Stock Check, with Dei Lynam and Devon Givens

cottom with a week to go before the playoffs. A discussion about the state of the squad with d Line Them and Devon Gibbons on this episode of the broadcast, Hello, how are you seventy Sixers pod people? Hope everything's good in terms of following the basketball team. I know it's a little bit frustrating right now. Three straight losses, kind of amazing. It's the first time this season the Sixers

have dropped three games in a row. You have to go all the way back to the second round of the playoffs last year to find the last instance that the Sixers dropped three straight games, which in and of

itself is telling of a couple things. One the relative consistency the seventy Sixers have had in terms of their success over the course of the twenty eighteen nineteen season, but also the current state of affairs guys in and out of the lineup, and not just any guys, some of the best players on the team, whether it's been Joel Embiad missing for three straight games on a road trip, Jimmy Butler in and out a bit with varying issues. It's late in the year, the playoffs are coming in.

The seventy Sixers are trying to get there. It's been a difficult stretch, but I thought against the Bucks, even in that loss on Thursday at the Center, there are some things too hopefully build upon. I'm Brian Seltzer. Thanks so much for checking out the podcast. As always, you can find us on a couple of places. If you are not yet a subscriber to our feed, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, pocketcasts, tune in. Just type in

Sixers podcast Network and look for us. We're gonna talk with de line Them and Divine Gibbons to resident leading seventy Sixers basketball experts in our great city of Philadelphia and beyond. We do a regular Sixers and Sixties show presented by the Great people at Toyota on ninety seven five to The Fanatic, the flagship station of the Sixers

in Philadelphia. So we're gonna play back a conversation from that the three of us sat down before the Sixers hosted the Bucks in that game on Thursday at the Center, Joel embiid it was expected that he would make his return, and make his return he did thirty four points, thirteen rebounds, thirteen assists, three block shots, just the third player of record in NBA history, according to the Great Website Basketball Reference, to post those minimums in a single game. But Janni

sendat Kompo and the Bucks won the day. The Freak forty five points, thirteen rebounds, six assists, five block shots. George Hill off the bench with twenty. He scored seven straight to put the Bucks in front for good. But as I said before tipoff happened and got underway in front of a sold out crowd at the Center. It was me d line them and Divine givens on the

Fanatic from PJ. Wilhans at the Center and doing an episode of six and sixty, and I thought, given the subject matter, us reflecting on the state of the team, what needs to happen going into the playoffs, and then once they get into the playoffs, it'll be worthwhile to play back the chat. So here it is the seventy sixers and the best team in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks, down here at the Sports Complex, and we've got our second to last episode of six Ers and sixty presented

by Toyota of the season. A great occasion to have it. I'm Brian Seltzer from Sixers dot Com. It is awesome to be with Devon Givens and de line them. Lady and gentlemen. What's good, Thanks, Bri. I'm hoping for better basketball than we saw twenty four hours ago, that's for sure. Oh absolutely, d I mean we needed something better and I went off a little bit on these two nights.

Winning in Minnesota was fantastic, but they couldn't follow it up with the two that they needed from Atlanta, and that one was really troublesome for me, the one last night in Atlanta. So hopefully they can bounce back against this Milwaukee Bucks team. Who I guess we'd have some guys in the lineup tonight and perhaps revenge on the mind after the seventy Sixers knocked them off a couple weeks ago on that Sunday game on Saint Patty's Day at Fiser Forum. The Sixers, guys, they have lost four

out of their last six games. They have not been healthy. I think it's really important to state that right off the top before we get into the details of where the Sixers are at this late stage of the season. They have not been healthy, but I also you want to see some juice before the playoffs come around, right, and it's just been something that they have been struggling to find, regardless of who's been in who's been out. Joell and Beats questionable. He's gonna be a game time

decision tonight. Know, Jimmy Butler, he was involved in a collision at mid court down the stretch of last night's game. He missed the game before last night with some back tightness. JJ Reddick was a question mark. He is going to be available tonight. James Ennis the third hurt. He's not gonna play, So we're gonna see some different combinations and

once again a not full strength Sixers team time. But I think you need to be getting closer to being healthy because no matter what, it's starting next weekend with the playoffs, and I mean I think we all know that Jimmy Butler, come playoff time, even if you have

a sore back, you'll be out there. I think that James Nis, James Ennis the third concerned Brett today a little bit more than you would have thought, only because he thought he had his rotation in terms of perimeter guys set and he doesn't know what the quad injury is now or how far it'll set him back. But that seemed to be of concern to Brett Brown a

