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<title type="text">Liberty Ballers</title>
<subtitle type="text">Your best source for quality Philadelphia 76ers news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.</subtitle>
<updated>2025-08-26T20:41:40+00:00</updated>
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<entry>
<author>
<name>Sean Kennedy</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Discussing the Sixers’ 21st Century Mount Rushmore]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77943/discussing-sixers-21st-century-mount-rushmore-allen-iverson-joel-embiid-andre-iguodala-tyrese-maxey" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77943</id>
<updated>2025-08-26T16:41:40-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-26T16:41:40-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Bleacher Report recently underwent an interesting exercise, examining the Mount Rushmore (i.e. the four most iconic faces) for every team during the course of the 21st century. While some franchises had an embarrassment of riches and had to leave some outstanding players off the list, the article really drove home how bleak Philadelphia 76ers basketball […]]]></summary>
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.libertyballers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2025/08/gettyimages-1125327099.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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Bleacher Report <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25239783-every-nba-teams-mt-rushmore-century">recently underwent an interesting exercise</a>, examining the Mount Rushmore (i.e. the four most iconic faces) for every team during the course of the 21st century. While some franchises had an embarrassment of riches and had to leave some outstanding players off the list, the article really drove home how bleak Philadelphia 76ers basketball has often been this century, something also covered in <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-history/77923/ranking-25-sixers-teams-millennium-allen-iverson-joel-embiid">our Gordie Jones’ recent ranking</a> of the last 25 Sixers teams.
The first name was Allen Iverson, an obvious inclusion. Not only did The Answer lead the Sixers to their only NBA Finals appearance since Will Smith dropped Willennium, but he stamped one of the greatest cultural footprints of any player in league history. We don’t need to go on.
Next we have Joel Embiid. While the current outlook for the big man’s future is awfully pessimistic and we could potentially be looking at a John Wall Memorial Worst Contract in the League situation, Embiid needs to be on here. The man won an MVP award, and they don’t just hand those out like Major League Baseball letting Jacob Misiorowski in the All-Star Game. Embiid went on about a half-decade run combining historical efficiency on the offensive end with defensive domination. His body may be letting him down, but no sane person could let him down by excluding him from this group.
Now things get slightly murkier with the next name: Andre Iguodala. As someone who will be discussed for the Hall of Fame when he is eligible in 2027, he should be open and shut here. However, he finally received the full respect he deserved after leaving Philadelphia. With the Sixers, he was miscast as an alpha scorer, supposed to take the reins from Iverson after his departure. Philadelphia fans grew increasingly bitter that wasn’t who Iguodala was as a player. It wasn’t until he was able to serve as an elite defensive swiss-army knife, glue guy with Golden State (and Team USA) that Andre reached his ultimate potential. Still, Iguodala peaked as a Sixer with his 2011-12 All-Star campaign culminating with his playoff moment in Chicago during that fun postseason run. For better or worse, he’s the face of an entire era of Sixers basketball.
Finally, we arrive at who prompted this follow-up discussion: Thaddeus Young. Here’s what Bleacher Report wrote on Thad:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“Picking a fourth face is hard, and not the fun kind of hard. You can make a case for Ben Simmons, Lou Williams, Tyrese Maxey, Jrue Holiday, Robert Covington, maybe even James Harden and more. Thaddeus Young’s longevity wins out. He’s third among Sixers in total games played and steals and is fourth in scoring and rebounds over this span.”
</blockquote>
Let me say this first. I loved Thaddeus Young. The Night Shift was super fun. I always respected his hustle on a night-in, night-out basis for years. Back when I used to podcast, I went on record numerous times saying Young was my favorite Sixer for many years. That being said, Thad can’t be on a Mount Rushmore purely because he played seven seasons here. He never made an All-Star team and only played 21.3 minutes per game off the bench the only time the Sixers made it out of the first round during his tenure. Mount Rushmore can’t be for memorializing the “pretty good”.
So let’s examine the other candidates. James Harden wasn’t here long enough. Ditto for Jrue Holiday, who was still on the way up when he was shipped out to kickstart The Process. Lou Williams falls into the same bucket as Thad of “pretty good for a longer period of time”. Ben Simmons probably had the highest individual peaks of anyone from this group, but Sixers fans would take dynamite to the monument if his face was thrown up there. 
To me, it has to be Tyrese Maxey. Maxey has played five seasons in Philadelphia already, spending a couple as the alpha whenever Joel Embiid is sidelined (sadly, this is often). He made an All-Star team and averaged over 20 points per game during three separate postseason runs, including an iconic 46 points and logo three in a Game 5 win over the New York Knicks that Sixers fans will remember forever. Even if you don’t want to project moving forward at all as part of this exercise, Maxey already has the resume. All due respect to Thad, but instead of honoring some cumulative stats for a bunch of .500 teams, give me the rising star with the jersey every kid in Philadelphia wants to be wearing.

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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Josh Grieb</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[What experts think of VJ Edgecombe’s Rookie of the Year chances]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77940/espn-sixers-vj-edgecombe-rookie-of-the-rear-chances" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77940</id>
<updated>2025-08-26T15:37:51-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-26T15:36:24-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" /><category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers News" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Summer is winding down, school is starting back up, and most importantly, predictions and previews for the upcoming NBA season are once again dropping. ESPN has just released their “Summer Forecast,” in which several insiders, analysts, and reporters each voted on who they think will take home the major awards for the 2025-26 season. Each […]]]></summary>
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Summer is winding down, school is starting back up, and most importantly, predictions and previews for the upcoming NBA season are once again dropping. ESPN has just released their “<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46038849/nba-predictions-2025-26-expert-picks-mvp-roy-dpoy" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46038849/nba-predictions-2025-26-expert-picks-mvp-roy-dpoy">Summer Forecast</a>,” in which several insiders, analysts, and reporters each voted on who they think will take home the major awards for the 2025-26 season.
Each expert got to vote for their top three options, assigning five, three, and one point to each of their selections respectively. No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe of the Sixers received plenty of points in the Rookie of the Year straw poll — 25 to be exact. Funnily enough, that put him in third place for this projected award, behind Cooper Flagg (121 points) of the Mavericks and Dylan Harper (38 points) of the Spurs. The voting for this top five ended up going just chalk as the draft did. Kon Knueppel of the Hornets came in fourth with 18 points and Utah’s Ace Bailey rounded things out with 16 points.
