Hi again, thanks for the support and feedback! I've linked the first post for player comparisons.
Team Offense:
- without MPJ, it still feels like there's a glaring hole in the 3 point shooting area
- we definitely tried to push the pace since it's one of the only weaknesses the sixers have (one of the worst transition defenses in the league last year)
- offense was mainly trying to generate mismatch isolation opportunities for Randle (vs maxey/edgecombe) and everyone else playing off him
- but in some moments, (especially when randle and egor came off the court) the offense felt stiff once again
- felt like I was watching Randle posting up, and the other 4 players were just watching him operate instead of looking to cut or setting off ball screens to free up players
Team Defense:
- first time seeing zone defense and it was awful, we weren't matching their physicality well enough and switches were slow (Jordi gave up on that quick enough)
- transition defense was SLOW when our opponents have one of the most electric transition offenses (it was often 2 v 1 scenarios)
- gotta commit less fouls (making smarter plays)
Starters:
Egor (13/1/5 on 40% FG in 22mins)
- continues to impress me every single time
- catch and shoot, turnaround jumper, driving layups, he can do it all
- consistently getting to his spots + learning how to balance his energy levels will be this season's main lesson for him to officially transition from role player to star status
- He obviously is already a major shooting threat, but I wanna see more pumpfakes and footwork to get to the line so he doesn't get burned out in the 4th quarter
Ellis (12/2/0, 1stl, 21 mins, 4 fouls)
- probably the 5th starter at the start of the regular season (i see Mikel coming off the bench until he's completely healthy + plays well)
- great transition energy on both offense and defense, creates fastbreak opportunities, even hit a nasty snatchback midrange
Randle (14/6/2, 2stl, 22 mins, 4 fouls)
- holy crap I haven't seen him put so much effort on defense (half court pressing LeBron, diving on loose balls) since idk, his Lakers days? (was probably playing with silly bandz and fidget spinners back then)
- Love that he's leading by example for the young guys after the defense was atrocious to start the game
Clowney (11/1/0, 1stl 1blk, 20 mins)
- nonexistent in the first half
- couldn't hold his ground against any of the sixers starters, wasn't good in that zone defense, and he couldn't even get a shot off
- so much better in the second half (more aggressive offensively, block on JB, better effort on defense)
- If we get the second half clowney consistently, I don't see why we wouldn't offer him an extension
Wagner (6/3/1, 4stl, 18mins, 5 fouls)
- great hands to force a few turnovers
- love how he puts his body on the floor every single possession
- did get away with some grabbing fouls though
Bench:
Traore
- we saw him way earlier than last game
- Shot looks sooooo much better, I'm definitely starting to be comfortable with him being our backup PG
- he can (still) blow past his defenders so easily its funny too
- can he be the Nets edition tony parker? (with a three pointer)
Chaney Johnson
- operated as a small ball 5/dunker spot 4, definitely earned himself a spot in the regular season rotation tonight
Drake
- looks more confident in his play, if he can get that three pointer down, i don't see why he can't be a tari eason caliber of a player
Honorable mention:
Joel "the process" Embiid
- genuinely the first player to complain, flop and get T'd up in the preseason
- doing all that just to miss an easy 2v1 fastbreak layup
Overall a chippy but fun game; we matched up well with the superstar sixers but people can keep underestimating us though...
Go Nets
-KF