little while ago. Well, the fact that he limped off the way that he did pretty much immediately after it happened, walking right to the locker room in Atlanta, and you saw that it was it was enough for him to again just walk off the floor because he needed to have it addressed immediately. And I too, and we talked about this before D and Selt where James Ennis look to be that wing player off the bench where you felt like you can feel you feel comfortable with him

doing what he needs to do. Jonathan Simmons will see how it works out now, but James Ennis was the first wing player off the bench, giving you some good minutes, some solid point production from time to time. And right now, with this happening, where what does he go? Now? Does he turn to Shake Milton Ziere Smith? Just to see tonight if in the event that they need some wing help that one of those two players can in fact

step in for a few minutes. I think we'll see him go to Zaire first, just because not knowing how long Ennis would be out Shake Camp play in the postseason, and Ziyer might be needed, and so you might as well get the run from him now to see what you're what you're up again? Sure? I agree? I agree? And that's that says it all right there, Since the fact that Shake Milton is not eligible for the postseason and you can have Zaire Smith, that's the direction that

they should go. Brett Brown six and sixty presented by Toyota Here on the Fanatic top of the hour, Tom McGinnis will bring to you the Sixers and the NBA Best Milwaukee Bucks. We got Brian McLaughlin at the controls phone number six one zero six three, two zero nine seventy five. Will start it off with a question, an obvious question. I don't think it's a question that the seventy sixers are hiding from at this point in the year, but it's certainly a pressing one. What is this group

right now? I mean since the Dubias Harris trailer. I'll go through a couple numbers. I try to think at two bog down and stats doesn't always translate well to the audio streaming or old FM and TANNA if you're listening in your card. And by the way, where at PJA Wheelhands at the center? So if you're getting in the building, stop by second one, oh fie, oh six,

good shout out to PJ Wheelhands. All right, eight and two seventy sixers record in games played with the projected top starting five Simmons, Reddick, Butler, Harris and Joel Embiid. They've beaten some of the best teams in the league Denver, indeed, Milwaukee, Boston. They knocked off Brooklyn right before Joel set out this last stretch of three games. So I think there is something to that. There's something to be said for that. But it's also in tandem with this whole notion of

well when can it click? How quickly could it quick So just I'm curious how you guys feel. What do we know right now and what is the confidence. I don't think we know anything really as of yet, except where they have a nice starting five on paper and not having to see them long before a long stretch consecutively. I mean, where where we can get a good feel the continuity. We can see it on the floor and say, oh, okay,

that pick and roll works. You can see where that dive to the basket from Ben Simmons is effortless because the passes effortless from Jimmy Butler or to Bias Harris in this case, because Butler's been here longer. We don't know all of those things yet. And that's where, again, the continuity and being able to stay on the floor together those ten get those few games that you were talking about. It's just not enough right now now. Are they good enough to flip the switch when it comes

to the postseason for me? Right now? No, because they haven't had enough time to do so, even practice time. They have not had enough time to figure it all out. Could they eventually? They're all pros? They are. They even running the same place. But there's nothing like being on the floor together to actually get it done, to feel good about it and say we can in fact go out there and execute these plays the way we need. And it's not even offensively so much as we talked

about all year long. It's on the defensive end that really stands out for me. The only switch that I have ultimate confidence in being able to do it is Joel Embiid. I really do. I think the times that we have seen him were turned from an injury. Whether we want to go to the eight games that he sat out after the All Star and then came back.

Was there a little fatigue, absolutely? But did he have game like instantly Absolutely when he sat out the previous road trip and came back and Jimmy Butler asked him, I need you to get us through three quarters and I swear I'll deliver online in the fourth. And Joel did that. So that's the one switch I really do feel confident about. I hear you not enough sample to

feel good about that. The only thing. And I you'll like again just listening to Brett, your confidence in the veteran ness to this group, and I'm going to put Joel in there because he has, you know, last year under his belt. I think the play through this year, and I think mentally when you hear him talk him combined with Jimmy and Tobias and then Ben, that I feel like there's enough there now. Defensively, I still have questions, but I think they're putting a lot of that on

Joel being there to protect that rim. Six and sixty presented by Toyota here on ninety seventy five. To the fanatics, We're coming to you from PJ will hands at the center between section one oh six, one oh seven, your level of confidence in the seventy six or six one zero six, three, two zero nine seventy five as we hit the final couple games of the regular season, and also this will segue us into our next segment building what you just said, d Is it really all about

that one man who wears the number twenty one? How much of this hinges on him? These may not be the most hard hitting questions, but pertinent ones right now. Give us a call. Six one zero six, three two zero nine seven five, six and sixty, presented by Toyota here on ninety seven five the fanatic to Bias back out top to Joel, He's gonna shoot the three in it Joel at me give the Sixers, Oh what twenty three?

