sethgupwell.bsky.social
@sethgupwell.bsky.social
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Heard enough about the Mike Malone news and the playoff race?

Why not indugle in hopium and read about a Sixers historical parallel. The 97 Spurs tanked after their MVP center injured himself. Sound familiar?

Heres why that Spurs team should give Sixers fans hope.
Why a pivotal San Antonio Spurs offseason should give Sixers fans hope
It’s the longshot of longshots, but if it’s happened to them, why can’t it happen to us?
www.libertyballers.com
April 8, 2025 at 9:47 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

This is a Sixers we'll happily forget. But, there some storylines and aspects were oh so fun.

From Yabu Yabooing to all-time great individual play to a new signature shot. These are the things I'll miss from this Sixers season.
From a signature shot to role player resurgences: Things I’ll miss from this Sixers season
Like a toxic ex, the end of this campaign will be welcomed, but some aspects will cause future nostalgia.
www.libertyballers.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Joel Embiid's days as an MVP are over.

But NBA history tells us former MVPs can still play vital, smaller roles on championship contender.

My new @libertyballers.bsky.social piece examines what a smaller role for Embiid would look like for the Sixers.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/3/18/24...
For hope to return to Philly, Joel Embiid needs to take a step back
All-time dominant centers have a track record of doing so. If Joel Embiid wants to join them, copy them.
www.libertyballers.com
March 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Wrote a quick piece on what the Sixers have done well this season and how they can build on those things next season.

Its a very quick read.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/3/12/24...
Believe it or not, but the Sixers have done some things right this season
And by some, I mean maybe a couple.
www.libertyballers.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Another NBA week another Games To Watch piece for @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Big week for title contenders as we have a potential finals preview, a potential WCF preview, some playoff rivalries, and more!

Check em out 👇👇

www.libertyballers.com/2025/3/10/24...
NBA Games to watch this week since Sixers season is effectively over
We’re just over a month away from the playoffs and so many awesome teams are playing for something greater than lottery position. Treat yourself!
www.libertyballers.com
March 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

As good as Jared McCain was, Quentin Grimes has earned the starting role alongside Maxey next season.

And its not just because he dropped 44.

Broke down his all-round game 👇

www.libertyballers.com/2025/3/7/243...
Sorry McCainiacs, but Grimes-Maxey is the starting backcourt of the Sixers’ future
As scintillating as the rookie was, Quentin Grimes gives the team a more well-rounded punch at the guard spot.
www.libertyballers.com
March 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Sixers season is over already so why not enjoy the rest of the NBA?

I've highlighted some games to watch this week that will make you love basketball again.

🦊 Fox returns to SAC
🥹 Adam Silver's dream Finals matchup
😈 The Greek Freak vs the NBA's best

+more

www.libertyballers.com/2025/3/4/243...
NBA Games to watch this week that’ll revive your spark for hoops this Sixers season diminished
With the Sixers needing to pay more attention to ping-pong balls the rest of the NBA slate is heating up as we inch closer to the end of the regular season.
www.libertyballers.com
March 5, 2025 at 8:19 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Wrote about the future of the Sixers wing rotation.

Grimes and Edwards are great complementary pieces. Kelly is solid. C4 is a cheap and fun question mark.

I also touch on what PG's done well and reasons to be optimistic this is just a slump

shorturl.at/Br8j0
Sixers’ wing rotation is full of promise but constrained by a big disappointment
There’s a lot of money at the top of the rotation, and a lot of value at the bottom. The question is how long will they wait to usher in the next generation.
www.libertyballers.com
February 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted
“This team has a lot more offensive issues than Joel Embiid” is an important caveat from @libertyballers.bsky.social… but that doesn’t mean some of the numbers for him (and the team with him on the floor) aren’t jarring.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/2/18/24...
Joel Embiid’s lackluster pre-All-Star offense presents another conundrum for Sixers
The former MVP’s return did not live up to expectations. Therefore, the Sixers face another problem in a season full of them.
www.libertyballers.com
February 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

After returning from injury in early Feb, Embiid looked meh on offense (and some really bad numbers back that up).

It's affecting the team offense and also presents a problem for the future, especially if they want to shut him down this season.

shorturl.at/Sdg6B
Joel Embiid’s lackluster pre-All-Star offense presents another conundrum for Sixers
The former MVP’s return did not live up to expectations. Therefore, the Sixers face another problem in a season full of them.
www.libertyballers.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Joel Embiid's defense since returning for the Sixers has been below standard.

He's still elite in one very important aspect, but everything else is not great, Bob.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/2/17/24...
For the first time in his career, Joel Embiid’s defense is doing more harm than help
Call him rusty or call him washed. Either way, it’s been ugly.
www.libertyballers.com
February 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social

Broke down how Quentin Grimes will fit with the Sixers.

He's proved himself as a shooter and has some tasty self-creation chops.

Defensively is where he can become a starter and finisher for the team.

Should be fun.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/2/7/243...
‘I can fit’: Quentin Grimes’ diverse skillset can be just what the Sixers need
Daryl Morey wanted youth and dynamism. With Quentin Grimes, he got it.
www.libertyballers.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:42 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social covers Justin Edwards play last two games.

