Wait… Just wait, is what
Sixers fans are now being told after this year’s draft. This will be another
year of the Sixers drafting a guy that will sit out the whole year because of
injury. The Sixers are saying they are in this for the long term, but how long
is the long term? Will 5 years be enough to finally bring a championship to
Philadelphia? This team looks to be in the tanking mode again for next season
however the projected top 5 picks are all big men. So it will now be decision
time for the Sixers. Here are our thoughts on some of the top picks in the
draft. Now let the waiting game begin… Again
Joel Embiid 3rd
Overall:
What can be said about Joel
Embiid except him being the biggest question mark coming into the NBA Draft.
Before breaking his foot, and injury that many say is the death of a big man in
the NBA; Joel Embiid was expected to be the first overall pick to the Cleveland
Cavaliers. This would have set up Andrew Wiggins right in the hands of the
Sixers. However, injury concerns had Embiid the quote on quote best player in
the draft fall right to the Sixers. This could be a blessing in disguise for
the Sixers, if and only if Embiid is able to return to his star form. Embiid
can reach stardom in the NBA, and he has the abilities to score, play defense,
and rebound like no one to play on the Sixers before. However, this all depends
on if he can get back to his college form. We will have to wait another long
year to see “the best player in the draft” play for the Sixers. With Nerlens
Noel now back in action with the Sixers, him and Embiid could be a dynamic duo
for years to come. Even if Embiid cannot reach that star form, but Nerlens does
all Embiid really needs to be is an above average NBA player and he will be
able to help this team to a championship in 5 or so years.
Dario Saric 12th
Overall (Trade with Oralndo):
If you
thought Embiid was a question mark, this is an even bigger one. Dario Saric is
a Croatian basketball star, and that’s right folks we won’t see him for two
years. Saric has signed a contract to play in Croatia for the next two years
and could be even longer. Honestly, this is a pick the Sixers might lose if he
decides to stay in his home country. Saric will be coming into Philadelphia
with a lot of hate to begin with, not due to the fact of him or his personality
or his ability. Simply, he was the guy they wanted and took over highly
talented college superstar Doug McDermott. McDermott is one of college
basketball’s leading scorers, and Saric is a basic no name out of some foreign
country. Let’s be honest again with Saric, no real foreign player who has
decided to spend extra years over in Europe after being drafted have ever
really been successful. Ricky Rubio is probably the most successful in recent
years, and he really hasn’t been a star for the T-Wolves. When Saric gets to
Philly, he won’t have to be the star, nor will he have pressure on himself.
Saric will just need to be above average and most Philly fans will say he was a
good pick. We just need the guy to be a couple time All-Star and put up above
average numbers for him to be a piece to this possible championship team.
KJ McDaniels 32th
Overall and Jerami Grant 39th :
These two picks actually may
have been two of the NBA Draft steals of the night. Both guys are very talented
players coming out of their respected schools. Grant knows how to win, coming
from Syracuse and one of the greatest coaches in college history. Grant
understands the game at a level that many kids coming out of college to the NBA
would not. He is a strong Small Forward with an outstanding 7’2 Wing Span and
has the potential to be a big piece to the defense as well as bringing points
off the bench for a team that desperately needed that. Grant has expectations
to live up to as well, with him being relatives with NBA legend Horace Grant.
Jerami Grant has already made himself know in the Philadelphia media, and has
the potential to be huge pick-up by the Sixers. KJ McDaniels is another great sleeper
for Sam Hinkie. McDaniels is a work in progress on the offensive side of the
basketball, however he will receive a lot of playing time next season due to
the fact his defense is spectacular. He was one of the best defenders in this
year’s draft and could’ve been a top 20 pick. These two guys are sure to get
some action next season.
Overall:
This
year’s draft I would rate a B-, due to the fact we will have to wait 3 years to
see the Sixers top to picks on the court together. However, the Sixers made it
up with their two selections in the second round. Scoring two guys that can
help on the defensive side of the ball as well as Grant who can score. The
Sixers also picked up Pierre Jackson a pure scorer out of Baylor, though
undersized he can potentially be a key scorer on this team, and can put up
numbers as well. Vasilije Micic and Jordan McRae were the last two picks for
the Sixers in this draft, and honestly they are both NBA ready with the
potential to produce for this team. Micic is a big point guard who is worth
taking a chance on, and McRae is a guy that needs to beef up but has potential
on this team as well. All in all this draft was one that was mainly the second
round for this Sixers team. In my opinion the biggest mistake made will be not
picking Doug McDermott. The 76ers will regret not picking McDermott for the
rest of their lives, but Embiid will be a very productive piece to this team.
-Brett
-Brett
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