8 things that stood out from 2024 Sixers media day originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
From silly to serious, there were many thousands of words to digest Monday at the Sixers’ annual media day in Camden, New Jersey.
It’s certainly not comprehensive, but here are eight things that stood out:
Age not just a number
The Sixers have players from several different basketball generations.
Kyle Lowry, for example, is 15 years older than 23-year-old All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey.
“I think it’s going to be great for the Philadelphia 76ers that the guards that we have — I’ll use this for Kyle Lowry — are old,” Maxey said with a smile. “Reggie Jackson(Eric Gordon), they are not old, but Kyle Lowry’s old. They are not just veterans; they are experienced vets. They were in difficult situations.
“Reggie Jackson was on a championship team. EG was very close. Kyle Lowry led a championship team. So those guys have championship pedigree, championship experience. We’re going to need them. We’re going to need them to use their voice, we’re going to need their play, and we’re going to need their leadership.”
Paul George noted that he thinks the Sixers’ veterans have “all aged well” and that he “still feels youthful.”
Later, rookie Justin Edwards mentioned that he tried to model his game after George’s while in high school. And a first-round draft pick Jared McCain pointed out that he was not alive for long when Lowry made his NBA debut. On November 1, 2006, he was 2 years old.
While Maxey is a few years older than McCain, he certainly made it clear that there isn’t that a lot of age gap.
“Jared McCain when I met him called me a vet,” Maxey said. “I said, ‘We have to take it easy now. We’re not doing that.’ OG and a vet … no. I’m 23, I’m not an OG or a vet.”
Nurse sounds high on Yabusele
The late August signing of the Sixers Guerschon Yabusele was significant in the eyes of head coach Nick Nurse.
“I think you have to say (Yabusele) was a great pickup,” Nurse said. “You look at the whole roster all summer and you just think, ‘Where’s the need there?’ And I think there was probably a need at the four spot, and that’s what he is.
“He’s not a triple and he’s not really a five. You can get away with playing him at some small-ball five if you want, but he’s a four that plugs in there and he should have a good chance to impact the rotation.”
Caleb Martin may very well start for the Sixers and play big minutes at power forward, which is absolutely fine of him.
He interrupted a question that described him as “6-foot-5” to specify with a smile that he was “6-6 with shoes on.”
“It’s what I’ve been doing the last two years,” Martin said. “People say, ‘Playing the four’ and whatever, but if it’s four screens for one, I’m guarding the point guard. I think that’s a thing that people write off, but I think it’s basketball more often than not in today’s game. I don’t really look at it as the four, I just look at it as versatile.
“But if I have to play the four and I guard the four, I was able to hold my own as long as I was in the league. I will continue to learn and find ways to do that.”
Grateful for viral slam
The basketball world was obviously watching the Olympic final between the USA and France before the thunderous hiring of Yabusele on LeBron James.
The slam certainly didn’t hurt his chances of returning to the NBA, though.
“It got really crazy,” Yabusele said. “Obviously after the game, I didn’t think about it. I thought about the loss because I really feel like we could have gotten this game, so I was a little bit frustrated about it. And then the next day when I opened up my social media and everything, it got really crazy.
“I’ve had some good dunks in my career, some good posts, but that one, I didn’t know it was going to blow up like that. … My friends called me, texted me, and I feel like everyone in the world saw it. This really helped me to be able to be here today as well. But overall, the dunk was awesome and it was a great time.”
Good already under Drummond’s wing
The idea of learning from seven-time All-Star big man Joel Embiid attracts some young center.
No. 41 overall pick Adem Bona happy to be Embiid’s teammate, but it was eye-opening to see him light up Monday as he detailed a backup big man. Andrew Drummondthe mentoring of.
“Having someone like that is a blessing,” Bona said. “I’ve seen him do what he does. Early in his career, he averaged 14, 15 rebounds per game. To have someone like that early in my career is huge. I spoke with him several times. I worked with him … and it was a huge, huge step for me.
