8 issues that stood out from 2024 Sixers media day
8 issues that stood out from 2024 Sixers media day initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
From foolish to severe, there have been many 1000’s of phrases to digest Monday on the Sixers’ annual media day in Camden, New Jersey.
It’s definitely not complete, however listed here are eight issues that stood out:
Age not only a quantity
The Sixers have gamers from a number of completely different basketball generations.
Kyle Lowry, as an example, is 15 years older than 23-year-old All-Star level guard Tyrese Maxey.
“I feel it’s going to be nice for the Philadelphia 76ers that the guards now we have are — I’m going to make use of this for Kyle Lowry — previous,” Maxey mentioned, smiling. “Reggie Jackson, (Eric Gordon), they’re not previous, however Kyle Lowry’s previous. They’re not simply veterans; they’re seasoned vets. They’ve been in robust conditions.
“Reggie Jackson has been on a championship group. EG has been very shut. Kyle Lowry led a championship group. So these guys have championship pedigree, championship expertise. We’re going to want them. We’re going to want them to make use of their voice, we’ll want their play, and we’ll want their management.”
Paul George famous that he thinks the Sixers’ veterans have “all aged effectively” and that he “nonetheless feels youthful.”
Later, rookie Justin Edwards talked about he tried to mannequin his recreation after George’s whereas in highschool. And first-round draft decide Jared McCain highlighted that he hadn’t been alive for lengthy when Lowry made his NBA debut. On Nov. 1, 2006, he was 2 years previous.
Whereas Maxey’s a number of years older than McCain, he’s been certain to make clear there’s not thata lot of an age hole.
“Jared McCain after I met him was calling me a vet,” Maxey mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘We’ve got to place that to relaxation proper now. We’re not doing that.’ OG and vet … no. I’m 23 years previous, I’m not an OG or a vet.”
Nurse sounds excessive on Yabusele
The Sixers’ late-August signing of Guerschon Yabusele was a big one in head coach Nick Nurse’s eyes.
“I feel you must say (Yabusele) was an incredible pickup,” Nurse mentioned. “You’re trying on the complete roster all summer season lengthy and also you’re simply considering, ‘The place is a necessity there?’ And I feel there was in all probability a necessity on the four-spot, and that’s what he’s.
“He’s not a 3 and he’s not likely a 5. You will get away with taking part in him at some small-ball 5 if you wish to, however he’s a 4 that plugs in there and he ought to have a superb probability to impression the rotation.”
Caleb Martin might very effectively begin for the Sixers and play substantial minutes at energy ahead, which is totally superb by him.
He interrupted a query that described him as “6-foot-5” to specify with a smile that he’s “6-6 with footwear on.”
“It’s what I’ve been doing the final couple of years,” Martin mentioned. “Individuals say, ‘Taking part in the 4’ and no matter, but when a 4 screens for the one, I’m guarding the purpose guard. I feel that’s a factor folks placed on paper, however I feel it’s position-less basketball most of the time in immediately’s recreation. I don’t actually have a look at it because the 4, I simply have a look at it as being versatile.
“But when I’ve bought to play the 4 and I’m guarding the 4, I’ve been in a position to maintain my very own for so long as I’ve been within the league. I’m going to proceed to be taught and discover methods to try this.”
Grateful for a viral slam
The basketball world was clearly watching the Olympic remaining between the US and France earlier than Yabusele’s thunderous dunk on LeBron James.
The slam certain didn’t harm his odds of creating it again to the NBA, although.
“It actually bought loopy,” Yabusele mentioned. “In fact after the sport, I used to be not excited about that. I used to be excited about the loss as a result of I actually really feel like we may’ve gotten this recreation, so I used to be a little bit bit annoyed about it. After which the following day after I opened up my social media and the whole lot, it bought actually loopy.
“l’ve had some good dunks in my profession, some good posters, however that one, I didn’t understand it was going to explode like that. … My pals had been calling me, texting me, and I really feel like everyone on this planet bought to see it. This actually additionally helped me to have the ability to be right here immediately. However usually, the dunk was superb and it was a good time.”
Bona already beneath Drummond’s wing
The concept of studying from seven-time All-Star massive man Joel Embiid is interesting to any younger middle.
No. 41 general decide Adem Bona is glad to be Embiid’s teammate, however it was putting to see him gentle up Monday as he detailed backup massive man Andre Drummond’s mentorship.
“Having somebody like that could be a blessing,” Bona mentioned. “I’ve watched him do what he does. Early in his profession, he averaged 14, 15 rebounds a recreation. To have somebody like that early in my profession is large. I’ve spoken with him a number of occasions. I’ve labored out with him … and it’s been an enormous, big step for me.
