Sixers Bell Ringer: Young guards carry the day in Philadelphia’s win over Brooklyn

Sixes Bell Ringer regular season standings:
Jared McCain – 6
Tyrese Maxey – 2
Paul George – 2
Guerschon Yabusele – 2
Kelly Oubre, Jr. – 1
Joel Embiid – 1

The Philadelphia 76ers have pretty much been a certified mess this season. We certainly received some more of that on Friday, with Joel Embiid receiving a questionable tag earlier in the day, then being ejected before game time and finally being ruled out for Sunday’s game around halftime. But you know what makes it easier to swallow? Actually winning a basketball game!

For the first time this season, the Sixers were able to do something like that without going into overtime. Thanks to the stellar efforts of their young frontcourt, Philadelphia overcame a 37-point night from Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson to defeat the Nets, 113-98. Jared McCain and Tyrese Maxey combined for 56 points and scored 19 straight Sixers points in the fourth quarter to help the team regain control and carry them over the finish line. Some of the fan base is already calling for things to blow up and build around these two, and you know, I don’t blame them. Let’s get to Bell Ringer.

Jared McCain: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

The legend of Jared McCain continues to grow. With 30 points, the rookie has now reached seven games in a row with 20 plus points. It was also his eighth straight game with three or more threes, the longest such streak by a rookie in NBA history. It’s amazing how dangerous McCain is already on the offensive end just a month into his rookie career. He’s constantly moving, making people account for him off the ball and knocking down almost everything from behind the arc (he went 6-of-11 from three tonight). But he’s also a wizard with the ball in his hands, able to twist and tip the ball in from any angle in Kyrie-esque fashion. To top it all off, McCain is already perhaps the best passer on the team? He’s definitely the best post-entry passer, and we saw him throw an incredible alley oop off the dribble to Andre Drummond. Plus, the guy is an absolute baller. He makes clutch play after clutch play in the bowels of the game, triumphantly yelling at the crowd and yelling “I’m Rookie of the Year!” to the opposition. He’s only 20 years old, folks.

Tyrese Maxey: 26 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 0 turnovers

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Tyrese had his minute limit increased a bit, and he went into flamethrower mode, scoring 26 points in 26 minutes on 11-of-17 shooting. Maxey had two huge sequences. First, he scored seven points in about a minute of playing time during the third quarter, helping the Sixers stave off their usual Q3 collapse. He had another seven-point stretch midway through the fourth quarter as the Sixers came off the tilt and created some separation. After one of his patented full-speed run layups, Tyrese faithfully roared to Center, not unlike what we’ve seen from a much taller, less punctual teammate of his. It kind of felt like a spiritual passing of the management torch for this club.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

In his return to the starting lineup, Oubre showcased the two-way versatility that made him such a fan favorite last season. He was active defensively and tenacious on the glass, securing five offensive rebounds. Kelly also played decisively on the offensive end, attacking the basket hard as both a driver and cutter, picking up a pair of and-ones along the way. My favorite play of his night was when Andre Drummond hit a wide open dunk, Oubre ripped the ball out of Trendon Watford’s hands and then fed Drummond for a retaliatory dunk. Throw in a hammer putback dunk and it was an impactful night for K9.