After a highly touted draft, it makes sense that the experts are high on the top picks of the draft. As stated in the piece, Flagg especially should get a lot of opportunity at a high-usage role. Harper and Edgecombe on the other hand, will have their position groups a lot more crowded as they try to break into the league. 
Balancing the fit of Edgecombe with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and presumably Quentin Grimes will be one of, if not the most important storyline of this upcoming season. At least the most important storyline that has nothing yet to do with reconstructing the meniscus tendon (knocks on wood). Obviously the quality of competition is significantly different, but an encouraging performance from Edgecombe in summer league does give reason to feel hopeful he can make an impact in real games right away. He has a lot of rounding out to do as a guard, but his dominant athleticism will hopefully make him an exciting watch from game one.
If you can believe it, Edgecombe’s Rookie of the Year campaign was the only Sixer that appeared in ESPN’s projection of next year’s awards. Surely all of these supposed “experts” will feel silly after Adem Bona brings home Defensive Player of the Year after averaging six blocks per game.
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Paul Hudrick</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Editor-in-chief mailbag: Is this the least-anticipated Sixers season in recent memory?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-discussion-threads/77930/editor-in-chief-mailbag-least-anticipated-sixers-season-tyrese-maxey-anfernee-simons-sixers-celtics" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77930</id>
<updated>2025-08-26T13:35:22-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-26T13:35:22-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Discussion Threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[As it was pointed out to me, using a picture of Joel Embiid with a headline saying “I’m back, baby!” was in poor taste. I guess I still have vacation brain making a choice like that. Sorry for any distress this might have caused any of you. Anyway, let’s get right into your questions. Going […]]]></summary>
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As it was pointed out to me, using a picture of Joel Embiid with a headline saying “I’m back, baby!” was in poor taste. I guess I still have vacation brain making a choice like that. Sorry for any distress this might have caused any of you.
Anyway, let’s get right into your questions.
<img src="https://platform.libertyballers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-26-at-10.58.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" /><img src="https://platform.libertyballers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-26-at-10.58.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
Going to combine these two questions, but, for the record, there was a ton of anticipation heading into 2012! The team got to the second round and forced a Game 7 against the Boston Celtics the year prior. Then they went out and got Andrew Bynum. He’s a punchline now, but, at the time, Bynum was 24, a two-time champ and coming off his first All-Star appearance. There was legit hype around that season. Alas, it went sort of similar to 2024-25 where it turned into a season full of false starts and non-update updates.
The expectations are extremely low from the fan base it seems. Even as some in the national sphere are doing the annual “if they can stay healthy …” exercise, people around here know better. This is probably the least anticipated season since the 2015-16 team that won 10 games and featured rookie Jahlil Okafor as its leading scorer. People seriously contemplated whether Joel Embiid would ever play a game and Sam Hinkie formed a logjam at center by drafting Okafor. That was also the season where the league staged a coup on the team’s front office and foisted the Colangelos upon them. As bleak as it might be now, at least it’s not that.
I’ve written about this a couple times, but I believe there’s room for Sixers fans to enjoy this upcoming season — <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/7/29/24473218/2025-26-sixers-tyrese-maxey-vj-edgecombe-jared-mccain-joel-embiid-paul-george" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/7/29/24473218/2025-26-sixers-tyrese-maxey-vj-edgecombe-jared-mccain-joel-embiid-paul-george">if you go in expectation free</a>. Accept that Embiid and Paul George will barely play. Focus on the guards and the scrappy young talent surrounding them. They’ll be fun to watch. Hell, they’ll likely even be competitive most nights. Remember, the East looks like a dumpster fire this season. That should help the Sixers bolster their record a bit, no matter the status of their aging and ailing stars.
When I think about Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes and VJ Edgecombe (and even guys like Justin Edwards, Adem Bona, Johni Broome and Trendon Watford), I see guys that are all hungry and motivated for one reason or another. They’re going to fight. Will they win? I’m not sure. But they’ll be playing to win every single night. That hasn’t always felt like the case in previous seasons.
<img src="https://platform.libertyballers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-26-at-11.00.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
The Sixers are playing a league-high 16 back-to-backs in 2025-26. I’m here to tell you this is just an extremely unfortunate coincidence. If you look back over Embiid’s tenure, the number of back-to-backs has fluctuated. The way they make schedules for the NBA makes it near impossible to purposely schedule a team with an unfair amount of back-to-backs. It hurts the Sixers more than most teams because of Embiid and PG, but other teams — the Nuggets, Suns, Hornets and Wizards also play 16 — will still feel the pain of too many back-to-backs.
The bigger issue is teams play too many back-to-backs in general. There are probably too many games. But that situation will never change as long as the NBA stands to lose money over less games being played.
<img src="https://platform.libertyballers.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-26-at-10.59.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
This is an August rumor. I think we can all deduce (as you did here) this is bullshit.
There is no salary match that makes sense. Simons, a player I genuinely like, also makes zero sense from a fit perspective. 
As you mentioned, there’s no chance the Celtics would take on George’s contract and the idea of trading Maxey to THE BOSTON CELTICS is the most insane thing I’ve ever heard. This organization already handed them Jayson Tatum and took Ben Simmons over Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. Anyone who would even consider trading Maxey to Boston needs to touch grass. I’m pretty against trading Maxey in general, barring a ridiculous return.
And this is another opportunity for me to remind everyone that Tyrese Maxey is very good basketball. Our memories are way too short. I blame social media.
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Tyrese Maxey's Playoff CAREER-HIGH Performance Keeps The 76ers Alive! 😤| April 30, 2024" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fYo7tLbaoK8?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Gordie Jones</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Ranking the 25 Sixers teams of the Millennium]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-history/77923/ranking-25-sixers-teams-millennium-allen-iverson-joel-embiid" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77923</id>
<updated>2025-08-26T09:42:06-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-26T09:42:06-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" /><category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers History" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[We have reached the 21st Century’s quarter pole, an ideal time to assess an NBA team’s fortunes over the past 25 years. And the Sixers can be summed up as follows: Meh. Their regular-season win-loss record for the century is 960-1,071. They have made 15 playoff appearances, only one of which extended past the second […]]]></summary>
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We have reached the 21st Century’s quarter pole, an ideal time to assess an NBA team’s fortunes over the past 25 years. And the Sixers can be summed up as follows:
Meh.
