8 issues that stood out from 2024 Sixers media day

8 things that stood out from 2024 Sixers media day initially appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

From foolish to critical, there have been many 1000’s of phrases to digest Monday on the Sixers’ annual media day in Camden, New Jersey.

It’s definitely not complete, however listed below are eight issues that stood out:

Age not only a quantity

The Sixers have gamers from a number of completely different basketball generations.

Kyle Lowry, as an example, is 15 years older than 23-year-old All-Star level guard Tyrese Maxey.

“I believe it’s going to be nice for the Philadelphia 76ers that the guards now we have are — I’m going to make use of this for Kyle Lowry — previous,” Maxey mentioned, smiling. “Reggie Jackson, (Eric Gordon), they’re not previous, however Kyle Lowry’s previous. They’re not simply veterans; they’re seasoned vets. They’ve been in robust conditions.

“Reggie Jackson has been on a championship workforce. EG has been very shut. Kyle Lowry led a championship workforce. So these guys have championship pedigree, championship expertise. We’re going to want them. We’re going to want them to make use of their voice, we’ll want their play, and we’ll want their management.”

Paul George famous that he thinks the Sixers’ veterans have “all aged nicely” and that he “nonetheless feels youthful.”

Later, rookie Justin Edwards talked about he tried to mannequin his recreation after George’s whereas in highschool. And first-round draft decide Jared McCain highlighted that he hadn’t been alive for lengthy when Lowry made his NBA debut. On Nov. 1, 2006, he was 2 years previous.

Whereas Maxey’s a number of years older than McCain, he’s been positive to make clear there’s not that a lot of an age hole.

“Jared McCain after I met him was calling me a vet,” Maxey mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Now we have to place that to relaxation proper now. We’re not doing that.’ OG and vet … no. I’m 23 years previous, I’m not an OG or a vet.”

Nurse sounds excessive on Yabusele

The Sixers’ late-August signing of Guerschon Yabusele was a big one in head coach Nick Nurse’s eyes.

“I believe you need to say (Yabusele) was a terrific pickup,” Nurse mentioned. “You’re wanting on the entire roster all summer time lengthy and also you’re simply considering, ‘The place is a necessity there?’ And I believe there was most likely a necessity on the four-spot, and that’s what he’s.

“He’s not a 3 and he’s probably not a 5. You may get away with enjoying him at some small-ball 5 if you wish to, however he’s a 4 that plugs in there and he ought to have probability to influence the rotation.”

Caleb Martin might very nicely begin for the Sixers and play substantial minutes at power forward, which is totally advantageous by him.

He interrupted a query that described him as “6-foot-5” to specify with a smile that he’s “6-6 with sneakers on.”

“It’s what I’ve been doing the final couple of years,” Martin mentioned. “Individuals say, ‘Enjoying the 4’ and no matter, but when a 4 screens for the one, I’m guarding the purpose guard. I believe that’s a factor individuals placed on paper, however I believe it’s position-less basketball as a rule in at this time’s recreation. I don’t actually have a look at it because the 4, I simply have a look at it as being versatile.

“But when I’ve obtained to play the 4 and I’m guarding the 4, I’ve been in a position to maintain my very own for so long as I’ve been within the league. I’m going to proceed to study and discover methods to do this.”

Grateful for a viral slam

The basketball world was clearly watching the Olympic remaining between the US and France earlier than Yabusele’s thunderous dunk on LeBron James.

The slam positive didn’t damage his odds of creating it again to the NBA, although.

“It actually obtained loopy,” Yabusele mentioned. “After all after the sport, I used to be not occupied with that. I used to be occupied with the loss as a result of I actually really feel like we might’ve gotten this recreation, so I used to be a little bit bit pissed off about it. After which the subsequent day after I opened up my social media and the whole lot, it obtained actually loopy.

“l’ve had some good dunks in my profession, some good posters, however that one, I didn’t comprehend it was going to explode like that. … My mates had been calling me, texting me, and I really feel like everyone on the planet obtained to see it. This actually additionally helped me to have the ability to be right here at this time. However usually, the dunk was wonderful and it was a good time.”

Bona already below Drummond’s wing

The thought of studying from seven-time All-Star big man Joel Embiid is interesting to any younger heart.

No. 41 overall pick Adem Bona is glad to be Embiid’s teammate, however it was putting to see him mild up Monday as he detailed backup large man Andre Drummond’s mentorship.

“Having somebody like that could be a blessing,” Bona mentioned. “I’ve watched him do what he does. Early in his profession, he averaged 14, 15 rebounds a recreation. To have somebody like that early in my profession is large. I’ve spoken with him a number of instances. I’ve labored out with him … and it’s been an enormous, large step for me.