What sixty league heady parts of the crowd. Yeah, that was the last time around the seventy Sixers and the Bucks went up against each other. It was only two weeks ago in Milwaukee. Joel Embiide a monstrous performance forty points, fifteen rebounds, six times block shot in the seventy six Ers win one of their signature wins of the season, and at that point in time things were rolling, part of a season high six game winning streak. I'm Brian Selzer.

This is six ers and sixty percent by Toyota. Awesome to be hanging out with Devon Givens and the line him here at PJ wheel hands between one oh six and one oh seven on the lower level at the center. So yes, we would love to know your level of confidence right now. So we head towards the playoffs six one zero six three, two zero nine five And in particular regarding that man, Joel embiid, how much upon him does the weight fall? So I'm gonna hit with one

more star. We talked about eight and two record with a projected playoffs starting five since the Bias Harris trade. I'm gonna give you this as well, the sixers in that grouping. I don't know if I'm going to granular here. The defensive rating would be third best in the league. We'll keep it at that with the starting five including Joel embiid do you buy that with a ten game sample size? How much do you put stock in that?

And then how much does that reflect the value that Joel is going to need to bring to this team if he's out there. Well, right away I would start with obviously Embid, but then I was shifted to Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons and how versatile those two are and how they would potentially dig in, if you will, on the defensive end to make sure that they get things done. The questions, of course our JJ Reddick and

Tobias Harris, where do they fit in? But sometimes, as you know, it's it's contagious if those three are playing the way that they are, and if Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris had given the effort on defensive end, specifically on a perimeter with the switching, all the switching that they do, Tobias Harris, again, it's contagious, JJ Reddick, You say what you want about him. We know the defense isn't great, but he gives the effort. It's about the

wing defense from Tobias Harris. That meat really has my as you pointed out the antennas earlier for the radio, really has my antennas up as to where are you going to be when they need you most when those switches happen on the perimeters. So do I buy it in the ten game sample size, Yes, because I believe

three of the five are very good. The other two really one I need and Tobias Harris to step up d yeah, and the other thing I'll go to philosophy wise, Bright, we know the number one thing that they care about is that three point line. They take such pride in that they are the best defending the three point line, and you know, because of the investment they've made an analytics, they don't want to give up threes and at times they get you know, beat at the rim, and that

would change if you had Joel back in there. Then what we're seeing right now. So I would say, yes, I believe in that defensive number two. That again, with everything, you'd like to have more than a ten game sample, But it's all you're gonna have, and I don't think it would drop off significantly as you continue to play more games. If anything, I think the more you play together you have a chance for that number to get better.

And of course, with the elimination factor. You're in Round one against Brooklyn, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, whatever team it may be, if they hit you in your mouth, you're gonna have to step up and eventually you're gonna say, Okay, this works, and let's continue to do this and we can knock this out as best as possible as we continue to move forward in this fresh round, because if we don't, we'll be sitting at home early and there will be a lot of questions for a lot of people if that,

in fact happened. The only thing I would say, Brian, whatever you have invested in philosophy wise with your defense, if in fact you get punched in the mouth. As Devon just said, you can't abort everything. You must still stick to your principle, but just do it better because changing it on the fly would be, in my opinion, would be the worst way to guy, especially with now having a new defensive coach. Correct right though he's he's new but he's old. He's new, but he's old. Yeah,

maybe've been around along. Yeah, absolutely right. And it's so late in the season you cannot change up as much as you may think because the principles already there. That's all I'm saying exactly. I agree with you, I know everyone. I mean, obviously there's a there's a desire and one of this fan base for this team to be at

the max of what it can be. In games like last night in Atlanta and the one before that against Dallas Mavericks, it's frustrating when you see the pick and roll stuff in the execution, but I would almost assure you that Trey Young's not gathering his own miss and

going in for an unscathed lamp. If Joel and beads out there on the floor, I mean, that's that's something where when I assess the state of this team right now in the moment, are you like that can be a little bit frustrating, Yes, But when you step back and if the full complimented players is out there, which we don't know tonight if it will be, it looks like Joel is going to play Jimmy Butler is not, you do have to think that once the four compliments together,