Their regular-season win-loss record for the century is 960-1,071. They have made 15 playoff appearances, only one of which extended past the second round. There have been 11 winning seasons, 12 losing seasons and two break-even seasons.
There have been 11 head coaches (including interims) and countless players. Gold star if you remember<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mckeyde01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Derrick McKey</a> playing for the Sixers in 2001-02. Same if you recall<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willico02.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Corliss Williamson</a> passing through town in ’04-05. Or that a second <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesbo02.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bobby Jones</a> was on the roster in ‘06-07.
There was the parade of mediocrity (to be charitable) during The Process years, when the Sixers employed<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simshe01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Henry Sims</a>,<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wareca01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Casper Ware</a>,<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shvedal01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Alexey Shved</a> and many, many others. And there have been the frustrations surrounding such things as the shooting ability of<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmobe01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ben Simmons</a> and<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fultzma01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Markelle Fultz</a> and the health of<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Joel Embiid</a>. Perhaps you’ve heard.
By my count Embiid has missed time with over a dozen different afflictions. Now that he’s north of age 30, it is unlikely that that situation will improve markedly.
What follows is my attempt to rank the 25 teams of the last 25 years. You can probably guess which teams rank highest and lowest, but in between there is a whole lotta meh. 
25. ’15-16 (10-72)
Pretty easy call. The only NBA team to ever compile a worse 82-game record was that ’72-73 Sixers bunch, which went 9-73. But that team was very likely better than this one. I mean, the long-ago club had a Hall of Famer in<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greerha01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Hal Greer</a> – a Hall of Famer who seldom played that year, but a Hall of Famer nonetheless – and a handful of others who were All-Stars at some point in their careers. The ’15-16ers were led in scoring by<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okafoja01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jahlil Okafor</a>. ‘Nuff said.
<ol start="25" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Also, the Colangelos arrived in December 2015, beginning the downward spiral toward Burnergate.)
(Embiid injury: stress fracture, right foot; DNP.) 
24. ’24-25 (24-58)
The season began with championship hopes. It ended with hopes only of retaining a lottery pick. That mission was accomplished, and maybe<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/edgecvj01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> VJ Edgecombe</a> will be worth all the trouble. Or maybe it won’t matter, considering the infirmities of Embiid and<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Paul George</a>.
<ol start="24" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injuries: left knee rehab; sinus fracture; played 19 games.)
23. ’14-15 (18-64)
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wroteto01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Tony Wroten</a> was an all-over-the-place kinda guard, someone who would try anything and live with the results. As coach Brett Brown put it at the time, Wroten was<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/boyd-sixers-should-think-hard-before-dealing-wroten/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> “not gonna die wondering.”</a> Wroten, 22 at the time, was averaging a team-best 16.9 points a game when he blew out a knee in January 2015. He played eight more NBA games in ’15-16, and has since played overseas, most recently<a href="https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Tony-Wroten/182815#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> in Iceland</a>.
<ol start="23" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: stress fracture, right foot; DNP)
22. ’13-14 (19-63)
It’s hard to remember now, but the Sixers actually started out 3-0, with the first of those victories over the defending-champion Heat. That also happened to be<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cartemi01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Michael Carter-Williams</a>‘ debut, and he played what was almost certainly the best game of his career: 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and nine steals. MCW wound up the Rookie of the Year, but because of injuries never approached those heights again during a nine-year NBA run. Now he’s <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/5/16/24431131/michael-carter-williams-sixers-boxing-match-broadcasting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dabbling in boxing</a>.
<ol start="22" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
21. ’09-10 (27-55)
On media day, new coach<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordaed01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Eddie Jordan</a> arrayed a bunch of media dweebs on the floor at PCOM to demonstrate the Princeton offense popularized by the legendary Pete Carril. Somehow Inquirer beat writer Kate Fagan, who had played Division I ball, wasn’t among them. At any rate, the offense that day didn’t look all that much worse than the one the Sixers ran during the season, and Jordan was gone soon after.
<ol start="21" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
20. ’12-13 (34-48)
At the end of the season, departing coach<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/collido01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Doug Collins</a> admitted he had checked out around Christmas time. Lovely. Also, noted bowler<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bynuman01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Andrew Bynum</a> will surely be ramping up any day now.
<ol start="20" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
19. ’03-04 (33-49)
Cameos all around this season. By<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/ayersra01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Randy Ayers</a>, who lasted 52 games as head coach, never to assume such a position in the NBA again. By<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fordch01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Chris Ford</a>, who succeeded Ayers; it was the last of 10 seasons he was a head coach in the Association. And by <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robingl01.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glenn Robinson</a>, who was another in a long line of<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Allen Iverson</a> sidekicks. Over 42 games the Big Dog averaged 16.6 points in his only season in Philadelphia, a career low to that point, and was out of the league after playing nine games for San Antonio in ’04-05.
<ol start="19" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
18. ’06-07 (35-47)
From afar, it was always evident that<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millean02.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Andre Miller</a> was a good player. But it wasn’t until the Sixers acquired him in exchange for Iverson in December 2006 that the full extent of his abilities became evident. How he had one of the great old-man games of all time, augmented by one of the great on-court IQs of all time. “As a player his intellect and understanding of the game is above and beyond – the highest,” Jim Lynam, then an assistant and now a broadcaster,<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/2/28/23617081/sixers-andre-miller-nuggets-g-league-head-coach-grand-rapids-gold-jim-lynam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> told me two years ago</a>. There wasn’t much else going on with this group, but Miller was a revelation.
<ol start="18" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
17. ’05-06 (38-44)
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cheekma01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maurice Cheeks</a> was a Hall of Fame point guard and has been a long-time NBA assistant. But he was not a good head coach, going 305-315 while heading three teams over nine seasons, including 122-147 in three-plus years as the Sixers’ boss. And he never seemed quite so defeated as he did when Iverson and<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/webbech01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Chris Webber</a> showed up less than an hour before the team’s final home game this season – Fan Appreciation Night. Cheeks stammered out some half-answers when asked about their tardiness, then slumped in his office chair as the media pack dispersed, having told everyone, “I’m done.” (Footnote: In a larger sense he was not, lasting two-plus seasons beyond this one in the job. But Iverson and Webber were jettisoned early in ’06-07.)
<ol start="17" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
16. ’07-08 (40-42)
Somehow this group built a two-games-to-one lead over a 59-win Detroit outfit in a first-round series. Then the Pistons got serious, winning the last three games by a combined 49 points.
