Doc Rivers teases six-person rotation, ‘liquid’ situation behind Joel Embiid

De’Anthony Melton was the first substitute team of the Philadelphia 76ers in their last pre-season game. He checked in for Tyrese Maxey at 5:34 in the first quarter. The move was hastened after Maxi sucked a hard slap in the face on an engine in the basket. Don’t worry, it’s fine.

Coach Doc Rivers was working With his guard spinning, though, all eyes were on another situation. Who was going to be the first huge man? That question was answered when Montrezel Harrell entered the game (3:32) with George Niang.

Rivers went in a 9-man rotation against Charlotte, one that did not include Mathis Thibault. The Sixers are still in beta to see how they want to roll out the minutes. This is a deep and talented list.

“I just wanted to sell today with a 9-man rotation,” Rivers said. “We wanted Trez [Harrell] To play because he didn’t play the last game, that was important to us. This is also liquid. It’ll be a while before we find out who should come out first, Teresa [Maxey] Oh James [Harden] – And who plays with which group, and who plays better with which group … It will take some time.”

The fight for backup status was a major talking point throughout pre-season. Paul Reed scored 4 points and grabbed 3 boards in 18 minutes against Cleveland (October 10) with Harrell suffering a rib injury. Two days later, Harrell was back and out with 14 points and 6 plates in 16 minutes. According to Rivers, the situation is “flexible.”

That would be fluid,” Rivers said. “There will be times when one will play. There will be times when one will play both, one will play 4 times with Joel [Embiid]So it’s good to have both.”

PJ Tucker take a look at the center

With Joel Embiid and Montreal Harrell out last week against Cleveland, PJ Tucker made a somewhat surprising start at the center of the junior ball squad. Rivers spoke about introducing the 6-foot-5 veteran while… Sixers Media Day But this was the first time he had applied it. Tucker finished 6 points and 2 rebounds in 21 minutes During the 113-97 فوز win.

“We’re going to do it this year because we’re young when Joel is off the ground regardless,” Rivers said. “Whether it’s Paul Reed, whether it’s Montreal, or PJ… I really liked him [Tucker’s minutes]. The two things we had to do were just run into the corners, let our guards break through, and just as we go, it creates such a problem.”

Rivers went on to praise the way opposing teams should respect Tucker’s three-point shot from a corner. He can camp at the baseline and pull his defender away from the paint.

“I thought that took them out of the play and I thought that was a good thing,” Rivers said. “And then the choices that PJ can adjust, so I liked it a lot.”

James Harden is getting more comfortable

James Harden Into the fire after last year’s trade deadline and saw some growing pains. A pick-and-roll game with Joel Embiid was fatal but Harden’s aggressiveness sometimes suffered. Now the three-time record champion has had full experience learning the Rivers system and his comfort is shown in the movie.

“I thought he was getting better in every match. You can see him feeling more comfortable, in the last two [preseason games]Rivers said. “I thought he played more often which is what he needs and I think he is starting to find the balance now. It takes time to score and being a playmaker and I think he is starting to do both now.”