“He takes me beneath his wing. He tells me what I must do (throughout) follow, after follow, within the chilly tub. We discuss concerning the video games on a regular basis. We speak about performs that occurred in follow — issues I didn’t do, issues I did effectively. … I feel that’s actually superb, to have somebody like that who’s seen the whole lot. I feel that’s going to be massive for me.”
George’s first impressions
When George spoke about becoming a member of the Sixers in July, his ideas had been based mostly primarily on his experiences as an opponent.
He’s gained a greater sense of his new group by means of offseason exercises in Los Angeles and Camden.
“Actually proficient group, prime to backside,” George mentioned. “I’ve identified guys from being within the league and taking part in in opposition to them, however really being on the identical facet and seeing them each day, it’s lots of proficient guys.
“It’s been enjoyable. I feel the character right here, everyone’s on the identical web page. It’s an actual brotherhood. You may inform guys get pleasure from taking part in with each other on the squad. I feel (my) first impression is that is going to be a enjoyable yr.”
Oubre being Oubre
In basic Kelly Oubre Jr. style, he opened his session with reporters by requesting everybody to stomp their ft, clap their palms and “groove.”
As soon as he started answering questions, Oubre expressed his pleasure about fruitful offseason work with coach Drew Hanlen. He mentioned his shoulder feels good after “some issues that occurred throughout (final) yr that I simply by no means actually took care of.”
The lefty wing additionally “had a wrist therapist, so she helped me get some extra flexion and a few extra space with my wrist — to get my wrist again after I shoot. Simply the little intangible issues, however I feel that’s all good. I’ve been capturing it fairly effectively within the gymnasium, so I’m excited to be extra constant and simply hit.”
Oubre began every recreation of the Sixers’ first-round playoff sequence loss to the Knicks and averaged 13.2 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists. It was his first postseason motion since 2018.
“It’s the whole lot,” he mentioned. “You discover that while you’re a youthful participant on this league. When you get to the playoffs, it enhances your basketball capability. So I simply suppose that opened my eyes again to what we’re actually taking part in for through the common season.
“I wish to get again there. I’m nonetheless a little bit bitter about how the Knicks followers had been on us and that complete sequence, however it’s a brand new yr. Clear slate, zero-zero, so let’s get it.”
Maxey is aware of he must name photographs
Maxey was a tad cagey about what precisely he did within the gymnasium this summer season.
“I can’t let you know all my secrets and techniques,” he mentioned.
He did in the end present perception on one vital side of his job. Maxey is aware of a part of high-caliber level guard play is being unequivocally in cost.
“I feel the largest factor for me is simply figuring out everyone — when they need the ball, how they need the ball, easy methods to get guys concerned always,” the reigning Most Improved Participant mentioned. “That’s one of many greatest issues I labored on this summer season, and that’s one thing you may’t work on by your self.
“I had lots of people out and in with me this summer season — pals, household. I had lots of days the place I performed 3-on-3, 4-on-4, and all I did was cross and attempt to put guys in the correct spots to attain the ball.
“I feel that actually grew my recreation, not only for seeing the sport however (additionally) my communication degree … placing guys in the correct spots, telling guys, ‘OK, go right here, go there.’ With me in all probability being the purpose guard on this group, it’s going to be tough, however I’ve to be demanding and I’ve to attempt to management the sport at occasions. I feel I’m prepared for it.”
Versatility central for Sixers
Requested what provides him confidence the Sixers can attain their championship aim, Jackson cited a single idea.
“Versatility,” he mentioned. “We’ve bought a bunch of gamers that may play each side of the basketball. We’ve bought a bunch of fellows which are hungry. The brand new type of basketball, the way in which it’s going may be very wing-oriented. With the ability to make fast choices offensively and defensively, I feel that offers you an incredible probability at it.
“We’re going to must have the luck of well being and we’re going to must do our half by way of the preparation. Each day, simply working, doing our greatest to know what coverages we’re in, figuring out our units just like the again of our hand, and simply attending to know one another and have some continuity.”
Maxey appears to have the same imaginative and prescient of adaptable, multi-scheme, borderline position-less basketball. The athletic trio of Oubre, Martin and George seem particularly aligned with that type.
“There’s so many alternative items that now we have, so many alternative ways in which we will play,” Maxey mentioned. “That’s what I’ve realized from the offseason. Man, now we have so many alternative interchangeable elements, which is a blessing. As soon as we determine that out, the sky’s the restrict.”
