Sixers Are 9-3, but Their Offense Is Still Far From Good Enough

Philadelphia 76ers offense struggles, Digi Mart USA News: Underneath a banner of “It’s going to take some time,” it has been easy to focus on the Sixers’ 9-3 record rather than the underlying concerns surrounding the team. Tuesday’s meeting with the Celtics was billed as Jaylen Brown vs.

Jayson Tatum, but it also served as a test of whether the 76ers’ crunch-time wins against tougher competition or Boston’s blowout wins over weaker opponents were more reliable.

Boston won style points, beating the home team by 22 points in Philadelphia. The result did not settle the question, but it highlighted the Sixers’ struggles on offense despite a roster that includes multiple future Hall of Famers, two stars in their prime and several capable bench players.

Twelve games into LeBron James’ first season in Philadelphia, the Sixers rank among the league’s least efficient offenses. Their offensive struggles have been among the most painful parts of their season, and several of the teams near them in that group, including the 4-7 Wizards and Hornets, have also struggled.

Tyrese Maxey offered a direct explanation after the Celtics game, saying he was the only starter who had to change his game as much as the others this season. “Every five starters that we have is playing a different role than they played last year, and some of them probably even more,” Maxey said.

“I think for myself it’s a little bit easier because I’ve had to do this before. I did it with James Harden.

I did it with Ben Simmons. I did it when James left and James came back.

Bron’s here. I’m just kind of used to it.

So I think we’re all trying to adapt and figure it out. It’s gonna take time.”

Maxey also pointed to the team’s defense as a source of stability. “Thankfully, our defense has been pretty good to overcompensate for that,” he said. “We didn’t defend great tonight, but we continue to defend and compete and try to keep winning games while we’re figuring it out.”