The Philadelphia 76ers are going through an adjustment period when it comes to deciding how they will replace Ben Simmons this season.
In their preseason loss on Monday to the Toronto Raptors, the Sixers had a tough time truly replacing their 25-year-old All-Star guard. They struggled getting into their offense. They struggled getting into the paint the way Simmons would. And they looked disjointed.
Of course, that is expected given Philadelphia is relying on younger ballhandlers and it was the first game of the preseason. But issues need to be addressed.
“We showed them film today of how many times we had guys wide open instead we’re trying to shoot the paint,” said coach Doc Rivers at practice on Wednesday. “So, for our point guards, I just want them to get up stuff quicker, more efficiently and run our stuff.”
Rivers means Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton and Seth Curry are not true point guards, and they look to score more often than not. At this point, there will be an adjustment period for them, and having Joel Embiid back on the floor will help.
“I just didn’t think we got into our stuff,” Rivers continued. “I didn’t think we moved the ball very well. I didn’t think we got into paint at all, so the best way to attack switches is switch and rim attacks. One thing Joel’s gonna do, they’re gonna help. That’s what they do, that’s a good thing for you offensively if you look at it that way.”
Thursday’s second preseason matchup with the Toronto Raptors will offer another opportunity for Philadelphia to get going in the right direction. Maxey and Milton had a tough time attacking Toronto’s length in the first game, so this will offer another opportunity to learn and grow.
“I would say just playing physical, being fast,” said Milton. “Knowing what spots you want to get to, get there, me and Reese’s job is to run the offense so getting into your spot, make sure everybody is in their spot and just going from there.”
The Sixers have roughly two weeks to get themselves right before opening night against the New Orleans Pelicans on the road. They have to continue to grow as a team, starting with the young point guards.
“It felt good to get up and down and play against a team that didn’t really know what you were doing,” Milton added. “Just knocking off the rust; it is preseason, so a lot of guys are just trying to get into a rhythm. I think the more we play, we’ll be good to go come Oct. 20.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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