Why Ball Dominance Could Hurt the 26-27 76ers
This may only be Mike Gansey’s first offseason as the general manager in Philadelphia, but he has already made his aggressive intentions clear. After announcing the signing of LeBron James, almost every major sportsbook jumped the 76ers as the second or even top team most likely to win the Eastern Conference. Prior to that move, Philly managed to get rid of Paul George’s massive contract and send an additional four picks to acquire superstar forward Jaylen Brown. For Gansey, adding 27 all-star appearances is not a bad way to make a positive first impression on the fans. If we include three Philadelphia draftees between Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, this five suddenly becomes a frontrunner for the league’s best starting lineup.
After also retooling their bench, it’s easy to see why so many voices around the NBA think highly of the three-time Larry O’Brien Trophy winners. A stacked first five coupled with quality options to refresh the starters seems like a recipe that leads straight to the NBA Finals. I’m here to tell you that, while optimism should overshadow any other emotions in the City of Brotherly Love, some concerns may arise. Sure, pointing out that Embiid has played just 96 games in the last three seasons and that James will start the new campaign at 41 years old brings up fragility worries. Sure, overturning more than half of your roster from last year may bring forth some valid chemistry questions. I’m here to tell you that a more tactical detail may become a larger issue than what I just mentioned.
Talent goes a long way in today’s basketball. Most recent winners, perhaps with the exception of the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, oozed with talented players. However, we have seen some historically “talented” teams never win a ring. Take, for example, the Thunder teams that had James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant, or the John Stockton and Karl Malone-led Jazz teams. Skill doesn’t always translate to winning, especially when there’s a lack of cohesion on a particular roster. Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying here, because the Sixers look excellent on paper and are rightfully a favorite to get to the NBA Finals. Until we get to October’s tipoff, I struggle with the idea of how head coach Nick Nurse will spread the ball between his starting lineup.
As the clear point guard, Maxey needs to possess the ball frequently. The 2024 Most Improved Player Award winner has become a lethal shot creator, whether it’s from close to the basket or from distance. Brown may not have the handles of Maxey, but his midrange coupled with an elite ability to finish off the dribble and around the rim begs for the ball to be in his hands. James has taken a step back offensively as he’s grown older, but he can still facilitate close to the level of today’s elite guards. Embiid, who as a big man should theoretically only receive passes near the paint, became a pioneer of centers scoring from all over the floor. Edgecombe is the only Sixer that I can comfortably say can work well off the ball, as his rim runs and three-pointers don’t require a ball glued to his hands. I still believe that Philadelphia can return to championship ways for the first time in over 40 years, but possession distribution may hold them back from achieving that, at least early on.
