Pros and Cons: Sixers vs. Pacers

Instant observations after Sixers-Pacers.

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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In their second to last game of the regular season, the Sixers hosted the Indiana Pacers this afternoon. Here’s what jumped out to me today:

Pro: Did Danny Green just Wally Pipp Matisse Thybulle?

Thybulle has been starting for the Sixers for the bulk of this season. But he was unavailable for the Sixers’ contest in Toronto on Thursday, and in his place, Green lit up the Raptors, knocking down six triples.

I wrote last week about my many reasons for skepticism as far as Thybulle being a starter on this team when the playoffs begin. In my view, the best alternative is Green, who has surely slowed down this year due to aging and injuries. But Green at least provides gravity and floor spacing as a shooter, while Thybulle negatively contributes to both of those things due to his general lack of competence on that end of the floor.

With a Raptors series in the first round looking more and more likely — and Thybulle probably missing road games in that series due to his vaccination status — it also stands to reason that the Sixers may prefer to keep Green in there for the sake of continuity.

In my view, today’s starting lineup -- James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Green, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid -- is the best and most cohesive unit the Sixers have as they enter the playoffs.

Pro: Paul Reed flashes more potential

In his pregame media availability this morning, Doc Rivers told us that the backup center minutes will be allotted based on matchup, and that Reed had not officially passed DeAndre Jordan on the depth chart.

This afternoon, however, we once again saw BBall Paul logging those minutes. And it was just as beautifully chaotic as you expected.

There are many questions about his readiness for consistent playing time. But two things are not in question: Reed brings a whole lot of energy to the game, and Jordan is not a feasible solution to the backup center issue.

Reed was able to grab a few misses and score putbacks around the rim. He made a handful of impressive defensive plays, and because of it, the Sixers looked significantly better with him on the floor than they ever have with Jordan. 

The biggest issue Reed faces is dealing with his penchant for committing fouls. Even in a very limited role as a backup center, he may deal with foul trouble like he did today. Given how much Embiid should play in the playoffs, it’s unlikely that Reed’s fouling would be too damaging if he plays. But right now, it’s his biggest obstacle as he auditions for a postseason rotation spot.

Pro: Joel Embiid on the verge of capturing scoring title

With LeBron James not meeting the minimum games played threshold and Embiid’s performance today, it’s almost a lock that Embiid is going to win this year’s NBA scoring title.

Embiid put up 41 points today, on an incredible 14-17 shooting line. He also grabbed 20 rebounds, dominating Indiana’s front line from beginning to end once again. He did damage down low, in the mid-range and from three… as well as, of course, from the free throw line.

It seems like the MVP trophy might once again go to Denver’s Nikola Jokic. And I’m not here to argue over who should win it: Embiid and Jokic are both more than worthy candidates who have put together MVP-caliber campaigns for the second year in a row.

But no matter how the MVP voting turns out, Embiid will always have this legendary season as part of his legacy, as he almost certainly will finish at least in the top two of voting for the second year in a row, a massive accomplishment in itself.

Everyone is focused on the MVP, and I get why that is. But while that situation is uncertain, let’s appreciate the tremendous achievement that Embiid is almost certain to attain after his historically-great year.