Philly's Home Court Disappointment Looms Over Return of Charles Bassey, a Game-Changer for 6ers
A devastating third quarter has become a recurring nightmare for the Philadelphia 76ers. In their Saturday loss to the New York Knicks, the Sixers' usually reliable home court advantage was no match for the visitors' stifling defense. As Nick Nurse and Tyrese Maxey sidestepped questions about late-game calls that sealed the victory for New York, one thing is clear: Philly's young core is struggling to find its footing.
Joel Embiid led a scintillating first half against the Knicks, with 28 points on 10-for-12 shooting. It was the best performance from Embiid since VJ Edgecombe joined the team, and even Maxey couldn't help but marvel at his teammate's display of dominance.
"I've seen it in YouTube clips," Edgecombe said of Embiid's impressive half. "It's good to see it in person now."
However, despite Embiid's heroics, the Sixers' third quarter debacle left much to be desired. The team shot just 4-for-17 from the field, scoring only 13 points in a frame that ultimately swung the momentum in favor of New York.
"We just started getting into them," Coach Nurse said. "The catches were a little further away, and they were knifing over some of our handoffs... it was physical."
A key aspect of the problem was poor defensive rebounding, which allowed New York to outscore Philly 30-13 in the quarter.
Meanwhile, Charles Bassey is set to return from a stint with the San Antonio Spurs, signing a 10-day contract that will give him six more chances to make an impact. While the move might not be about Bassey himself but rather securing depth at center for the Sixers' upcoming back-to-back, it's a welcome addition to a roster that's been depleted by injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
Bassey has played 115 games across five seasons and three teams, including two appearances with the Memphis Grizzlies. His experience will be invaluable as Johni Broome steps up in the G League, allowing Nurse to make strategic moves on defense without sacrificing depth.
The signing keeps a watchful eye on Barlow and Walker, the Sixers' prized two-way standouts who are crucial for the team's playoff push. As Philly heads to Charlotte on Monday night with a depleted bench and a dwindling roster, Bassey will provide a much-needed boost, and it's hard not to feel optimistic about his potential impact on the 76ers' season.
A devastating third quarter has become a recurring nightmare for the Philadelphia 76ers. In their Saturday loss to the New York Knicks, the Sixers' usually reliable home court advantage was no match for the visitors' stifling defense. As Nick Nurse and Tyrese Maxey sidestepped questions about late-game calls that sealed the victory for New York, one thing is clear: Philly's young core is struggling to find its footing.
Joel Embiid led a scintillating first half against the Knicks, with 28 points on 10-for-12 shooting. It was the best performance from Embiid since VJ Edgecombe joined the team, and even Maxey couldn't help but marvel at his teammate's display of dominance.
"I've seen it in YouTube clips," Edgecombe said of Embiid's impressive half. "It's good to see it in person now."
However, despite Embiid's heroics, the Sixers' third quarter debacle left much to be desired. The team shot just 4-for-17 from the field, scoring only 13 points in a frame that ultimately swung the momentum in favor of New York.
"We just started getting into them," Coach Nurse said. "The catches were a little further away, and they were knifing over some of our handoffs... it was physical."
A key aspect of the problem was poor defensive rebounding, which allowed New York to outscore Philly 30-13 in the quarter.
Meanwhile, Charles Bassey is set to return from a stint with the San Antonio Spurs, signing a 10-day contract that will give him six more chances to make an impact. While the move might not be about Bassey himself but rather securing depth at center for the Sixers' upcoming back-to-back, it's a welcome addition to a roster that's been depleted by injuries and COVID-19 protocols.
Bassey has played 115 games across five seasons and three teams, including two appearances with the Memphis Grizzlies. His experience will be invaluable as Johni Broome steps up in the G League, allowing Nurse to make strategic moves on defense without sacrificing depth.
The signing keeps a watchful eye on Barlow and Walker, the Sixers' prized two-way standouts who are crucial for the team's playoff push. As Philly heads to Charlotte on Monday night with a depleted bench and a dwindling roster, Bassey will provide a much-needed boost, and it's hard not to feel optimistic about his potential impact on the 76ers' season.