Gary A. Vasquez
The Sixers committed handfuls of turnovers and lacked offensive process, causing a crater in the third quarter that spelled doom against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here's what I saw.
- Tyrese Maxey takes on a whole different spirit when he's going against someone he knows personally. He was simply unleashed when the game became a battle between him and James Harden. To be clear, that isn't to be critical of his status quo spirit. But, there was a different animal on the floor when Paul George subbed out for the first time and it was a Maxey lineup against a Harden lineup. Maxey went from a happy, smiley competitor to a stone-cold killer. He wanted every dance with Harden, tangoing into step-back jumpers and crafty finishes at the cup. Maxey was decisive, energetic and intentional with every move. Now, if he and George can just figure out how to play off each other...
- George screened for Maxey in the second quarter. Praised be the lord. The defensive confusion yielded Maxey an easy layup. Imagine that.
- Thought George had a number of good defensive plays in this game. Surely, part of it was knowing the tendencies of many of his former teammates. But, he was all over the passing lanes, deflecting the ball to the open court and blowing up passes with timely rotations.
- The Clippers rightfully went at Andre Drummond in the two-man game from the get-go. Los Angeles' bread and butter in the early stages of this season has been Norman Powell shooting anything at any time and Harden running pick-and-rolls with Ivica Zubac. They knew Drummond is a drop big who is essentially treading water in two opposing currents when he has to deal with a dynamic ball-handler and a hard roller in the same action.
Drummond's limitations are what they are, no matter how locked in he is. But, the rebounding really has to stand out if he's going to be so limited in his defensive coverages. He let a guard get an offensive rebound early in the game. Drummond was in the vicinity and could've prevented it, he just froze. That can't happen.
- I'll reserve total judgment about Caleb Martin's shot for when Joel Embiid is back, but I am definitely concerned. In the second half, his right shoulder briefly donned that black athletic tape that looks like it's supposed to be helpful, but you're never quite sure how it can possibly be helpful because it's just tape. But, his jumper is totally flat and hitchy. His foul shot is heavy. He's not stepping into it with confidence. And, worst of all, the Clippers defended him like a non-shooter in this game. The one triple Martin did strike gold on in the first half, he caught the ball on the wing and let it fly without a second of thought. But, hesitating always causes the shooting percentages to dip. The point being, part of the struggle might be over-thinking it.
- A feeling becoming all too familiar, the Sixers got totally lost on offense in the third quarter. The symptoms were the same as usual - shots against the clock, not much motion, no actions on the second side of the floor or going to the basket.
That was when this game got away from them. But, here's the thing that strikes me the most - wasn't creativity the distinguishing factor for hiring Nick Nurse? I know they're missing important pieces, but there is nothing creative happening. Not only are they getting smoked more often than not, but they're an increasingly boring watch.
- If Eric Gordon is not hitting from deep, he is simply unplayable. On to the next guy in the pecking order.
- Maxey left the game in the third quarter with a sore hamstring and did not return. Not ideal!
- As brutal as this team is to watch right now, and as bad as a 1-6 start is, they're 2.5 games out of the third seed in the Eastern Conference. There's a lot of basketball left to be played. That being said, if we're already scratching Embiid out for 15 back-to-backs, your margin for error in the games he does play is getting thinner with each loss.
The Sixers (1-6) will stay in Los Angeles for a visit with the Lakers (4-4) on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on ESPN.
