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The Noises of Sixers Practice: Eagles, Jackpot Machines, and Rocky

If you stood outside a Sixers practice this preseason, you would have heard more than just random sounds. The session would end with the iconic “Rocky” theme song blaring, a tribute to Philadelphia. And as players made slot cuts, the sound of a jackpot machine rang out. But it was the piercing screech that caught everyone’s attention. “Getting back on defense, we make sure that we’re building a wall, showing our hands. We call ’em ‘eagles’,” explained Paul Reed. He vividly demonstrated the image of outstretched wings, accompanied by the corresponding noise. Transition defense is just one of the areas where Coach Nurse has insisted the Sixers must improve. With uncertainty surrounding star guard James Harden’s status, Nurse has focused on effort and attention to detail.

“On Day 1 of our meeting, we talked about a handful of things. We noticed that we don’t offensive rebound well and we don’t get back on defense well. That can’t continue,” Nurse said with a laugh before the Sixers’ Oct. 16 preseason win over the Nets. “In an ideal world, we excel at both. In the past, people used to say, ‘At least if you’re not good at offensive rebounding, make sure you get back on defense.’ So first things first, address the issue. It all starts with a plan, organization, and drills. Then it quickly becomes about effort. Sprint back. Communication becomes the technical aspect we need to practice, and we’ve put in the work.”

Last season, after a humiliating loss to Nurse’s Raptors, the Sixers had the worst transition defense in the NBA. Opponents capitalized on this weakness, scoring an astonishing 9.3 points per 100 possessions through transition play, according to Cleaning the Glass. The Sixers did manage to improve in this area, finishing 15th for the rest of the season. Their lack of offensive rebounding was another glaring issue. They ranked 25th in offensive rebounding rate for the 2022-23 season.

“Sprinting back and talking,” said Danny Green, a member of Nurse’s championship-winning Toronto team in 2018-19. “Communication is crucial in our defense, especially during transitions. We need to find bodies, match up, crack and pursue, and ensure we grab rebounds. But we also need to put pressure on the defense by crashing the offensive boards, giving ourselves another chance to score at the rim. This gives our defense time to set up. But most importantly, it’s about sprinting, getting back, and communicating.”

Nurse has stressed the importance of physicality in the Sixers’ game plan. “Nick has emphasized causing disruption on the court, regardless of the situation,” said De’Anthony Melton after a preseason game against Brooklyn. “We need bodies on bodies, flesh on flesh. Before the season started, we watched a video about being physical, showcasing clips from last year. Physicality is a major focus this year, and I believe it will wear down our opponents.”

Patrick Beverley sees physicality as a unifying force for the Sixers. “We’re a closer-knit group than people realize,” Beverley said. “We have new faces, but there are also guys who’ve been here before. We get along well, and we’re able to hold each other accountable on the court. Physicality and aggressiveness define our identity.”

As Beverley points out, the Sixers committed a considerable number of fouls during the preseason, but they also led the league in forcing turnovers. Nurse isn’t demanding constant gambling that leaves the defense scrambling. However, he encourages physical, aggressive play, knowing it may result in some fouls. The coaching staff supports this approach.

“It has definitely been an adjustment,” Reed admitted. “Last season, we weren’t required to hit and hold on screens as much as we are now. This year, they want us to make stronger contact and then roll. That’s been my personal adjustment. As for rebounding, the coaches have been preaching ‘crack and pursue.’ It gets the guards involved and helps the bigs with boxing out. Hopefully, it will lead to more rebounds for us.”

Nurse has implemented other schematic changes as well, all geared towards improving the Sixers’ attack on opponents. He wants to see more unpredictability on offense, with players feeling comfortable bringing the ball up the court, taking open jumpers, and making cuts. He also wants to ensure that 22-year-old guard Tyrese Maxey gets a minimum of 20 field-goal attempts per game.

Entering the season without Harden, Nurse doesn’t want to complicate things for the Sixers’ season-opening road trip. “Well, hopefully, we’re going to play really hard. We’re going to show the same spirit and togetherness we’ve demonstrated in practice,” Nurse said. “That’s my job. If we can leave the game knowing we fought, executed the game plan, and accomplished some of our goals, then we have a good chance. We need to battle all the way. A lot of guys have had their touches during training, doing different things. So we need to figure out who will step up and what the rotations will look like. But our main focus is to compete at a super high level.”

In Milwaukee, the Sixers may not hear any screeching eagles, but they know what matters to Nurse and his staff. “At the end of tomorrow’s game, they will have a list assessing our ball pressure, crack and pursue, and eagles,” Reed revealed. “If we’re all in the green, then I’m confident we’ll come away with a win.”

Reference

Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.