SIXERS: WAS THIS OFFSEASON A FAILURE? PT. 2

Despite Not Securing Any Big Names Via Free Agency Trades Or The Draft, As Earlier Stated In PT. 1 Here Are Some Of The Positive Points Regarding The Sixers Offseason Moves.

 

No. 1 What Makes Them Better This Season?

Experience:

Joel Embiid:. . Only 24 Years Old,  Joel Enters His fifth season, third actively playing.  Entering his prime, the key for Joel this season is the fact that he’s finally practicing.  Year one he sat the whole season.  Year two, see year one.  Year three he played 31 games and never back-to-back games.

He also wasn’t able to practice much, if at all.  Year four he showed he was finally healthy and ready to go.  He played in 63 games,  finally played in back-to-back games,  and his only injury was a fluke eye injury when he ran into Fultz shoulder.  Now he has an off season where he’s practicing and playing the game of basketball.

He’s in shape and now able to refine his skill.  So simply by it being his year-five season he,  along with the Sixers,  are improved.   Joel Embiid enters this season as a top 5 candidate for league MVP and defensive player of the year.

Verdict– Hell Yeah!

Ben Simmons:   Just turning 22 years of age, Ben Simmons hasn’t yet reached his potential, which is scary.  Coming off last season where he rightfully earned the rookie of the year honor; this year he will look to show his stats were not a fluke.

He was one of a handful of players in the history of the game to average 15-8-8.  That’s the whole league’s history, not just rookies.  So by coming into his year-3 season and working on his game he can’t help to be improved.  Simmon and Embiid combine as 2 of the top 15 players in the league with this season a chance to both be in the top 10.

Verdict– Hell Yeah!

Dario Saric:.   Like Embiid, Saric is 24 and really to take his game to the next level.  The Sixers looked at him as a 6th man to start last season but quickly entered him into the starting lineup where he stayed. He fits the new nba.

He’s a 6’10 stretch four that shoots near 40% from the three point line and near 90% from the line.  Those are guard numbers from your four. Sick. Not only does he bring those solid numbers, he’s also a banger.

He crashes the boards, dives for loose balls, and is an underrated passer. Though not a superstar, he’s pushing to be a star in this league and a key piece to the Sixers future.

Verdict- He’s A Keeper!

Markelle Fultz:   Fultz is only 20 years old and was last year’s number 1 pick.  On draft night no one thought he shouldn’t have been the pick in the draft.  His rookie season was limited to 16. 6 to start the year and 10 to end it.

This sandwiched 66 straight missed games to where rumors flew around about the reason he sat. Was it the shoulder? Was it the yips? Regardless of the reason he missed time, when he returned he showed flashes of why the Sixers traded up to take him number 1.

Although his jumper was lacking and his form disturbing, he flashed high end skill in other areas. HE was a solid defensive rebounder, he pushed the tempo of the game, he found teammates for open shots and layups, he attacked the glass, and he wasn’t afraid of contact.

To me he was the only Sixer player that attacked the glass and played to contact. With him living in the gym in the off season, I expect a big year for Markelle and I see him as a huge contributor for the Sixers taking the next step in the 2018-19 season.

With slight changes to the rest of the lineup but none really altering, this 4 players’ improvement from last season will be the reason the Sixers finish with a better record this year from last.

Prediction  55-58 wins.

Adayus Knight

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