The Philadelphia 76ers are still testing the waters when it comes to lineups and rotations, and that’s exactly what the preseason is for. Nick Nurse and his staff are still exploring the many possibilities they can unlock with the current roster, and while it isn’t perfect, it is certainly better than the kind of deck they had last season.
True, it appears the seasoned tactician is having one of his mad science tendencies at the moment. First he tried to convert a young big man into a wing-back, and now it seems he is leaning towards opening games with three-guard setups from the beginning.
Indeed, the backcourt is one of the team’s few strengths, and the 76ers would be wise to rely on that edge to carry them as a whole. That is why it has become more likely that the team will start the season with the opening matches, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe joined by another guard, probably Quentin Grimes, in the starting unit.
That move will make the 76ers even more dynamic and less predictable on offense, as all three can move the ball up and create their own shots. But what is left of the bank? With Jared McCain currently out, that could force the coaching staff to settle for some less-than-appealing options.
The 76ers’ brilliant three-guard lineup plan has a big catch
Mind-boggling minutes between those three are of course possible. However, that still makes it not feasible to only play those players to fill the available guard minutes. It’s simply not possible.
With McCain out, that leaves Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon. Both wise veterans have very little to bring to the table at this point in their careers, although the nurse may have to give them minutes purely out of necessity.
Given this little predicament, the 76ers should probably reconsider going through with their plan, at least until Jared McCain regains his playing ability. Spreading the wealth in the backcourt has become more difficult in the meantime, and the team can’t afford to give minutes to players who shouldn’t even be on the roster anymore, if we’re being brutally honest.
Nick Nurse is smart and he will certainly figure this out, but if the team needs to make cuts to achieve a much better balance, that should be the way to go, especially since the associated price is so stark.
Unless they sign someone better equipped then those two, right?
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