Via Sport.One
Key Players: The "FEDS"(Markelle Fultz, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Ben Simmons)
With nearly a month until opening tipoff, The Philadelphia 76ers hold the title of every fan's sleeper team. With a starting lineup that consists of the past two #1 overall picks and the rebirth of Hakeem Olajuwon that is Joel Embiid, it's easy to see why there's so much hype surrounding the once-laughingstock 76ers. When healthy, the Sixers have the potential to be scary good. In the 31 games Joel Embiid played, he averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in a limited 25 minutes a night--while leading the team to a respectable 15-16 record. Then there's the guys who have yet to play a game-- Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz are expected to come in and make an immediate impact. Philadelphia coach Brett Brown has emphasized his intention to play the 6'10" Ben Simmons at point guard, leaving #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz to play off the ball. Fultz' 23ppg and 41% accuracy from deep suggests he'll strive with the scoring responsibilities of a shooting guard. Add Rookie of the Year runner-up Dario Saric and the versatile Robert Covington to the mix and the 76ers now have one of the league's scariest starting lineups. Scary as in "wow, this team is good", and scary as in "Joel for the love of God just lay the ball up." Philadelphia's season can go a number of ways, and it all depends on health.
Best Case Scenario
Via NBA
The Philly faithful have trusted the process for the past five years, and the 2017-2018 season seems poised to be the year that all the trust finally pays off. A talented young core surrounded by proven veterans( J.J. Redick, Jerryd Bayless, Amir Johnson) generally equals a shot at that playoffs. Factor in the Sixers being in the East and their roster nearly guarantees the franchise's first playoff berth since 2012. A spot in the playoffs would clear all Sixer's fans of the bad taste those 253 losses over the past four seasons has created, but the playoffs should be viewed as a consolation prize compared to the team's health. Ben Simmons missed all of his rookie season, due to a foot injury. Similarly, Joel Embiid missed his first two seasons at the hands of foot injuries and was sidelined at the end of last season by a torn meniscus. Embiid has played in just 31 of a possible 246 career games. Markelle Fultz lasted all of two Summer League games before falling to an ankle injury. The best possible scenario for the 76ers this season is to avoid significant injuries, and water the seeds of this future dynasty they've planted.
Worst Case Scenario
Via Scoopnest.com
"Your 6'10" starting center out of Duke University Jahlil Okafoooooooor...
Your 6'5" starting shooting guard out of the University of Michigan Nik Stauskasss..
Your starting point guard 6'1" out of the University of Arizona T.J. McConneeeelllllll.."
With all due respect to the above names, this lineup is the 76er's worst case scenario. Fultz, Embiid, and Simmons would all be hurt, and the core would go from being described as destined for dynasty to just being injury-prone. Joel Embiid would go from Hakeem Olajuwon to Greg Oden, and the process would slowly continue on.
Prediction: 37-45 #TrustTheProcess #TrustThePhysicalTherapy