In order to win in the NBA, there has to be strong chemistry amongst the group. Guys have to want to play for each other and see one another succeed in order to get the job done on the floor.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, that chemistry was not there in the 2019-20 season and they were not able to overcome that on the floor as they were swept out of Round 1 of the playoffs. The Sixers of 2020-21 seem to be a bit of a different story.
“I would say, kind of a chemistry thing, but at the same time, we know when we’re all out there, it’s a balance of how we got to play off each other and distribute the basketball so we’re they would use our attributes as players to be successful,” said Tobias Harris. “We are always trying to figure out ways to be better.”
Led by Joel Embiid who is putting an MVP-caliber season and new coach Doc Rivers, there is a noticeable chemistry growth among the team and Harris sees it growing with the big fella.
“I think tonight (Friday) was definitely a chemistry night with myself and Joel just in isolation situations and giving each other space,” he added. “I know if I get the ball at the post and Joel spaces, then that takes the shot-blocker out of the picture there, and vice versa where guys are going to leave to go double him and off me there.”
This has obviously been a unique season in terms of the challenges it has presented. The protocols concerning the pandemic as well as the lack of practice time and the lack of time to really learn and understand each other, it all has to happen on the court.
The team’s three best players, Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Harris, have had to do it all on the fly this season.
“I think you saw in the Utah game the two-man action with me and Ben and then you see tonight, me and Joel,” Harris finished. “We’re just really learning, continuing to learn out there on the fly. You don’t get many practices with this type of season so you got to use any opportunity to really work on your stuff.”
The Sixers will now head to Tampa on Sunday to take on the Toronto Raptors for two straight games.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=uWGuWv2AzC-1164461-8780&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json
[lawrence-related id=42699,42690,42684]