Lack of recovery has become a problem

Even in today’s NBA 3-and-D, the resilience of the attack is still very important.

I know, I know, statistically speaking, the Golden State Warriors were a below average counter-attacking team during their championship run, but they also rank among the most resilient in The NBA as a whole during that term, with an uncanny ability to catch the opposing team’s missed shots on their way to space and 3 speed.

When a shot doesn’t drop, or I guess goes out of bounds, an offensive bounce can be the difference between an opponent winning the ball and a second chance to score on the board.

But what happens when a team isn’t particularly good at counter-attacking or defending? What happens when, although there are more capable big boys, the rest of the squad doesn’t try to play respectfully and protect the attack? Well, you become Philadelphia 76ers, who currently ranks dead last in total bounces and results in a slight difference in regards to the shot.

The Philadelphia 76ers need to significantly enhance their recovery game.

The Philadelphia 76ers currently have three players averaging at least eight rebounds per game, Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, and Tobias Harris.

Good.

In particular, Drummond is one of the best counter-attackers in the field, especially on the attacking end of the pitch, and his double-digit-per-game sheet is highly regarded, especially considering the numbers. his average minutes per game.

But beyond those three? Yes, everything ends very quickly.

Of the other 14 players on the list, none is averaging more than four rebounds per game, with Tyrus Maxey finishing fourth on the team with 3.6. Only Maxey averages more than three defensive counter-attacks per game, and at the attacking end of the pitch, only Paul Reed and Charles Bassey are good with one goal per game, you know, when they actually play.

So what for? Why didn’t the Sixers attack the board? I mean, it’s not like the players go back to attacking action and can’t be bothered trying to take possession. Philly also currently ranks last in speed, meaning they can easily be knocked out after every hit, even by slower players like Georges Niang.

My theory? A mix of lack of size and lack of effort.

As has been pointed out many times (like here), the Sixers were a very small team that was originally built around the idea of ​​having a 6-foot-10 point guard. With Maxey and Seth Curry at the back and Danny Green appearing as one of the NBA’s shortest small forwards, the Sixers very rarely get the advantage around the basket and are often pushed around by larger opponents.

In addition to securing a small 6-foot-8 striker in the trade for Ben Simmons (again, more on that here), signed a G-League restoration defense contract Charlie Brown Jr. into a two-way contract or a smaller deal for the 3-and-D recovery, there’s not much the Sixers can do about that in the interim.

However, what they can do is make an effort to always give their best and try to make something happen.

According to NBA advanced analysis, the Sixers only appear 7.7 times per game, good for The 25th highest landmark in the NBA. Had they scored just two more goals per game, they would have risen to sixth, along with Washington and their much less impressive central collection.

Between you and me, it’s like an achievable goal.

Now sure, the Philadelphia 76ers’ recovery numbers were certainly impacted negatively by the absences of Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid for much of November, but that can’t be the sole cause of the lead. to the unhappiness of the team. Watch any match, and you’ll see players who have made suboptimal efforts around the border for one reason or another. If Doc Rivers is wise, he will tackle this problem and spread a culture of recovery similar to the one Brett Brown championed a few years ago.