More Mature Sixers Leading the Eastern Conference

After a couple of days of days off, the Sixers return to action tonight in Charlotte to face the Hornets.

When they return to the floor, they expect to have MVP candidate Joel Embiid with them.  Embiif who was just named the Eastern Conference player of the month, missed Sunday's win over the Pacers with back tightness, but is expected to be back in the lineup tonight.

The team picked up their first win in five tries without Embiid, picking up their sixth win in the past seven games, but with just 21 total games under their belt, Doc Rivers thinks the best is yet to come,

"I don't think we're even close," Rivers said on his Tuesday zoom call. "Its nice that while your going through this your winning game. You have to keep winning while your getting better,"

Sixers guard Seth Curry referenced the injuries and missed games.  He missed a handful of games earlier in the season, along with multiple other players due to the COVID-19 protocols.  Embiid has also missed five games due to injury.

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One big difference?  The maturity of the team.

"I can definitely say Joel plays more mature, said Furkan Korkmaz, who came off the bench for 17  in 23 minutes on Sunday, as a guest of The Sports Bash on Tuesday. "I can say the same thing with Ben, on the court and off the court, they have more experience now."

Korkmaz has been with both Ben and Joel for each of the last four seasons, and sees their growth both on and off the floor.  However, there is one big difference on the floor this season and that's new coach Doc Rivers and his staff, and Korkmaz acknowledged that has made an impact.

"Doc Rivers is a legend," Korkmaz stated, "Everyday we are learning something new.  He is giving us something new everyday. He is a big motivator, when he talks you feel different."

Korkmaz also mentioned the new staff having a big impact.  Guys like Dave Joerger, Sam Cassell and Dan Burke have added a veteran presence to the bench this season.

"Everybody wants to win," Korkmaz said.  That's why we are rolling right now."