CAMDEN, NJ — As the first day of the 76ers’ training camp wound down, a brief glimpse into the dynamics shaping this new roster emerged. At the far end of the Penn Medicine Training Complex, with most players already gone for the day, assistant coach Phil Handy worked closely with veteran guard Anfernee Simons on his shooting form. Known for his expertise in player development, Handy stopped Simons mid-shoot to focus on tweaking his mechanics.
“I want you to keep your shot short and quick,” Handy instructed, demonstrating with his hands and feet. Simons absorbed the advice intently, and the following shots came faster and smoother as both Handy and assistant coach Matt Brase observed.
The aim is to minimize the work Simons has to do when catching the ball, enabling him to thrive in a role with frequent catch-and-shoot chances alongside stars Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and LeBron James. Role players like Simons must make faster decisions to take full advantage of the attention drawn by All-NBA talent, reflecting a broader theme for the team.
For the 76ers to meet their ambitious goals, they’ll need to elevate their collective performance—not just through flashy summer signings but through the strategic approach of coach Nick Nurse.
“I have an idea of each player’s role,” Nurse said Tuesday. “But I want to observe the group for a few weeks before narrowing things down. I want to collaborate with every player to clearly define roles.”
Last season was disappointing by many standards: the team ranked near the bottom in key offensive metrics like effective field goal percentage, true shooting, three-point rate, and assist rate. Since nearly 80% of their offensive possessions came against set defenses, addressing half-court execution is essential. Few offseasons in NBA history have seen a team add two mentally gifted players like James and Brown. Their ability to interpret defenses in real time and create quality scoring opportunities may be the most crucial factor this team faces this year.
“I think a lot will improve our efficiency,” Nurse told Yahoo Sports. “We’ll play at a better pace, and these guys are bigger with better vision. Plus, they can score, which definitely helps.”
The 76ers excelled in generating possessions that impact game outcomes yet ranked near the bottom in offensive rating during those high-pressure moments. This underscores how vital their offseason changes were; adding shooters like Simons, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provides the spacing needed to break down tough man-to-man defenses that focus on Maxey, James, and Brown, as well as challenging zone defenses.
“Our metrics show we generated good shot opportunities, but the percentages didn’t reflect that fully,” Nurse said. “Hopefully, adding more reliable shooters will raise those numbers.”
Looking at their revamped roster, several paths exist to fulfill Nurse’s vision. The team likely won’t increase pace much without adjusting shot selection, especially for Joel Embiid, who took 35% of his shots as self-created attempts, such as post-ups and isolations. Shifting his game to include more pick-and-rolls and quicker plays could reduce the physical toll of consistently backing down defenders. Additionally, using Maxey more off the ball to exploit his movement and speed should help the team progress.
The 76ers have become one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams, and under Nurse—a championship-winning coach renowned for his innovative tactics—this training camp could solidify what promises to be a fascinating experiment.
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Fan Take: This update is crucial for basketball fans because it highlights how the 76ers are blending star power with smart role players to create a more dynamic and efficient offense. If successful, their approach could influence how teams build around superstars while emphasizing strategic pace and shot selection in modern basketball.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
