Basketball is unofficially back with the NBA scheduling three scrimmages for the 22 teams that are in Orlando for the restart of the season. With the real games kicking off this Thursday, and the Sixers first game being on Saturday, excitement is in the air!

The 76ers scrimmaged three Western Conference opponents that are not on their remaining eight seeding game schedule. They scrimmaged the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks. After watching these games, I have some quick thoughts and observations going into the final eight games of the regular season:

Ben Simmons is Back!

Ben Simmons is back and looks as healthy as he was at the start of the season in October 2019. We all were worried about Ben when he hurt his lower back, but it looks like he spent a lot of time rehabbing. He was moved to the “Power Forward” position as Head Coach Brett Brown tweaked the lineup during the bubble training camp. Simmons’ stat line for the scrimmages included 9 pts, 7 rebs, 9 asts, 3 steals (1 for 2 from the 3-point line) vs the Grizzlies.  A 14 pts, 11 rebs, 9 asts, performance against the Thunder and 4 pts, 2 asts, 9 reb game against the Mavs.

Yes, Ben shot two corner 3-pointers and made one of them. I do not expect him to shoot them every game, but I do think he will take more of them. It will absolutely help the spacing of the team if he continues to confidently shoot. Ultimately, Ben still has the ball in his hands a lot, running the offense from the elbow. You can expect him to continue to initiate offense going forward regardless if he is not labelled the starting Point Guard.

Tobias Harris is the Key to the Sixers’ Summer Dreams

Tobias Harris has grown as a leader on and off the court for the 76ers. Harris has led by example, standing up for social justice reform and holding his teammates accountable in doing the same. It has been said by his coaches and teammates that he has helped curate the team bond into something that is stronger than it has ever been.

Tobias also has been a leader and sound decision maker in the scrimmages the Sixers played. He had a double-double (15 pts and 10 rebs) in a win against the Grizzles. He followed that up with a 9-point performance against the Thunder and another double-double (28 pts and 11 rebs) against the Mavs. Tobias must be the steady scorer the Sixers need if they are going to truly compete. If Tobias can average 23 ppg going forward, it can really take some pressure off Embiid having to shoulder the load offensively. Consistency will be the key for Harris and if he can be consistent with his opportunities every game, the Sixers will surprise many people.

Shake Milton and the Rotation

Shake Milton is now the Sixers starting point guard and he hasn’t been aggressive at all during these scrimmages. I get it, I know he’s trying to feel out the role with everyone healthy, but he has to do what got him the starting role. He has to attack off pick and rolls and shoot open 3-pointers. Shake if you somehow are reading this, play your game! It will only elevate this team.

In my previous article, I discussed how I thought the rotation would play out in the seeding games and playoffs. After watching the scrimmages, my mind has changed on this based on Brett Brown’s substitution patterns. Going forward, I think we will see the starting lineup of Milton, Richardson, Harris, Simmons, and Embiid. The key reserves will be Horford, Korkmaz, Thybulle, and Robinson III. Mike Scott and Raul Neto seemed to have fallen out of the rotation. Alec Burks will be an X-factor off the bench. He won’t get consistent minutes, but he will be used if they need a creator off the dribble and instant offense. I will be paying close attention to the rotation as the real game start up.

Stadium Vibes

I must say, I am impressed with the NBA and how they put together the courts for the bubble. I also like that they are providing home arena sounds and graphics for the designated “home team”. It was pretty cool to hear the sounds as if they were playing at the Wells Fargo Center. I hope the virtual Sixers fans in attendance boo the team if they are losing or not playing hard, that would really feel like a home game!

Let the Games Begin!

The 76ers play their first game this Saturday at 7PM vs. the 5^th seeded Indiana Pacers. The Sixers are expected to start Joel Embiid, who sat out the last two scrimmages. The Pacers will be without Domantas Sabonis for the beginning of the restart due to left foot issues. Make sure you tune in and look out for a recap from 76^th and Broad!