Sixers mailbag: How Andre Drummond's three-point shooting changes things; what should Jared McCain's plan be?

The Philadelphia 76ers have taken an optimistic tone despite concerns about player availability, particularly from two of their top players: Joel Embiid and Paul George. With an 8-5 record, it's essential for the team to address these issues to reclaim their status as championship contenders.

However, there are potential solutions to some of these problems. One such player who could bring a unique skillset to the lineup is Jared McCann. While not in his best form yet, McCann has shown glimpses of his upside, particularly in his recent stint with the Delaware Blue Coats. Sending him back to the G League for an extended period may be necessary to help him regain his confidence.

McCann's shooting ability could bring a new dimension to the Sixers' offense, and his on-ball skills make him an attractive asset to a guard-heavy team. The question is how to balance playing McCann with other players, particularly when he's not at his best. With Tyrese Maxey dominating games when Embiid rests, it's essential to find ways to incorporate McCann into the lineup without sacrificing their winning streak.

Another player who has shown flashes of brilliance is Andre Drummond. The veteran center has hit a significant number of three-pointers this season and has caught teams off guard with his shooting ability. However, defenses will continue to focus on stopping Drummond's shots rather than letting him create space in the corner. While this is a luxury that the Sixers can't rely on all the time, it does open up opportunities for balance between Drummond's scoring and rebounding.

One area where the 76ers have excelled so far is with Tyrese Maxey taking over as the team leader. His performance has been stellar, and he has set a high standard for the rest of the team to follow. This has also led to a more enjoyable viewing experience for fans, despite some avoidable losses.

However, there's still room for improvement. The Sixers' injury-prone nature, particularly with Embiid and George, cannot be ignored. While it's part of what they signed up for, it does pose significant challenges in terms of building an identity that can withstand the ebbs and flows of player availability.

Ultimately, the 76ers have shown promising signs so far this season, but there are still areas where they need to improve. With McCann and Drummond providing new dimensions to their offense, the team may be on the path to reclaiming their status as contenders.

I'm loving the depth analysis of Jared McCann's potential! His shooting ability could really shake things up for the Sixers' offense . And let's not forget about Andre Drummond, he's like a wild card on offense . But what I find interesting is how they balance playing them with other players, especially when McCann's not at his best .

And have you noticed how Tyrese Maxey is carrying the team lately? He's like the leader without being asked to be one . It's great for the fans, but also puts a lot of pressure on him and the rest of the team .

Injury concerns are always a worry with teams like the 76ers, but if they can keep McCann and Drummond happy, I think they've got a shot at making some noise in the playoffs .

I'm telling ya, this season is all about finding that balance, you know? They gotta get McCann back in the mix without throwing Tyrese Maxey off his game . And with Drummond's shooting, it's like they're opening up a whole new can of worms ... not sure if that's a good thing or not . The injury drama is always gonna be there, but at least Maxey's been carrying the team on his back . Fingers crossed they figure out how to mix and match these guys without losing their momentum .

I gotta say, if Philly's gonna make a run for it, they gotta start throwing Jared McCann some serious minutes . I mean, have you seen his three-point skills? It's like he's trying to prove to everyone that he's more than just a scrappy little dude . And let's be real, with Embiid and George being out, the team needs all the help they can get. McCann might not be in his prime yet, but if Philly gives him some room to breathe, I think we'll see some big improvements . On the other hand, Andre Drummond is like a mystery box - you never know what's gonna come out of it . One minute he's dropping threes, the next minute he's getting stuck on defense. Still, if they can find a way to balance his scoring and rebounding, I think Philly's got a shot at making some noise in the playoffs .

I'm loving the Philly 76ers' vibes right now ! They're like the rebels who just can't get enough of that championship life . But seriously, they gotta find a way to keep those stars Joel Embiid and Paul George healthy, or they'll be stuck in the "which team is worse, us or our injuries?" conundrum .

I'm not saying Jared McCann's gonna save the day, but he might just bring some nice "meh" moments to the lineup . And Andre Drummond? The man's a shooting machine...literally ! Too bad defenses are all like, "Uh, no thanks, we're good on that."

Tyrese Maxey, on the other hand, is like the superhero of the team – saving the day one game at a time . He's got this whole "lead by example" thing down pat, and it's making the fans all happy clappy .

All in all, the 76ers are looking pretty promising, but they gotta stay on top of those injuries or risk getting left behind . Still, with McCann and Drummond on board, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this team's chances !

I think the Sixers are being way too optimistic about their chances if they're gonna have to deal with Embiid & George's injuries all season . I mean, how many times can you rely on Tyrese Maxey to carry the team before it starts to get old? They need some real depth at that point. Jared McCann is an interesting addition tho, could be a nice spark off the bench . But if they're gonna make a push for the title, they gotta be prepared to make some tough decisions about who gets to play and when

I'm not sure how I feel about them bringin in Jared McCann . I mean, he's got skills, but is he ready for the big stage? I'm thinkin' they should give him some time down in the G League to work on his game before bringin him back up. And what's with all these injuries comin from Embiid and George? Can't they just stay healthy for once?

I do love Tyrese Maxey's vibe though , he's definitely a leader on that team. And Andre Drummond is like a wild card, you never know what you're gonna get from him. But McCann... I don't wanna jinx it or anythin', but I'm just not sure if he's the right fit.

I think they need to find a way to balance out their offense so it's not all on Maxey and Drummond. They can't keep relyin' on them to carry the team, that's just gonna wear 'em down eventually. And what about when Embiid and George are healthy again? Who's gonna step up and take over?

idk about ths new lineup tho...like how r u gonna fit mccann n drummond into it? its gonna b a lil tricky 2 figure out whn 2 play em n wen 2 sit em out meanwhile, maxey's got this team on his back already, so lets not put too much pressure on him also, embiid & george hav 2 get their acts together or its gonna b a looong season...but hey, maybe they'll surprise us n prove we r all wrong

I'm getting so excited thinking about the Sixers' future!!! Their roster has such potential and I think they're really close to hitting that championship contender mark. But can we talk about how frustrating it is when players like Embiid and George are out with injuries?! It's like, you know you've got a team capable of winning, but the minute one or two key guys are down, everything falls apart. And then there's the question of playing McCann and Drummond off the bench... I mean, if Tyrese Maxey is carrying them on any given night, don't they need to give those guys more floor time?! It just feels like the perfect balance between rest for the injured and maximizing the team's potential. I'm all for giving it a shot!

idk why people think mccann is a solution ... i mean i guess he's got some upside but sending him back to the g league for an extended period sounds like a waste of talent to me... what if he just needs some playing time now to regain his confidence? also, defense is still gonna be a major problem for them... teams are already focusing on stopping drummond's shots and it's not like mccann can just fill that void alone maxey's been carrying the team so far but what happens when he gets hurt too? i'm still hopeful they can turn things around, but it's gonna be a bumpy ride

I'm not sure how they think Jared McCann's gonna be a game-changer like that... I mean, he's shown some potential, but we all know what happens when players get sent back to the G League and come back - it's like starting from scratch . And don't even get me started on Andre Drummond, I love the guy's scoring ability, but defense is where it matters most. The 76ers need a solid defense to complement Maxey's play, or they're gonna struggle with all these injuries .

It's like, we've seen this before with Embiid and George - they can't seem to stay healthy for entire seasons. It's just the way it is in the NBA. But you know what? I'm still hopeful. Maybe McCann and Drummond can be that boost they need to take them over the hump . And Maxey, he's a beast when Embiid's out - let's see if they can find ways to get him more involved on offense . It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but at least it'll be entertaining .