Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to a play against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts to a play against the New York Knicks during the first quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers have managed to put together one of the most talented teams in NBA history this offseason. The 76ers added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a roster that included Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and they have instantly become one of the title favorites.
The 76ers are going to be an offensive juggernaut if they click, and former NBA player Patrick Beverley, a defensive specialist, was asked how they can be stopped on the Thanalysis Show.
“I think it’s a simple game plan,” Beverley said. “You got to live with something. Offensively, I’m putting LeBron James, Embiid in every pick-and-roll scenario, okay? I’mma use my offense to be my defense. Okay, LeBron’s guarding you? You come set this screen. Okay, cool. You get out the way. Come here, Embiid. I’mma put those two in every single defensive scenario that I can.
“Anytime I see LeBron James, I’m attacking him,” Beverley continued. “I’m getting in the paint. I’m making Embiid help every single time. And I’m using my defense from that, and I’m using my offense from that. I’m wearing them down. VJ Edgecombe, LeBron James, you guys have to hit five to six threes tonight to beat me. You both have to hit 11 threes total to beat me.
“Maxey gets the ball, I’m putting two on him,” Beverley added. “Embiid gets the ball, I’m putting two on him. Jaylen Brown gets the ball. Okay, he’s going to give me 25 to 20, right? Those other guys, though, VJ Edgecombe and LeBron, and I know LeBron, you’ve done it time after time… You have to do it again.”
Beverley, who made three All-Defensive teams in 12 seasons, says teams should try to make James and young VJ Edgecombe beat them. His former Los Angeles Lakers teammate is 41 years old, while Edgecombe is just entering his sophomore season and isn’t a star yet. Beverley believes you have to live with something, and he thinks these two won’t hurt you as much as Maxey and Embiid can on offense.
As for the defensive end, Beverley wants James and Embiid targeted on every play. The big man used to be a great defender, but has lost mobility due to all the injuries and struggled on that end last playoffs. James also used to be an incredible defender, but has understandably declined on that end with age.
“I’m going a lot of zone,” Beverley said. “Anytime LeBron James bring up the ball, pressure his a** 94 feet. Pressure LeBron James. If LeBron wants to bring up the ball against us, we’re pressuring him 94 feet. We going to wear him down. We going to wear Embiid down. That’s all we doing.
“Now when the second unit comes, then this is where we kind of make our separation,” Beverley added. “As a coach, if I could prepare my second unit to be ready for the playoffs, we have a chance.”
It will indeed be vital that you win those minutes where the 76ers’ reserves are on the court. They have decent pieces like Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but there will still be a noticeable drop-off when some of the stars are on the bench. If your second unit cannot have the upper hand, you’ll be in trouble.
Speaking of trouble, that is what Beverley called the 76ers after seeing Brown, James, and Maxey work out together. The 38-year-old thought they looked great and believes the rest of the league should be worried.