NBA intel: What league insiders are seeing from 8-1 Sixers

Early within the NBA season, unhealthy surprises obtain extra consideration than the great ones.

For groups within the occasional adverse highlight, it is annoying and so they typically complain about it and fairly pretty. However it’s the character of a high-profile, high-stakes enterprise. And there will likely be loads of that on this weekly area, however this week there is a pull towards a few of the extra nice developments with the 2026-27 season in its third week.

The advance scouts and professional personnel administrators have made their first loops and filed their preliminary stories. Assistant coaches have seen the primary rounds of movie as they put together for opponents.

We have talked to them and others and this is a few of what they’re saying about two of the most well liked groups within the league, plus the following steps for

What’s the league making of the Philadelphia 76ers’ begin?

Brian Windhorst: The time period superteam is commonly overused, however with 5 Most Precious Participant awards and 5 Finals MVP awards on this roster, it qualifies.

Traditionally, superteams see their offense lag behind their protection early as stars settle into their roles. This was true of the 2007-08 Boston Celtics, who averaged simply 93.5 factors over their first 10 video games however have been No. 1 on protection from day one. In 2010-11, the Miami Warmth had a top-five protection straight away however sluggish offensive nights contributed to a 9-8 begin.

Add the 2026-27 Sixers to the record, with Philly languishing within the backside 10 in offensive effectivity however boasting a top-three protection. That stinginess is a serious cause for the 76ers’ 4-0 highway document, together with wins towards the New York Knicks on opening night time and Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

And LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are proudly owning clutch time.

“They have been terrific within the clutch and I have never seen a lot clunkiness or indecisiveness in them in any respect within the video games I’ve watched,” an Japanese Convention scout informed ESPN. “In addition they aren’t turning the ball over, which you anticipate to see with a bunch of latest guys taking part in collectively.”

The 76ers are 7-0 this season in video games which have entered clutch time — outlined because the rating being inside 5 factors within the ultimate 5 minutes — the driving power of their league-best 8-1 document. It isn’t prudent to leap to conclusions or to overanalyze it, however it’s truthful to say it has been an excellent signal. And league personnel have a cause.

“It is Maxey,” an East government stated. “He is making them go and you may see he already has all of their belief in fourth quarters. LeBron positively trusts him and so they’ve already actually developed a pleasant two-man recreation that stresses defenses.”

One other East government stated, “LeBron brings lots of issues when he involves your staff. And we have seen it earlier than, he raises everybody’s degree. Maxey was already an incredible participant, however he is additionally raised his degree and a few of that must be having LeBron there.”

Tim MacMahon: There have been lots of questions — and doubts — across the league about how the Sixers’ 4 All-Stars would mesh.

As a lot as egos have been thought-about a possible impediment, it has been fascinating to see Maxey, the least adorned of the quartet, emerge because the clear No. 1 possibility. He has been the first cause that Philadelphia retains pulling out shut wins, rating third within the league with 21 factors in 19 clutch minutes.

“He comes and will get the primary bucket or two of the fourth and … ‘Right here it comes, right here it comes,'” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated of the 26-year-old guard. “In an extremely humble method, he simply looks like he is aware of he is actually good. I do not know if I’ve sensed that till this yr.”

Windhorst: One other issue league insiders have seen is the working relationship James already has constructed along with his new coach.

They did not have a earlier relationship, however James and Nurse had an in depth dialog earlier than James selected the 76ers in free company. They talked a number of instances earlier than the beginning of coaching camp, establishing an essential base. That may appear to be one thing that will be taken without any consideration. Contemplating James’ historical past when becoming a member of a brand new staff, it should not.

“LeBron did not vibe with [Heat coach Erik Spoelstra] at first, and plenty of folks assume he wished him fired within the first month [of 2010-11],” one veteran NBA government stated. “He by no means gave David Blatt an opportunity (when James went again to the Cleveland Cavaliers) and it went sideways actually fast when he went to L.A. with Luke [Walton].

“From the surface [Nurse and James] appear to be they’re working collectively very effectively.”

James has certainly proven a constructive relationship with Nurse, who’s tapping into the 41-year-old’s versatility and buy-in. For instance, James has been used because the lead ball handler for sections of the video games and, conversely, had shifted to defensive heart with the Sixers managing accidents to their massive males. Earlier than the season, James praised Nurse particularly for the job he did with the Toronto Raptors, who received the franchise’s first title in 2019 behind Nurse’s steerage.

“[LeBron] had a superb relationship with JJ [Redick] from day one [with the Lakers] and so they labored effectively collectively and that is a greater method to stay,” a Western Convention assistant coach stated. “If LeBron thinks you are sensible and you set him able to achieve success, he’ll respect you.”

MacMahon: Main offseason additions sometimes power groups into roster shuffling that create different points — think about the Miami Warmth’s lack of depth after touchdown Giannis Antetokounmpo. However that hasn’t been the case for Philadelphia, which gave up a starter in Paul George for an improve in Brown, then added James on a minimal deal. New Sixers president Mike Gansey additionally discovered worth on the fringes, signing Anfernee Simons and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free company this summer season.

“Their bench is [strong] outdoors of a backup massive,” an East scout stated. “Simons could be the perfect bench scorer within the league. KCP is admittedly good within the position that they’ve for him. You add one backup massive and so they have an A-plus rotation.”

