The Sixers are 0-6 since the All-Star break and have lost eight in a row overall, compiling a 1-10 record in the month of February. The team we see now is not the team we saw take the Bulls to overtime on January 14th. This isn't the team that nearly upset the defending champion Warriors on January 30th. The Philadelphia 76ers as we knew them, a team that fought every game and had energy, is missing in action. Sure, we in Philadelphia are just used to the Sixers losing, but usually it isn't for a lack of effort. Ever since the All-Star break though, this team has been nearly unwatchable on both ends of the court, and the main reason for that is a lack of effort and energy.
Prior to the All-Star break, the Sixers weren't turning many heads defensively, with the exception of blocked shots. They were allowing a league worst 105.3 points per game, but that number has jumped to 119.7 in the teams' six losses since returning from the break. They're allowing teams to shoot just under 49 percent from the floor and the Sixers are being out-rebounded by opponents by nearly nine per game in their past six games. It really begs the question, what has happened to the Sixers? They are being outmatched, outplayed and outran. The bad thing is that there is likely no end in sight with games upcoming against potential playoff teams Washington, Charlotte and Miami.
If you watched last night's game against the Magic, you got to see exactly what has been haunting the Sixers over their eight-game losing streak. Although they eventually cut a 29-point deficit to eight, the way they came out of the gates was pathetic, allowing the Magic to lead 11-0. The Sixers didn't score their first basket until around the nine-minute mark of the first quarter. Orlando dissected the Sixers defense throughout the first 24 minutes en route to 77 points at halftime.
“The Magic have some good young talent, but I thought that the way we started the game was as poor as can be,” Brown said. “It was unacceptable, not professional.
“We talk about it all the time when we view people: It’s how you compete. For the most part, our guys compete, but tonight, we didn’t and that’s unacceptable.” [CSNPhilly.com]
One of the most shocking things was the benching of Nerlens Noel. It was validated, without a doubt, but the second-year player out of Kentucky, who finished the night with 10 points, three rebounds and a -23, rarely shows lack of effort on the court. Last night was an exception as former Sixer Nik Vucevic had his way with both of the Sixers bigs. The 2011 Sixers first round pick, sent to Orlando in the Andrew Bynum deal, scored 28 points on 13-for-18 shooting from the floor. While Noel was benched for his lack of defense, Jahlil Okafor, who saw 12 minutes of action in the second half, wasn't out their for his defensive efforts, but rather what he was doing offensively.
“People are going to look at Nerlens and it’s not entirely fair because everybody was poor,” Brown said. “I thought Jahlil came in and did some decent things offensively, but you walk that fine line of you need some points, but you need some energy, some spark, some defense, too.” [CSNPhilly.com]
The teams' lack of effort and energy over their last stretch of games is very concerning. Brett Brown has been the face of this teams' rebuild and development, speaking to the media more times than Sam Hinkie has in his career, but you have to wonder if he's beginning to lose the locker room. Brown signed an extension to stay with the team for a few more years, but the losing is clearly getting to both him and his young core of players.
Richaun Holmes, Isaiah Canaan and Jerami Grant were part of the group that cut the Sixers deficit from 29 points to eight. The trio scored 26 points in the second half on 9-for-14 shooting while managing to score 18 points on nine Magic turnovers.
“The group that sort of tipped it and got us going was unlikely suspects,” Brown said. “We’re down 29 and then you’re down eight. That’s a massive swing.” [CSNPhilly.com]
Some of the Sixers struggles with lack of energy also make you wonder if a lineup change should be considered. Although Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are very important to the teams' future, at least for now, guys like Jerami Grant and Richaun Holmes should get more minutes because of the spark they provide to the lineup. Grant was the brightest spot off the bench, scoring 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, three steals and five blocks. The second-year forward out of Syracuse has really progressed well in his development this season, providing the Sixers with plenty of depth on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball as a reserve and starter. Still, he wasn't happy despite the comeback efforts of the team.
“No team should be able to score 77 points in a half, especially a team we think we can beat,” Jerami Grant added. “Coach was heated, we were all heated. Everybody was mad and fed up with what was going on.” [CSNPhilly.com]
Richaun Holmes scored 12 on 4-for-4 shooting while also making four foul shots and grabbing four rebounds.
If the Sixers plan to end their eight-game losing streak, they won't have much time to dwell on their efforts against Orlando. Tonight, they visit the Wizards in the nation's capitol for the second meeting between the two teams in the last four days. On Friday night, Washington topped Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center, 103-94, thanks in large part to a big third quarter run and the Sixers shooting just 38.5 percent from the floor in the second half.
Brandon Apter is a Managing Editor for Sixerdelphia.com