<ol start="16" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
15. ’08-09 (41-41)
Seasons like this are the best argument for The Process. Yes, the Sixers played better after Tony DiLeo replaced Cheeks early on, going 32-27 under the interim boss. But it was obvious they were never going anywhere. And indeed they fell in six games to Orlando in the first round. Yawn.
<ol start="15" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
14. ’10-11 (41-41)
Started 3-13 before finding their footing.<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brandel01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Elton Brand</a>, who had come over as a free agent two years earlier, enjoyed his best season in Philadelphia – 15 ppg, 8.3 rpg – but it was clear he was far from the 20-and-10 guy he had been earlier in his career, having suffered an Achilles tear his final season with the Clippers (’07-08).
<ol start="14" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
13. ’19-20 (43-30)
The season, already wonky because of COVID, lurched to a conclusion in the Bubble, with a first-round sweep by Boston. And to this day, it’s fair to wonder if<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/horfoal01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Al Horford</a> was a double-agent sent by the Ghost of Red Auerbach.
<ol start="13" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: sprained left shoulder; torn ligament, left ring finger; played 51 games)
12. ’01-02 (43-39)
The post-Finals hangover was considerable. Iverson and<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mckieaa01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Aaron McKie</a> delayed offseason surgeries until shortly before training camp and missed some games out of the gate, leading to an 0-5 start for a team that had opened the previous season with 10 straight victories. The Sixers were eliminated by Boston in the first round, but at least AI blessed us with his memorable “practice” rant when it was all over.
<ol start="12" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
11. ’04-05 (43-39)
This was the first of<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iguodan01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Andre Iguodala</a>‘s 19 seasons in the league, and given what happened later in his career – i.e., four titles with Golden State as a complementary player to<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Stephen Curry</a>,<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompkl01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Klay Thompson</a> and (briefly)<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Kevin Durant</a> – he might be a Hall of Famer. My own .02 is that he is one of the best perimeter defenders I’ve ever seen, a guy who because of his athleticism and smarts held his own against the <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe Bryants</a> and <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/piercpa01.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Pierces</a> of the world.
<ol start="11" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
10. ’16-17 (28-54)
The first glimpse we had of Embiid was a 31-game cameo this season, and he did not disappoint. Suddenly the team seemed to be on an upward trajectory. Suddenly The Process seemed to be Processing, which is why I would rank this team above some that finished with superior records. Also, remember how we all thought<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/saricda01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dario Saric</a> was gonna be a franchise pillar? Good times. (Footnote: He actually finished second in Rookie of the Year voting this season, one spot ahead of Embiid.)
<ol start="10" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: torn meniscus, left knee.)
9. ’02-03 (48-34)
This was the last of six seasons<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownla01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Larry Brown</a> coached in Philadelphia – the longest he coached anywhere – and it’s notable that he coaxed 48 victories out of this bunch. Iverson (“the little kid,” in Brownspeak) was as good as ever, and somehow the Sixers got by with<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemde01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Derrick Coleman</a> masquerading as a center. But then again, Brown was always a big DC guy.
<ol start="9" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
8. ’17-18 (52-30)
In the end, the Man Bun prevailed. You might remember that the closing game of a second-round series against Boston ended with the ball in Embiid’s hands on the left block. All that stood between him and the game-tying basket was<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/baynear01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Aron Baynes</a>, a 6-10, 260-pound New Zealander who Embiid derided as “Man Bun” because of his hairdo. With the clock ticking down they hammered away at each other, and Baynes probably got away with a foul as Embiid rose to fire. His shot spilled out. No whistle. Sixers lose. Drive home safely, if you drove.
<ol start="8" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: fractured left orbital bone; concussion; played 63 games.)
7. ’11-12 (35-31)
Took advantage of Chicago’s injuries to win a first-round series, and if not for some clutch 3-point sniping by<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rondora01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Rajon Rondo</a> (?) in Game 7 might have stolen a conference semifinal series from Boston. The team teardown commenced afterward, but what are we to make of the four rings Iguodala has since won, or the two won by<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/holidjr01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jrue Holiday</a>? Or that<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Nikola Vucevic</a> (who somehow fell behind<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allenla01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Lavoy Allen</a> on the depth chart this season) has since become a double-double machine while playing for Orlando and Chicago? Is it not possible there was more here than met the eye?
<ol start="7" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
6. ’23-24 (47-35)<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a>
<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tobias Harris</a>‘ stat line in Game 6 of the first-round ouster against the Knicks still boggles the mind: two shots and zero points in 29:20. Yes, the Sixers got hosed at the end of Game 2. And yes, Embiid’s<a href="https://youtu.be/PUEWmI87e7Q?si=t05ZtaDE8YprO-CN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on-court conduct</a>, as when he tackled<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinmi01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Mitchell Robinson</a>, invites scrutiny. But goodness, how is Tobias such a complete no-show in a closeout game? It’s one thing if you miss shots, quite another if you don’t even bother to attempt them.
<ol start="6" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injuries: torn meniscus, left knee; Bell’s Palsy; played 39 games.)
5. ’21-22 (51-31)
The<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jimmy Butler</a> saga came full circle this season, as he led the Heat to a second-round victory over the Sixers, who by this point featured<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> James Harden</a> as Embiid’s primary sidekick. Butler scored 32 in the clincher. Harden, acquired earlier in the season for Simmons, managed 11. “I’m sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden,” Embiid<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401434055" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> told reporters afterward</a>. “But that’s not who he is anymore.”
<ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injuries: right orbital fracture; mild concussion; COVID; played 68 games.)
4. ’20-21 (49-23)
As we all remember, the season boiled down to Simmons passing when he should have gone hard to the rim, and the Sixers, the East’s top seed, dropping a winnable Game 7 to Atlanta at home – a game, by the way, in which Hawks star<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/y/youngtr01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Trae Young</a> shot 5-for-23. Hey, but we’ll always have Simmons’ summer workout videos to cherish.
<ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: torn meniscus, right knee; bone bruise, left knee; played 51 games.)
3. ’22-23 (54-28)
Up 3-2 in the conference semis and playing a potential closeout game against Boston at home, the Sixers fully Sixered.<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tatumja01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jayson Tatum</a>, 1-for-14 until late, warmed to the task, and Philly missed nine straight shots in crunch time. And the less said about Game 7, the better. Embiid was named MVP, which was nice, but by this point the fan base was expecting more from the team as a whole.
<ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: sprained left knee; sprained right knee; played 66 games)
2. ’18-19 (51-31)
Featured the club’s best starting five of the Millennium. But the bench? Yuck. Shoutout to<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monrogr01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Greg Monroe</a>, who was somehow a minus-9 in 1:41 of Game 7 of the Eastern semis against Toronto – i.e., the<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Kawhi Leonard</a> game. And for the series, the Sixers were plus-89 when Embiid was on the floor, minus-108 when he was not.
<ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"></ol>
(Embiid injury: tendinitis, left knee; illness; played 64 games.) 
1. ’00-01 (56-26)
Other teams on this list were better man for man, but none had Brown and Iverson, the best coach and player the franchise have had to offer to this point in the century. Nor has any other club been blessed with the same kind of mojo. Then-Milwaukee coach<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/karlge01.html?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=gordiejones.com&utm_campaign=2025-08-18_bbr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> George Karl</a> called those Sixers “a proud team” before the Bucks met them in the Eastern Conference Finals, and as Morgan Freeman has said, “That’s goddamn right.”
<ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>
Get busy living, or get busy dying? They did the former until running into Shaq and Kobe in the Finals. And even then they stole Game 1, which came to be known for <a href="https://youtu.be/NAZvvaT79g8?si=vTaKcrryn_Wgy1-e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of AI’s signature moments</a>. There’s been little to write home about since.
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Paul Hudrick</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Editor-in-chief mailbag: I’m back, baby]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-discussion-threads/77897/editor-in-chief-mailbag-im-back-baby" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77897</id>
<updated>2025-08-25T12:10:45-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-25T12:10:45-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Discussion Threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Hello, friends. After a glorious and much-needed vacation following an ugly Sixers season, I’m back. And I’m ready to take your questions! I know it’s a slow time on the NBA calendar, but feel free to hit me up with whatever questions you have — Sixers, NBA, Philly sports, food … let’s have fun with […]]]></summary>
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Hello, friends. After a glorious and much-needed vacation following an ugly Sixers season, I’m back.
And I’m ready to take your questions! I know it’s a slow time on the NBA calendar, but feel free to hit me up with whatever questions you have — Sixers, NBA, Philly sports, food … let’s have fun with it!
Also, excited to officially welcome the Slop King aka Trill Bro Dude to the fold! Trill is going to hang out in The Feed this season and open up some conversations. If you’re not familiar, Trill hosts the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@youknowball" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.youtube.com/@youknowball">You Know Ball podcast</a> and is one of the funniest and smartest people going right now in that space.

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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Tom West</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[VJ Edgecombe and other Sixers play in latest Rico Hines Run]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-highlights/77880/vj-edgecombe-and-other-sixers-play-in-latest-rico-hines-run" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77880</id>
<updated>2025-08-23T07:24:47-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-23T07:24:47-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Highlights" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Sixers assistant coach Rico Hines has been holding his famous offseason scrimmages for years, and this time it’s no surprise to see a few young Sixers make an appearance in the latest run. You can see rookie VJ Edgecombe looking strong and flying to the rim at times, Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, Justin Edwards, and […]]]></summary>
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Sixers assistant coach Rico Hines has been holding his famous offseason scrimmages for years, and this time it’s no surprise to see a few young Sixers make an appearance in the latest run.
You can see rookie VJ Edgecombe looking strong and flying to the rim at times, Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, Justin Edwards, and Trendon Watford. Watford in particular looked good, playing assertively and looking comfortable shooting off the bounce from three, handling the ball, and getting into the lane.
<div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Rico Hines Private Runs featuring Julius Randle, VJ Edgecome, Jaime Jaquez , Pat Beverly & MORE ! " src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Zf6vmhT0-c?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">The first of many highlights from the Rico Hines Runs out West feat. VJ Edgecombe <a href="https://t.co/5hBHOQXwy9">pic.twitter.com/5hBHOQXwy9</a>— Harrison Grimm (@Harrison_Grimm) <a href="https://twitter.com/Harrison_Grimm/status/1958650025233310127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Obviously these scrimmages aren’t anything to take too seriously, as is the case for any offseason training footage (I’m sure we all still have bad flashbacks to the annual Ben Simmons offseason videos, with endless jump shots that never came close to fruition in actual games). But it at least gives us a look at some of the young Sixers, elements of their games they’re working on over the summer, and a small taste of basketball while we wait for the new NBA season.
Whether it’s new signings like Watford, Edgecombe with his serious potential, or Edwards who’s building off a rock-solid debut last season, there’s plenty of intrigue for this group of young guys.
It certainly doesn’t hurt for these Sixers to spend extra time together over the summer, too. Any added time together off the court or gaining chemistry and familiarity playing together is a good thing.
As for upcoming real game action, we’ve got a little over a month until the Sixers start their preseason on Oct. 2 in Abu Dhabi against the Knicks.

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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Bryan Toporek</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[NBA 2K26 ratings offer healthy dose of Sixers haterade]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77883/nba-2k26-ratings-offer-healthy-dose-of-sixers-haterade" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77883</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T11:09:36-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T11:09:36-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[NBA 2K26 is coming out at the beginning of September, which means it’s time for everyone’s favorite annual tradition: getting #MadOnline about where your favorite players are ranked in a video game. 2K has been dropping player ratings in piecemeal fashion throughout the week, but we finally have the full top 100. Spoiler alert: the […]]]></summary>
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NBA 2K26 is coming out at the beginning of September, which means it’s time for everyone’s favorite annual tradition: getting #MadOnline about where your favorite players are ranked in a video game.
2K has been dropping player ratings in piecemeal fashion throughout the week, but we finally have <a href="https://nba.2k.com/2k26/ratings/">the full top 100</a>. Spoiler alert: the Sixers are not particularly well represented.
The good news is that Joel Embiid still cracked the top 20 at No. 17 overall. That was a steep drop from his No. 5 ranking last year, but given the season he just had and the uncertainty still surrounding his knee, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he came in far lower. Having him just ahead of Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker surely won’t rub New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns fans the wrong way.
