Philadelphia 76ers Breakdown: Sixers Are Racing to Victories

It’s no surprise why the Philadelphia 76ers are playing better basketball. They’re shooting the three better, and they’re getting back to pushing the ball in transition as often as possible. That was their winning blueprint in their 107-97 victory over the Knicks.

Against the Knicks, the Sixers attempted 46 jump shots, making only 17 of them. However, they knocked down six of their 15 (40%) attempts from beyond the arc, with Andre Iguodala hitting three of his five attempts.

Since Iguodala is Philadelphia’s most explosive offensive player, with the athleticism and strength to finish at the rim, and the explosion to create his own shot, his jump shooting is really all that maters for Philadelphia. Not counting a halfcourt heave to end the third quarter, Iggy shot 5-12 from midrange and beyond, sometimes catching-and-shooting, and sometimes pulling up.

That newfound confidence in his shot, has energized every other area of Iguodala’s multifaceted skill set. Against the Knicks, he was active on the glass, in the passing lanes, and on the break, and finished with a spectacular floor game—10-17 FG, 3-5 3FG, 10 REB, 7 AST, 1 TO, 28 PTS.

If Iguodala makes Philly’s music, then Andre Miller is the conductor. His vision, decision making, and ability to orchestrate on the fast break are second to nobody. And he can make every pass Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams can—like a crosscourt one handed bounce pass on the run from three-quarters court between two defenders to a streaking Thaddeus Young at the three-point line.

If Miller’s jump shooting is mediocre, he has a very convincing pump fake which suckers defenders into committing the cardinal sin of fouling a jump shooter. And if Miller’s defense is subpar, his wisdom in reading defenses, making precise passes, and always remaining upbeat are perfect complements to Philadelphia’s young, emotional roster.

Thaddeus Young—5-11 FG, 10 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 10 PTS—never found the stroke from outside, but he fills lanes, attacks passes, and has an effective left hook when he posts up.

Willie Green—3-8 FG, 1-1 3FG, 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 8 PTS—also attacks passing lanes on defense, and is very good at using curls to free his jump shot. But he’s only marginally talented.

Samuel Dalembert is an effective weak side shot blocker who makes terrible decisions, and can’t defend any opponent who can turn and face. On a different team, Dalembert would be a backup.

Royal Ivey is an on-ball pest who won’t make mistakes.

Reggie Evans is a bull in a china shop, and can’t stop picking up unnecessary fouls.

Maurice Speights is soft defensively, but he’ll attack the basket offensively and he has a soft touch.

Louis Williams is going to be a good bench scorer for a long time. He can fill it from deep and has an explosive first step. He’s Philadelphia’s designated point maker in their second unit.

Defensively, Philadelphia switched the majority of New York’s screen/rolls and then dug down in an attempt to prevent penetration, not a bad strategy.

Offensively, aside from a few pin-downs, curls, off-ball cuts (which turned into lobs from Miller) and post ups, the Sixers mostly looked to isolate Andre Iguodala. Their half court offense looks a touch stagnant and can use a stable post presence like Elton Brand once he returns from his injury.

So long as Brand and his teammates understand that they should run as a first, second, and third option, and only look to Brand once a team has slowed down Philadelphia’s primary and secondary breaks, then EB should be much more integrated with the team this time around.

Because with the Sixers fast break back in order, they’ll run themselves right back into the playoffs.