The Sixers addressed that want by signing former Knick Ariel Hukporti, however the 7-footer is out for the season after tearing his Achilles within the preseason. Philadelphia’s payroll is tough capped on the first apron ($1.8 million beneath the brink), limiting any choices so as to add frontcourt depth.

Philadelphia can be a gorgeous vacation spot within the buyout market after the Feb. 11 commerce deadline, when the Sixers may squeeze a pro-rated minimal onto their books. However a number of executives across the league puzzled how a lot the brand new anti-tanking lottery guidelines will weaken the buyout market.

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What are folks saying concerning the Memphis Grizzlies sizzling begin?

MacMahon: Probably the most nice shock within the West to this point? The 6-2 Grizzlies.

“They have a bunch of men which are making an attempt to show themselves, however they play collectively,” a West government stated. “They’re very bodily. Generally you get these groups the place all of the items match collectively as a result of all people accepts their roles.”

Or, as a West scout put it: “Memphis is the Phoenix of final yr,” a staff broadly projected to complete within the lottery that can barge its method into the postseason.

However there may be one drastic distinction between final season’s Suns, who received 45 video games and the 8-seed regardless of shedding Kevin Durant, and these Grizzlies: It is easy to examine Memphis making important strides over the following few seasons.

Guard Ty Jerome’s sudden emergence as a scoring machine has commanded consideration, however the Grizzlies’ long-term basis is the opposite 4 starters, all nonetheless on rookie contracts: Rookie of the Yr contender Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells.

Memphis GM Zach Kleiman loaded up on draft capital throughout the deconstruction of the Grizzlies’ earlier period, because the staff has 9 tradable first-round picks, essentially the most helpful being the Utah Jazz’s choose in 2027 and Suns’ in 2031. The Grizzlies are additionally positioned to have important wage cap area within the offseason.

If the Grizzlies are aggressive earlier than the 2027 commerce deadline, anticipate a “pre-agency” transfer centered on the longer term. For instance, if the Grizzlies have a possible restricted free agent they covet, Kleiman may commerce for the participant and safe his rights as a substitute of making an attempt to signal him to a suggestion sheet in the summertime.

It doesn’t matter what, Kleiman is primed so as to add a major participant to a powerful younger core.

“For the place they’re of their arc, they’re fairly freakin’ good,” a West coach stated.

Windhorst: Jerome’s sizzling begin appears to have transported us again two years.

The Cavaliers have been already anticipated to be a contender in 2024-25, however they surged out of the gates and Jerome’s explosive scoring — then in a lead bench position — was a giant cause they received 60 video games.

That got here after he sat out virtually the entire earlier season due to harm. Effectively, Jerome sat out virtually all of final season due to harm and type of was forgotten once more. Then, wham, he is wholesome and sparking Memphis’ fifth-ranked offense.

“When you have a look at Ty’s profession, when he is been wholesome he is all the time reliably been an actual contributor. The groups who’ve had him have all the time cherished him,” a West government stated. “If he is wholesome and taking part in and you set the ball in his fingers, the man goes to place up numbers. It is simply been onerous to get all three of these aligned yr over yr.”

There is no doubt the Grizzlies have benefitted from a positive early schedule. Scouts anticipate them to seek out their degree, however that may find yourself increased than most anticipated.

“In the event that they keep wholesome they could be a .500 staff and I believe they’d completely have taken that at first of the season,” a West scout stated. “Having some early success might be nice for younger guys.

“You possibly can see how generally younger guys who’re used to profitable hold their heads after they get bashed early within the league. These guys, you may see their chests rising proper now.”

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What else are league personnel speaking about this week?

MacMahon: It is method too early for commerce discussions to choose up steam, however a number of scouts and executives are maintaining a tally of the LA Clippers as possible sellers.

The Clippers, who’re off to a league-worst-tying 1-7 begin, have a handful of influence veterans on expiring contracts. Heart Brook Lopez, guard Kris Dunn, ahead Rui Hachimura (staff possibility subsequent season) and wings Max Strus and Derrick Jones Jr. all may fill roles for playoff groups.

Windhorst: Certainly one of this early season’s field rating parlor video games has been counting the pictures Kings’ rookie Darius Acuff Jr. takes (he is averaging a whopping 23.6) in comparison with All-Star teammate massive man Domantas Sabonis (who’s averaging 8.6, his lowest since his rookie yr a decade in the past). And Sabonis subtly criticized Acuff for it the primary week of the season.

However, subsequently, Sabonis has praised Acuff a number of instances and has gone to lengths to assist him. Sources in Sacramento insist that Sabonis has taken a liking to the 19-year-old, appreciates his immense scoring expertise and enjoys the method of taking part in with Acuff as he learns the league.

Does Sabonis like each shot Acuff takes? Unlikely. Would it not profit each the 30-year-old Sabonis and the Kings to discover a commerce companion? Seemingly. The identical goes for Malik Monk and Zach LaVine. (They’re the three oldest gamers on a rebuilding staff that, to loosely paraphrase ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, is a yr away from being a yr away.)

Be all of that as it might, we’re informed emphatically any perceived Sabonis-Acuff beef is a nonstory.