76ers Have a Serious Problem Their Record Isn’t Telling You

The Philadelphia 76ers are 9-3 on the season. So far, it’s been positive all around, as this team is off to a great start, at least based upon their record.

In reality, while some players are finding a groove and getting in where they fit in, others are having a hard time with the adjustment, and it’s causing some moments of forceful offense. Whenever this offense struggles to make shots or has to rely on their defense to create their offense, it leads to a horrific game by one of their key stars. Tyrese Maxey took note of this and explained how everything is a work in progress. 

“Every five starters that we have [are] playing a different role than they played last year, and some of them probably ever.”

Maxey went on to explain how it’s an easier process for him because he’s been down this road before and he’s accustomed to having to make a change at the drop of a hat.

While that’s true, there may be more to it than just a simple adjustment.

Take Jaylen Brown, for example. Here’s a player, like Maxey, who at one point had to take a backseat and then came into his own. Maxey did the same last year when Embiid was hurt. So what’s so different with this team that he can’t replicate his performance the way Maxey has? 

The argument of "not enough basketball going around” doesn’t cut it here, as Maxey is just as ball dominant as Brown. 

Then there’s the concern surrounding the bench. Yes, they’ve had injuries, and that’s forced players to expand the role they were originally given, but that has nothing to do with the fact that they are the lowest-scoring bench in the league right now. The bench is averaging 22 points; that’s absolutely horrific. Anfernee Simons is the only one capable of scoring. Kentavious Caldewell-Pope can hardly muster up five points in a game while Dean Wade has to play center and is having a really hard time finding his shot.

It’s looking like more of a system issue. Every player on that roster should know how to play the game of basketball. It’s completely understandable having a hard time learning a new system, but this is bully ball for half the game and then locking in defensively and getting transition baskets. It all sounds great until you watch a team with great shooting and decent defense trample over the idea of the all-star cast that the 76ers have.

Chemistry is one thing, but there's a deeper issue here, and the 76ers need to figure it out. They could waste what little opportunity they have at winning a title.