Sixers 2021 Preseason Takeaways

preseason takeaways, two for each of us. Maybe we can bend the rules a little bit and sneak in some other takeaways Lauren. But a two and two preseason for the seventy Sixers, which wrapped up in Detroit most recently nearly a huge comeback to end it. It It was fun to see the young guys put together a run in the second half against the Pistons. But a lot to be talked about from those four games, to be sure, and we are going to touch on some of those

things here today. Should I dive right in to my first takeaway? You have the floor? Well, so I came up with my first takeaway before these guys played a

single minute together. But the way that Tobias Harris and Danny Green came into media Day as leaders for this group was a really, I think special carryover from last season, because those guys were the ones that set the tone that kept the vibes good, and they certainly came in with that same energy to this camp, whether it was Danny Green holding the boombox at media Day, Tobias Harris

keeping the guys together in the huddle. We've heard a lot of chatter about the way that both of those two have shepherded the youngsters now for multiple years each, and it was really cool to see both of those guys come in that way, and then also to hear Joel Embiid talk about the way that he can he

intends to continue leading this group. He said a couple times in different settings that he wants the team to feel comfortable hopping on his back, and he wants to lead them on the court, and he wants to do a better job of leading them off the court. But when it comes to off court leadership, he's also willing to give props to guys like Danny, like Tobias. I really loved what Joel had to say about Tobias and the growing respect that the two of them have a leadership.

So to me, the takeaways start at the top, and they started from day one that that leadership contingent with Joel on the court, with Tobias and Danny in the locker room and on the court. It feels good to know that this team is led by guys that are so capable of doing so in their own different ways.

That is my takeaway number one. Speaking of the Detroit game that I mentioned at the top, the last preseason game, Danny Green did not dress or participate in the game, but he was on the trip to help some of the young guys in what Doc Rivers said was coach Danny mode. That was cool to see. Yeah, no doubt about it. Doc expressed at shoot around the morning of the game that Danny was never scheduled to play in

this one. That was a planned off game for Danny, and Danny, in all of his leadership, decided to go on the trip anyway to be with the young guys, to spend time with them to help lead them, and Doc called him coach Danny, and Coach Danny was certainly vocal and on the sidelines during that huge comeback that the young guys were able to make. So it seemed that it meant a lot to both Doc and the youngsters that Danny elected to go on the trip when so many guys because of injury or because of rest

were staying home. So again, just just looking at the different ways that different guys can make an impact in their own way. Danny certainly did that in the last game and did a nice job setting the tone for that group that was there that was available to play

in the fourth and final preseason game. My first takeaway is about some of the young players for the Sixers, Specifically, I guess there's no nickname for them, but they had the handshake after the fourth game in the preseason, So the Handshake duo, as i'll refer to them here on this podcast for now, Isaiah Joe and Tyrese Maxie, a couple of young guards for the Sixers. A couple guys were rookies a season ago. I will start with Isaiah and then we'll talk about Tyrese a little bit as well.

But Isaiah Joe was scorching hot in the preseason sixteen for twenty seven from three point range. He was over sixty percent near the end, and I think he missed his last shot to go to fifty nine point three or two percent. Still a great percentage for a sharpshooter in Isaiah Joe, someone with not just a good shot, but can do it from range. I mean a lot of his threes in the preseason. We're from way down in town. And it's a growing confidence. Maybe not even growing.

I mean he's always had this confidence since becoming a professional, since he was in college. I saw it in the G League bubbles, as you like to say, the gubble last year. He joined the Bluecoats at the end of the G League season, and honestly, he's just someone that keeps shooting no matter what. And this exemplifies that his first two games were regular season games with the Blue Coats, he was three for seventeen from three when he joined the Blue Coats. Then in the first playoff game, he

went seven for fifteen. So he goes three for seventeen and he takes fifteen threes in the next game, which was a playoff game, a huge playoff win at the time, made seven of them and finished in the three playoff games from beyond the Arcs. So just someone with in a good way, no conscience when it comes to making or missing threes, and he made most of them in the preseason. But with Isaiah Joe, it's more than just

the three point shooting. Something that was evident was his defensive intensity out there too, which is not always present in the preseason for everyone. But he looked hungry on both ends of the floor in the preseason, offensively shooting the ball and defensively just getting after guys. And Tyrese was sure to give him credit for that defense, for that growth in his game, for the way that he's

able to find steals and get up for blocks. I was super impressed by Isaiah throughout this preseason run, especially against Brooklyn and he was five for seven from deep, and afterwards he said about playing against future Hall of famers like James Harden and Kevin Durant that hey, those guys put their pants on the same way I do.

