Pros and Cons: Sixers vs. Timberwolves

James Harden is a Sixer.

Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.

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A new era of Philadelphia basketball began tonight, as for the first time, James Harden donned a Sixers jersey on an NBA floor. Here’s what stood out to me during the first exhibit of the new-look Sixers:

Pro: Let the staggering begin

If you’ve read game recaps this year, you likely know that Doc Rivers has struggled mightily when it comes to constructing appropriate substitution patterns. Whether it’s not staggering his best players or using all-bench lineups, there have been several reasons for concern here.

With Harden now in the fold, though, Rivers has an easy path to constantly having multiple high-caliber offensive players on the floor at once. 

Tonight’s early returns suggest that for the time being, the pairings we will see most are Harden-Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey-Joel Embiid. Splitting up Maxey and Harden was the obvious play here, as the Sixers can ensure they have a high-level ball-handler on the floor at all times. 

As the season continues, Rivers will certainly experiment with many different looks -- as he probably should -- but for now, it’s comforting to know that the Sixers have the right idea here.

Pro: Sixers offense thrives, living at the free throw line

All it took this new-look roster was one game to show how lethal they have the potential to be offensively. For the most part, everyone did their jobs well, and it all coalesced into a fantastic team showing.

It all starts with the two fulcrums of this offense, Harden and Embiid. Embiid’s vertical gravity and Harden’s brilliant passing led the way as this team showed its tremendous upside.

When the Sixers added Harden, we all knew it was coming -- the Sixers have instantly become the most foul-drawing-happy team in the NBA, thanks to the incredible grifting duo of Harden and Embiid. 

Tonight, Embiid and Harden combined for 19 free throw attempts in the first half alone, immediately displaying how difficult it will be to defend both of them at once when they share the floor. When both players naturally attract the attention of an entire defense, it becomes borderline impossible to put together a coherent defensive game-plan.

This game was slowed down at times, sure, but come on — you have to admit, this was as glorious as it was hilarious.

Pro: Sixers stifle Karl-Anthony Towns

Of course, Towns is at the center of everything Minnesota does. And the Sixers took a unique approach to defending him.

Rather than Embiid guarding him one-on-one as one would expect, the Sixers used smaller defenders -- namely Harris and Georges Niang -- and had Embiid roam as a free safety of sorts, while also being available to help on any driver or Towns post-up. 

Harris and Niang did an admirable job on T0wns in what was a difficult assignment. They slowed down Towns to an impressive extent, and that made things a whole lot easier all-around, as it sparked an impressive defensive showing and led to more transition opportunities, particularly for Maxey, who dazzled in the open floor.