The 2019 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching. It is now a mere 19 days away and, as is often the case, a lot is left to be sorted out in the final three weeks. While all teams must make a final decision on each of their picks in the draft, there are a few decisions
Philadelphia 76ers
The Brooklyn Nets came out with energy and execution, stealing Game 1 on the road from the Philadelphia 76ers. This was not the way the 76ers were hoping to kick off their postseason experience. Ben Simmons was bottled up by the Nets defense, Joel Embiid struggled from the field, J.J. Redick fouled out, the supporting
The Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated by the Raptors in a heart-breaking Game 7 loss. What do they need to work on this summer? After a hard-fought seven-game series, the Philadelphia 76ers’ season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion Sunday night when they fell 92-90 against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Fresh off Kawhi
Now that the Philadelphia 76ers have been eliminated from the playoffs, all eyes turn towards Jimmy Butler’s free agency decision. While Kawhi Leonard’s epic game-winning shot in game seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals will live on as one of the greatest moments, it also started the countdown on Jimmy Butler’s free agency decision. After
The decision was a surprise. The timing was not. With one day to go until the NBA Draft Lottery and Combine begin in Chicago, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a shocking hire as the organization’s next head coach—John Beilein. “I feel very strongly about this new and exciting opportunity with the Cavaliers,” Beilein said in the
Joel Embiid was visibly sobbing after losing Game 7, and no one should come remotely close to trolling him about it. Playoff basketball creates some of the most exciting endings in all sports. The last few seconds of a close basketball game can feel like a lifetime, and one shot can change the destiny for
With the series tied at 2-2, the Raptors had an opportunity at home to build momentum. They didn’t disappoint, steamrolling the 76ers in a blowout. Less than a week ago, the Philadelphia 76ers had a 2-1 edge in the series, an idea that seems unfathomable after Tuesday’s lopsided loss. But what had worked well for
With the NBA’s post-season in full swing and historic playoff games being played almost nightly, there are some storylines to watch as the race to a championship unfolds. Here are a few things to watch, especially if some of the ongoing series don’t play out as some had hoped when the season started some seven
The 76ers came out with exactly the sort of urgency and purpose that should be expected of a home team on the brink of elimination to force a Game 7. The series history suggested the Philadelphia 76ers would respond after getting blown out in Toronto in Game 5. More than that, however, it was the
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 18: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 15: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during a game against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 5, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this
The first round is still technically ongoing, but the second round of the NBA playoffs begins in earnest tonight with the matchup between the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. These are two teams that have spent the season progressively one-upping each other with all-in moves. First,
Joel Embiid couldn’t be contained in a crucial Game 3 win for the Philadelphia 76ers, dominating the paint, draining 3s and capping it off with a windmill dunk. Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam channeled their inner Michael and Scottie in Game 1, combining for 74 points in Raptors victory. The 76ers closed out a tight
The Golden State Warriors are in unprecedented territory. They’re attempting something only four other teams (Minneapolis Lakers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers) in NBA history have done — win three straight championships. They’re off to a good start so far. After a tough, competitive first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers, they’ve
Heading into Game 2 against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is probable due to an illness. Led by 45 points from Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-95 in Game 1 of their second round series Saturday night. Now, as the 76ers try to head home with the series
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and
By the end of the night, the NBA’s postseason second round will be officially set — first from 30 teams to 16 and soon just nine shall remain. Throughout the regular season — and for much of the last two years, actually — the biggest, most important question has been repeatedly asked ad nauseam: Can
By the end of the night, the NBA’s postseason second round will be officially set — first from 30 teams to 16 and soon just nine shall remain. Throughout the regular season — and for much of the last two years, actually — the biggest, most important question has been repeatedly asked ad nauseam: Can
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading
Previewing the second-round series between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers with shot charts, assist maps, offensive style charts and expected win probabilities. Shot charts Despite an early slip-up, the Toronto Raptors handled the Orlando Magic with relative easy in Games 2-5, with an average margin of victory of 18.25 points. While the Raptors offense
It’s easy to overlook Zhaire Smith considering he missed 76 games in what should have been his rookie season. But overlooked and unimpactful are very different things. And it’s hard to argue the potential impact Smith can have on the basketball court. In college, Smith was a reliable contributor in his lone season at Texas
Before the first-round series between the Nets and 76ers began, the question of who Ben Simmons would guard had the potential to define a lot. As Jared Dubin pointed out, Simmons’ versatility has been unfurled a bit more since Tobias Harris was acquired in February. He has always spent time defending all five positions but
The Philadelphia 76ers made a statement, suffocating the Brooklyn Nets on defense in Game 5 and closing the series with a huge win. The 76ers scored 14 unanswered points to open the game, setting the stage for the beatdown that was to come. Brooklyn finished with 100 points but just 31 in the first half,
Brooklyn Nets forward Jared Dudley had an eventful Game 4 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, culminating in a third quarter ejection. The Eastern Conference first round playoff series between the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers has been chippy from the start, but it reached a whole new level in Game 4 Saturday, as Jared Dudley
BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using
The NBA Playoffs are finally here, but at what cost? This week, the community said goodbye to two certain Hall of Famers — Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki. Beyond their cemented statuses as adored fan favorites for nearly 20 years, the pair also boast an insane amount of professional achievements. Wade finishes his career with
The NBA Playoffs are finally here, but at what cost? This week, the community said goodbye to two certain Hall of Famers — Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki. Beyond their cemented statuses as adored fan favorites for nearly 20 years, the pair also boast an insane amount of professional achievements. Wade finishes his career with
Previewing the first-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets with shot charts, assist maps, offensive style charts and expected win probabilities. Shot charts While it’s well established that the post-deadline starting five for the Sixers has more talent than the rest of the league (non-Warriors division) with a +20.3 points per 100 possessions
The NBA playoffs are finally here. There are interesting series of both sides of the bracket, but I find the No. 3- No. 6 matchups in each conference to be the most interesting. So we’re going to break down six major questions (three for each team) that will matter in Sixers vs. Nets (below) and