They're just the competition. I loved that confidence for Isaiah playing against two of the best to ever play this game and still feeling confident and getting into his sets, getting into his stride, shooting six or nine from the field, five or seven from three in that game. He was really really special alongside for a Concorkmouse who also deserves a shout out for his twenty seven point performance that I believe was a six or high for the preseason and can confirm that that was a six or high

for the preseason. Cool to see each guy sort of have time to shine in the preseason and get their legs under them ahead of what promises to be an interesting and exciting regular season. Isaiah Joe, Tyrese Maxie, they were very complimentary of each other at the end of the preseason in that after that last game. When it comes to Tyrese at the start of the schedule leading up to this season, he said he needed to get

back to being Tyrese Maxie. And the period of time that I want to talk about here is that first quarter against Detroit. He comes out, he makes five of his six shots, one of them was a three to score eleven points in the first quarter of the final tune up. Super impressive frame for him. And that is the Tyrese Maxie that showed as a rookie and that the team is looking for to grow into his role

in his second season and lead this team. And that was a super impressive quarter, a kind of a high note to go out on for Tyrese, no doubt about it. And I love just the spirit that he brings every day, committed to playing his role, no matter what that role is, no matter how it changes on a day to day basis. He's a breath of fresh air and I'm really excited to see what he's able to bring in year two. You're sit down with him. What were your takeaways? You

had an extended sit down. Everybody should check it out six Ers YouTube channel soon to be podcast network, depending on when you're listening to this, pretty much anywhere you get our content. Lauren has an extended sit down interview with Tyrese Maxie. What were your takeaways? It was really cool.

I talked to Tyrese the morning we got back from Toronto and just like a little bit of background for those that listen to this podcast, because I think if you're listening to this, you're interested in this type of stuff. We played in Toronto, it was a late night. I caught up with Tyrese after the game and I said to him, what time are you going to be in tomorrow? Assuming, because Tyrese comes in every day that he was going

to be in but probably in the afternoon. And it's already midnight and we're in Toronto, we haven't even left the arena yet, and he says, oh, yeah, I'll be in around nine. I was like, are you kidding me? He really does this every morning, And then sure enough he was there. He got through his workout and he was ready to sit down and do this interview by like eleven in the morning, at which point I had barely woken up because I need more sleep than Tyrese does, apparently.

But it was cool to see the fact that Tyrese came in saying that he likes to work every single morning. He tries to get one percent better every day, and those are lines that we hear a lot of players deliver, but Tyrese is really showing up and he's really doing it. And so, for context, that interview was the morning after

the first preseason game. He wasn't particularly happy with the way he performed, and he was motivated to come in, get good work in and then talk about it with me, And he was really honest about how his first season went, what he's hoping for in his second season, about playing an enhanced role in his second season, his bonds with guys like Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, and then maybe my favorite was reflecting on no longer being a rookie anymore,

along with Isaiah Joe and Paul Reid, who he continues to be really close with, and the three of them have a nice little support system together and a really fun vibe just to watch. So watch for the three of them as they enter non rookie territory in the coming days, because they appear to be very excited about it. Conversation with Isaiah Joe available in those places as well. And Tyrese is a big from the outside looking in

natural energy guy. We're coffee people, and the other day he said to you, how are you drinking coffee this late in the day. Most of the podcast we've done recently, I've just had cold brew and no food. So that's why I sound like a crazy person. But we are coffee people. Yes, Tyrese is like just wakes up and goes I mean, maybe he's judging me for my midday coffees. For sure. You said to him the other day, this is my second one, and it's like, how are you

drinking coffee? This lay in the day. Look, some of us are born with superhuman energy and strength like a Tyrese Maxie. Some of us need coffee to get through the day like a meat And we're all different and we all have our strengths. And I'm comfortable with where I'm at on my multiple caffeinations a day. Train. Love it. Our final takeaways each go again, Okay, my turn. I have been really intrigued by Andre Drummond and George Niang

joining the Fold as new vets. We talked about this a lot, but that second unit is really interesting because either you're a veteran but you're new to the Sixers, or you're not new to the Sixers, but you're a young guy. So I'm talking about the Shake Milton's, the Tyrese Maxis, the fur Concorkmas, the Matisse Thybles. Those guys are all still young. Isaiah Joe figures to spend some time with that second unit. They're still young, but they've been in the Sixers system. And then guys like George

