2023-24 NBA Previews: Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers just lost in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs in Boston. Worse, after years of failing to get over the hump, they have no clear path to get meaningful better.
This is the situation the 76ers found themselves in 11 years ago. Philadelphia’s seven-game exit to the Boston Celtics in the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinal would be their last playoff game for six years. It led to some of the worst basketball in the history of the NBA. The promise of something better on the horizon kept hope alive.
Yet in 2023, they find themselves in the same situation, annihilated in Game 7 at TD Garden again. For the fifth time in the last six seasons, the Sixers lost in the second round. And time is starting to run out to escape a repeat of the same fate.
What Happened Last Year
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. The Sixers were stellar in the regular season, finishing No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with a record of 54-28. Some cracks were showing. But with MVP Joel Embiid leading the way, there was reason to believe this could be the year. It looked that way in a convincing first-round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, even though Joel Embiid missed Game 4 due to injury.
Then, the Sixers showed their trademark inconsistency in the second round. Stellar performances early in the series, particularly by James Harden, put Philadelphia up 3-2 with a chance to clinch in Game 6. But the 76ers couldn’t seal the deal, then were blown out of the water by the Celtics in Game 7. The defeat ended Doc Rivers‘ three-year tenure coaching the team.
Offseason Overview
The Sixers’ offseason is more notable for what didn’t happen — a Harden trade — than what did. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said goodbye to fan-favorite bench piece Georges Niang and deadline acquisition Jalen McDaniels. He didn’t do the same to beloved backup center Paul Reed, matching a three-year, $23 million offer sheet from the Utah Jazz.
It was mostly just shuffling deck chairs on a ship that isn’t quite the Titanic but definitely has a couple of leaks. The Sixers didn’t make a single pick in the NBA Draft (their first-round pick was Brooklyn property via the Harden deal). Morey signed a slew of veterans to one-year deals, including former 76ers Danny Green and Montrezl Harrell (the latter of which promptly tore his ACL).
Patrick Beverley is essentially the lone noteworthy new face, at least among players. Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse will be the third coach of the Embiid era. He’s proven capable of shutting down stars like Embiid in the playoffs before. His development of young players led to his exit from Toronto, although the Sixers don’t have many noteworthy ones outside of Tyrese Maxey.
Projected Starting Five
PG: De’Anthony Melton – Melton is a solid player who was among the NBA’s steals leaders a year ago. However, in this context, he’s best known for being not Harden. Can he handle a starting role? Sure, he did so for 58 games a year ago. It’s not like Melton’s an offensive black hole, either. But the Sixers’ ceiling is lower than it was a year ago if he’s in this spot (without upgrades elsewhere) in Game 1 of the playoffs.
SG: Tyrese Maxey – When the Sixers were dealing with Ben Simmons‘ holdout in 2021, Maxey’s emergence kept them afloat. Maxey has developed into one of the league’s better shooters and is never afraid to attack the rim with his relentless speed. The Sixers need him to grow into a more dominant playmaker if/while Harden is absent. Either way, he’ll get a huge raise next summer.
SF: Tobias Harris – Harris is in the last year of the five-year, $180 million contract that may go down as the defining the Embiid era. It’s not for a lack of effort from Harris. He’s been both productive and adaptable to fit whatever role the 76ers need him to. Right now, that will probably be No. 3 scorer.
PF: P.J. Tucker – Tucker’s presence was ugly at times but understandable last year with how much offense was around him. The value he added in the dirty areas during the playoffs was clearly on display last spring. Does he fit into a more offensively challenged Sixers squad this time around?
C: Joel Embiid – Whether he deserved to be MVP or not last year, Embiid is an undeniable superstar in a league where having one is a prerequisite to win. Embiid has led the league in scoring two years running, and, perhaps more importantly, played 68 and 66 games, respectively. Those are the two highest figures of his career. However, fluke or not, Embiid hasn’t been able to stay healthy through two playoff rounds, let alone four. Embiid’s true test doesn’t begin until April.
Other Rotational Players
C Paul Reed – Affectionately known as B-Ball Paul by fans, Reed actually played in one more game than Embiid a season ago. He occasionally fell behind Harrell and others on the depth chart, much to the chagrin of the Philadelphia fanbase. That shouldn’t be the case for Reed, who has defensive versatility and can make plays on offense when called upon.
SF Danuel House Jr. – House Jr. had a very up-and-down first season with the Sixers. He started a few games early in the year, fell out of the rotation down the stretch, then delivered a monster Game 5 performance off the bench against Boston. He shot the ball at a career-best 47.2% rate last year but regressed in almost every other notable category.
G Patrick Beverley – Beverley’s biggest contribution could be adding an infusion of energy to a group desperately in need of a vibes change. He too slowed down a bit last year in most categories. At 35, there will certainly be some load management needed.
SG Danny Green – The same will probably be true of the 36-year-old Green. His 76ers career appeared to end in brutal fashion with a torn ACL and LCL in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s season-ending second-round Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat in 2022. But Green bounced back and was fairly productive last year, which he split between the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Caviliers. He should still be a solid defensive presence.
X-Factor: Harden Situation
It’s obvious, but it’s necessary. With Harden no longer reporting to the team after briefly returning for practice, it seems possible if not probable he’ll never play for the team again. The Los Angeles Clippers’ refusal to give up 27-year-old Terance Mann in trade talks have the 76ers and Harden in total limbo. Even if that changes, Mann isn’t the potential game-changer the Sixers got in Harden when they dealt with Simmons’ holdout two years ago. At least they have experience in how to handle this situation?
Projection
Even though everyone else has gotten better around them, the duo of Embiid and Maxey means the Sixers are almost a lock to be a clear-cut playoff team in the deep East. With their sans-Harden current roster, it’s difficult to see how they can reach the third round for the first time since 2001, let alone achieve their championship aspirations. The Sixers have been running into a brickwall for a while now. Eventually, you either break through or knock yourself out. The 76ers are certainly trending in the latter direction.
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