things can be tightened up a little bit and the results will improve. Six one zero six, three, two zero nine, seventy five, six and sixty presented by Toyota. He're on ninety seven five to fanatical. Let's go to Kevin and Newcastle. Kevin, how are you feeling about the squad at right about now? Like I told the bonding um, and lose that shoot out, I'm not feeling I'm not feeling too good because they haven't had time for all of them to play and beat hides out a lot of our defensive mistakes by

him being in the middle. Well he's not there. They just invade the middle and just go right down that. That guy Collins must have had about five value dunks. Man, you know, we we went em beating it. That's not gonna happen. But you know, and this is the thing too. The only team in the NBA, in my personal opinion, that can turn and switch off and on is the Warriors. Everybody, everybody this time of the year is a little pained

up or whatever casey. They have experience. Even with Butler band eight years in what has he proven a one nothing? So we ain't on and all switch. They on paper, it looks good, but they're not matching paper. They got to play, man. The only team in the league that

can do that is the Golden State Warriors. And you're right last night Trey Young and John Collins that pick and roll and to finish at the room, either the floater or the attempt to float and drag the defense in and beat them leading into that lob to John Collins, you're absolutely right. And to Brian's point as well, that if the fact that Trey Young could grab that offensive rebound and go right back in and lay it up.

The thing that really bothered me with those two players were number one, the fact that he so openly went to get the rebound, and number two, the other guys were watching, so what are you doing? And you know what last but not LEAs Man, that's their coach, was our assistant coach, so he knows our tendencies. He does, and we gotta deal with Trey Young for like the next ten years. Man, you understand. So it's gonna be toughful. I'm not I'm not doubting them. I'm not jumping off

the ship. But if we don't be careful. It wouldn't surprise me if I chance, we get knocked out in the first round and the six seven EHD they're playing hungry man. Yeah, they are playing hungry. But I just don't see that happening. Cab, thanks for the call. As much as I may have problems with it, it's because I think they're very good and they're limiting themselves out there on the basketball floor and not putting out that full maximum effort because I do think they're that good.

I was actually surprised at the defensive number cells that you put out there in those games that they were third in the league. That's phenomenal to me, especially in that short amount of time and what they're trying to figure out. So I don't think I disagree with keV at that point. Yes, if you do fall asleep at the wheel, you can get punched in the mouth d and you can get knocked out in that first round, and then there are plenty of problems to talk about.

But I just don't see that happen, and they have they have enough to get it done. Seven games is a long time, yet they're geting another team out. Yeah, it's if you're equal talent then that's where it becomes a problem. But if you are the better team, most times seven games, it's just too long for the underdog to prevail. And I look at it similar to the Miami series last year, where they came in, they thumped them in game one, the Sixers did at home, the

crowd was nuts, it was exciting. Game two, Miami came back and got them right back, and then the Sixes said, Okay, let's turn this up and let's get this out of the way. And by the way, Ben Simmons was the best player in the entire series. So that's what you're gonna need again. While Ebie gets his footing and back underneath him, get his legs going, get the game shape, and then you're gonna need someone like Butler, Simmons, Harris or Reddick to step up and be the catalyst and

the offensive end. Brian, I do like in what the Sixers situation is this year to who the Calves were last year in terms of trying to get it together in time for the playoffs, knowing what they had, not caring what the seed was, trying to get to know each other because they had made it. The new additions similar to it not to the level that the Sixers guys are. But I think Lebron said to look, we just need to know each other, we need to be healthy, and I don't care what the set is, and then

let's go. And that's what I think they did. Sixers and sixty presented by Toyota six one zero sixty three, two zero nine seven five are hanging out at Pj's down here at the center between one oh six and one oh seven. Stop on buy if you're making it way down to the game. We've got the call at the top of the hour with Tom McGinnis, seventy sixers in the three spot in the east trying to wrap that up. They cannot clinch it and directly tonight, but they got the bucks a great test. I think again,

some things that you can't dispute. The seventy sixers. They're eleven points better. When Joel embiad plays, there's a drop of well I should rephrase there's a swing of eleven points when he's on the floor and he's not on the floor. That's one thing. And I mean, obviously you want to win series in the playoffs because what do you do you advance, But it's easy to forget. Like you said, you just how long the playoffs are even serious?

