3 players who have to step up after 0-3 start

The Sixers have somehow managed to throw cold water on the bubbling excitement around Philadelphia sports right now. There’s no reason for long-term panic, but to begin the season 0-3 (and to achieve that record through sulking and laziness after a summer of bluster) is completely inexcusable.

It’s time for the Sixers to right the ship. Sooner than later. P.J. Tucker gave the locker room a much-needed chewing out after Saturday’s loss to the Spurs and the Sixers’ next chance to prove their mettle comes Monday night against Indiana. It’s another home game in the Wells Fargo Center, so expect an eager crowd high on Phillies euphoria and ready to condemn the slightest sign of spinelessness.

Who needs to step up for the struggling Sixers?

This is supposed to be the year Philly takes the next step toward winning the NBA title. It starts with changing the energy around the team — no backing down or fading away in the face of adversity, but instead facing it head on with authority. Let’s break down three Sixers in particular who need to step up.

For the sake of suspense (and because the Sixers have more than three players who could stand to improve), this list will not include Joel Embiid. He stunk up the joint in games one and two, but bounced back with 40 points in the loss to San Antonio and appears to be working back from his offseason bout with plantar fasciitis. We will also circle around Tobias Harris, who has been something of a mixed bag on both sides to start the season.