Sixers guard James Harden and middle Joel Embiid; Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty
“Here come the Sixers“! Fans hope to listen much more of that old-school anthem performed after each house win because the crew enters the 2022-23 marketing campaign.
Driving the inside track: The 76ers — a scorching, despite the fact that not going, contender to win the NBA Finals — hung tricky in opposition to protecting Eastern Conference champs the Boston Celtics on Tuesday however misplaced their season opener 126-117.
- They take at the Milwaukee Bucks at house this night at 7:30pm.
If you end up in a packed room of diehard enthusiasts, here is what you want to know to carve out a bit of house for your self a l. a. Sixers guard James Harden along with his arsenal of mind-melting stepback jumpers:
Flashback: The Sixers flamed out of the playoffs ultimate yr in the second one spherical for the fourth time in 5 years.
State of play: It’s the second one season in combination for All-Star middle Joel Embiid and Harden, aka The Beard, who was once got from the Nets ultimate season in a blockbuster business that noticed Ben Simmons shipped out of Philly.
- Harden, in the most efficient form of his existence after exaggeratedly claiming to have dropped 100 kilos within the offseason, anchors the brand new glance backcourt for the Sixers. The crew already had every other cast guard in Tyrese Maxey, however they are higher this yr after including P.J. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House to the roster.
- Embiid stands to be a beast once more, coming off a runner-up MVP season wherein he averaged virtually 31 issues in line with sport.
If you might be on the paintings water cooler the day after a large Sixers win, slide by way of colleagues with Euro step-shimmy combo as you shout, “Buckets! How bout that dude Harden?” His all the time coiffed beard and pizazz-filled play make him a fan favourite.
- Plus, he is beautiful just right at the hardwood, averaging 21 issues, 10 assists and 7 rebounds over 21 video games with Philly ultimate season. He additionally turns out to have a just right humorousness, as in a league filled with fashionistas, he confirmed up to the sector in Tuesday’s opener taking a look like Sulley from Monsters, Inc.
The intrigue: Tucker provides extra offensive firepower to the combination, as a prolific 3-point shooter who made 42% of his threes ultimate yr.
- He’s amongst a troupe of former Houston Rockets gamers introduced to Philly by way of president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, additionally an ex-Houston compatriot who popularized a “Moneyball“-style analytics-based method to basketball.
Yes, however: Morey’s groups have had about as a lot good fortune profitable NBA championships as the manager has been at now not getting parking tickets.
- If you might be with the workforce and overdue for a house sport, inform them you might be pulling a “Daryl Morey special,” park proper out of doors the stadium, and slip a $50 invoice within the window to chase away the meter maid. Given PPA’s stellar historical past, and citizens’ 76ers fandom, it could paintings.
Circle your calendar: Nothing like heckling an previous flame. Nov. 22 is when Ben Simmons returns to the Wells Fargo Center.