76ers 146, Wizards 128
Q. It looked like Gaff did a pretty good job against Embiid to start. How difficult is it to bring in a second lineup and keep the defensive pressure exactly the same?
WES UNSELD JR.: It's not easy. Gaff gives you some size, and I thought he did a terrific job just being in the right spot, trying to cover, protect the rim. Five blocks, I think those came in the first half, so his activity is tremendous. It's tough to do so without fouling.
They do a great job of getting to the line, and they got to the line quite a bit, specifically in that third quarter. But 36 for the game.
But it's a tough thing. You're trying to show different coverages to a really good player. He exploits -- finds ways to exploit them.
Q. Wasn't just Joel; Maxey got hot. You guys have talked about the defensive mindset not necessarily being there. That seemed like it was beyond just a mindset thing tonight. What did you see?
WES UNSELD JR.: No, actually I thought our effort was good, it was just that we made a lot of coverage mistakes. With a team like this, really talented team, they're going to make you pay for it.
Q. To what do you attribute those coverage mistakes? Is it integrating eight new people in a 15-man roster and unfamiliarity?
WES UNSELD JR.: Well, some of it's new. Tactically what we're trying to do is different than what we've done in the past, so it's a combination of both, I think.
It's new to a lot of young players, completely new, but you have to make changes throughout the game, and as you make changes and adjust, you can do it right and they score. You can make a mistake and they score. You're just trying to keep them off balance, break up a rhythm.
We had I thought some decent possessions where a good player made a pretty good shot against a good defense. Then there were some times where we had some breakdowns.
Q. Given how the first six games have gone defensively, would you consider any scheme changes?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, and we tried a little bit of changes tonight, and we'll continue to look at it. I think this is -- it's not ideal. Certainly no one is happy about the way these games have played out. But I think that's something we can dial into.
We're going to keep plugging away. Collectively we'll figure it out.
Q. The offense did look good, especially in parts of the first quarter. Numbers looked good, but what did you make of the defense?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, the scoring has not really been a huge issue. We got bogged down a little bit at times versus switching in that second group, but we're getting enough points. I think it's just finding ways to put it together on both sides.
Q. Six guys in double figures; is that the toughest part of a game like this?
WES UNSELD JR.: I mean, it's tough when you try different things and you try different lineups, and it doesn't work. But the fact that we could kind of throw different things out there, try different coverages, some of them new to this group, I think you've got to start somewhere.
You're dealing with an MVP-caliber talent, another guy who's playing at an All-Star level. Those two are going to make their team go, and they did again tonight.
Q. Do you worry about the team's morale or spirit?
WES UNSELD JR.: I know it's a human nature. You'll push back and fight against it. I don't think this group has shown that. Of course they're not happy. Who would be? But I've said it before. You see it again when those young guys are out there, they're still pulling for each other. So I think we're still connected and trying to pull each other along.
Q. You went with Geno earlier than ever before. What was your thought process behind that?
WES UNSELD JR.: Just to break up the rhythm of it, and I think he's shown some good stretches. The matchups, regardless of the matchup, I think just injecting a little bit of energy and see what happens.
Q. Do you think the coverage mistakes are the theme for (indiscernible) past defensive performances, as well?
WES UNSELD JR.: A little bit. A little bit. Some of it's communication. Some nights it's been transition or the offensive boards. So there's been a handful of different things. It hasn't been a steady diet of one thing. So we just have to figure out how to put it all together.
Q. Do you think maybe more defensive centric lineups or do you think there will be progress with the rotation you have now?
WES UNSELD JR.: I think a little bit of a work in progress, but I thought to start the game, we were fine. We were doing well. Scoring the ball, I thought we had some pretty good defensive possessions, so it's there. It's just, once again, can we sustain it and try to put it together for 48 minutes.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports