WEBVTT - The Obligatory Season Preview Episode 0:00:00.920 --> 0:00:07.440 It has arrived our annual obligatory official season preview. It's 0:00:07.480 --> 0:00:09.920 a whole new year. This is a whole new team 0:00:09.920 --> 0:00:12.319 with new players and even the players that are back, 0:00:12.360 --> 0:00:14.800 it's a new dynamic because others aren't here. It's a 0:00:14.840 --> 0:00:17.360 new season. It's going to be exciting. That is the 0:00:17.360 --> 0:00:20.000 one and only Tom McGuinness and we've got a round 0:00:20.000 --> 0:00:22.760 table with him and Devon Gibbons to set the table 0:00:23.079 --> 0:00:25.479 for the upcoming campaign. The one thing that I do like, 0:00:25.640 --> 0:00:27.960 there's no more iterations of this team. This team is 0:00:28.000 --> 0:00:31.040 together from day one, and I think being together from 0:00:31.080 --> 0:00:35.040 the very beginning made help with that. From managing expectations 0:00:35.080 --> 0:00:38.040 to what signs could carry over from a promising preseason. 0:00:38.560 --> 0:00:42.200 We cover it all on this episode of the broadcast. 0:00:46.080 --> 0:00:51.080 We did it, We made it. We're here the start 0:00:51.880 --> 0:00:56.800 of the two nineteen twenty regular season, the seventy first 0:00:56.840 --> 0:01:01.760 season in Philadelphia seventy six ers franchise history, and there 0:01:01.960 --> 0:01:04.120 couldn't be a better way to tip it all off 0:01:04.560 --> 0:01:09.160 and hosting your our tribal, the Boston Celtics, continuing the 0:01:09.280 --> 0:01:13.080 arrivalry series that's been played more frequently than any other 0:01:13.160 --> 0:01:17.880 in the history of the NBA. On opening Nights. How 0:01:17.959 --> 0:01:20.679 you doing. I'm Brian Seltzer. I hope you are as 0:01:20.920 --> 0:01:24.880 pumped up and fired up and excited and as ready 0:01:24.880 --> 0:01:26.960 to go as I am. We're gonna sit down with 0:01:27.040 --> 0:01:30.560 Tom McGinnis and Von Gibbons in just a few moments, 0:01:31.120 --> 0:01:33.800 but we'll open by issuing reminders to you that if 0:01:33.880 --> 0:01:37.240 you have not yet become a subscriber or a follower 0:01:37.280 --> 0:01:39.880 to our podcast, you can get us just about anywhere 0:01:40.120 --> 0:01:46.960 you get podcasts these days, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Google Podcasts, 0:01:47.560 --> 0:01:53.040 tune in, Stitcher, SoundCloud. Just type in Sixers Podcast Network 0:01:53.040 --> 0:01:54.840 that will take you to our feed, and please do 0:01:55.200 --> 0:01:58.240 sign up. We'll have episodes coming to you regularly throughout 0:01:58.240 --> 0:02:01.480 the season, the day after every game with rewind and 0:02:01.520 --> 0:02:04.600 then one episode of the broadcast or perhaps more depending 0:02:04.600 --> 0:02:08.040 on the occasion each week. And before we get to 0:02:08.600 --> 0:02:12.760 t Mac and Divine, we bring you this week's edition 0:02:12.919 --> 0:02:18.840 of our opening tip. It's been building, and now it 0:02:19.040 --> 0:02:23.080 is finally here. The Philadelphia seventy six Ers on the 0:02:23.120 --> 0:02:28.240 cusp of starting a brand new season. Few seasons, however, 0:02:28.280 --> 0:02:30.280 at least in a recent memory that I could think of, 0:02:30.800 --> 0:02:34.200 have come with the anticipation and really more than that. 0:02:34.600 --> 0:02:37.680 The hype that this one has. Just listen to this 0:02:38.000 --> 0:02:42.400 sampling of soundbites al Horford went to Philadelphia changes the 0:02:42.520 --> 0:02:45.760 dynamic for me. I'm gonna say, it's Philadelphia coming out 0:02:45.800 --> 0:02:47.639 of the East. I'm taking Philly. We got to presume 0:02:47.680 --> 0:02:50.040 that everyone's healthy, right, But if that's what happens, but 0:02:50.120 --> 0:02:51.959 the talent on this team, they should at least be 0:02:52.000 --> 0:02:54.880 in the Eastern Conference flole, maybe the finals, and there's 0:02:54.919 --> 0:02:57.760 certainly have a shot to win it. All that, I'm 0:02:57.800 --> 0:03:02.720 moved that in the Eastern comp I'm going out right now. 0:03:03.080 --> 0:03:10.040 I'm not that. I love you, of course, know how 0:03:10.120 --> 0:03:13.720 the story goes. The seventy Sixers getting burned by not one, 0:03:14.080 --> 0:03:18.640 not two, not three, but four bounces in Game seven 0:03:18.680 --> 0:03:23.919 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in May. After that setback, 0:03:24.320 --> 0:03:28.240 the seventy Sixers went into the off season with a vengeance, 0:03:28.520 --> 0:03:32.480 revamping and reloading throughout the off season. We're doing everything 0:03:32.520 --> 0:03:36.040 weekend to bring another NBA championship to the city of Philadelphia. 0:03:36.120 --> 0:03:39.120 Believe that that was seventy six Ers general manager Elton Brand. 0:03:39.480 --> 0:03:44.360 This is ESPN's Brian Windhorst in an era of offense 0:03:44.560 --> 0:03:47.960 in the NBA where defense is second, third, fourth priority. 0:03:48.400 --> 0:03:52.080 We saw the Sixers prioritize defense this year, and they 0:03:52.080 --> 0:03:54.160 did to a big way. You look at what they've done. 0:03:54.360 --> 0:03:58.200 Their starting lineup has some of the most length that 0:03:58.280 --> 0:04:01.800 you could ever maybe seeing the history of the NBA, 0:04:02.080 --> 0:04:05.720 versatile defenders who can guard multiple positions. Al Horfords, one 0:04:05.720 --> 0:04:07.880 of the most versatile big men defenders the league is 0:04:07.920 --> 0:04:10.040 seen in the last twenty five years. And then you 0:04:10.080 --> 0:04:13.040 have a point guard who six foot ten, who's extremely 0:04:13.680 --> 0:04:17.120 long and like that. So they're putting out a lineup 0:04:17.600 --> 0:04:20.960 that is one of the tallest, most athletic, and most 0:04:21.040 --> 0:04:27.760 intense talented defensive lamps we've ever seen. To construct a 0:04:27.839 --> 0:04:32.640 roster shaped with that composition, the Sixers did several headline deals, 0:04:32.880 --> 0:04:37.920 Tobias Harris resigning right away, the dramatic edition of Richardson, 0:04:37.960 --> 0:04:41.960 an assigning trade with Miami Heat, and the crafty procurement 0:04:42.200 --> 0:04:46.360 of Horford from the Celtics. But for as much change 0:04:46.600 --> 0:04:49.600 as there was to the seventy sixers projected starting lineup 0:04:49.680 --> 0:04:53.640 going into this year, the bench underwent a considerable overhaul 0:04:53.640 --> 0:04:56.680 as well, with four new faces joined the mix. The 0:04:56.800 --> 0:05:00.680 end result is, as wind Horse described, a squad that 0:05:00.839 --> 0:05:07.960 is massive, athletic, explosive, versatile, smart, defensively inclined and deep. 0:05:08.920 --> 0:05:14.440 Expectations are understandably high, not just externally but internally as well. Yes, 0:05:14.600 --> 0:05:18.599 you know you're gonna be together for a long season. 0:05:19.080 --> 0:05:21.680 I'm looking for us, so we gotta do that. We 0:05:21.800 --> 0:05:26.760 got huge goals obviously the angle used to win it all. 0:05:26.880 --> 0:05:30.800 Uh and um, I gotta be the man cot liss 0:05:31.200 --> 0:05:34.440 uh to make it happen. Uh. So you know I 0:05:34.480 --> 0:05:38.440 gotta do my job as a leader. I gotta need 0:05:38.480 --> 0:05:42.520 those guys. I'm gonna need them. Uh, they're gonna need me. 0:05:42.560 --> 0:05:45.839 So we all gotta do whatever we supposed to do. 0:05:49.360 --> 0:05:51.440 Taking the temperature of the team the last few days, 0:05:51.800 --> 0:05:55.000 it's clear there's a sense of focus and readiness about 0:05:55.040 --> 0:05:57.919 the group. The head coach has been sticking to a 0:05:57.960 --> 0:06:01.440 measured outlook since his first down of the season with reporters. 