With high expectations coming into this season, the Philadelphia 76ers seem to be molding together game by game and winning handily after starting the season 4-0. Joel Embiid has already had concerns about his health, however after missing the Detroit game, Embiid has led the team in points the last two outings.
Tensions rose this week as KAT and the Timberwolves came to town, which led to a heated exchange between Embiid and Karl Anthony Towns; pushing and shoving ensued, and it caused all the players and coaches to pile up under the hoop. This is something the NBA frowns upon, as the physical nature of the game is not nearly as celebrated as it once was. Embiid and Towns will both miss the next two games as a result of the exchange between the centers. The Sixers had the star centers back though, as somehow Ben Simmons avoided suspension after putting KAT on the ground in what looked like a chokehold. Embiid naturally mocked KAT on social media following the game, something that seems routine when he lines up with any other elite center.
Embiid naturally mocked KAT on social media … something that seems routine when he lines up with another elite center.
Drama aside, the Sixers seem poised to continue to grow, as even a guy like Furkan Korkmaz dropped 17 against Minnesota on Wednesday. If we can continue to have our bench develop around these young guys, the potential of this roster is scary, and something that will continue to come together all season long. Rookie Matisse Thybulle has also fit into the league naturally, looking like a seasoned vet with the tenacious defense he plays, and some very solid off the ball shooting thus far.
All of this adds up to what should be a very exciting year of Sixers basketball, the team is not even on the same page yet and they are dominating teams. The size and drive of this defense will wear down almost any team in the league, and the rotations are only bound to get better. Watch out, the 76ers are determined to take that next step this season.
Anthony DiRenzo is a third-year student majoring in communications and minoring in journalism. EK943204@wcupa.edu