And I don't know if anyone thinks back till last year, how long did the five game series against the Heat feel like? So? And the structure. This might be getting a little bit two into the weeds, but the way things are format in the playoffs is different too. Like right now, the sixers can't practice. They don't have any time to practice with how tight the games are. It's every other day. If it's not a back to back travel, you just don't have practice time. But when you get

in the playoffs, you're having shootarounds regularly. You have at least one day in between games. And if you advance, the farther along you play, the more you play, that's going to be more practice time for this group to get together. And then I think you can start having the conversation where yes, there is enough talent there where if you give them a set group of practices, they might be able to click more quickly based upon their

talent than another five man starting lineup blue. And the quicker you get rid of that first round opponent, the opportunity might be there for you to have that time to heal up if you will, and have that practice time. The video session of course is key as well, getting ready as you prepare for that next team, while you can probably watch their first few games and watch the

final few games while you rest at home. So I look at it that way when it comes to how how important it is for that practice time in the postseason, I would agree. I also think you start to like, for instance, somebody will be watching that other series sure

the entire time. There's some coach who really not going to know what's going on in this in their own series, because all the attention is to that other one, and trying to think about matchups and how you will try to exploit somebody's matchup going to tonight, Like I'm interested if inb plays, and I think he will seeing it

how much he defends Jannis versus Ben playing Jannis. These kind of things go a long way and telling me who can be a defensive impact in the postseason, because these kind of matchups are what it's about, absolutely, and I agree, I would I would prefer Ben on Jannis, and I understand the intrigue of Jannis versus Embad of course, especially now with a little bit of chatter going on in the media. I still will prefer the more natural matchup of Ben and Ben. He gets up for those

types of matchups. You saw, Yes, he got donked on and he came back down and he gave him He gave it to him right back. So there is that competitive edge right there for him. And let's be us be honest. He put up fifty points on them the last time, so they're gonna want to go out there and stop him. Asking me televised game, They're not gonna let that happen again. And maybe these last two games on a road and woke him up a little bit, and this one really has them having their feet underneath

him tonight. Just get a little bit of the juice back, get a taste, still sipping some more. You know that that could help cure a lot of the ills for the Sixers right now as they try to break out of this funk. They've lost four out of the last six. Before that, they won six and a row when Joel Embiid was in the lineup. He warmed up a little bit while ago. Down here at the center where a waiting word on whether or not he is in six

one zero six, three, two zero nine seven five. Of course, there is a whole host of this roster beyond Joel Embid. Let's maybe as we continue after this break, getting into how things might fall into line with some of the other players beyond Joel Embid, what they'll have to do come the postseason in amazingly next two weeks. What's that. I'm sure everyone can agree. The regular season with all due respect of the regular season, it's been fun, it's

been great. It's time to get out time to time ago last week when you're already in it's brutal, it is.

It has been a slog, to say the least. All right, six one zero, sixty two zero nine seventy five six ers and sixty presented by Toyota here on the fanatic will become bring him right back after this to the right side of chriscs to middle lad to Janni Feed had to give help and Middleton slides of the little left hand passed right into the heart of the league Adiopo with a flush battle of two of the best

players in the NBA. Two weeks ago in Milwaukee, Joel Embiad had a huge game for the Sixers as they beat the Bucks, but Jannis did not do too poorly himself. He finished with fifty two points, sixteen boards, seven assists. He is obviously just insanely talented, and the seventy Sixers gonna have to deal with him tonight in their second to last home game of the regular season, fourth last game over all. The Sixers cannot clinch the three seed tonight.

With a win, they would get at worst the four seeds, so home court advantage in the first round. There's certainly something to be said for that. The Sixers magic number is two. They need some combination of two wins, a win and a Celtics loss, or two Celtics losses to wrap up that three seed. With d line them and Devon Givens on Brian Selter, It's six and sixty presented by Toyota six one zero sixty three two zero nine

to seven five. If you want to call in, we're also hanging out at PJ willhands in between sections one oh six and one oh seven down here at the center. Yannis MVP conversation. Of course, how strongly in the conversation as we hit that quick hitting point, Well, that's it's it's hard. No or Yannis at this point really, and it's a real conversation. And I know a lot of people would you more, would know better than I. And it's probably gonna come down to the final game, would

it not. Yeah, I think part of what I remember a couple of years ago when Russell was doing all this triple double magic and but on a lesserteen and I'm Sam Houston's lesser boo. Milwaukee has been the best team throw out, sure, And I think you have reward a guy that's in that conversation for also being on the best team in the league. And if you look around him, it's really what he has. I love the lineup around him, but he has driven that that car

to the top. So, but Harden's numbers in terms of the scoring prowess is crazy, this historic, right, And I feel like, similar to how Russell was historic that year, Harden might bump him off because it is that. I wonder how much it is the new blood. The same way that Russell Westbrook again followed that MVP type season up, you could argue that he was in that conversation again

when James Harden won. So now in this particular case, well, they go the other way, as you said, from from start to finish, even though Toronto had the lead in the East at the very beginning for a couple of weeks they had it and then and then Milwaukee took it over and never relinquished it. So and his numbers have continued to just get better and better and better, and in big games he steps up and he does it on both ends. He's a two eight player. Now.

