76ers’ biggest question remains unanswered (and 6 other things you missed) in opener

Philadelphia 76ers basketball is back. Kind of. They played a game at noon on a Thursday in Abu Dhabi, but they still played a game. It wasn’t beautiful! The Sixers lost 99-84 on the Knicks, who drove most of their real selection to be honest.

If you missed this because of NBA TV region that blocks the game in Philadelphia (nice, cool, good work, NBA), you were working, or you just didn’t really want to see how the sixers were beaten by the knicks … I don’t blame you! But this is what happened.

1. Shooting remains the biggest question of 76 people after terrible shows

That was hard to look at. The Sixers shot 3-35 from 3-point country, which they would probably never have to do again. Some rust is to be expected early, so I am not yet in full panic mode, except with regard to my physical health after viewing some of those attempts.

Again – it’s October 2. The team is in the United Arab Emirates. These are closer to scrimmages than real NBA games. I don’t want to make umbrella statements about what this Sixers team will be in 2025-26 or not.

But after completing No. 27 in 3-point percentage and no. 21 in 3-Pointers made last season, then do not do much to tackle that need in the low season … The question of whether this team still has enough shooting and may be the main story (apart from health, of course) to follow this year.

I am pretty sure that this year the Sixers will shoot better than 8.6 percent from deep in most (hopefully all) games. But even if this team is completely healthy, there are much fewer 3-point snipers on the Roster than you would like to see in a team that wants to compete.

2. Tyrese Maxey is still good and cool

If you want some positives … Tyrese Maxey!

However, you did not have to view this game to know this. Our perfect king was effective as a scorer (5-12 FG, 14 points), set up his teammates well (4 AST) and did the little things (1 stl, 1 BLK) that stars are usually not interested in during the preseason. This guy fluctuates.

3. VJ Edgecome has made things happen

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this game, to the surprise of few, was Rookie vj Edgecombe. The strengths of the No. 3 Pick (and its areas for improvement) were completely visible in an encouraging debut in Abu Dhabi.

His rebound, bouncing, distribution, defensive pressure, speed and upper part were clear from the start. At one point he tried to dunk at Mitchell Robinson at about 15 feet, a blind trust that you have to respect.

His attacking creation, ball treatment and consistent jumping shoots will be points for improvement. We knew that for the most part, and there is reason to believe them all can Quite considerably improve.

For the most part, Edgecombe played much further than his 20 years, which is great to see. He finished with 14 points at 4-13 shooting, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, including one on this piece in which he tears a rebound of Mitchell Robinson, holds his head up during the break and throws a perfect lob to breath Bona. Shivers.

4. Sixers defense was not that promising

If you have looked at the first five minutes, you probably thought that the defense of Sixers looked pretty good! If you have looked at the next 43 minutes, you might think that everyone of 30 pounds wore lead. It felt like the Sixers chased the Knicks most of the game.

These don’t worry too much. Again, October 2.

5. Breathe Bona is almost a rotary piece

If he learns how he should not make a mistake every 45 seconds, Breath Bona can get enough minutes this year. On points he looks like the perfect edge run center that the Sixers can never find. With others he looks too much, which leads to mistakes and some desperate defense.

The team seems to love Bona, and you can see why. Sometimes you just have to squeeze a little.

6. Dom Barlow was in the starting setup

This can be a product from Nick Nurse who experiments in the preseason. Nevertheless, it is remarkable that Barlow-Die got on two directions about Jabari Walker and Trendon Watford, two other addition to the Frontcourt season.

At the moment I think that starting Barlow is more a case of nurse who finds out what Barlow offers, instead of finding Barlow more “fun” than Watford or Walker.

Barlow, however, played the best in the group, with 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steals in 30 minutes. Walker ended with 9 points and 5 minutes (although most of those statistics came into waste period) and Watford did not see the floor at all.

7. Eric Gordon played

In my opinion, society has passed the need for Eric Gordon minutes, but it is October 2, so I will reserve a judgment for later this month.