The early hook of Nola isn’t something I agreed with, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on that one. Calling for a reliever who hasn’t warned up though, that was just moronic.

But yeah, let’s give him a couple months and see how it goes. One bonehead mistake isn’t a reason to fire the guy.
- BiggE

It was also his first game ever.

They're playing their best ball at the right time. It comes down to the Raptors, Sixers, or Cavs in the east now that Kyrie is out of the picture. The Sixers would have thrashed the Cavs last night had a) the cavs shot not out of their minds in the second half and b) the Sixers went cold in the second half. Basically, if both teams shot more towards the middle of the bell curve, that's a 15+ point win WITHOUT EMBIID and with Saric playing his first game in 2 weeks.

That team has a legit shot at representing the eastern conference.
- Giroux_Is_God

Still, a beautiful win by a team missing both Embiid and Saric.

Ben Simmons owned. 27-15-13 in a huge game.

Look, there are some NBA wonks that talk about Russell Westbrook and how he fills up a stat sheet.

Ben Simmons fills up the stat sheet like Russ does, except Ben is winning.

Keep reading, Deep Throat
- PhillySportsGuy

goddamit

At some point, there will be a documentary detailing what actually happened and people who hated it will come to realize it wasn't nearly as bad as they made it out to be
- PhillySportsGuy

imagine that

I hate that a dude that got his job because of nepotism will possibly benefit from the success of this team.
- johndewar

It used to upset me, but Hinkie will get most of the credit for the success and Colange(frank) will get all of the blame if things go wrong. The fans know what the deal is no matter what the league tries to spin.

Wayne look lost blury speech bad passing turnovers and losing almost all the puck battles
- Landsbergfan

Poor Wayne. I thought you guys were joking about his speech. That oral surgeon must've (frank)ed him up bad.

That said, if he's injured that's one thing. But he has made countless poor decisions with the puck this season and I don't see how people can use injury as an excuse for it. I think they move him this off-season. I just don't see him being in the long term plans. Especially considering he's off PP1 on top of everything else.

Other NBA teams are dutifully following the same model.
- johndewar

What other teams are doing is so much worse than anything the Sixers did. The Sixers assembled a roster of young players and just let them play freely through their mistakes. Other teams are literally sitting their best players and putting lineups on the court that are built intentionally to lose.

Still, a beautiful win by a team missing both Embiid and Saric.

Ben Simmons owned. 27-15-13 in a huge game.

Look, there are some NBA wonks that talk about Russell Westbrook and how he fills up a stat sheet.

Ben Simmons fills up the stat sheet like Russ does, except Ben is winning.
- johndewar

Yup. And he's just not as flashy as Westbrook who puts up 30+ point triple doubles, which get people hard. I think last night was a season high for Simmons.

Don't get me wrong I'm not disagreeing with you or taking anything away from Simmons. I'm just thinking out loud on why he isn't getting as much love as Russ (yet)

Something that was insane was last night they put up the active player career triple double leaders and Simmons is ALREADY top 10

Doesn't bother me at all. Totally serious. Not scared of the Pens. Recognize what they have done, recognize the talent.

But i will relish the opportunity to play them, with each team on equal rest
- AllInForFlyers

Pens D is vulnerable, they will give up plenty of scoring opportunities. I'm good with the Flyers matching up against any team in the Metro.

Ovie 49 goal pens flyers first round.

What other teams are doing is so much worse than anything the Sixers did. The Sixers assembled a roster of young players and just let them play freely through their mistakes. Other teams are literally sitting their best players and putting lineups on the court that are built intentionally to lose.
- PhillySportsGuy

This is why the nba blows. I don’t blame these teams for doing it but today’s star athletes want to play with each other and form super teams, 90% of the league doesn’t have a chance from game 1 of the season. Its nice that players want to win, but there is zero parity

He has that potential if he develops a mid range J. Other than that he'll be looking at something lower, but hey he dropped 24 on the Cavs last night playing around the rim
- Giroux_Is_God

The game last night was just really wild. If he develops a reliable jumper, he's going to be the best player in the world

This is why the nba blows. I don’t blame these teams for doing it but today’s star athletes want to play with each other and form super teams, 90% of the league doesn’t have a chance from game 1 of the season. Its nice that players want to win, but there is zero parity
- Just5

Yeah, but now that the sixers are one of them I don't mind as much

Doesn't bother me at all. Totally serious. Not scared of the Pens. Recognize what they have done, recognize the talent.

But i will relish the opportunity to play them, with each team on equal rest
- AllInForFlyers

Flyers knocking off the Pens and ending their reign would be fantastic. Bring them on.

The game last night was just really wild. If he develops a reliable jumper, he's going to be the best player in the world
- PhillySportsGuy

Coaches all over the league are female doging they can't scheme against him now.

If he gets a jumper, he'd be utterly unguardable.

If the BJs lose and the Devs get one point, who holds the tiebreaker between us and NJ?

Flyers knocking off the Pens and ending their reign would be fantastic. Bring them on.
- MJL

Exactly. (frank) those guys.

Coaches all over the league are female doging they can't scheme against him now.

If he gets a jumper, he'd be utterly unguardable.
- johndewar

He makes it look so easy

If the BJs lose and the Devs get one point, who holds the tiebreaker between us and NJ?
- BiggE

Flyers have the row advantage

This is why the nba blows. I don’t blame these teams for doing it but today’s star athletes want to play with each other and form super teams, 90% of the league doesn’t have a chance from game 1 of the season. Its nice that players want to win, but there is zero parity
- Just5

I hate parity. I think it's fun when there are elite teams.

The NBA is about the journey and the moves you make today that benefit you 2-3 years down the road. Do the Sixers have a chance at winning the title this year? No. But through a series of smart moves, they've assembled a roster with young talent and enough cap space to sign any free agent this summer. This couldn't have happened without years of planning.

Also, the reason the NBA has such little parity is because the sport simply has a low level of variance compared to others. The better team almost always wins the series. NHL, MLB and NFL teams can luck their way to playoff victories.

Flyers have the row advantage
- wcorvette

Duh, should have seen that. I blame the scotch

It's looking like the Flightless birds. Love it!

Not that they would need any motivation but can you imagine how exciting this will be for G, Voracek, Coots, and the rest of the guys?

Konecny I can just see the grinning from end to end at the chance to end Pitts reign.

Coaches all over the league are female doging they can't scheme against him now.

If he gets a jumper, he'd be utterly unguardable.
- johndewar

I think he might struggle in the playoffs. It's a different animal. Teams really scout well and take away all of things you want to do. The Heat would be a tough matchup for him.

The regular season is about maximizing your team's strengths. The postseason is about minimizing your team's weaknesses

5-3 Washington.

Caps up by 2...

By the end of this night the FLyers could be in 3rd place.. Just crazy