The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a fast start at 6-1 to begin the new 2020-21 season under coach Doc Rivers. There have been a few noticeable differences in their play than in year’s past, but one thing that gets brought up a lot is chemistry.
The Sixers had clear chemistry issues in the 2019-20 season as they were never able to get on the same page under former coach Brett Brown. Under Rivers, there has been a message of coming together and playing for each other and that has been something that has been at the forefront to begin the season.
“You can just kind of feel our chemistry, continuing to grow,” said Shake Milton who is off to a solid start on the season. “Even in the group chat, the way guys are communicating with one another, you can definitely see it carrying over to the games. It’s always exciting to see.”
The guys on the bench have been very animated whenever a player scores and they have been very supportive of their teammates thus far. It’s stuff like that that can help build the chemistry that, maybe, just wasn’t there in previous seasons.
“You can definitely tell it too just in the locker room,” Milton added. “Just the vibe that everybody has got going and you can just see it from the bench whenever somebody succeeds. Whether it be Joel or one of our younger guys get on the court finally and get some minutes and score a bucket. You can see that that enthusiasm and that happiness just runs through the whole team and I think that just starts off the court as well. Just building those habits being engaged being locked in. On the court as well just continuing to grow.”
Support like how the Sixers have shown lately can also push a player to be confident and play to the best of his ability. Milton, for example, is averaging 12.0 points off the bench and he has been getting to the foul line a lot more as he has been much more aggressive.
“I would say I feel comfortable out there,” he finished. “Physically, I feel comfortable, whether it be guarding or attacking the rim and absorbing contact. I feel more comfortable in just the things that I see on the floor, the reads I’m making. It’s always easy when the coaches and teammates just continue to give you encouragement and telling you to go and saying just go play.”
The Sixers will look to continue their strong play on Wednesday when they take on the Washington Wizards at home at 7:00 p.m. EST.
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