The Philadelphia 76ers made some big moves in the offseason to ensure the team will have enough spacing on the floor for Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to operate. In the team’s 109-89 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday, the two stars had enough space to do their thing thanks to those shooters.
Seth Curry had 17 points and he shot 3-for-4 from deep and Danny Green shot 2-for-4 from deep and New York had to put so much focus on them that it allowed Embiid to operate in single coverage while Simmons was able to get to the basket. That type of spacing is going to be huge for them moving forward.
“A lot easier,” Simmons said with a laugh. “No matter what, they’re going to be threats, you’re never going to want Danny Green or Seth Curry to have open 3s, ever. No matter if they’re 0-for-5, that’s just the reputation they have, and when they’re knocking them down, it makes it so much easier. You have guys out there nervous, if they leave, it gives me lanes and Joel his space to work.”
In the 2019-20 season, the Sixers struggled on offense as the team did not have the proper spacing as former starters Al Horford and Josh Richardson were not good fits. With Curry and Green in tow, the Sixers have been able to be a bit more efficient on offense.
“You got to respect them,” said Embiid who had 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win. “All they need is an open shot to get going. If you give them one, you can expect them to keep get hotter and keep shooting them and keep making them. That also helps me so I can trust them when I pass the ball. They’re gonna keep shooting that I want them to keep shooting.”
The team does still need to build their chemistry in order to get the job done in the long haul, but games like this are a good step in the right direction. Philadelphia badly needed shooting on the floor and the team has put the right pieces on the floor thus far.
“It kind of feels like we’re still in preseason mode just trying to learn the offense and learn how to play with each other,” said Curry. “While you learn, you still got to get wins right now so it’s another good step.”
The Sixers will move on to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road on Sunday.
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