Following a 3-2 road trip, and a weekend to rest, the Raptors face the perennially rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers.
For 76ers fans, this season already represents progress. That may seem absurd, given the team’s dismal record, but in comparison to the last few years, it’s true.
Consider 2015-16; by the time they won their fourth game, they already had 33 losses. How about ’14-15: 23 defeats before their fourth win…in ’13-14, they suffered a 26-game losing streak…I’m astonished they have any fans left.
Their roster serves as the ultimate repudiation of tanking as a means of team-building, or more precisely, the “draft the best player available and we’ll sort it out later” philosophy. I’m a fan of talented big men, but these guys take it way too far. Their front court overflows with skilled and youthful PFs/centers taken at the top of the NBA draft, like Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, and Ben Simmons (the last two have not played this season due to injuries). Result: confusion and continued losses, as a shabby group of guards can’t take advantage of the talent up front.
There are legitimate reasons for hope, though. Embiid, after missing the first two seasons of his career due to foot injuries, leads the team in points and rebounds. Nik Stauskas is hitting 3-balls at a 44.3% clip, after looking like he would wash out of the league. Sergio Rodriguez has arrived from Spain to average 6.8 assists per game [PG].
Perhaps the most interesting stat is the Playing Time one. Coach Brett Brown appears to be a great believer in equal opportunity. No 76er averages more than Robert Covington’s 27.9 minutes PG, and all but 2 players have started at least one game.
3 Keys to Victory for Toronto
3 interesting 76ers
Nov 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (1) during the first quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Conclusion & Final Score
All NBA coaches fear the first home game following a lengthy road trip. I’m sure Dwane Casey will exhort his Raptors to stay in the moment.
The Raptors are healthy. Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson are showing signs of consistency with their shooting from outside. The backcourt is miles better than Philly’s.
Raptors 107 – 76ers 93
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