Niang and Andre Drummond come in. They have long careers in this league, being successful in this league. Both are borderline, if not fully veterans at this point, but they're brand new to the Sixers, and so it's interesting to see how that group has sort of come together. George and Andrea both had a really strong preseason. Andre came out really hot, of course, nineteen points fourteen rebounds in his preseason Sixers debut. Doc Rivers has been extremely complimentary of

what he's been able to do throughout the preseason. He ended up averaging fifteen point five points and eight point five rebounds, which is the seventeenth highest rebounding average in the NBA in the preseason. And then, of course George Niang appearing in all four preseason games, scoring a team high sixteen in the Sixers second preseason game on October seventh.

The two of them just really solid veterans, and it's pretty clear early on what they're able to bring to this team, and if they're able to bring these solid contributions this early in this season rather ahead of the season actually starting, they're going to prove to be pretty

big figures and pretty solid contributors all year long. From where I'm sitting, so it's been cool to watch them acclimate as quickly as they have and be as effective as they have, even in the very early days of their ten years as Sixers, right, and we got to see them, which was a great thing. They despite some veterans sitting out multiple games, George and Andre were out

there for a lot of minutes in the preseason. New team, it makes sense, but they it seemed like they relished being out there and getting these reps, and they looked good doing it. George Niang's three point shot, his release, He gets it off with the best of them, and as the weeks the weeks have gone by, just making more and more of those threes, and Drummond has been putting up some big numbers as well. So my last takeaway is kind of a I don't know, it's kind

of a cheap code. The Sixers had sixty steals in the preseason. Now teams are rusty, it's fitting new pieces together. But it was the most per game, so I'll leave everyone with that, fifteen a game. The Warriors did have sixty seven steals in the preseason, but they played five games. The Sixers had sixty in four games, so and I would add that they did it without for the bulk of preseason. One of the league's leading stealers in Matisse Bible. They were still able to really steal at a high

rate without arguably their best stealer on the court. I like that takeaway, young guys. How about trivia question for you? In four games only fifty one minutes, how many steals do you think Aaron Henry had? Two way player fifty one minutes five seven steals for Aaron Henry, which Shack Harrison eleven, Aaron Henry seven, Isaiah Joe who we've talked about seven Those were the top three, George Niang six, So I mean, there's there's a bunch of guys up there.

They total sixty. Defensive intensity was one of my takeaways in the form of steals. But that's it. We promised two each next up the regular season. Depending on when you're listening to this, it might not have started yet

Wednesday night in New Orleans. I don't know how many people are going back to a preseason recap podcast well into the regular season opening in Hopefully you're getting this before then Wednesday at the Pelicans to kick off the season, and then the home opener is a Friday night in South Philadelphia against the Brooklyn Nets. It is going to be a fun first week of the regular season. As a self proclaimed basketball weirdo, I'm really excited. I love

the start of the season. I love watching our team, watching other teams get their feet under them, experiment with different things. There's a lot of crazy, freaky weirdness in different rotations and combinations and matchups in the early weeks of the season, and there's a freshness about it. The weather is turning, the leaves are turning, the season is starting. I love this time of year, and I'm excited to get underway with you, of course, Matt, and with all

of our listeners. As always, feedback is super, super welcome, So if you have any send it our way. We are at Lauren m Rosen on Twitter and Instagram and Matt at Matt Underscore Murphy. Oh four. Send us your feedback, send us your questions. We are excited to get the season underway. For Lauren Rosen, I'm Matt Murphy. Thank you for listening. And another reminder, you know the drill the other feed get your interviews. You get these shows here.

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