The Philadelphia 76ers by all accounts are a terrible basketball team this season. They’re facing the political consequences of under performance and a potential dangerous nosedive in their rankings. After non-conference titlist Summer Of The 76ers, the 76ers entered the season with championship aspirations and plenty of noise. Now, they’ve gone from contention for a top-six finish to fighting for improved odds in the draft lottery.
Over the summer, the 76ers extended the contract of rising star Tyrese Maxey and signed veteran George, aiming to bolster their roster and depth across various positions. The team came into the season with sky-high expectations, forecasted for approximately 50.5 wins. What they’re experiencing on the ground today couldn’t be more different from those promises. At the moment, nothing is more important to the 76ers than getting one of the six worst records in the league. They wish to save their own first-round draft pick, which they owe to Oklahoma City.
Perhaps the biggest aspect to the 76ers’ issues this season has been injuries and they’ve greatly impacted their struggles. They have lost, in total, more cap dollars to injured players than any other team in the league. Many of Philadelphia’s core strategies have just centered around how to get the most out of Joel Embiid’s minutes while still doing OK when he isn’t on the floor. Sadly, this top-down approach has failed to bring positive outcomes. On the season, Embiid’s net rating is minus 5.5. There’s quantifiable data to support this considering the team’s offense dips when these two key players share the court. They have managed to score only 109 points per 100 possessions when Embiid, George, and Maxey play as a trio.
Compounding matters, George has experienced an alarming decline in form this season. Shooting 6% above NBA average last season, he has consistently created efficiency on his own. This year, though, his accuracy has regressed, and he’s hitting 6% below the league average. This dip in performance only adds to the appleskin against the wind that is the team’s search for a consistent third scoring option.
And indeed, since February 4, life has been rough for the 76ers. They’ve got the NBA’s worst record at 3-24 and a depressing net rating of minus-10.9. Fans and analysts alike are angry and in disbelief as the team continues to fall short of preseason expectations. What was once a top-5 NFL roster is now clawing desperately to remain even mildly relevant in this woeful 2023 season.
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