“He takes me below his wing. He tells me what I have to do (throughout) observe, after observe, within the chilly tub. We discuss in regards to the video games on a regular basis. We discuss performs that occurred in observe — issues I didn’t do, issues I did nicely. … I believe that’s actually wonderful, to have somebody like that who’s seen the whole lot. I believe that’s going to be large for me.”

George’s first impressions

When George spoke about becoming a member of the Sixers in July, his ideas had been based mostly primarily on his experiences as an opponent.

He’s gained a greater sense of his new workforce by means of offseason exercises in Los Angeles and Camden.

“Actually proficient group, high to backside,” George mentioned. “I’ve recognized guys from being within the league and enjoying towards them, however really being on the identical facet and seeing them every day, it’s a whole lot of proficient guys.

“It’s been enjoyable. I believe the character right here, everyone’s on the identical web page. It’s an actual brotherhood. You’ll be able to inform guys get pleasure from enjoying with each other on the squad. I believe (my) first impression is that is going to be a enjoyable yr.”

Oubre being Oubre

In traditional Kelly Oubre Jr. trend, he opened his session with reporters by requesting everybody to stomp their toes, clap their arms and “groove.”

As soon as he started answering questions, Oubre expressed his pleasure about fruitful offseason work with coach Drew Hanlen. He mentioned his shoulder feels good after “some issues that occurred throughout (final) yr that I simply by no means actually took care of.”

The lefty wing additionally “had a wrist therapist, so she helped me get some extra flexion and a few more room with my wrist — to get my wrist again after I shoot. Simply the little intangible issues, however I believe that’s all good. I’ve been taking pictures it fairly nicely within the gymnasium, so I’m excited to be extra constant and simply hit.”

Oubre began every recreation of the Sixers’ first-round playoff collection loss to the Knicks and averaged 13.2 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists. It was his first postseason motion since 2018.

“It’s the whole lot,” he mentioned. “You discover that while you’re a youthful participant on this league. When you get to the playoffs, it enhances your basketball capability. So I simply suppose that opened my eyes again to what we’re actually enjoying for through the common season.

“I need to get again there. I’m nonetheless a little bit bitter about how the Knicks followers had been on us and that entire collection, however it’s a brand new yr. Clear slate, zero-zero, so let’s get it.”

Maxey is aware of he must name photographs  

Maxey was a tad cagey about what precisely he did within the gymnasium this summer time.

“I can’t let you know all my secrets and techniques,” he mentioned.

He did in the end present perception on one essential facet of his job. Maxey is aware of a part of high-caliber level guard play is being unequivocally in cost.

“I believe the largest factor for me is simply realizing everyone — when they need the ball, how they need the ball, learn how to get guys concerned always,” the reigning Most Improved Player mentioned. “That’s one of many largest issues I labored on this summer time, and that’s one thing you may’t work on by your self.

“I had lots of people out and in with me this summer time — mates, household. I had a whole lot of days the place I performed 3-on-3, 4-on-4, and all I did was move and attempt to put guys in the fitting spots to attain the ball.

“I believe that actually grew my recreation, not only for seeing the sport however (additionally) my communication degree … placing guys in the fitting spots, telling guys, ‘OK, go right here, go there.’ With me most likely being the purpose guard on this workforce, it’s going to be troublesome, however I’ve to be demanding and I’ve to attempt to management the sport at instances. I believe I’m prepared for it.”

Versatility central for Sixers

Requested what offers him confidence the Sixers can attain their championship aim, Jackson cited a single idea.

“Versatility,” he mentioned. “We’ve obtained a bunch of gamers that may play either side of the basketball. We’ve obtained a bunch of fellows which might be hungry. The brand new type of basketball, the way in which it’s going could be very wing-oriented. With the ability to make fast selections offensively and defensively, I believe that provides you a terrific probability at it.

“We’re going to must have the luck of well being and we’re going to must do our half by way of the preparation. Each day, simply working, doing our greatest to know what coverages we’re in, realizing our units just like the again of our hand, and simply attending to know one another and have some continuity.”

Maxey appears to have an identical imaginative and prescient of adaptable, multi-scheme, borderline position-less basketball. The athletic trio of Oubre, Martin and George seem particularly aligned with that type.

“There’s so many alternative items that now we have, so many alternative ways in which we are able to play,” Maxey mentioned. “That’s what I’ve realized from the offseason. Man, now we have so many alternative interchangeable components, which is a blessing. As soon as we determine that out, the sky’s the restrict.”