0:06:01.440 --> 0:06:04.720 For his annual media luncheon back in September, Brown has 0:06:04.720 --> 0:06:09.800 been stressing potential and patience. Yes, the Sixers do have 0:06:09.920 --> 0:06:13.400 a wealth ability, he's acknowledged, but that doesn't mean the 0:06:13.440 --> 0:06:16.240 team will be a finished product to come game one. 0:06:16.720 --> 0:06:20.680 Talent and time. Talent and time Brown's refrain has been 0:06:20.680 --> 0:06:23.240 steady the past month. It's early days. And I said, 0:06:23.279 --> 0:06:25.719 and I'll say it probably many many times in front 0:06:25.720 --> 0:06:29.760 of you all talent does not trumpet time, and like 0:06:29.880 --> 0:06:32.039 what does that mean? I do? I feel like I know, 0:06:32.400 --> 0:06:35.320 I know what it means. You've got to like stay sane, 0:06:36.000 --> 0:06:37.960 you know, we got to stay sane and like try 0:06:38.000 --> 0:06:41.520 to grow this thing where we can really feel responsible, 0:06:41.560 --> 0:06:46.400 where we've delivered something as perfect as perfect as we 0:06:46.480 --> 0:06:51.560 can make perfect in April fifteenth, and that's the end. 0:06:51.720 --> 0:06:54.880 That's the excitement and the responsibility. I feel. That's no 0:06:55.080 --> 0:06:58.800 arbitrary date that Brown throughout there. April fifteenth is the 0:06:58.839 --> 0:07:02.039 final day of the regular season, and for all intents 0:07:02.080 --> 0:07:04.800 and purposes, if we're calling it like it is, that's 0:07:04.839 --> 0:07:08.080 when judgment day for the seventy Sixers will really begin. 0:07:08.960 --> 0:07:13.000 The Sixers of the last two seasons absolutely rightfully had 0:07:13.040 --> 0:07:15.440 their rise on the Larry O'Brian Trophy, but to a 0:07:15.480 --> 0:07:18.640 certain extent, they were also still trying to figure out 0:07:18.760 --> 0:07:22.640 what they were capable of doing. In twenty eighteen, we 0:07:22.680 --> 0:07:25.360 had a sense of what the Sixers could achieve. Then 0:07:25.400 --> 0:07:29.640 they showed us with an inspired run last spring The 0:07:29.720 --> 0:07:32.760 Sixers appeared to be even more formidable heading into the postseason, 0:07:33.320 --> 0:07:36.360 but they ran into an unstoppable force and his teammates 0:07:36.360 --> 0:07:41.080 of destiny. This year, the Sixers credit from everyone who's 0:07:41.280 --> 0:07:45.240 up in Camden to down in Wilmington, Delaware. The rallying 0:07:45.280 --> 0:07:49.239 cry is the same. It's a parade down Broad Street. 0:07:50.000 --> 0:07:52.560 The Sixers truly believe it might be in the cards, 0:07:53.080 --> 0:07:57.520 and you can't blame them. Expectations are being fully embraced. 0:07:57.920 --> 0:08:01.480 It's now time to see what row the seventy Sixers trap. 0:08:01.800 --> 0:08:04.720 This is really kind of the new focus on the 0:08:04.720 --> 0:08:07.480 Eastern Conference. The Sixers are a new team and a 0:08:07.560 --> 0:08:10.800 new contender, and they have star power, and they're doing 0:08:10.840 --> 0:08:13.680 something rather audacious with this roster. It's not that often 0:08:13.760 --> 0:08:15.840 that you say goodbye to an All Star and bringing 0:08:15.880 --> 0:08:18.480 an All Star in the same offseason, and an off 0:08:18.560 --> 0:08:21.680 season where they were maybe one shot away from wing 0:08:21.720 --> 0:08:23.840 the NBA titled and that's hard to hear. But at 0:08:23.880 --> 0:08:26.040 the same time, it's off of the truth, a truth 0:08:26.080 --> 0:08:28.520 that very much seems to be fueling the seventy Sixers 0:08:28.880 --> 0:08:34.040 as they start a new That's our opening tip for 0:08:34.080 --> 0:08:38.000 this week, and this is a general tip on how 0:08:38.040 --> 0:08:40.080 you might be able to get into the center to 0:08:40.200 --> 0:08:43.400 catch some seventy Sixers games in South Philadelphia this season. 0:08:44.480 --> 0:08:47.960 Partial plans are on sale now. A limited number of 0:08:48.080 --> 0:08:51.520 partial season ticket plans have been reserved for the general public, 0:08:51.559 --> 0:08:54.680 and now is your chance to get in on yours. 0:08:54.760 --> 0:08:58.280 Enjoy discount on ticket pricing and interest free monthly payment plan, 0:08:58.720 --> 0:09:03.760 playoff priority and more. For information, go to Sixers dot 0:09:03.800 --> 0:09:07.520 com slash parcels, or you can email tickets at seventy 0:09:07.520 --> 0:09:09.319 six ers dot com or pick up the phone call 0:09:09.360 --> 0:09:12.800 two on five three three nine seven six seven six 0:09:13.280 --> 0:09:18.040 for more details on seventy six Ers partial season ticket plans. 