The State of the Sixers
The offseason isn’t usually where a normal NBA team should
be making noise, but it is for the Sixers. After enduring a season of
D-leaguers, long losing streaks, longer losing streaks, and Byron Mullens, the
Sixers knew that the rebuilding plan would start to take form this summer. Over
the last year, mastermind GM Sam Hinkie got rid of Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner,
Spencer Hawes, and any other part of the past administration while acquiring a
wide array of assets in the form of potential stars and an abundance of draft
picks. Sam Hinkie has a plan to get this team out of mediocrity and fans are
either all in or questioning his sanity. These Sixers players will need time to
grow and develop together, but this team isn’t built for now; the rebuilding
process is going to take a while. Here are a few things you should know looking
forward.
Nerlens Noel will be
Rookie of the Year. Noel is considered a rookie after sitting out the
entire year last year and showed vast signs of improvement throughout summer
league. He made his debut in spectacular fashion in Orlando, averaging 12.2
points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in 24.7 minutes over four games. He only
played in two games in Las Vegas but got comparisons to Anthony Davis with his
outstanding shot blocking ability. His jump shot improved and his athleticism
will fit great with the Sixers style of play. He still is very lanky and could
afford to put on some weight and muscle, but the potential is there. Although
he isn’t the best rookie I say he will be the ROY because of the time and
touches he will get with the Sixers. As Michael Carter-Williams did last year,
Noel will benefit from high paced offense and being a catalyst of a lackluster
team which will lead to inflated stats and the second straight Sixers Rookie of
the Year.
Dario Saric was a
great pick. I know a lot of people complain about the pick because we won’t
see this guy for at least two years, but that fits what the Sixers are doing.
He will grow overseas into a dynamic scorer and provide pop off the bench.
Saric received a lot of praise from analysts predicting that he could be a
star. With eyes on the future, the Sixers are in position to swing for the
fences on a guy who could prove to be a superstar in this league. Also, we just
watched a Spurs team full of foreign players win the championship and that is
something the Sixers have never excelled in. Along with Vasilije Micić who they
also drafted, the Sixers are smart for stashing some players overseas to save
cap flexibility and provide future production. Worth noting is that for trading
down to get Saric, Hinkie erased some of the mistakes of the Andrew Bynum deal
by getting two picks that we originally lost.
Sixers 2nd
rounder will be great pieces, not All-Stars. As I mentioned before, the
Spurs are a great model for the Sixers organization to emulate. They have their
big three, but their role players are the reason for their success. That team
is like a puzzle with parts that fit to form a collective unit. Jerami Grant
has extreme athleticism, KJ McDaniels is a defensive stopper, Jordan Mcrae is a
sharpshooter, Pierre Jackson (injured this year) is instant offense, and Micic
will end up being a great back-up point guard to MCW. The bench depth is going
to be a point of focus moving forward so all of these guys developing is
important. None of these players have the potential to dominate this team, but
they all should fit roles in building this team.
Thad Young won’t be
on this team for long. When Lebron went to the Cavs, you immediately knew
that more than likely they would also get Kevin Love. Not only because they are
in win-now mode, but because they have the most to offer the Timberwolves.
Although I believe the Sixers should have been trying to do this all offseason,
this is the perfect opportunity to use our cap space and help facilitate this
trade. The Timberwolves have shown interest in Thaddeus Young as he remains one
of the only veterans on the team. Rumors indicate we would be getting the Cavs
Anthony Bennett back. After watching him in summer league, Sixers fans should
be ecstatic. He lost a lot of weight and showed glimpses of his days back at
UNLV where he dominated. He would be a great project to add to this growing
team. I’m hoping we also take on some of the bad contracts from both teams in
hopes of getting some draft picks that we know Hinkie loves.
Fans should expect a
similar season to last. The Sixers have exciting pieces but they are not
ready for a title run now. With Embiid sitting out this year, this season will
be used for Noel and MCW’s growth as well as seeing if players like Hollis
Thompson and Tony Wroten are long-term pieces for this team. We still have no
legitimate shooting or scoring on this team which will make points hard to come
by. People argue Doug McDermott would have solved that problem at the 10 pick
but like I said the plan is not to be good. McBuckets would have made us a good
team this season and ultimately too good to get another lottery pick that we
strongly desire. The lottery system may be changed but in the end the Sixers
will still end up in the top five. Next year’s prospects are mostly big men,
but there are a few guards and wingmen that will be there, we just have to hope
we lose enough to guarantee that. The term tanking is very fair as I see this
team winning around 20 games this year.
Joel Embiid will be a
fan favorite. Joel Embiid is receiving lots of attention even though it is
unlikely he will step on the court this year. He has blown up Twitter with his
attempts to lure Lebron to Philly and his persistent pursuit of both Kim
Kardashian and Rihanna. He has been to Philadelphia, got a cheesesteak, and
went to Mitchell & Ness to buy an Allen Iverson jersey. He’s entertaining
us off the court and will eventually dominate for us on the court.
-Jeremy