It was always okay, he has the potential because he has the length, the athleticism. Now it's showing on the floor where he's an actual good defensive player. And I think a lot of that might have to do with Budenholzer. Yes, you know, I mean we can talk about coaching as like Jason Jim No, but but you know, the being able to teach guys, this is the next level for you. Are you interested in getting there? And clearly you know Budenholzer's the Atlanta team that won sixty games not that

long ago. I mean he was responsible for making them as good as they conference finals team exactly exactly, all right, six ers and sixty percented by Toyota six one zero six three two zero nine seventy five and hey, only four games left for the Rockets and the Nuggets. But you know Houston only one and a half game behind for that two seats, So I mean Harden certainly has the Rockets playing great as they've gotten more healthy. Let's

go to Joe. You're on six sixty percent Abody Twitter, Joe hay Field man on the car to the game. We looking to our question tonight, who hits more minutes on the car? Bryce Harper? Desire who gets more minutes? Bryce Harper, Zaire Smith. I would give that to Zaire Smith because there is no James Nis and you do have to figure something out eventually with Mike Scott starting. Zire Smith is simply gonna get a few minutes to see where he is, see how see how we see

how he steps up in the moment. This is a nationally televised game. It may not be ten minutes, but Bryce Harper, if he's out there, he would only get about two minutes. So Bryce Harper is gonna win that one with the five to seven minutes that Brent Brown decides to run him out there for tonight, not in a blowout where the team is lost and you're throwing him out there to see what happens, probably gonna throw him out there in some significant time to see how

he responds to that action. It really is amazing, first of all that Zire is even on the court, having a chance to play in games of some consequence. But yeah, he's definitely in a position. I know he spent some time in the league. Do you obviously saw all those games. But he's gonna need some time, There's no doubt about it. There's flash, the potential you see every now and then there's the athleticism. He's got a nice build, of course, but he's gonna need to figure it out. And that's

that's the operative word, figure it out. And I think it's asking a lot of a young guy who did have so much, you know that to start the year with not just the injury, but then the illness and then you know, you were a first round picking. You had to spend your time in the G league, which is totally fine and you should develop your game down there. But for me, I just think defensively, what is necessary

at the NBA level. I hope they run him out there tonight, but where his development needs to take place is definitely at the defensive end of the court. Because at the G League level he was always getting himself in foul trouble. Oh okay, yeah, So I mean, and that's where I think it's situationally too. Who's out there on the floor that Brett Brown's says, I like this matchup.

Go out there with Startling Brown, go out there, even though Tony Snell's a veteran, Go out there with Tony Snell because he's more of a spot up shooter than he is someone who can put the ball on the floor and gets to the basket. So I think maybe Brett Brown will look at it in that regard to see if that's a better spot for Zaire Smith just to get his feet out there again on the floor. Yeah, because Devanni does have the length. Yes, he'd like him to be able to be that in certain situations, to

be able to know you can throw them out there. Yeah. And of course if they get out in the open floor, that's where he also excels, filling out those lanes and potentially getting something in a fast break alluep or just finishing catching don't yep, We are standing by waiting word on whether or not Joell Eenbie'd play tonight. He did warm up not too long ago. Down here at the Center, I think we're gonna find out probably real soon about

Joe status. It would be excellent, of course, to have him back in the Sixers trying to break out of a two game losing streak. They dropped four out of the last six. We've been talking about obviously, feelings of confidence going into the postseason, which will start the weekend after this one. The packed of course that Joel Embid would have on the Sixes fortunes, but where do things, guys fall in line after that? Of course, everyone understands what Joe can bring to the table, but after indeed,

what then? Well, I'm gonna say one of my questions today to Brett was how comfortable are you because you only have four games left with your postseason rotation? And I thought it was interesting that he still has the decision what do I want to do at the backup point? Do I want to give those minutes to Jimmy Butler or am I going to give it to TJ McConnell. So that's a decision. He thinks he knows what he

wants to do. Personally, I think he's gonna go with the Butler more than the TJ, and TJ will become more of a situation needed as opposed to part of the regular rotation. And the other is who's the backup five. We haven't even said Greg Monroe's name yet, and I asked that about you know, what's his role gonna be. I love that Brian, that he was willing to use the word insurance, and that's that is what that guy is.