However, the stink of last season did rub off on Tyrese Maxey, who dropped from No. 26 in 2K25 to No. 43 this year. He’s tied with Tyler Herro, Jamal Murray, Franz Wagner, Julius Randle and Zach LaVine (?!) with an 86 overall rating. Maxey <a href="https://stathead.com/basketball/versus-finder.cgi?request=1&seasons_type=forall&year_min=2025&year_max=2025&player_id1=maxeyty01&player_id2=murraja01&player_id3=lavinza01&player_id4=randlju01&player_id5=herroty01&player_id6=wagnefr01">led all six of those players</a> in points (26.3), assists (6.1) and steals (1.8) per game last season, but to each their own. If 2K wants to hold his inability to drag the Sixers out of their injury-ravaged morass while miscast as a No. 1 option against him, more power to them. Maxey could use all the bulletin-board material he can get.
If you thought Maxey’s plunge was bad, wait until you hear about Paul George’s. He went from No. 24 last year to No. 92 (!!!!) this year, right behind Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons, Draymond Green and Josh Hart. His 81 overall rating is also tied with Jrue Holiday, Herb Jones, Lu Dort, Onyeka Okongwu, Immanuel Quickley, Andrew Nembhard, Jalen Johnson, Alexandre Sarr, Aaron Nesmith, Shaedon Sharpe and Bobby Portis Jr. (On a related note, Johnson’s rank is going to age like spoiled milk.)
I’m not going to sit here and pretend like George had an incredible debut campaign in Philadelphia. He missed 41 games last year due to an assortment of injuries and is fresh off arthroscopic knee surgery after <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/7/14/24467906/paul-george-surgery-knee-injury-2025-nba-offseason-sixers">injuring himself</a> in an offseason workout last month. The chances of him living up to the four-year, $211.6 million contract that he signed with the Sixers last summer are roughly between slim and none. But last I checked, 2K doesn’t take contracts into account when assigning player rankings.
Even though he was gutting through injuries for most of the year, George still averaged a well-rounded 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 made three-pointers and 1.8 steals per game last season. He also finished in the 87th percentile of estimated defensive plus/minus and the 79th percentile of overall EPM, according to <a href="https://dunksandthrees.com/epm">Dunks and Threes</a>. Putting him in a tie with Sarr, who shot 39.4 percent overall as a rookie, or Murray, who currently has one functional Achilles tendon, is genuinely insulting.
Embiid, Maxey and George were the only three Sixers to crack the top 100. 2K hasn’t revealed full ratings for the rest of the team yet, although in news that is sure to go over well in Philadelphia, VJ Edgecombe (76 overall) came in one spot behind Ace Bailey (77 overall) <a href="https://x.com/NBA2K/status/1955403931787358228">in the rookie rankings</a>. On the bright side, Adem Bona is <a href="https://x.com/NBA2K/status/1955751223019090266">tied for the sixth-highest block rating</a> in the game (91), trailing only Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Robert Williams III, Donovan Clingan and Walker Kessler.
Those who didn’t preorder 2K26 have to wait until the Sept. 5 global release date to get their hands on it. In the meantime, we can all sit back and enjoy watching the Eagles go #belt2ass on the Cowboys in the NFL season opener on Sept. 4.
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Bryan Toporek</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Pacers coach Rick Carlisle hints at Sixers’ roster-construction problem]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77866/pacers-coach-rick-carlisle-hints-at-sixers-roster-construction-problem" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77866</id>
<updated>2025-08-20T10:11:03-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-20T07:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[If the 2025 playoffs taught us anything, it’s that youth and depth may be the way forward in today’s NBA. Just ask Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who brought his team within one game of winning this year’s championship. In a recent conversation with Caitlin Cooper of Basketball She Wrote, Carlisle explained that the […]]]></summary>
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If the 2025 playoffs taught us anything, it’s that youth and depth may be the way forward in today’s NBA. Just ask Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who brought his team within one game of winning this year’s championship.
In a recent conversation with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTkNAb3Bvd0">Caitlin Cooper</a> of Basketball She Wrote, Carlisle explained that the Pacers played “a lot of guys” to “try to keep our minutes reasonable and try to get into the legs of our opponent.” He added that it’s a “hard style to play,” but things are changing across the NBA, in part due to the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement.
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<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:e7n6cs5ayz4tuab43rr5lh3m/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvnpuc2lr22b" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiclzwgl5ntdqj25rcael3oo2pqrlei2zz74bjsrl3qo4kquy7ao7a">Hey guys, I talked to Rick Carlisle about the Pacers playing random- drawing influence from jazz- implementing this style in 2025 vs 2011 – why the NBA is running less PnR- do all teams play the same? – siakam, always adaptingthis is meaningful youtu.be/zTkNAb3Bvd0— <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:e7n6cs5ayz4tuab43rr5lh3m?ref_src=embed">Caitlin Cooper (@caitlinmaycooper.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:e7n6cs5ayz4tuab43rr5lh3m/post/3lvnpuc2lr22b?ref_src=embed">2025-08-05T12:35:10.732Z</a></blockquote>
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“The NBA game has now become a play-hard league,” Carlisle said. “It’s not just being top-heavy with stars. Roster construction is changing. It’s become more important to have more good players than be top-heavy with two or three great players that get all the touches.”
If only the Sixers had gotten that memo ahead of last offseason. Instead of spreading their $60-plus million of salary-cap space to build <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/2/21/24369100/2024-nba-free-agency-paul-george-joel-embiid-tyrese-maxey-daryl-morey-sixers">a two-stars-and-depth model</a> behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, they spent a majority of it on Paul George. The 34-year-old proceeded to miss 41 games during his debut campaign with the Sixers and underwent <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2025/7/14/24467906/paul-george-surgery-knee-injury-2025-nba-offseason-sixers">an arthroscopic procedure</a> on his left knee last month.
The Sixers doubled down on their Big Three model last September when they signed Embiid to a three-year max extension that’s worth a projected $187.6 million. Embiid played only 19 games, largely due to his balky left knee, and it’s <a href="https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/08/sixers-unsure-about-joel-embiids-status-for-start-of-training-camp.html">currently unclear</a> whether he’ll be cleared to participate by the start of training camp.
To the Sixers’ credit, they’ve done an admirable job pivoting toward the younger-and-deeper model that the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder rode to the 2025 NBA Finals. They landed an athletic marvel in VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, signed 24-year-old forward Trendon Watford to a two-year, veteran-minimum deal and added young forwards Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow on two-way contracts.
Even if Embiid and George are in and out of the lineup for the second straight season, the Sixers’ young guards could be the foundation of the team, especially if (when?) they re-sign Quentin Grimes. They wouldn’t be a championship contender by any means, but Maxey, Edgecombe, Grimes, Jared McCain, Watford, Walker, Barlow, Justin Edwards and Adem Bona should at least be able to fly up and down the floor.