0:09:21.800 --> 0:09:23.760 In our opening tip segment, we heard a couple of 0:09:23.800 --> 0:09:28.920 soundbites from several prominent NBA of media personalities, people like 0:09:29.679 --> 0:09:34.079 Rachel Nichols, Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, and Brian Winhorst, 0:09:35.240 --> 0:09:40.760 and as I bring in two additional reputable NBA media 0:09:40.840 --> 0:09:43.960 personalities talking about Tom McGinnis from the seventy six Ers 0:09:44.040 --> 0:09:47.320 Rader Network getting ready for another season behind the mic 0:09:47.840 --> 0:09:50.760 and Von Gibbs, who you can always hear on the 0:09:50.760 --> 0:09:53.000 mic after six Ers games on in the post on 0:09:53.040 --> 0:09:56.520 our flagship radio station ninety seven five the fanatic. I 0:09:56.600 --> 0:09:59.439 gotta ask you guys, going back to media day, there 0:09:59.520 --> 0:10:03.360 was such a strong national media presence at the seventy 0:10:03.400 --> 0:10:07.160 six or training Complex and Camden. They've been a talking 0:10:07.240 --> 0:10:12.960 point on nationally syndicated talk shows, on podcasts, TV shows. 0:10:14.240 --> 0:10:17.720 Is the hype justified? Is this degree of hype appropriate? 0:10:18.040 --> 0:10:21.240 I totally agree with what they're saying. The hype is 0:10:21.280 --> 0:10:23.080 out there and I think it's real with what the 0:10:23.120 --> 0:10:26.120 team has been put together. The way Elton Brand has 0:10:26.160 --> 0:10:30.120 again pivoted from moving on from two very important players 0:10:30.320 --> 0:10:33.800 and JJ Reddick and Jimmy Butler, to what you've comes 0:10:33.840 --> 0:10:36.120 to have now with Al Horford and Josh Richardson and 0:10:36.200 --> 0:10:39.560 your starting lineup and keeping Tobias Harris here as well. 0:10:40.160 --> 0:10:43.040 The way that we've looked at this league the last 0:10:43.040 --> 0:10:45.240 few years with the Golden State style and you're trying 0:10:45.280 --> 0:10:47.240 to keep up with them. Not many people can keep 0:10:47.320 --> 0:10:49.000 up with them. You have to go with your own style. 0:10:49.000 --> 0:10:51.319 Even the Houston Rockets went with their own style may 0:10:51.320 --> 0:10:52.800 not have work to get them to the finals and 0:10:52.880 --> 0:10:55.640 ultimately the championship. You have to go with your own style, 0:10:55.679 --> 0:10:58.400 and Elton Brand decided we're going with our own style, 0:10:58.440 --> 0:11:01.280 which is big, and we have these two franchise players, 0:11:01.320 --> 0:11:03.800 these all stars in Joel Embiad and Ben Simmons. Now 0:11:03.920 --> 0:11:06.800 let's go get these other pieces. Even though shooting is 0:11:07.240 --> 0:11:10.720 so huge in today's game. Let's go big, let's go large, 0:11:10.800 --> 0:11:13.960 and let's make them stop us. So we're not conforming 0:11:14.000 --> 0:11:15.920 to the rest of the league. Let's see what the 0:11:16.000 --> 0:11:18.440 league now does with all of the adjustments that we 0:11:18.520 --> 0:11:22.400 have made to our roster, plus the bench, the versatility overall, 0:11:22.480 --> 0:11:25.040 with what this team is, I think the hype is real, 0:11:25.080 --> 0:11:26.880 and I think the hype is warranted with what this 0:11:26.960 --> 0:11:30.000 new team looks like. I would agree good points all 0:11:30.160 --> 0:11:33.720 Devon and so because it is it's a roster that is, 0:11:34.920 --> 0:11:38.080 you know, doesn't have a lot of holes. You know 0:11:38.120 --> 0:11:40.000 that you have really good players at every spot, you 0:11:40.040 --> 0:11:43.040 have great bench. It's certainly, I think, the without question, 0:11:43.080 --> 0:11:46.600 the deepest roster the Sixers have had since even the 0:11:46.720 --> 0:11:49.280 eighty three, going back to the eighth three championship team, 0:11:49.320 --> 0:11:52.200 I mean even the two thousand and one team that 0:11:52.240 --> 0:11:55.839 won the Eastern Conference. You know, this roster, man for man, 0:11:56.000 --> 0:11:58.840 is better than those that team, and that team was 0:11:58.840 --> 0:12:01.360 built around a superstar. But it was built a certain way, 0:12:01.880 --> 0:12:05.120 whereas this you got a five time All Star now Horford, 0:12:05.200 --> 0:12:08.680 an up and coming young player, and josh as Davan said, 0:12:08.720 --> 0:12:11.640 Tobias Harris, and then two All Stars and two players 0:12:11.640 --> 0:12:13.560 that are going to continue to get better, and Joel 0:12:13.640 --> 0:12:17.000 and Ben. But without question, you can see why there's 0:12:17.000 --> 0:12:20.920 a lot of attention about the Sixers and right now deservedly. 0:12:20.960 --> 0:12:23.920 So I'm sure you guys get questions like this from 0:12:24.040 --> 0:12:26.200 people to you in your lives who are close to you, 0:12:26.240 --> 0:12:30.320 whether it's family members or friends. They may say stuff like, man, 0:12:30.320 --> 0:12:32.280 this has got to be such a fun gig for 0:12:32.320 --> 0:12:34.880 you right now because the team is so great and 0:12:35.000 --> 0:12:38.360 it's winning now and it's successful, and that's true, but 0:12:38.559 --> 0:12:42.800 I guess more from like a journalistic and broadcasting background, 0:12:42.800 --> 0:12:46.280 what excites me is when things change. Now obviously it's 0:12:46.559 --> 0:12:48.640 better when things change for the better or not the worst, 0:12:48.679 --> 0:12:52.120 but when there's fresh storylines and things are constantly changing. 0:12:52.640 --> 0:12:55.120 So last year was really fascinating from that point because 0:12:55.280 --> 0:12:58.160 the Sixers had essentially three different teams, and now this 0:12:58.240 --> 0:12:59.800 year it's kind of like a fourth different team, and 0:13:00.200 --> 0:13:03.120 me personally, I'm really excited and app to get to 0:13:03.120 --> 0:13:05.960 know guys like Josh Richardson and Al Horror a little 0:13:05.960 --> 0:13:08.400 bit better. And that's not even mentioning what they're going 0:13:08.480 --> 0:13:10.520 to bring to the team on the court. But this 0:13:10.640 --> 0:13:13.040 does to me feel like a different team, not just 0:13:13.080 --> 0:13:15.080 in terms of personnel, but I think probably in the 0:13:15.080 --> 0:13:19.360 way we're going to see the team play right well 0:13:19.440 --> 0:13:22.839 without doubt. And as far as change, like you say, 0:13:22.920 --> 0:13:25.920 there probably won't be as much changed as there has been, 0:13:26.400 --> 0:13:28.600 even not just last year, but leading up to this. 0:13:29.440 --> 0:13:33.040 And Okay, so you're talking about outside forces and how 0:13:33.080 --> 0:13:36.880 they say the excitement, it's a different Now. Last year 0:13:36.880 --> 0:13:42.360 the Sixers had big expectations and internally everybody realizes this 0:13:42.480 --> 0:13:46.720 is the time. But it's certainly not anything we're used to. 0:13:46.800 --> 0:13:49.520 And I say that as a collective whole, like as 0:13:49.520 --> 0:13:52.840 an organization, because they were on the rise. And now 0:13:53.200 --> 0:13:56.000 that's the only thing when everybody comes up to you 0:13:56.000 --> 0:13:59.079 and says this is you know, it's it's a little 0:13:59.080 --> 0:14:03.840 bit different. And I'm bullish also, but it's a teeny 0:14:03.880 --> 0:14:08.640 bit of trepidation where it's expected, it's it's nothing is given, 0:14:08.880 --> 0:14:11.320 you know, even if again, even if you I go 0:14:11.400 --> 0:14:14.320 back to the Utah Jazz teams, and even if you 0:14:14.520 --> 0:14:17.280 make the finals, even if you win the championship, it's 0:14:17.320 --> 0:14:19.760 a whole new year. This is a whole new team 0:14:19.760 --> 0:14:22.560 with new players, and even the players that are back, 0:14:22.600 --> 0:14:25.080 it's a new dynamic because others aren't here. It's a 0:14:25.120 --> 0:14:29.000 new season. So it's going to be exciting and to 0:14:29.120 --> 0:14:31.400 watch it unfold though we really don't know. That's the 0:14:31.440 --> 0:14:35.160 whole thing. Like you know, people make projections in a 0:14:35.240 --> 0:14:39.440 given game about a season. It's sports. You don't know 0:14:39.480 --> 0:14:42.120 what's going to happen. That's why live events are so cool. 0:14:42.160 --> 0:14:44.040 And that from our position to be able to call 0:14:44.120 --> 0:14:47.440 the games and watch it unfold, that that is exciting. 