Something interesting is happening in Philadelphia, and it goes beyond a good start to the NBA season. The 76ers are 5-1 after a demanding opening stretch, including two victories over the defending champion New York Knicks. That’s an encouraging beginning for a team with championship ambitions. But perhaps what’s most interesting is that Philadelphia is finding different ways to win.

That’s something worth watching, especially after last season’s playoff disappointment.

The 76ers Are Learning They Don’t Need Everyone to Have a Big Night

Friday’s 98-93 victory over New York was a good example. The Knicks made Philadelphia work for it, and the game became particularly tense in the fourth quarter. New York eventually grabbed a brief lead, but the 76ers found a way to close things out.

They did it without Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid struggled from the floor. Embiid finished with just 10 points, making three of his 12 attempts from the floor. Ordinarily, that’s the sort of night that can put a team in trouble. Instead, Philadelphia got contributions from several places.

Tyrese Maxey led the way with 27 points, LeBron James added 20, and VJ Edgecombe chipped in 13. Anfernee Simons was particularly helpful off the bench, scoring 21 points. That’s a pretty good distribution of responsibility.

There’s another detail worth noticing. Philadelphia was outrebounded 45-39, but that’s still a considerable improvement from last season’s playoff struggles against New York. The 76ers have clearly made physical play and the glass a priority. They won’t win every battle, but they’re showing more willingness to fight for them.

The 76ers May Be Finding Something More Important Than an Early Winning Streak

It’s tempting to get carried away with a 5-1 start. Philadelphia fans have been waiting a long time for another championship, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a promising beginning. Still, six games don’t tell the whole story.

What they might tell us is that this group is developing some useful habits. The defence looks strong, the offence is getting more comfortable, and players seem to be finding their roles. That’s particularly important with so many different pieces coming together.

Great teams need their stars to deliver, but they also need somebody else to step forward when those stars have an off night. Philadelphia got a reminder of that against New York. Perhaps the most encouraging thing for 76ers fans isn’t the winning streak or the early record. It’s the possibility that this team is learning how to win together.

And that’s a much better foundation for a long season than simply hoping the stars will take care of everything.

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