NBA Game Reviews: December 29, 2020

1. New management was exactly what the Simmons/Embiid marriage needed

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The Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons fit has been a highly debated topic since Simmons’ rookie year in 2017. After second-round exits in 2017 and 2018, the Sixers were swept by the Celtics in the opening round of last year’s postseason. That didn’t help in quieting the critics.

The Sixers decided to reshape the front office in the offseason, signing Daryl Morey to fill the President of Basketball Operations role, and Doc Rivers as the new head coach. Morey then drastically changed the team’s roster, trying to find the solution to complement Simmons’ playmaking and Embiid’s ball-dominant style. The Sixers brought in Seth Curry, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, and rookie Tyrese Maxey this offseason, while shipping out Josh Richardson, Zhaire Smith, and somehow getting Al Horford’s disastrous contract off the books.

The starting lineup of Simmons, Embiid, Curry, Green and Tobias Harris took some time to gel through the team’s first couple games, but started to come together on both ends of the floor in a 100-93 victory over the Raptors on Tuesday. Morey felt that spacing and shooting was the solution for surrounding Simmons and Embiid, and so far, that has proven to be the right decision. The team will take their 3-1 record into Orlando to face the undefeated Magic on New Year’s Eve to further test Morey’s vision.

2. It’s time to put more respect on Khris Middleton’s name

It’s hard to claim that someone deserves more respect after making back-to-back All-Star Games, but Khris Middleton still fails to receive the recognition he deserves in Milwaukee. Middleton is playing second fiddle to the reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, which may be casting a shadow over his play. However, Middleton is a certified bucket-getter in this league, and is turning into a bonafide star, worth every cent of the lucrative $178M contract the Bucks rightfully rewarded him with last year. 

Middleton is playing like the best player on the Bucks through their first four games, averaging 26.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, and shooting a sensational 57.6% from the field and nearly 52% from deep. He’s also a perfect 15-15 from the free-throw line. Giannis hasn’t exactly looked like his MVP self thus far in the season, but Middleton has stepped up big-time, as the Bucks have leaned on him more and more due to his shooting abilities that appear to have improved as he’s just entering his prime.