76ers Are Winning in the Exact Opposite Way Everyone Expected

Through four games this season, the Philadelphia 76ers' offense has looked good in moments, but it’s not perfect. In fact, the team’s offensive rating ranks 26th in the league.

That’s quite a shock considering this team is supposed to be one of the best offensive teams in the league. Last season, they were ranked seventh. Now, while the team hasn't been the most efficient on offense, the biggest surprise has to be that they are ranked fifth in the league in defense. This has to be the more unexpected twist, considering they are a team of two halves. 

In every game this season, the 76ers have trailed their opponent at halftime. What may have changed the narrative on the defense is how they come out in a more aggressive tone in the second half.  While all this is impressive, the offense is the real concern. 

The offense has a rating of 103.4, and it stems from the staggered style of play. The team has been heavily reliant on one player having the ball and trying to score. Despite the offensive rating, the 76ers rank sixth in pace. Which means the issue isn’t the fact that they push the ball as often as they do. The issue comes when they are in half-court sets trying to score from called plays.

There has to be major improvement in that category, and for that to happen, they have to utilize their players in the best ways possible. One way to do that is to have LeBron James actually be the ballhandler. There are plenty of times when Tyrese Maxey has been the one bringing up the ball, and the one who should be doing that is James. The King has to be the one to initiate the offense to get the most out of the possession. 

There has to be some reluctance from other players to try to score every time they get the ball in their hands. It’s impacting their field goal percentage as a team. As a team, their field goal percentage is around 43 percent while the three-point shooting is an abysmal 26.3 percent.

 These numbers explain why the team has dipped so much from a season ago. While it is still early and the team is still in the feeling-out process, it can’t be undermined how poorly the team is performing offensively. 

The Philadelphia 76ers need to establish their identity and utilize it to elevate the weaker areas of their game. If not, it’s going to be the same slow starts for the entire season.