Philadelphia 76ers built a championship-caliber rotation by prioritizing defense

Philadelphia 76ers enter the season with improved defense around the stars.

From 2021 to 2022, the Philadelphia 76ers dropped from the second-best defensive team to the 12th by defensive rating. Much of this shift had to do with the absence of Ben Simmons, whose versatility on that side of the floor made the Sixers one of the most difficult teams to face in the regular season. It’s only natural that Philly took a step back without a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, but much of that loss should be mitigated this year with a handful of players to fill the gap.

Philly leaned too heavily on Embiid and Thybulle to uphold their defense a year ago. By adding several impact defenders at positions of need, the Sixers won’t have to rely on anyone in particular to uphold their values on that end of the floor. Not only are they 10 players deep, but they’ll have a disruptor on the floor at all times. Players like Tucker, Melton and House ensure that the Sixers can rest their starters without fear of giving up huge scoring runs as they have in the past.

Furthermore, every one of these players complements the stars in one way or another. Three of them played with Harden in the past and signed on to do it again, which is a sign of their trust in him as a leader and the team’s direction under Morey. Besides Harrell, who is a fearsome pick-and-roll threat, all of these new additions can stretch the floor effectively and won’t command the ball too often, allowing Embiid and Harden to remain the focal points of the offense without conflict. Melton will help get the ball in Embiid’s hands while Tucker makes it easier for the team’s anchor to defend the rim in drop and zone coverages.

In turn, these role players will conserve their energy and stay fresh for the postseason through their low usage on offense. Unlike in the Houston days, when players at positions one through four needed to jack threes at a high volume to stay on the floor, everyone will be asked to make simple reads and take quality shot attempts as they come. Typically, head coach Doc Rivers likes to get everyone involved through simple reads while funneling the offense through its top players.

By supercharging the team’s depth and ensuring that defense is a priority again, the Philadelphia 76ers pose a threat to capture the Eastern Conference this season. Entering his first full year with the team, Harden will further establish chemistry with his teammates. All the while, the remaining four starters will capitalize on the continuity afforded to them by Morey’s team-building strategy.

There’s no excuse for the Philadelphia 76ers to fall short in the 2023 postseason, and given the makeup of this team, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to win their first championship since ’83.