Wrapping up the abysmal year of 2020 with a W (1/1/21)

A year to forget

2020 will possibly go down as the worst year ever. With the Covid-19 outbreak, Kobe Bryant’s passing, and etc. 2020 has been a very forgettable year for us 76ers fans as well. We had a $108 million backup center on our team who shall remain nameless. Our experience in the Orlando Bubble was absolutely horrific as we got swept in the first round of the playoffs by the arch rival Boston Celtics. After that playoff series I was asking myself, Should we blow up the team? Should we trade Ben or Joel? This franchise had such an uncertain future.

Better days ahead

Now the start of 2021 and five months removed from being eliminated in the Orlando bubble the 76ers are in a way better position. With a new head coach in Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey now leading the front office, the 76ers are 4–1 through their first five games. Last night’s victory felt like the first true win of the season as the 76ers took down the undefeated Orlando Magic 116–92. The three point shooting has not lived up to fans expectations so far this season, but last night we got a glimpse of how lethal we can be when we’re draining threes. As a team we shot 45.5% from beyond the arc. Not only was the three point shooting terrific, but the defense was spot on as the Magic only converted 25% of their shots from three point range and only converted 34.7% of their field goal attempts. A former player we all know to well by the name of Markelle Fultz has had a great start to the season, and before last night’s game he was averaging 18 points in 30 minutes of action. Last night was his worst performance of the season as he had his lowest point total of the season with only nine points. Let’s hope and pray that we see more games like this.

Seth Curry the next JJ Reddick?

Seth Curry has been the best offseason acquisition for the 76ers. You can make an argument for Dwight Howard because of his solid bench play and great leadership, but when it comes to play on the court Seth comes out on top. Ever since JJ Reddick left to sign a two year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans we have been trying to find a replacement for him. Last year we were experimenting with different players on who’s going to step up as the lethal three point shooter. Will it be Josh Richardson? Will it be Tobias Harris? Well it turns none of those guys proved to be the next JJ. So for all of last year our spacing was absolutely atrocious and we didn’t do a good job with surrounding Embiid and Simmons with shooters. With Seth Curry on our squad we no longer have that problem. So far on the season Seth Curry has shot a blistering 51.9% from deep, and him and Embiid have formed a solid one-two punch in pick-and-roll action which is exactly what Embiid had with Reddick. I was upset when we traded away Josh Richardson because I loved his amazing defense and the leadership he brought to the team, but floor spacing and shooting comes first and Seth Curry certainly fits that bill.