Catching Up With Woj, James Ennis Talks About Transition

the voice, you certainly know the name. That is, of course, Adrian Wodronasky, and he was in town recently worked on a few projects. The ESPN Senior NBA Insider is one

of our guests. Plus we'll hear from one of the newest members of the seventy Sixers Reserve Corps who's looking to carve out a niche on this episode of the broadcast, a short but hopefully pretty sweet quality over quantity edition of the podcast, not going to be the longest episode we've ever produced, but hopefully between a conversation with Adrian Mojanaski and new seventy Sixer James Ennis, you'll get some good knowledge, some good insights, some good perspective, and especially

in the case of wo some national perspective on things surrounding the seventy six Ers, what the league thinks of the team, it's chances to contend for a title this year, and how well the Sixers are set up for the future, looking forward to playing in those conversations in a moment. But a reminder that to subscribe the podcast, you can

go to a couple of places. In fact, you can go just about any place to subscribe to our feed Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, pocketcasts, tune in SoundCloud, anywhere. Just type in Sixers Podcast Network and that will get you to our show. And we'd love to have you as a subscriber. All right, let us get to playing you back some of these conversations. We'll get to James Ennis in a moment, but first let's hear from WOJ.

Seventy Sixers going through a stretch right now. As I mentioned at the top, they are not at full strength. That of course means first and foremost Joel Embiid has not been playing since the All Star Game break, but also the Sixers trying to weather injuries recently to Boban Marnyanovitch. For the past week, Jonah Bolden missed a game because he wasn't feeling well. A mere Johnson hasn't been feeling one so especially at the five spot. The Sixers just

trying to patch things together and make things work. Since the All Star Game break, they've gone four and three. The losses were to Portland, you know, no real shame in that, to Golden State, no real shame in that, And most recently on Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls. A tough one, especially because the Sixers were set up to win, but the second night of a back to back not an easy circumstance. It's the Sixers they've been trying to get by.

But in speaking with Woad, who was at the Center last Saturday for the Golden State game working on a few things, the first thing I asked him was, let us put on our bright, shiny, huge glasses, dream of a world of unicorns and rainbows and idealistically think about life. The seventy sixers are healthy, I asked Woach, just how

much of a threat can the seventy Sixers be. I think the Sixers right now, at least in the Eastern Conference, have best starting five out there, and probably the only other team that can really compete with them is a Warriors team that they play on Saturday Night. But this is a team certainly top heavy with talent, you know, great, you know, bringing in Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, two great

perimeter defenders, certainly terrific offensive players. And if this is a team that can find the right chemistry, the right balance, you know, this is they can certainly beat anybody in the East. And we know these Eastern Conference playoffs are going to be h something like we haven't seen in this conference for I think a bunch of years. It's like about two of the newcomers to the starting five beginning first of the most recent guy in Tobias Harris.

What type of player has he turned himself into over the course of his career. Tobias Harris is a great example of a player like that. You just in this league to not make judgments too quickly on who players are, to understand, especially when they've come out of college after one year, that there's a lot of room to get better. And you saw that. You know, for a player of his talent to have been traded several times already in

his career, it's pretty remarkable. I think the fact that Tobias Harris has the temperament, he has, the personality, the kind of teammate he is. It was really the reason Philly could make this trade and bring him in along with Joe l Embiid and Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons, you know, great players, but also some big personalities that a little bit like Clay Thompson with the Warriors. When your third or fourth player has that kind of very even keeled and easy disposition, it can make it work.

