From PhillyVoice · · 3m
Sixers Training Camp: Starters Play Preseason
Nick Nurse aims for starters in preseason as Sixers prepare for opening practices.
In brief
Nick Nurse aims for starters in preseason as Sixers prepare for opening practices. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse expects all five starters to play in preseason games after second practice. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Sixers training camp updates
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was not willing to make commitments about starters playing in preseason but hopes all five starters see action.
“I ain't going to lie, that was funny”
Tyrese Maxey's leadership role
Tyrese Maxey, the All-NBA guard who helped LeBron James join the Sixers, said he leads by example and uses his voice to expand leadership.
“I lead by example by my work, so that's always going to be the case. But my voice carries a little bit.”
Preseason plans for starters
Nick Nurse aims for starters to play in preseason games but will confer with key players before final decisions.
“We certainly want them to get out there and play”
LeBron James' preseason status
LeBron James has been a regular preseason participant but did not play in any exhibition games last year due to sciatica.
“He logged at least three preseason appearances in each of the prior four years”
Embiid's preseason availability
Embiid made one preseason appearance last season after making none the year before and one the year prior to that.
“Embiid's preseason availability has been far less frequent”
Team stability focus
Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown will be the more stable pieces for managing workloads and handling heavier minutes totals.
“The aforementioned stability of Maxey, Edgecombe and Brown will allow them to be as proactive as possible in managing Embiid and James”
Dean Wade's talent observations
Dean Wade, the Sixers' most important reserve, praised the team's high-level game thinking and transition play.
“The way they think about plays, think about defenses, the way they think of rotations, it's similar to some things I thought”
Wade's transition play confidence
Wade believes the Sixers have four of the best transition players in the NBA and a strong center who can play as a trailer.
“They were just out in transition playing the right way. The ball was flowing. It wasn't sticking anywhere”
Wade's team potential
Wade sees the Sixers' potential to be special in transition play and has high hopes for the team's future.
“It's unbelievable. So I think a big emphasis is getting out in transition this year”
Maxey's new teammate
Maxey expressed excitement about Dean Wade, calling him a great teammate he can already tell he will love.
“I love Dean Wade, great teammate”
Wade's team fit
Wade is optimistic about his fit with the team and hopes to learn from their high-level game thinking.
“It's something I hope to pick their brain and learn about more as we get to building relationships with each other”
Roster turnover observations
Maxey noted that Embiid is the only player from his rookie campaign still on the Sixers roster.
“Embiid is the only player from Maxey's rookie campaign still here”
Rookie player progress
Nick Nurse has been impressed by rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr., who has been holding his own in training camp.
“He's been really holding his own everywhere”
Practice details
Jaylen Brown returned to the floor after practice to work on post-up scoring and one-on-one play with assistant coaches.
“Jaylen Brown practicing post offense options after practice Wednesday”
Injury updates
Reserve center Adem Bona is still dealing with a foot sprain, and Exhibit 10 center Tacko Fall suffered a hip injury during practice.
“Tacko Fall suffered a hip injury about halfway through practice”
Embiid's health status
Maxey said Embiid looks great and happy, which he believes is the best state for a player to be in.
“He looks great. He looks amazing. He looks happy”
The key point
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse expects all five starters to play in preseason games after second practice.
