Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: Are the Detroit Pistons for real?

By Ian Levy

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Dario Saric #9 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Fiserv Forum on October 24, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Dario Saric #9 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Fiserv Forum on October 24, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Previous: 7th. Philadelphia 76ers. 11. team. 93. . 4-3

The 76ers broke even this week but their offense has continued to stagnate with spacing issues. Markelle Fultz made 3-of-8 3-pointers this week, an encouraging sign for the future, but defenses are continuing to give him plenty of space which is clogging up the interior for both Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Simmons and Fultz played about 10 minutes per game together this week and the 76ers were outscored by an average of 22.2 points per 100 possessions in those minutes, with an offensive efficiency that would have been last in the league by an overwhelming margin.

The plan, for now, seems to be letting their young stars work through it, hoping that they eventually develop a rhythm and figure out how to complement each other well. But at some point, the coaching staff will have to pivot if it seems clear those lineups aren’t going to be viable in a playoff series. There is plenty of season left for the 76ers but how that core works together is going to be a key indicator for them heading into the playoffs.

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