0:14:47.480 --> 0:14:50.240 So there probably are going to be an innumerable number 0:14:50.280 --> 0:14:53.440 of exciting moments. And you've got great storylines with Matisse 0:14:53.520 --> 0:14:58.280 Thybel and you know, Tobias getting a bigger role. But 0:14:58.440 --> 0:15:01.600 it is a different vibe and that it's it's almost 0:15:01.640 --> 0:15:04.800 like I said, it's expected. And you know, no longer 0:15:05.200 --> 0:15:07.960 are the Sixers the hunters. Now in a way, they're 0:15:08.000 --> 0:15:10.880 at the top. They're the hunted because they are expected 0:15:10.960 --> 0:15:13.560 to get to the Eastern Conference finals and potentially to 0:15:13.600 --> 0:15:16.800 the NBA Finals. And you know, last year toward the end. 0:15:16.840 --> 0:15:18.760 I remember saying to Brett Brown, all right, it was 0:15:18.840 --> 0:15:22.920 to the postseason. Everybody expected you guys to win fifty games, 0:15:22.920 --> 0:15:25.680 and now it's all about the playoffs. And he kind 0:15:25.680 --> 0:15:27.400 of took a look at me. He's like, well, I'm 0:15:27.440 --> 0:15:29.800 glad you guys had his pencils in fifty games because 0:15:29.920 --> 0:15:32.880 as a coach, right, you know, that's not an easy thing. 0:15:32.920 --> 0:15:35.200 I mean, it's when they did it, you know, two 0:15:35.240 --> 0:15:37.560 years in a row. It hadn't been done for sixteen 0:15:37.680 --> 0:15:40.880 years prior. So that's all I'm saying is that it's 0:15:40.960 --> 0:15:44.200 not it's easier said than done. Now now is the 0:15:44.320 --> 0:15:47.760 time for the part of doing and executing and getting 0:15:47.760 --> 0:15:49.720 it done as you build for what you hope would 0:15:49.760 --> 0:15:52.600 be a seven eight month season. And that part, if 0:15:52.880 --> 0:15:55.520 you bar the phrase that new norm from across the 0:15:55.560 --> 0:15:58.600 street with the football team, the new the new norm, 0:15:58.640 --> 0:16:01.160 of course, is the fifty wins that's to be expected. 0:16:01.320 --> 0:16:03.480 Now it is time to your point taking that next 0:16:03.480 --> 0:16:06.600 step of being the hunted instead of being the hunter. 0:16:06.800 --> 0:16:09.600 Because we've seen the two playoffs series dropping in the 0:16:09.640 --> 0:16:13.160 second round in the last two seasons. It's about progressing 0:16:13.200 --> 0:16:15.040 from there now. And the one thing that I do 0:16:15.160 --> 0:16:17.320 like about everything that you just said, and Brian is 0:16:17.360 --> 0:16:20.720 talking about what this team is. There's no more iterations 0:16:20.720 --> 0:16:23.160 of this team. This team is together from day one 0:16:23.800 --> 0:16:26.400 and if they're able to do what they need to 0:16:26.440 --> 0:16:29.240 do by implementing everything that Brett Brown and coaching staff 0:16:29.280 --> 0:16:31.760 wants to do and how they want to play, they 0:16:31.760 --> 0:16:34.600 don't have to unless something changes. They don't have to 0:16:35.040 --> 0:16:37.520 get things together in November when a new player comes 0:16:37.520 --> 0:16:39.160 in and you're moving someone out, and the same thing 0:16:39.160 --> 0:16:42.520 at the trade deadline and possibly the buyout period. Right now, 0:16:42.560 --> 0:16:44.480 this looks like this is what's going to be, at 0:16:44.520 --> 0:16:46.960 least with the starting five of that rotation, and that's 0:16:47.000 --> 0:16:50.800 great to have going in with those expectations where these 0:16:51.000 --> 0:16:53.520 big things come from the national perspective from a lot 0:16:53.560 --> 0:16:56.040 of people, the family and friends that talk to all 0:16:56.080 --> 0:16:59.360 of us about these expectations for this basketball team. I 0:16:59.360 --> 0:17:01.280 think the continent nuity that they are able to put 0:17:01.320 --> 0:17:04.280 together from the very beginning from day one, even before 0:17:04.280 --> 0:17:06.639 they started camp, when they get together for the open runs, 0:17:06.640 --> 0:17:09.919 and now you hear about Tobias Harris getting the team together, 0:17:09.960 --> 0:17:14.120 that veteran leadership, just everybody bonding early. They're gonna need 0:17:14.160 --> 0:17:16.840 each other and that we know that. You know that, Brian, 0:17:16.880 --> 0:17:19.840 you know that as well, that this is going to 0:17:19.920 --> 0:17:22.720 be hopefully a special season and if it is to 0:17:22.840 --> 0:17:26.280 come the expectations that come with it, can they handle 0:17:26.520 --> 0:17:29.360 now being the hunted? Can they handle all of it 0:17:29.400 --> 0:17:32.280 that goes with it? And I think being together from 0:17:32.280 --> 0:17:35.439 the very beginning may help with that. Tell me if 0:17:35.440 --> 0:17:37.399 you're with me about this, and I don't think you 0:17:37.480 --> 0:17:43.120 necessarily need to be talk show host, radio broadcaster, reporter 0:17:43.600 --> 0:17:46.880 to get this type of sense of a team. I'm 0:17:46.920 --> 0:17:49.880 thinking of the Eagles in the early two thousands. I'm 0:17:49.880 --> 0:17:53.240 thinking of the Phillies in like the mid two thousands 0:17:53.280 --> 0:17:57.639 after the World Series run, where there's a point in 0:17:57.640 --> 0:18:01.679 the team's timeline where you're still may the ascent, but 0:18:01.760 --> 0:18:04.520 then you get to the ascent and you're still expected 0:18:04.560 --> 0:18:06.760 to maintain your perch at the top. And I always 0:18:06.760 --> 0:18:09.440 wonder with those teams, you know how much of that 0:18:09.720 --> 0:18:14.359 is a crippling or suffocating effect. Like I'm just amazed 0:18:14.400 --> 0:18:17.360 that the Golden State Warriors know how to pace themselves 0:18:17.400 --> 0:18:19.800 to get back the finals year after year after year, 0:18:19.880 --> 0:18:23.399 and Lebron James doing that the exact same thing with 0:18:23.480 --> 0:18:25.520 the sixers right now, they might be the hunted, but 0:18:25.680 --> 0:18:27.680 when I'm picking up on just being around the guys, 0:18:28.040 --> 0:18:32.520 they're this energy and freshness and excitement because they still 0:18:32.560 --> 0:18:34.639 feel like they've got to continue that climb, right Like 0:18:34.680 --> 0:18:37.320 they didn't peek out at losing Game seven in the 0:18:37.359 --> 0:18:39.320 second round to Toronto last year. I still feel like, 0:18:39.440 --> 0:18:42.760 especially for the guys like Joel and Ben and even 0:18:42.800 --> 0:18:46.119 Brett and Elton in particular, there's like work to be 0:18:46.240 --> 0:18:49.800 done still well. And that's why the bitter taste of 0:18:49.880 --> 0:18:52.439 losing in the second round last year and in the 0:18:52.480 --> 0:18:55.720 previous spring, you've got to let that linger a little bit. 0:18:56.119 --> 0:18:59.160 It's like the baseball seasons winding down, teams are getting 0:18:59.240 --> 0:19:01.840 knocked out. When you see a team on the field 0:19:01.920 --> 0:19:05.000 celebrating and then they show that shot, you know it's 0:19:05.040 --> 0:19:06.960 the agony of defeat where the guys are still in 0:19:07.000 --> 0:19:10.439 the dugout and boom, their season just came to a 0:19:10.560 --> 0:19:14.280 crashing halt, and they're staring out there watching the other 0:19:14.320 --> 0:19:18.240 team celebrate, and obviously they're processing, Wow, it's over. That's 0:19:18.280 --> 0:19:20.719 not us. We had all those expectations the same thing 0:19:20.760 --> 0:19:25.480 in basketball, So to feel that bitter taste and never 0:19:25.560 --> 0:19:28.520 let it go away, to let that fuel you. That's 0:19:28.520 --> 0:19:31.480 what an athlete, you know, you got to you gotta 0:19:31.480 --> 0:19:34.479 find motivation. These guys, these pro players, they find it 0:19:34.520 --> 0:19:37.840 in many different forms. To your point about getting to 0:19:37.880 --> 0:19:40.199 the top. Look at the Patriots, you know, especially the 0:19:40.200 --> 0:19:42.640 way the NFL is today, like they get back there 0:19:42.720 --> 0:19:45.679 all the time. That's incredible. It may never happen again 0:19:46.119 --> 0:19:49.200 with the way that that thing is set up salary 0:19:49.240 --> 0:19:51.879 cap wise, and and the other part of that, the 0:19:51.920 --> 0:19:55.240 other side of the coin is that you have veteran players. 