The problem is that the Sixers also might have $105-plus million in contractual dead weight hanging around their necks. Unless Embiid and/or George can stay healthy and return to their All-Star form, they’ll be among <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25224415-ranking-8-worst-nba-contracts-books-next-season">the worst contracts</a> in the NBA. Even if they do, it’s fair to wonder how long they’ll hold up playing this way throughout the regular season.
At his peak, Embiid was one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history. His combination of size and touch made him nearly unstoppable, particularly at the elbow. However, he’s never been the most fleet of foot, especially in recent years. He’s often trailing the play as he lumbers up and down the floor. Opponents routinely took advantage of that even before his latest knee injury.
The solution—assuming there even is one—might be something that Embiid has long been loathe to embrace.
Typically, Embiid prefers to play for the entire first and third quarter, catch a breather at the beginning of the second and fourth quarters, then come back for closing time. However, he’s often running on empty toward the end of those 12-minute stretches. If more teams embrace the OKC/Indiana strategy of rotating more players to keep fresh legs on the floor, that could put Embiid at an even greater disadvantage toward the end of his shifts.
The Sixers’ medical team will assuredly work closely with Embiid and George this year to prevent the chronic injury issues that besieged them last year. Whenever they’re cleared to play, one would think they’ll ramp up slowly, particularly early in the season. Bona and Edwards can’t fully replicate the impact of Embiid and George, but even 20-25 minutes from those two is better than zero minutes.
This will require an adjustment from Nick Nurse, too. During his final few seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet were all among the league leaders in minutes per game. Nurse also fell into that trap with Maxey early last season with Embiid and George sidelined. Maxey averaged 39.7 minutes per game over his first seven games before suffering a hamstring strain that sidelined him for two weeks.
The Sixers likely aren’t getting out of Embiid and George’s contracts before the start of the season. They’re pot-committed to the Big Three model for the time being, for better or worse. While they won’t have the more egalitarian salary structure of a team like the 2024-25 Pacers or Thunder, they could at least emulate that style of minutes distribution.
If they don’t, history may be doomed to repeat itself.
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</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Sean Kennedy</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Report: Ariana Andonian named Delaware Blue Coats GM]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-news/77861/report-ariana-andonian-named-delaware-blue-coats-gm" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77861</id>
<updated>2025-08-19T11:49:27-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-19T11:49:27-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers News" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Around this time last year, the Philadelphia 76ers hired Ariana Andonian from the Memphis Grizzlies to be Vice President of Player Personnel. Clearly, they have been pleased with her work over the last year, as reporting today from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype states she will now also be the new General Manager for the Delaware […]]]></summary>
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<a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/2024/9/4/24236198/sixers-hire-ariana-andonian-vp-of-player-personnel-grizzlies-rockets">Around this time last year</a>, the Philadelphia 76ers hired Ariana Andonian from the Memphis Grizzlies to be Vice President of Player Personnel. Clearly, they have been pleased with her work over the last year, as reporting today from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype states she will now also be the new General Manager for the Delaware Blue Coats.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Sources: The Philadelphia 76ers will name Ariana Andonian Delaware Blue Coats G League GM in addition to her Sixers Vice President of Player Personnel role. Prior, Andonian was Grizzlies Director of Player Personnel and Rockets Scouting Coordinator. She also worked for Duke. <a href="https://t.co/xICkaVwLWG">pic.twitter.com/xICkaVwLWG</a>— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1957804863468786006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Before arriving in Philadelphia, Andonian previously spent four years in the Memphis Grizzlies’ front office. Prior to that NBA experience, she was a member of the Houston Rockets’ scouting department during Daryl Morey’s tenure there. In between those two gigs, she earned her MBA from Duke, so I’m sure she and Elton Brand have plenty of Blue Devil-related discussions. Andonian is still only 30 years old and was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5399937/2024/08/21/nba-40-under-40-top-coaches-executives-directors/">included in The Athletic’s 2024 NBA 40 under 40 list</a>. The blurb there states, “those who worked with her rave about her attention to detail and scouting acumen.”
She will have big shoes to fill at the G League affiliate. Jameer Nelson previously held the role of Blue Coats General Manager, but was <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=liberty+ballers+assistant+general+manager&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS1025US1025&oq=liberty+ballers+assistant+g&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRirAjIHCAQQIRirAtIBCDU1MDVqMGo0qAIAsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">promoted to Sixers Assistant General Manager</a> back in May. Delaware finished 13th in the East at 14-20 last season. At 21.2 points per game, Judah Mintz was the team’s leading scorer among players who appeared in more than a handful of games.
While the Sixers have missed on some big-money contracts, they’ve done decently well recently unearthing talents along the margins, with Justin Edwards being the latest example. Hopefully, Andonian can help that tradition continue in her dual role with Sixers Player Personnel and Blue Coats General Manager.
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Greg Frank</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[How high would Jared McCain go in a 2024 NBA redraft?]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77848/how-high-would-jared-mccain-go-in-a-2024-nba-redraft" />
<id>https://www.libertyballers.com/?p=77848</id>
<updated>2025-08-16T17:08:47-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-16T17:03:17-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.libertyballers.com" term="Sixers Analysis" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[August is always a slow month in the NBA. There’s a flurry of transactions across the league in July, particularly the early part of July. Then, there’s the Summer League action which allows all of us to fawn over whoever our crush is from the June draft. Now, we’re left with certain restricted free agency […]]]></summary>
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August is always a slow month in the NBA. There’s a flurry of transactions across the league in July, particularly the early part of July. Then, there’s the Summer League action which allows all of us to fawn over whoever our crush is from the June draft. Now, we’re left with certain restricted free agency standoffs that seemingly could drag on close to training camp, which is sort of the spot the Sixers are in with <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/76ers-analysis/77777/sixers-quentin-grimes-2025-nba-free-agency-qualifying-offer-sign-and-trade">Quentin Grimes</a>.
So, naturally it’s probably a good time to look back on some previous transactions and grade them. That’s exactly at Sam Vecenie did <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6547791/2025/08/14/nba-draft-2024-stephon-castle-zaccharie-risacher/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq">recently</a> in redrafting last year’s NBA Draft. Despite only appearing in 23 games as a rookie, Jared McCain looked like a steal for the Sixers at 16th overall. Vecenie redrafted the first 20 picks of the 2024 draft and we’re going to break them down in quarters.
