Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Nets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 13: the Philadelphia 76ers react during a game against the Brooklyn Nets during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 13, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. J.J. Redick is a problem

Those who know how playoff basketball works should not be surprised. Weak links get exposed in this kind of setting, and the Nets have the personnel to exploit this team’s deficiencies.

The weakest link in the Sixers’ lineup, which has been the case since they traded for Tobias Harris, is none other than J.J. Redick. He’s a poor defender, and he did not make up for it in Game 1, fouling out in 23 minutes and ceding drive after drive to Brooklyn’s ball handlers.

Everyone knew it would be an issue, but few expected it to be this bad. Redick got exposed, possession after possession, and the Sixers had few alternatives with James Ennis III sidelined.

Arguing in favor of more Zhaire Smith minutes is solid, and something I condone for the near future. But it’s hard to criticize Brett Brown for getting that desperate, this early. Not having more alternatives to account for this obvious liability is on the front office. But the trade deadline already happened. They have to work with what’s on the roster. And what’s on the roster is…not ideal.