Pros and Cons: Sixers vs. Cavaliers
Good and bad after Sixers-Cavs.
Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.
Looking to improve to 4-0 in the James Harden era, the Sixers played host to the young and exciting Cleveland Cavaliers tonight. Here’s what’s on my mind after tonight’s game:
Pro: Sixers get a boost from Shake Milton and Georges Niang
Milton won’t be the main story from this game, but he did display the offensive versatility that made him such a tantalizing prospect over the last few years.
Milton has struggled since returning from his back injury, and in fact was pulled from the rotation in the second half on Sunday. Tonight, though, he had a chance to build on a solid performance he put in on Wednesday, and he made the most of it.
Late in the first half when the Cavaliers had the Sixers on the ropes, Milton cashed in a few hugely valuable buckets that helped keep the Sixers afloat.
Milton’s performance was far from earth-shattering, but let’s face it: with the year he’s had, even the small victories are worth celebrating. For now, Milton should remain in the rotation, but he’s got a long way to go to earn the coaching staff’s complete trust and make his way into the playoff rotation.
Niang was also excellent for the Sixers tonight, hitting some timely threes to help keep the Sixers afloat, finishing the game with five triples.
Niang is likely a lock to be the backup stretch four for the rest of the year. His quick trigger and shooting versatility make him a necessity for this team, especially with James Harden on board.
Con: Sixers defense shredded in first half
For the entire first quarter, and nearly the entire first half, the Cavaliers basically had a layup line going against the Sixers, as they totaled a massive 71 points in the first 24 minutes of the game.
It was a disastrous effort from all parties involved: the guards were getting beaten on the perimeter, and the frontcourt players were simply being outworked by Cleveland’s rotation filled with sizable players.
What was most notable was how little resistance the Cavaliers faced at the rim. Because this team has Joel Embiid, that is not something that happens here often. But even Embiid struggled mightily to contain Cleveland’s drivers and bigs.
The Cavaliers certainly deserve credit for knocking down good looks, but the Sixers played more than a small part in all of it.
Pro: Tyrese Maxey is a future star
What can you even say at this point?
Whenever I talk about Maxey, I usually address him as the Sixers’ “rising” or “budding” star.
But for now, let’s forget about that qualifier.
Maxey appears to just be a full-blown star in the present. He is a sponge, rapidly picking up skill after skill, shot after shot, move after move. He plays with an electricity, a motor, and a pace that is almost never seen in the NBA.
When you contrast it with his methodical counterparts in Embiid and Harden, his ability to be a blur in the open floor becomes even more lethal. Maxey is the ultimate change-of-pace back, and he’s found his optimal role as a slashing combo guard who a few times a game is given the keys to the offense.
When Harden was acquired, many people worried it would stunt Maxey’s development. Not only has that not happened, but the opposite has become true. With Harden on the floor, Maxey has gotten even better. And now, as a 21-year old second-year player, he is part of one of the NBA’s elite triumvirates.