Redraft picks 1-5 (actual pick in parentheses)
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Stefon Castle (4 by SA) </li>
<li>Zaccharie Risacher (1 by ATL)</li>
<li>Jared McCain (16 by PHI)</li>
<li>Reed Sheppard (3 by HOU)</li>
<li>Donovan Clingan (7 by POR)</li>
</ol>
Analysis: Outside of McCain’s jump, there’s not a lot of major revelations here. Castle ended up winning the Rookie of the Year and looks poised to form a formidable backcourt in San Antonio with De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper. The other three players in this quarter of Vecenie’s re-draft that aren’t McCain are all slotted within one or two picks of where they were actually selected.
Vecenie wrote multiple paragraphs of analysis on each pick in his re-draft and specifically stated that no player showed more offensive upside last season than McCain. Last year was viewed as a bad draft so perhaps that’s not as glowing of a statement as it would be with other rookie classes, but it’s certainly high praise nonetheless.
Vecenie also brought up a point that I’m sure Daryl Morey, Nick Nurse and the rest of Sixers management have talked about plenty this summer. Vecenie highlighted the fact that McCain looked very comfortable handling the ball and attacking the basket in games Tyrese Maxey did not play. The ability to create for himself and get to the rim is what could truly make McCain an elite offensive player as his career unfolds and he hopefully stays healthy. He was already billed as a high-level three-point shooter and perhaps one could make the argument his outside shooting was even better than expected as a rookie, but if he’s able to score off the dribble and at all three levels pretty consistently, the Sixers might have themselves a superstar in a few years’ time. But, how much of that scoring off the bounce for McCain will be hampered in games both he and Maxey are playing in? We all know Maxey thrives off quickness and athleticism which makes him someone that needs the ball in his hands to be the best player he can be. Figuring out how Maxey and McCain can coexist is undoubtedly the most important task for Philadelphia in 2025-26. In a worst case scenario in which Joel Embiid and Paul George are both frequently unavailable again and the Sixers miss the playoffs again, you’d like to at least feel good about Maxey and McCain’s ability to share the floor together moving forward.
Redraft picks 6-10
6. Matas Buzelis (11 by CHI)
7. Ron Holland II (5 by DET)
8. Zach Edey (9 by MEM)
9. Jaylen Wells (39 by MEM)
10. Kel’el Ware (15 by MIA)
Analysis: If you thought the Sixers got good value in selecting McCain at 16th overall, well how about Memphis getting Jaylen Wells at 39? That’s obviously the big takeaway from these five picks in Vecenie’s redraft. McCain still goes six picks higher than Wells and I think almost every NBA media member would rather have McCain on their team than Wells, but Wells came right in and was a Rooke of the Year finalist as a second-round pick and played a lot of minutes on a Memphis team that made the playoffs and posted decent shooting percentages.
Most people would rather have McCain than Wells, but would you rather be Memphis or Philadelphia right now? In the first-round last year, the Grizzlies surprised some people and took Zach Edey with the ninth overall pick. Edey nearly averaged a double-double as a rookie despite only playing 22 minutes per game. Vecenie noted that Edey graded out well from an analytical standpoint as the Grizzlies were rated very highly offensively in the minutes Edey played with Ja Morant and were also rated highly defensively in the minutes Edey played with Jaren Jackson Jr. To bring us back to the question we asked, it sure seems like the pieces are fitting together a little bit better right now for the Grizzlies. The Sixers are clinging to what might end up being a false hope that Embiid and George can bounce back and if they can’t, questions about how Philly’s young guards fit together need to be answered this season just for Philadelphia’s future to even be mildly exciting. It looks like the pieces are starting to fit together in Memphis and if the Grizzlies can build off of last year’s 48-win campaign and playoff berth, they’ll have a chance to make some more noise in the spring of 2026.
Redraft picks 11-16
11. Alex Sarr (2 by WSH)
12. Ajay Mitchell (38 by OKC)
13. Kyshawn George (24 by WSH)
14. Nikola Topic (12 by OKC)
15. Kyle Filipowski (32 by UTAH)
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li></li>
</ol>
Analysis: There are a few Sixers angles to take away from this group of five players. First off, let’s hope that V.J. Edgecombe is not ranked outside the top 10 in a 2025 redraft at this time next year the way Alex Sarr is here. It seems like Vecenie’s big knock on Sarr is a lack of strength that had him getting bullied a lot inside against the bigs he was matching up with last season. If there’s any solace to be taken from this quarter for Wizards fans, Kyshawn George looks like another one of the steals of the first round.
The Thunder and Sixers have been connected in the draft dating back to 2020 when the Oklahoma City first-round pick conveyed to Philadelphia and became Tyrese Maxey for the Sixers. Oklahoma City has hit home runs all over the draft and Mitchell appears to be another one of the better second-rounders from last year along with Wells. If Philadelphia has another bad season in 2025-26, it’s likely its first-rounder will go to the Thunder and the rich will get richer.
 Redraft picks 16-20
16. Bub Carrington (14 by WSH)
17. Terrence Shannon Jr. (17 by MIN)
18. Tristan Da Silva (18 by ORL)
19. Isaiah Collier (29 by UTAH)
20. Ryan Dunn (28 by PHX)
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li></li>
</ol>
Analysis: This is an interesting final quarter of Vecenie’s mock draft because it’s the area of the draft that the Sixers picked McCain in. Interestingly enough, Vecenie noes that Carrington played more minutes than any other player in the draft class last year. Carrington was also one of the younger players in the draft so there might be some hope for him to stick around for a while in the NBA, but he’s the only guy that even had a big enough role as a rookie to have merited being selected where Philadelphia was picking and surely would have been a worse pick than McCain anyway.
The other thing worth noting here is Dalton Knecht is not mentioned at all in the redraft. Many Sixers fans debated Knecht versus McCain leading up to the draft and when Philly was on the clock with both players available. Knecht had lots of defensive problems as a rookie and the Lakers tried to trade him in a deal that eventually fell through with Charlotte. The big selling point on Knecht was his college experience and he seemed like someone that appeared to be more NBA ready than McCain. Let this exercise serve as a reminder that NBA readiness should not be all that high on any team’s priority list when drafting. The draft is about getting long-term building blocks and McCain sure looks like one for the Sixers.
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