What is the story about?
It’s understandable if it’s still hard to believe, but the Sixers’ starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid made its debut Thursday night in Brooklyn.
It was just a preseason game, but it gave us a fun glimpse of what can be in the Sixers’ 114-108 loss to the Nets.
Brown led the way with 18 points while Maxey had 14 points and James finished with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds. Maxey and James did not play in the second half. Edgecombe chipped
in with 11 points. Embiid had six points, three rebounds and three assists, but looked rusty, committing eight turnovers.
Anfernee Simons (hamstring), Dominick Barlow (back) and Adem Bona (foot) were all out.
Next up for the Sixers is their penultimate preseason game in Boston against the Celtics Saturday night.
First quarter
- Embiid comfortably switching onto Keon Ellis on the first possession of his first preseason game feels like a massive positive. He had another possession on Nolan Traore which led to a miss. He was moving extremely well. The only blemish for Embiid was his three turnovers. He looked a little rusty dealing with ball pressure.
- The Sixers’ first basket of the game was on a LeBron hit-ahead pass to Edgecombe. This team should be a nightmare to handle in transition. The ball movement was breath-taking at times.
- Maxey’s first bucket was a dunk on a baseline drive. He then buried a couple threes off movement. This lineup is going to allow Maxey to flourish as an off-ball scorer. He led the Sixers with 10 points in the first.
- A brief scare as Mo Wagner pushed Embiid in the back on a box out and the big man rolled into Brown. Brown was down for minute grabbing his right knee, but got up and appeared no worse for wear.
- Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were the first subs. Wade did exactly what you’d hope he’d do, snagging two offensive rebounds, burying a corner three and playing stout defense.
- The defense looked leaky to say the least, but the offense was ridiculous. They had 10 assists on 12 made field goals. LeBron had half of the those dimes and finished the quarter with four points, five assists and two rebounds. The game was tied at 33-33 after one.
Second quarter
- Nearly a highlight-reel alley-oop to start the second. After great hustle from Wade and Jabari Walker, KCP was on the break with Edgecombe. Unfortunately, Ellis broke up what would’ve been a nasty slam.
- Labaron Philon, Jr. getting some minutes with the regulars and buries a three off a Maxey drive. Love Nurse experimenting with a smaller backcourt, though those minutes will likely be Simons’ when he’s healthy.
- Another turnover for Embiid. Mo Wagner is playing like it’s the NBA Finals, which good for him, but it did look like he might’ve fouled Embiid. Embiid then picked up a frustration foul (it was a bit soft) followed by a technical. It’s been a frustrating night for Embiid offensively.
- If there was one aspect of Embiid’s game that looked good it was his passing. He delivered a frozen rope pass to Wade on the baseline, who was then fouled.
- Speaking of Wade, he’s proving to be an outstanding cutter so far. He had a few impressive defensive possessions on the strong-bodied Julius Randle as well. He looks like an oustanding fit.
- Again, the defense has been rough at times, but the Nets only shot 39.2% from the field. The turnover battle was the issue, with the Sixers only forcing four in the first half while committing 14. That — and a serious Sixers’ free throw advantage — led to Brooklyn taking 20 more field goal attempts. Embiid had seven. Many of the giveaways were a clear result of guys simply not playing together.
- With all that said, the offensive talent is just so overwhelming. There are mismatches and advantages on every single possession. The Sixers were up 58-56 at half. Maxey led the way with 14 points while James had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Third quarter
- Embiid, Brown and Edgecombe were all out to start the second half. Wade and Philon joined them as LeBron and Maxey sat.
- Brown started to take over a little offensively like he did the other night. He had an excellent kick-out pass to Wade on a drive for another three.
- Another turnover for Embiid. He’s really got to tighten it up. Sure, a couple have been caused by timing issues, but a few have just been plain sloppy.
- The Nets’ strategy seemed to be to make the officials call fouls. On one hand, it did seem to slow the Philly offense down. On the other, Wagner had five fouls and Randle four not even midway through the third quarter.
- Without James and Maxey, the offense seemed to get stagnant. The ball stopped moving and there was a bit too much iso ball.
- Brown really started cooking with a bench-heavy unit. He made a gorgeous teardrop, buried a three and then delivered a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Jabari Walker, which led to a foul. He scored 18 points in just under 24 minutes.
- Walker is having an excellent preseason. He put back a d Justin Edwards missed three and then took a charge on the ensuing possession. Walker proving to be a legitimate stretch big option would a welcomed development.
- The Nets went on an 11-0 run as the Sixers subbed out most of their regulars. Brooklyn took a 93-81 lead into the fourth.
Fourth quarter
- Philon hasn’t shot well in the first two preseason games, but when you watch him, you see the potential. The handle and the creation ability are real. He’ll start to make more of these as the game reps increase.
- It’s been a struggle for Justin Edwards so far. I thought he’d have a chance to compete with KCP for minutes this season. Thus far he looks like the team’s 14th man. He did make a few shots late, which will hopefully give him a confidence boost going forward.
- Take it for what it’s worth, but Kate Scott mentioned on the broadcast that Tacko Fall might be available for Saturday’s game in Boston. It would be fun to watch the 7-foot-6 center play, but he also has a legitimate chance to earn the Sixers’ final two-way deal. With the season-ending injury to Ariel Hukporti, it’s not crazy to think Fall would get regular season minutes if he earns spot.
- Jameer Nelson Jr. has been really good! He plays his butt off on both ends. Should be a solid addition to the Blue Coats this season. Honestly, the team down in Delaware should be entertaining.
