In light of the most fun sports time of the year happening currently, I have decided to start this new weekly series by pointing out a statistic I deem to be most noteworthy. It will be called Philly Sports Stat of the Week. Most likely, the statistic will be something that is not the most publicized one due to oversaturation in talking about it. 

Another condition in the criteria is that it will not be limited to current Philadelphia athletes.

A fondly remembered player or players who are just on different teams will count. Players, coaches, and executives with Philadelphia ties or who are from the area will get recognized. It is an enjoyable way to keep up with sports. Anyway, let’s get to it.

The Philly Sports Stat of the Week is that the Philadelphia 76ers have been outscored in the fast break category 53-24 so far this week. The young, Indiana Pacers team on Monday in Philadelphia ran early and often on the older, struggling Sixers squad. The young team took advantage of a Sixers team that lullfully gets back. This team allows too many easy buckets off of their own made shots. There’s been a few times when guys are still getting used to communicating with each other. 

Then the Sixers’ oh-so-lovely friends, the Toronto Raptors were overwhelming in the transition points department as well. A team that knows the Sixers and presents the Sixers with problems did just that. The length, versatility, defense, communication, continuity, and gameplan of the Raptors allowed them to get the advantage. 

This may not be the only time that the Philadelphia 76ers’ transition defense will be brought up in this series. The Sixers have not really been that good in transition but the glaring hole that it is on this team is an egg on the face of the team’s game. The lack of effort, communication, awareness, and positioning on defense from the Sixers perpetuates their problem. This is just a precursor to one of the team’s biggest problems. A problem that can be very pivotal. So pivotal that it’ll certainly affect games and style of play. 

The Philadelphia 76ers still have two games to play this week. A second of two-game series with the Toronto Raptors concludes in Toronto on Friday, October 28. Then the team heads to Chicago to play the Chicago Bulls. The Sixers should be weary of the Raptors because of Wednesday night’s loss, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and the rest of their 6 foot 9-inch tall team. Then the Chicago Bulls have exciting offensive talents in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan as well as great run and jump athletes in Patrick Williams, Derrick Jones Jr., and Javonte Green. Expect for this weakness to be tested again this weekend.