And I don't know if Philly could have done this deal if Tobias Harris had any different kind of personality than he has. When you look at Jimmy Butler, how well rounded is he for a player at his position. Yeah, I mean Jimmy Butler is listen on the court and what he does on certainly both ends of it. It's

it's remarkable. I mean, he's as much of a like to buy his harrison a lot of ways, very much a self made player, late first round pick, junior college player to Marquette, and you saw who got better and better each year in the NBA. And he brings a toughness, a physicality to his position. He can defend bigger players, you can put him on smaller players, and I think for the city of Philadelphia, I think Butler, you knew it from the moment Philly made the trade that Jimmy

Butler fits the city. He fits this fan base like you could imagine Jimmy Butler playing in Philadelphia, you know, for a very long time. And you know, certainly he gave them. I think with this team the star power power they needed, especially when they looked around the rest of the conference and felt that they weren't good enough. In Philadelphia, the team had to get more talented, and you know, bringing Jimmy Butler and allowed them to put a group on the floor that was as talented as

anybody in the East. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but JJ Reddick it seems like he's only gotten better as his age has increased. At this stage of his career. What type of ingredients does he add to this starting five? How important is he making everything go? Yeah? I mean JJ Reddick is he is a player who's gotten better in his thirties, keeps himself in tremendous condition, and I think it's going to allow

him play. It's going to allow Reddick to play well into his thirties, he's become a much better defender in the league. He'll he'll talk about the impact stanbian Gundy had on him very early in his career in Orlando. And you know, he played such an integral role on those Clipper teams with a lot of star players around, and his circumstances and a whole lot different in Philly

than it was with the Clippers. And he's a player who, you know, he doesn't have to put it on the floor, you know, catch and shoot, and when defenses start to converge on the all stars on this roster, you know, you know, in a big spot, JJ Reddick, you know, is going to be able to make a shot for you. And I think for Philly, and I think this was true in LA and it's true here. He's really one of the underappreciated players in terms of role and impact

in the league. And you know, there are a lot of teams in the league who would love a lot of contenders who'd love to have JJ Reddick on their roster. I know Philly feels pretty lucky that they've got them. Two of the men at the leadership home for the seventies Sixers, Brett Brown, and Elton Brand. Can you talk about the type of reputation they've earned for themselves, Well, Elton obviously in a very short period of time as

a GM, but Brett now the last six seasons here. Yeah, I think Brett Brown, You know, I think what's a pretty good mark for a coach in this league are how what players say about them when they're gone and they're not with him anymore. And you talk to players who are with Brett Brown at all different stages of the Sixers rebuild, and guys who played big roles, guys who didn't play a whole lot, and what they'll always tell you is I always thought he was honest with him.

He was fair, and he coached him hard. And one thing about Brett Brown, and you taught, whether it's the guys he competes against other coaches executives in the league,

they talk about his honesty. And I've talked to agents and free agency who talk about or in the buyout market who will talk to Brett Brown about what their player's role might be with the Sixers, and they'll go back and tell you what Brett Brown told us it was going to be is exactly how it was a lot of coaches will sell bigger roles than the players actually going to see and that goes a long way

in this league. And I think there's an appreciation for what he's been through in Philly, what he led the organization through, and I think he gives hope to a lot of coaches in the league who are in rebuilding situations that they can see it through the way Brett

Brown was able to see it through in Philly. And I do think it's changed the way executive look at rebuilding processes that it isn't always just about having a guy to get you through the rebuild and then we're gonna bring another guy in when we want to be a playoff team. That the coach can grow with the organization. And I think Brett Brown has done a lot for the coaching profession with how he's handled this job. And Elton brand listen, I think from the very beginning here

he brought instant credibility. It is not easy to become a gem in this league so quickly removed from your playing career, as a few guys who've done it well, Joe Dumars did it and Detroit built a championship team. But you don't see it as much in the modern era. And I think what Elton Brand has done a really good job of is knowing where his strengths were initially, his ability to lead, to oversee the locker room, the

coaching staff, interact with other executives in the league. But you don't get a sense other gems think they can get over on Elton Brand because he's new to it. He went through some tough negotiations with some of the trades they made, and he's certainly, I think, had the respect to people around the league. I think it's he gained even more so with how he's handled a job. But I think as much as anything, I think Elton's

willingness to lean on. You know, he has a really good staff in Philadelphia front office of really experienced guys who you know, some of whom he came up with here the last couple of years. And I think he allows everyone to do their jobs. And I think he's learning from the people around him. And I think that's a big part of this job, is figuring out as you go along and leaning on the people who can

