Accountability for the Sixers Starts with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Since handling the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day, the Philadelphia 76ers have endured one of their ugliest stretches in recent memory.
In four straight losses to albeit good teams, the Sixers have lacked intensity on the defensive end and have, in turn, not been executing well on the offensive end.
Coach Brett Brown pointed to a lack of physicality as a root issue in a game against the Orlando Magic. And guard Josh Richardson addressed a lack of accountability within the Sixers locker room following a disgusting loss to the Indiana Pacers.
One thing Richardson smartly pointed out is that this group is still learning each other’s style both on and off the court. This offseason featured a major reconstruction of the current roster, but one thing has remained constant since long before the Sixers were playoff contenders. And that is their cornerstones: Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Any winning team needs to have a leader. Someone besides a head or assistant coach needs to be confidently inspiring their teammates. They need to have the confidence to get in other’s faces during a timeout after a bad sequence and help streamline communication on the court. However, this team does not appear to have a clear leader.
Many saw JJ Redick as a calming and wise veteran presence on the court and in the locker room over the past couple of years. To replace that presence, Elton Brand brought in Al Horford. Horford has been a bit disappointing on the court where his field goal percentage is more than 8% lower than last season and he seems to be a step slow at times on defense.
The Sixers knew they were signing a 33-year-old player this offseason and while he has been concerning on the court, he has seemed to be rather quiet in the locker room. Horford is one of the most respected players in the league and the Sixers locker room will listen to him once he becomes comfortable enough in his role.
But when it comes down to it, the best players on this team should be Simmons and Embiid and they should, in turn, be the leaders as well. Some players, like Kawhi Leonard, lead by example simply by getting after it at both ends every single night. Some are vocal and intense like Jimmy Butler. Obviously, both Simmons and Embiid are still young, but if they bring intensity, others will follow.
Following their loss to the Houston Rockets, Embiid was seen commenting to Clint Capela after the game saying, “It’s not me.” Sixers fans have speculated that this comment is in reference to the team’s recent struggles.
Obviously, there could be several explanations for a comment like this, but if speculation is correct, fans should be severely concerned about Embiid’s maturity.
http://twitter.com/YoungBulleSZN/status/1213303676204400641
This immaturity is exactly what is preventing the Sixers from reaching their true potential. For Embiid to make a comment like that on national television demonstrates his lack of leadership capabilities and that is a huge problem. Losing falls on the team as a whole and especially falls on the best players. And for Embiid to kick aside blame for a loss in which he got severely outplayed by a far inferior player is nothing but concerning.
In addition to leading by example, both need to be more vocal and, as Richardson pointed out, they need to be willing to hold others accountable. When someone does not get back on defense or when someone is running a play incorrectly, Simmons and Embiid need to have the confidence to address the issue.
When watching the Sixers this season, chemistry has been lacking. Stars create chemistry. Simmons is a quieter and cooler presence, but that does not mean he is exempt from being a leader on this team. Embiid is usually a goofier and trash talking player, but he has the charisma and ability to easily motivate others.
Although it is much to ask out of these young stars, Coach Brown needs to motivate them to take control of this team on and off the court.
Featured Image: Bleacher Report
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Sixers