0:19:55.280 --> 0:19:58.600 You have even Joel and Ben, they've done it before. 0:19:58.880 --> 0:20:01.520 They've gone through the sea, and they've gone through the playoffs, 0:20:01.880 --> 0:20:04.199 and so they kind of they're going to be better 0:20:04.280 --> 0:20:07.000 at knowing how to handle it and getting up for 0:20:07.480 --> 0:20:10.400 you know, each and every game and meeting the challenge. 0:20:10.840 --> 0:20:14.400 And that's where guys like like Horford and even players 0:20:14.480 --> 0:20:17.359 like Kyle O'Quinn that have been around are going to 0:20:17.440 --> 0:20:20.879 be beneficial to the group in terms of helping to 0:20:20.960 --> 0:20:24.600 steer through, you know, the waters, even if it's dull water, 0:20:24.680 --> 0:20:26.840 you know what I mean, even if it's not rocky 0:20:27.520 --> 0:20:29.920 white Caps that you have to navigate through. Even if 0:20:29.960 --> 0:20:33.959 it's getting through December and January and pushing through like 0:20:34.000 --> 0:20:37.240 the quote unquote the games you're supposed to win. So 0:20:37.520 --> 0:20:40.600 it's a yeah, it's not easy to stay at the top. 0:20:40.640 --> 0:20:42.199 But oh, by the way, and I go back to 0:20:42.240 --> 0:20:45.320 the phrase, you know the Sixers are looking to achieve 0:20:45.760 --> 0:20:49.199 sustained success, you better get used to it, and you 0:20:49.320 --> 0:20:52.240 better get you know, you know, understand that this is 0:20:52.280 --> 0:20:54.520 how it's going to be. You look at Al Horford, 0:20:54.920 --> 0:20:58.119 He's been in the playoffs every year, and at some 0:20:58.200 --> 0:20:59.760 point you want to be able to say that for 0:21:00.119 --> 0:21:04.000 Joel and Ben, they've been in the playoffs ten straight years. Well, 0:21:04.320 --> 0:21:07.439 you can't project forward a decade, but you can certainly 0:21:07.480 --> 0:21:09.760 take care of the third straight year. And you've got 0:21:09.760 --> 0:21:12.840 to do that right now. So it's mindset, it's pacing, 0:21:13.240 --> 0:21:16.119 and yet when it comes time to play at the 0:21:16.240 --> 0:21:19.880 right moment, playing all out and making sure you play 0:21:19.920 --> 0:21:22.360 with that energy and drive that keeps you at the top, 0:21:22.960 --> 0:21:24.879 I'm not sure you guys thought all in all, I 0:21:24.920 --> 0:21:28.400 felt the preseason was a success for the teams, got 0:21:28.440 --> 0:21:31.679 through it healthy. Four wins and a loss seemed like 0:21:31.880 --> 0:21:35.040 things on one side of the floor especially, there's a 0:21:35.040 --> 0:21:38.159 lot of promise there and came together. I'm going to 0:21:38.480 --> 0:21:39.800 kind of put you on the spot, and I'll do 0:21:39.840 --> 0:21:41.680 the same with myself. Even though I've had a little 0:21:41.680 --> 0:21:43.239 bit of time to think about it, I'll admit it 0:21:43.840 --> 0:21:46.520 and ask you about things that might be able to 0:21:46.520 --> 0:21:49.560 translate and carry over from the preseason to the regular season. 0:21:50.119 --> 0:21:52.440 Why don't we start tom We'll go with you, d 0:21:52.560 --> 0:21:55.320 Why don't we go with the defense. The seventy sixers 0:21:56.200 --> 0:21:58.719 had the I think second best defense in the preseason. 0:21:59.119 --> 0:22:01.199 How much do you think of what we saw from 0:22:01.240 --> 0:22:04.160 the defense is going to carry over into the regular season. 0:22:04.240 --> 0:22:05.920 Where do you think the defense has room to grow? 0:22:05.960 --> 0:22:08.119 I'm glad that's where you went, because that's the first 0:22:08.119 --> 0:22:09.879 thing I was going to say, was the defense. I 0:22:09.920 --> 0:22:12.120 think that's easily the one thing that we can point 0:22:12.119 --> 0:22:13.640 out to, or I can point out to and say, 0:22:13.640 --> 0:22:15.680