What we've learned about the Sixers during the playoffs - 4/29/2011

There is a perennial debate among hoops analysts and fans over whether a first-round playoff appearance is meaningful and whether its value to a team's growth is greater than a lottery pick in the draft. After an early exit following a five-game series with the Miami Heat, the inevitable subject is bound to rear its head in Sixers circles, but after seeing the young Philly squad pick up a dramatic win at home and put up a good fight in three of the other four games, few would dispute that the playoff experience was good for the team's future development. Though upsetting the Miami Heat in the first round may have been a tall order for the Sixers, the series served as an important measuring stick for where they stand and what they still need to do in order to become an elite team in the NBA.

The Sixers never quit

In a playoff series where most NBA analysts predicted a sweep, the Sixers proved that they were more than just a stepping-stone, or “breakfast” as LeBron James so eloquently put it. Up against a dominant Heat team, the Sixers never stopped trying. The Sixers gave every game their full effort and continued fighting until the very end. Just like their coach, the young Sixers team felt that they had a chance to win and shocked many by keeping four of the five games within their grasp and even winning Game 4 in Philadelphia forcing a fifth game in Miami. The Sixers were not out matched or out hustled during the playoffs. For such a young team, the Sixers responded well to the challenge of playoff basketball and did not go out without a fight. The playoffs proved that the Sixers bought into Doug Collins vision for the team and gave it their all on the basketball court, convinced that they could beat any team if given the chance, just like their coach has always done.

Evan Turner is becoming an excellent player

The emergence of Evan Turner throughout the playoffs was a welcomed surprise for the Sixers. Turner had his fair share of ups and downs throughout his rookie season, struggling to earn consistent minutes and contribute to the Sixers offense. Despite his regular season struggles, Turner provided a much-needed offensive presence against the Heat, scoring 17 points and hitting two crucial free throws in the Sixers Game 4 victory. Turner also stepped up to defend LeBron James in games where Andre Iguodala was forced to sit with foul trouble. The Heat series showed glimpses of what the Sixers hoped Turner would be able to bring to the team when they drafted him. The continued growth of Turner will help the Sixers next year and in the future as he continues to develop into an offensive force.

Thaddeus Young is a crucial part of the team

If Thaddeus Young’s play throughout the season did not solidify his importance to the Sixers, his postseason play should have. After finishing third in voting for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, Young followed up his regular season performance with an even better postseason. Young provided a burst of energy off of the bench for the Sixers and helped anchor the team’s second unit, which is one of the best in the NBA. Over the five games, Young averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 25 minutes per game against the Heat. Young fought for rebounds, made plays on fast break opportunities, and wreaked havoc for the Heat, who had difficulty matching up against him. Young became a crucial part of the Sixers over the season and the team would not have been able to compete against the Heat if not for his contributions off the bench.

The Sixers need to add a few pieces

The playoff series against the Heat made it obvious that the Sixers lack a few key pieces, most noticeably a number one scorer in crunch time and a large inside presence. As had been the case all season long, the ball was in Andre Iguodala’s hands in the crucial minutes of the five games against the Heat. Although Iguodala can create opportunities for himself and others to score, he had issues knocking down shots in the series, shooting only 21% from behind the arc and 33% in the last five minutes of games where the Sixers were down by 5 points or less against the Heat. None of the Sixers guards are known for being great shooters and it showed during the final minutes of Games 1, 3, and 5 when the team trailed the Heat in the final minutes of regulation.

The Sixers were also without a strong, defensive center to battle with the Heat’s big men. Elton Brand did a fair job keeping Chris Bosh under wraps in the series, but Bosh still averaged 19.3 points against the Sixers, more than he did in the regular season. A larger presence in the paint could have provided the Sixers with an advantage on the boards and given them more defensive help against a heavily armed Miami team. Spencer Hawes showed spurts of promise throughout the regular season and the playoffs, but inconsistency on both ends of the floor kept him from providing meaningful minutes in several games. The Sixers might look to make some moves in the offseason, through trades or free agency, to address these two holes in the team.

This is just the beginning

This season and the playoffs were just a preview for what is to come for the Philadelphia 76ers. With Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand serving as the only two veteran voices on the floor many nights, the Sixers youth showed that they are mature beyond their years, even though the majority of the team is between the ages of 20 and 25. Although many critics believed the Sixers were doomed for a first round sweep because of their young team, the Sixers do not find their youth to be a disadvantage. The team got some excellent playoff experience while facing the Heat, with many of the guys enjoying the glory of their first playoff win after Game 4. As the Sixers players continue to grow and develop their talents, the team should continue to improve and compete for years to come.