And with an embed you better have insurance because you have invested in wanting to go far in this postseason. If you need, he needs a rest, if he his need bothers you a. Greg Monroe has been there. He's a season postseason guy, and he has the right personality knowing that he probably will not be part of the regular road take because he's been there with that Boston team where they will bring him in sparingly in certain spots,

saying with Toronto and Milwaukee as well. So I can agree with you there now the backup, the backup big man spot after Joel Embide. Something still tells me that he he may lean Amir Johnson when he needs him becoming because he trusts him, Yes, he trusts us huge, yes, yep. And and I know a lot of people. It's not a it's not a sexy thing where you want to go with Amir Johnson over Bolden or even Bobon because

he's a fan favorite. Listen, we all like Boban, but there are certain matchups that are not favorable for him. And we said it when it happened that that might be something they're gonna have to keep an eye on. And it has now shown in certain games where he's played four minutes and he's gotten zero shot, zero rebounds, zero block shots, and they're like, Okay, we know we have to go in a different direction fast, and he's

and he recognizes that. So something tells me still, even with the addition of Greg Munroe, that Emir Johnson is going to be in that mix. I'm just saying it's the asin is popular because he and the word is definitely trust. But what is amazing to me, Bright is that you have five deep at the center position when the guy who starts at the center position on the court the most and right now you could use a little extra help on the perimeter. Yeah, we obviously know

how great Joe El Embiid is. Could he be great and at his peak, Max every single playoff game, that might be a little bit unrealistic to expect. So if there are a couple of games where he may not have it going on or the Sixers need something else. Is Jimmy Butler the next guy? How will be and Simmons have to effect postseason games to get the Sixers to their peak top level? Do you think I think

he has? I think he has to effect it. Number one, remembering what happened in Boston and understanding the one point game, the fact that they were able to build that wall at the free throw line and eliminate things, the fact that Brett Brown had to start not only for Robert Covington but also for Ben Simmons because he needed to be off the ball to allow things to roam a little free for the offense to get going. And it

was effective. It was a positive substitution. I think he has to go in there and remember that one, but also remember the success that he had in the Miami Series and how impactful he was and how aggressive he was, the numbers he was able to put up and go out there and execute those things and get it done because they are going to double and triple team Joe

llenb that's a fact. And if the shots are not falling for some of the others, he's going to have to find a way to get to the basket and finish, get to the free throw line and finish at the rim and get to the free throw line and knock down those and one oportunities because he is that good. And he also has to be strong on the defensive end to start to create those opportunities offensively, those fast break opportunities, grabbing the rebound off of the glass and

turning and pushing. Ben Simmons is going to be key. I think he's the second most important guy in this series because of what he does and what he doesn't do where defenses are gonna key key on him strongly. Ye, which is why I didn't really love his game last night. Now that concerns me, to be honest, A loafing last night.

He was loafing along. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I said to Brian earlier that you know, use last year's experience, not just Ben, but the team to utilize Ben differently, like some of what we've seen, running him along the baseline and letting him duck in some when you have the ability to put the ball in Jimmy Butler's hands and people are gonna dare bend to shoot at twelve footer or fifteen footer, then utilize him different, make them pay, post him up a little more than you would have

the year ago because he can do that jump upon Yeah, he can. And when you bring up the point guard minutes for Jimmy Butler potentially as a backup, how many minutes would would you be comfortable with and still mixing it in TJ from time to time? Right? So what if I give TJ ten? So I'm giving you, know, Jimmy about five? Right, Okay, all right, fair enough? I like that. But instead of instead of you getting the

like fifteen to eighteen out of TJ. I don't think you're going to get that, right, I really don't, right, I agree to me. What's intriguing is you're probably gonna now having the benefit of a second playoffs that Ben Simmons are gonna be playing, and we're gonna find out more just how much directly, single handedly he might be able to affect games. How much could Tobias Harris Jimmy Butler if they're able to help space and spread the floor even more, give Ben a little bit more space

to do some things. It all obviously comes together, but no doubt an important second postseason coming up for Ben Simmons. So the way the Eastern Conference looks right now, as we examine these six through eight seeds, there is a game separating four teams that are in contention for three playoff spots. Pistons right now are number six. They're even at five hundred thirty nine and thirty nine. They've lost two in a row. Brooklyn has dropped under five hundred

thirty nine and forty. They've dropped two in a row. The Orlando Magic are eight and two in their last ten. They're thirty nine and forty, and Miami is two hundred five hundred. They're in the ninth spot at thirty eight and forty. They've dropped two straight. It's really intriguing. The Sixers haven't played Detroit since the earliest stage of the season, before the Jimmy Butler trade. If I'm not mistaken, Orlando knocked them off last week when the Sixers didn't have

Ben Simmons. We know the Brooklyn deal. Miami, I think it's clear the Sixers have their number, but I don't know. I think there are certainly cases you could make with those other three teams why you wouldn't want to play them, And for me personally, right now, I'm kind of leaning more towards Detroit and Orlando as the two teams that I wouldn't want to see it because they're playing good basketball.

