Feb 22, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) scores the game winning shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) as time expires at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
While Joel Embiid was benched for the whole fourth quarter, the Sixers dropped their seventh straight game as Nic Claxton scored a put-back at the buzzer.
Here's what I saw.
- Tyrese Maxey looked much closer to his usual self in this game. He had not looked right since the loss to the Toronto Raptors before the All-Star break.
- The biggest problem - and there was an endless supply of them - in the first half was that the Sixers essentially ignored weak-side defense and principles of back-line rim protection. One of Marc Zumoff's coined phrases as the long-time play-by-play man for this franchise was "locking all windows and doors". He used it to articulate that the Sixers were in the midst of a beautiful defensive sequence. Well, what if you tried to spell that phrase with wood and then lit your creation on fire? That's what the Sixers did in the first half.
The doors and windows were wide open. Brooklyn was never far from a basket just one or two passes away. Whether it was horrific rotations that left the weak side of the perimeter open for threes or unrealized responsibilities to drop down to the basket when Joel Embiid was in coverage, no one was in position to get stops. If it wasn't a three, it was a back-cut. Philadelphia was slow, unaware, disinterested or some combination of all three.
- Some of the calculus that has flown under the radar - not just in determining why this season has gone off the rails, but in understanding how impactful Embiid was at his best - is that Embiid is not receiving the same respect as a defender that he used to get. Ball-handlers used to be terrified of challenging him around the rim. Now, no one appears to second-guess it. He's not the human shield he used to be.
- On the topic of Embiid, I've never seen him so unsure of himself. His shot selection is reduced to awkward flailing attempts at the rim or catch-and-shoot threes. He's not even attempting contested midrange jumpers, a staple of his dominant self. It took him until late in the third quarter to make an aggressive move toward the basket out of the post. His body language is that of someone who is sad and uninspired.
I can empathize with whatever Embiid may be battling in his head. But, if he's out there, he has to be responsible for his effort. He can't be closing out flat and heavy on guys in the corner and allowing uninhibited blow-bys. It's especially unacceptable considering he made a leaping, full-effort closeout on a corner three late in the third quarter. So, it's not a physical incapability.
And if it is a matter of Embiid having to pick and choose when to be aggressive on defense for the sake of protecting his body, what's the endgame here? Have the difficult conversation. Shut it down.
- If you want to sum up the Sixers' defensive problems in one play, I have what you're looking for. The Sixers blitzed Killian freaking Hayes of all people out of a Spain pick-and-roll, leaving Cameron freaking Johnson of all people open for a three at the top of the key. Johnson barely grazed the rim on the miss. But, not to worry, another Net snuck into the picture to score the put-back.
- Here's my list of gripes with Nick Nurse in this game:
- Imagine what the Sixers could do if they harnessed their fourth-quarter defensive effort in the other three quarters. That would be something!
The Sixers (20-36) will host the Chicago Bulls (22-35) on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., Eastern time. You can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Want more Philadelphia 76ers news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for THE Philly Sports Newsletter here. 100% free, always.