help you get smarter at it. And I think, you know, he's done that and I think it speaks to, you know, the success he's had a pretty short time here. Great stuff from majoran Wojanavski, ESPN senior NBA insider, not that you'd expect anything less. I did want to ask him about Joel Embie and Ben Simmons. I realized it was probably a little bit conspicuous that I didn't, but we

were limited on time. Wach obviously and extremely busy dude didn't want to keep him too long, and honestly, I feel and this is this really is more complimentary than anything else. Ben and Joe get such deserving love. Get talked about a lot that I really wanted to dive in, specifically on the two new editions to the roster and Jimmy Butler to Bias Harris, and then get some thoughts from Rhojo on JJ Reddick, who I still feel and I admit I've said this before, We're going to say

it again. I am as guilty as anyone. I just feel like JJ Reddick, it's almost like we take for granted what he does and is expected to do, even though he does it at such a high level. So I just wanted to check in and get Wog's thoughts on JJ Reddick in the type of season JJ has been having. Good to see him bounce back the last two games for the Sixers in the win over Orlando

and the loss of the Chicago Bulls. The loss of the Bulls was indeed a toughy and we're going to talk about that a little bit more right after this. And here from James Ennis, who was a bright spot for the seventy Sixers in that game on Wednesday at United seven. But first I have to I want to I need to tell you about the fourth Annual Sixers

Youth Foundation Gallup, presented by vip Wireless. It is this Monday at the Fillmore, Philadelphia, fantastic venue right off of Columbus Boulevard and Frankfort Avenue as you get into Fishtown. Going to be a great night, it always is, if you've gone before, if you've heard about it, if you know people who've gone, if you've seen some of the

stuff we've posted on social about it. There's gonna be players, there's gonna be coaches, there's gonna be alums, members of the front office, all of the Fillmore for a great night of fun as everyone works together to create brighter futures for the leaders of tomorrow from right here in the Delaware Valley. If you're interested about finding out more or how you might be able to attend or to purchase tickets, you can go to Sixers Youth Foundation dot org,

slash gallup Strong Youth, Strong Communities, promising futures. That is what six or Strong is all about. And I'm telling you, I know that you've probably been to charity events and fundraisers before. The gala is an entirely different deal, just an awesome night. Fourth annual Sixers Youth Foundation Gala presented by VIP Wireless this coming Monday, Fillmore, Philadelphia, once again the site for tickets Sixers Youth Foundation dot org slash Gala and on the website right now the live auction

is underway. Great items for you to bid on, classic things, things you can't get anywhere else, things like being a guest on the broadcast. All right, we'd love to have you, so yeah, please do. That's item number one twenty eight if I'm not mistaken, But yeah, please support the cause if you can. It certainly goes to a worthwhile, valid purpose. Sixers. We're right now recording this podcast middle of the road trip. Now they're going to play the Houston Rockets on Friday.

They lost at Chicago on Wednesday by point one eight one o seven. That was a tough one, no doubt about it. Bizarre, quirky ending with half a second to go, once, half a second to go twice. Sixers not able to get the job done. But a guy who did get the job done, who played really well, I thought off the bench in seventeen minutes. James Ennis, relative newcomer to the Sixers, picked up the day of the deadline about

a month ago from the Houston Rockets. The Sixers and Rockets exchanged the rights to swat picks in twenty twenty one. But against Chicago on Wednesday, Ennis went for eleven points, five of seven, seven rebounds. The eleven points seven rebounds both highs with the Sixers two block shots as well, showed up big in the fourth quarter and gave some

nice lift off the bench. So after the game, inside a Sixers locker room that was understandably disappointed with the defeat, had the chance to grab a few minutes with James Ennis, and here's how the conversation went. Tough LOSSIRA veteran member of this team. What do you try to do to regroup after a game like this? Let's just go back and watch the phone and watch the mistakes. You know,

it's a back to back. I feel like our energy was a little down today, but you know we just go back, go back and watch film and you know, learn from that. You did supply some good energy in your minutes. What did you make your performance? Statistically speaking? It was your highest and pact game with the team since the trade. We lost today. You know, Um, it sucks to lose, but you know, I'll just try to do so as much as i can want the opportunity I get, you know, because I never know if I'm

a player or not. But you know I'm always ready when my numbers called. Have you gone about just trying to find your comfort here? Establish a rhythm with a new team? Um, you know, put an extra work after practice at night. You know, that's what keeps you, keeps your mind into the game and keep you and keeps you ready. And that's what I've been doing. And tonight, you know, it's it's good to see the ball going finally since I've been there. So I've been working really hard.