Has shiwn alot of flashes in such a small time. Imo he's fo sho secured a spot in the rotation going forward.

www.libertyballers.com/2025/1/16/24...
How Justin Edwards played himself into the Sixers’ rotation in just two games
There’s no Jalen he can’t guard and nothing the defense can give him that he won’t take.
www.libertyballers.com
January 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🚨 JUSTIN EDWARDS FILM SESH 🚨

The ten game rookie has proved an effective NBA player in his last two games. Playing over 35 minutes in each, he showed a malleable skill set, a high IQ, and some defensive knack.

Most of all though, he nice with it.
January 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

Wrote about Guerschon Yabusele's masterpiece against the Wizards and how it confirmed he should be the 76ers' backup five.
Guerschon Yabusele’s wizardry in win over Washington proves he thrives as a small-ball five
Check the tape, study the numbers, or watch the bear dance — it’s too obvious to ignore.
www.libertyballers.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:11 PM
New @libertyballers.bsky.social:

In their last three games, the Sixers have shown the good, bad, and the ugly their offense is capable of.

With a brutal schedule incoming, they must ensure it's far more good than bad and ugly.

Here's how they can do that.
Sixers must avoid their stagnant offensive tendencies as brutal January schedule looms
As a season defining 10 days approaches, we must hope that what happened in Sacramento stays in Sacramento.
www.libertyballers.com
January 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Quick thread on the good and bad of Philly's offense in recent stretch:

We'll start with the absolute worst - the Sacramento ending.

Minimal ball movement (just six non-handoff passes made in halfcourt live action) led to 0 points in three minutes of game time.

(sped up for vid length reasons)
January 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted
Bumping this piece from @sethgupwell.bsky.social after Kyle Lowry was a team-high +9 in 19 minutes last night. Many folks were ready to bury Lowry, but he’s been solid in something closer to the role the team envisioned for him.
Kyle Lowry’s veteran brilliance on full display under Christmas Day lights
The NBA’s fifth-oldest player still has it.
www.libertyballers.com
December 29, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Kyle Lowry was at his veteran best against the Celtics on Christmas Day.

He simply but beautifully orchestrated an offense that put Maxey in the kitchen and let him cook.

After being tied up to start the quarter, the 76ers were up 11 by the time he subbed out. Just enough to survive for a win.
December 28, 2024 at 10:53 AM
Went over this week's NBA slates and recommended the best games to watch.

Every game has multiple thirlling reasons to watch - only YOU can save the ratings!

Theres some glorious matchups and rivalries this week beyond the Xmas day games.

Dyson Daniels vs Anthony Edwards, Luka vs Book, + more!
Non-76er NBA games you need to watch this week to save Christmas (and the NBA’s ratings)
‘Tis the season to celebrate family and enjoy the stars of the future to stick it to the haters!
www.libertyballers.com
December 23, 2024 at 8:41 PM
One team in the NBA has a higher 3P% in losses than in wins: The Philadelphia 76ers.

That's just one anomaly in the team's absurd and paradoxical three-point shooting stat-sheet.

Sherlock Hoops would be dumbfounded.

I explore it in my latest @libertyballers.bsky.social
The Sixers aren’t the NBA’s worst three-point shooting team, but they are the weirdest
This season’s shooting has gone against everything the modern NBA has told us about the long-range jumper.
www.libertyballers.com
December 11, 2024 at 5:12 PM
🚨 NBA GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK 🚨

- Philly back?
- Lakers washed?
- Grizzlies scary!

This week I judged teams based on their last five games and predicted the NBA Cup knockout rounds.

Fun stuff!
NBA games to watch this week as NBA Cup playoffs arrive (and 76ers don’t play until Friday)
This week, we’ll focus on how teams have played the last five games. Why? Becuase the 76ers have been great in their last five games.
www.libertyballers.com
December 9, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Tanking in the NBA is a fierce and shameless battle, especially when an all-time prospect is in the next draft class.

If the Sixers want to engage, they need to what they're up against.

New @libertyballers.bsky.social explores the teams Philly would need to out tank in order to keep their pick.
Should the Sixers roll into the tanking battlefield, they must first know their enemies
No franchise knows the the art of (tanking) war like Philly, but this year is sure to be a fierce and dirty battle.
www.libertyballers.com
December 3, 2024 at 2:41 PM
Very happy for nickeil - was fun on pelicans but seemed to overthink. Shoutout to him for finding his place and role on a contender. Great story.
November 30, 2024 at 1:23 AM
New article for @libertyballers.bsky.social recommends you some Eastern conference games to watch.

It's a weekly piece and last week 2 of my recs went OT and 2 more were decided by under 3 points. That earns a self-toot of the horn, so give this one a read if you wanna watch good hoops (you do).
Non-76er NBA games to watch this week as MVP candidates and old rivalries emerge
Butler vs. Giannis. Boston vs. Cleveland. New York vs. getting a stop. NBA’s in full swing, baby.
www.libertyballers.com
November 25, 2024 at 9:08 PM