“He takes me under his wing. He tells me what to do (during) exercise, after exercise, in the cold tub. We talk about the games all the time. We talk about plays that happened in practice — things I didn’t do, things I did well. … I think that’s really amazing, to have someone like that who’s seen it all. I think that’s going to be big for me.”
George’s first impressions
When George talked about joining the Sixers in July, his thoughts were based primarily on his experiences as an opponent.
He got a better feel of his new team through offseason workouts in Los Angeles and Camden.
“A really talented group, top to bottom,” George said. “I knew guys from being in the league and playing against them, but actually being on the same side and seeing them every day, it’s a lot of talented guys.
“It was fun. I think the character here, everybody is on the same page. It is a true brotherhood. You can tell guys enjoy playing with each other on the squad. I think (my) first impression is that this is going to be a fun year.”
Oubre being Oubre
In classic Kelly Oubre Jr. fashion, he opened his session with reporters by asking everyone to stomp, clap and “groove.”
After he began answering questions, Oubre expressed his excitement about a fruitful offseason working with coach Drew Hanlen. He said his shoulder feels good after “some things that happened over (last) year that I never really cared about.”
The left wing also “had a wrist therapist, so she helped me get a little more flex and a little more space with my wrist — to get my wrist back when I shoot. Just the little intangibles, but I think that’s all good . I shot it pretty well in the gym, so I’m excited to be more consistent and just hit.”
Oubre started every game of the Sixers’ first-round playoff series loss to the Knicks and averaged 13.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists. It was his first postseason action since 2018.
“It’s everything,” he said. “You realize that when you’re a younger player in this league. Once you reach the playoffs, it improves your basketball ability. So I think that opened my eyes to what we’re really playing for during the regular season.
“I want to get back there. I’m still a little sour on how the Knicks fans were with us and that whole series, but it’s a new year. Clean slate, zero-zero, so let’s get it.”
Maxey knows he has to call the shots
Maxey was a little confused about what exactly he was doing in the gym this summer.
“I can’t tell you all my secrets,” he said.
He finally provided insight into one important aspect of his work. Maxey knows that part of a high-caliber point guard game is undoubtedly responsible.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just knowing everybody — when they want the ball, how they want the ball, how to get people involved at all times,” the dominant. Most Improved Player said “That’s one of the biggest things I’ve been working on this summer, and that’s something you can’t work on yourself.
“I had a lot of people in and out with me this summer — friends, family. I had a lot of days where I was playing 3-on-3, 4-on-4, and all I did was pass and try to put guys in the right places to win the ball.
“I think that’s really grown my game, not just seeing the game but (also) my communication level … putting guys in the right spots, telling guys, ‘OK, go here, go there.’ me probably being the point guard on this team, it’s going to be tough, but I have to be demanding and I have to try to control the game sometimes. I think I’m ready for it.”
Versatility central for Sixers
Asked what gives him confidence that the Sixers can reach their championship goal, Jackson cited a single concept.
“Versatility,” he said. “We have a bunch of players that can play both sides of the basketball. We have a bunch of guys who are hungry. The new style of basketball, the way it’s going, is very wing-oriented. Being able to make quick decisions offensively and defensively, I think that gives you a great opportunity at that.
“We will have to have the luck of health and we will have to do our part in terms of the preparation. Every day, just working, doing our best to know what coverages we’re in, knowing our sets like the back of our hand, and just knowing each other and having some continuity.”
Maxey seems to have a similar vision of adaptable, multi-scheme, boundary position-less basketball. The athletic trio of Oubre, Martin and George appear especially aligned with that style.
“There are so many different pieces that we have, so many different ways that we can play,” Maxey said. “That’s what I learned from the offseason. Man, we have so many different interchangeable parts, which is a blessing. Once we figure that out, the sky’s the limit.”