You know, it's funny you have a locker at least here in Chicago next to John Simmons and Brett Brown's talked about this mini tournament among some of the reserve guys, but it seems like there's a good camaraderie with some the bench and thereserve players too. Yeah, you know whatever, you know, get along, run here. You know, it's just a good environment and that's what that's what you want, you know. I'm really happy to be along with this team.

Your next game is Houston. What was that experience like playing with them? And hows it feel knowing that you're going back there now with another squad. I had a good experience, you know, playing with UM, playing with James, Chris Ball, you know, UM, growing against them, I can't wait. You know, just you know, get actor, you know, compete,

and that's that's what always want. Funny games. I mean, I'm sure you had plenty of reps and opportunities in practice, but what what's the key to trying to slow down players of that high caliber like that? Trying to get the bat at James James's hand and just make it tough rum last thing. I mean, you've been around in the league for a while. You've seen good teams. What do you think you have with this core here when

you guys are fully healthy. You know, we had like five alsos on this team, you know, and U just all. We have role players also too that can play also, so the whole the whole fifteen. So the first player, we all we're all good enough to to help this

down one. You know. I always think that's nice for a player, especially for one who's going back against an old team after a trade, specifically when that deal is still fresh, when you can come in with a little shot in the arm, a little boost, pep in the step, and that'll be the situation for James Ennis the third on Friday, when the seventy six Ers visit the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center for an eight o'clock Eastern game.

That's on NBC Sports Philadelphia, on ESPN if you're out of markets, and of course, in the Sixers radio network. The Sixers handled the Houston Rockets the first time around pretty convincingly. Chris Paul did not play in that game at the Center about a month and a half ago, but Chris Paul is playing now on the season, averaging sixteen points eight and a half assists, two steals per game.

Back out there with James Harden. Harden is just you know, he's had so many runs over the course of his career, but right now averaging forty and a half points his last thirty eight games. Might see that type of output over a five game stretch, a ten game stretch, I would say a fifteen game stretch would be pretty heady to put up that type of scoring average. But thirty eight games, that's more than half the Rockets season. Insane.

Houston's twenty seven and eleven in those games. By the way, Harden is shooting ninety one percent from the line over his past twenty four games, and he's one of four players with over six thousand free throw at tens in his career who shoots eighty five percent or better from the free throw line. Just insanity. You know another guy who the Sixers did not have to face the first time around when they defeated the Houston Rockets one twenty one ninety three on January twenty first, the center was

Clinton Capella. But he's back and as a result, the Houston Rockets are late in the season rising up the rungs of the Western Conference standings. So much was put on and pinned on the Rockets at the start of this year. Could they get back to the Western Conference finals? Could they maybe make the push into the finals? And they got off to a bumpy start. But Houston right now, they have ripped and surged and vaulted their way up to the third seed right now in the Western Conference.

They've won six games in row going in a Friday's game. That's the longest active winning streak in the NBA. And they've been really good at home twenty two and nine. So the Sixers going to be tough, you would figure, especially since you know Houston is not going to forget the Sixers had a pretty easy time with them, regardless of whether or not they were without a few key starters back in January. All Right, that'll do it for

this episode of the podcast. Really appreciate Adrian Wodanowski carving out some time when he's at the Center last weekend to speak also James Ennis inside the locker room at the United Center the other nights. Thank you as always for listening. We love having you on board with the podcast, and we'll talk to you next time. Here onto the broadcast.