76ers With a Statement Win in First Game Post James Harden Fiasco ? Key Takeaways as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey Stomp Gritty Raptors

Thursday marked the showdown between Joel Embiid and the squad against the Toronto Raptors; the two’s second clash of the season. The Raptors were riding high after handing the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo a decisive thrashing. On the other hand, the Sixers were navigating the aftermath of the James Harden drama.

Despite playing the entire season without Harden, the Sixers have the responsibility to adapt the slew of new additions. However, the 76ers triumphed with a convincing 114-99 victory, stifling one of the season’s most lackluster offensive teams. Regardless, there’s more to their win than just the Raptors’ offensive struggles.

Kelly Oubre Jr. balled out

It appears that Kelly Oubre Jr. has adapted swiftly to his new role. Earlier, Coach Nurse declared that Oubre would jump right into the starting lineup, and it turned out to be a brilliant move.?Oubre had a spectacular game, scoring 23 points and hitting an impressive 5 out of 6 three-pointers.

In the recent game against the Raptors, Oubre logged 30 minutes, similar to his previous three outings where he averaged 28 minutes. However, during those initial games, he managed to score an average of 19 points and went 5-16 from beyond the arc. However, with his new role, Oubre seems to be more comfortable and confident.

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Furthermore, it seems like Nurse’s belief in Oubre had some magical effect on his game.

Tyrese Maxey is not James Harden and does not need to be either

Tyrese Maxey had his lowest-scoring game of the season; and with James Harden’s departure now official, fans are holding high expectations for the 22-year-old guard. However, in his most recent performance, Maxey put up a decent 18 points and struggled to connect from beyond the arc.

This is where De’Anthony Melton steps into the picture. Maxey, except when he scores more than 30, hasn’t been able to dish out assists to the extent that Harden used to. Maxey is not James Harden, and the good thing is that it doesn’t diminish the young guard’s prowess. On the other hand, Melton is experiencing a brief upscale in his assists. With minimal scoring pressure on his shoulders, the Sixers can leverage Melton’s experience to create numerous open looks when he’s on the court.

A perfect example of the dynamic was evident in the Sixers’ blowout win against the Portland Trail Blazers. While Maxey secured a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Melton was on the cusp of one himself; contributing 12 points and 8 assists.

The Sixers’ bench can be a sigh of relief for Joel Embiid

The Harden trade brings a positive aspect for the Sixers, bolstering their bench. While their new additions may not be the players they once were, they offer much-needed flexibility. Martin is a young and athletic talent, who can be easily adaptable to the Sixers’ style.

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For Covington and Morris, the trade marks a homecoming of sorts. Covington delivered some of his finest performances during his tenure with Philly from 2014-2018. This makes him intimately acquainted with the organizational culture and the people involved; including Joel Embiid. As for Morris, he shares a strong bond with Embiid and Oubre, having played together as former Kansas Jayhawks.