutes.
Yet somehow, Eric Gordon, who has arguably been the worst player on the 76ers roster at this juncture, saw the court for 14 minutes. Mind you, he needed to hoist up eight shots just to register five insurmountable points.
In his stead, Ricky Council IV, one of the team’s best on-ball defenders, barely saw the light of day, as has been the case for the entire season, when in reality, he should have long taken the veteran’s minutes.
If this continues, Nick Nurse should be on the hot seat. The Philadelphia 76ers have ambitious goals, and they cannot be shepherded by someone who will only hold them back and fail to unleash their potential despite touting a relatively good track record.