They’ve only played one game in the second round so far but the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t performing as expected.
The team didn’t look very competitive on Monday night, losing to the Miami Heat in a 106-92 smackdown.
True, the team is without their lead player, Joel Embiid, who is out with an injury until at least Game 3 or 4.
But the problems for the team go beyond Embiid’s absence.
“DeAndre Jordan, as much as I love him, a dear friend, at this point, I don’t think should be starting in a playoff game. Start Paul Reed and at times go small”
– @jj_redick on ESPN @FirstTake pic.twitter.com/rey1opkd02
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 3, 2022
DeAndre Jordan is an area of concern for the team.
Because Embiid was out, Jordan was the starting center for the game and it didn’t work out well for him.
Former teammate JJ Redick had a comment about Jordan, saying:
“DeAndre Jordan, as much as I love him, a dear friend, at this point, I don’t think should be starting in a playoff game. Start Paul Reed and at times go small.”
Will Redick’s request fall on deaf ears?
Doubting DeAndre
Jordan ended the game with just 4 points, 2 rebounds, and no assists.
Does this mean that Redick is right and the team should start Reed instead?
During the regular season, Reed was averaging 3.2 points, and 2.4 rebounds a game.
Those aren’t huge numbers but it might be enough to make a difference, at least until Embiid returns.
Redick made another valid point: if there is any team to play small against, it’s the Heat.
Yes, they have some large, imposing stars – Bam Adebayo for example – but they’re not the biggest team around.
The problem is that the 76ers don’t have a whole lot of options right now – this is a team that really does often ride on the shoulders of Embiid.
A solution to this problem might not be obvious but something needs to change before Game 2 or else Philly might be in a 2-0 hole.
NEXT: DeAndre Jordan Had A Rough Night For The 76ers In Game 1