Yes it is, and I think that when you look at Orlando, to me, Orlando has looked more like a team. They've got some athletes on the wings, and you're talking about areas where the Sixers have had a little bit of issue, a pick and roll with Vussovich and Augustine to the point, and then they're athletic players on the win with Gordon and Isaac, and you got a guy like Ross coming off the bench. I don't know. They intrigued me, especially now that they're playing better basketball. Yeah,

I think I'm at a different point this year. Last year, I was nervous because these guys hadn't played basketball. This year, you've added what I consider two All Star caliber players to a team that already has two All Stars. I shouldn't be concerned about who I'm going to play because

my talents should be better than them. Over the course of seven games, and they should be worried about matching up with you, exactly right, unless unless you had something that is your one weakness that is so bad as a team. And I don't really think that I see

that in the sixers. You know, we can talk about their pick and roll defense, and we can talk about how some guards have really torched them Treyon, but by and large defensively, I got to go to the team number that that's starting five, the net rating of three, and say that I really don't have an outstanding weakness that another team could just ride for seven games. And all of that. The coaching on each of those teams

is really good. Look at Orlando with Steve Clifford and you talk about the ad night say that, and the and the wing Steve Clifford has turned around, and Dwayne Casey and Detroit and even when you go to Miami and you say, okay, yes they don't have it. Eric Spoistre is still Eric Spostre where he might just win you a game like he did last season in the first round. Right, So, but I agree with you. I'm

not afraid of Detroit. Kenny Atkinson and the Nets just because they had the confidence already with what they've done against the seventy six and now it's a new unit here, but they have already seen this team and said, yeah, we can hang with them. We're not afraid of them. Where everyone else there could be a problem specifically too with Andre Drummond, with the real estate that Joel Embiid has in his head. But he's been playing. He was player of the week just like well a week. Yeah.

That and when you have a Blake Griffin who can go off for fifty yeah in a giving game. Yep, you know that's that would scare you a little bit in terms of having that caliber of one guy who can put them on his back. Yeah, Detroit, just bring them on. Let's just let's do this. Knock this out in five, get some rest, get ready for the second round against the Rafts. I think for me, what this comes back to is the whole idea of the sixers. Can they turn the switch on? Can they turn the

switch off? I think there's a team, there could be several teams out there that might make the first round a little bit frustrating. They get through the first round. It's these other things that we've been talking about some of the areas where the Sixers are trying to tighten up where in the second round, that's when you really might start to zero in on those more and they might become a little bit more of an isshar And

I think we have a minute left. We have another one of these shows next week at the Center before the regular season finale. I'm looking forward to doing it with the two of you. I think that's our brooking day and I think we could say that throat out there, but real quickly, are we going to be in better? What are our spirits gonna be like this time in less than a week? Better than what they are right now going on a four game winning streak to close

out the season. Well, I don't see that. You don't see that because I see in people's features. Yeah, after they clinched it there at see by the way, brib they can't do it on their own tonight, but the one win because not enough. But you know, the other teams aren't playing and in Bolting in Indiana play one another tomorrow, so something will help you if the six get the win tonight. Yep, all right, big thanks to everyone involved in tonight's episode of Sixers in sixty presented

by Toyota. Kevin Cornell here on site, Brian McLaughlin back at the studio. Huge thanks to Devon. Indeed it was a great time. I'm Brian Seltzer, Big Test tonight. Enjoy the game. A replay, if you will, of a recent episode of six Ers and sixty presented by Toyota, with the line them in Divine Gibbons of ninety seven five the fanatic regardless of circumstances, whether or not the team

is winning losing something in between. Me personally, I always find it good and useful and for my own purposes, insightful to chat with Devon ind they know their stuff, and just really a good time sitting down with them and talking. Seventy six Ers have three games to go in the regular season at Chicago, at Miami, back at the Center next Wenday versus the Bowl. Stay tuned to our five. People have more episodes coming away between now and then, and then we'll pick things up of course

in the playoffs. To see it