The State of the Process: Why the Sixers got better this offseason
Credit: Eric Hartline- USA TODAY Sports
The 2017/18 season for the Philadelphia 76ers was one that many fans will never forget. The huge breakout season for superstar Center Joel Embiid and an all-time campaign from Rookie Ben Simmons propelled the Sixers to a 52 win season and a trip to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. With glaring needs of improvement the Sixers looked to increase three point shooting depth, as well as their bench.
Rookie Help
During the 2018 draft the 76ers acquired the rights to Texas Tech SG/SF Zhaire Smith and a 2021 First Round Pick from the Phoenix Suns for the rights to Villanova’s Mikal Bridges. While Bridges would have been the safe pick, the Sixers recognized huge potential in Smith. Smith is an athletic and versatile player that shows up on both ends of the floor. He not only possesses the ability to beat defenders to the rim and finish, but shoot from the outside (45% on 40 career three pointers). While the sample size of Smith’s three-point shooting is small, his potential to grow as a shooter is immense. The Sixers second First Round pick Landry Shamet was an absolute beast for Wichita State averaging 14.9 ppg on 48.9 field goal shooting and 44.2% from beyond the arc. Shamet could develop into a starting point guard or a quality player off the bench for the Sixers in 2018. Jonah Bolden is also an interesting prospect this season finally coming over from Israel.
Diamond in the Rough
On June 21st at the conclusion of the 2018 NBA Draft, 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown declared to the basketball world the 76ers were “Star-Hunting,” in pursuit of a high priced free agent. Coach Brown’s first and (most likely) only off season as Sixers Interim General Manager didn’t quite go as planned with stars like Lebron James (Lakers) and Paul George (Thunder) electing to sign elsewhere and Kawhi Leonard being traded to Toronto. With that being said, I believe the Sixers are in a better position now than they were prior to free-agency. If you want a potential star look no further than last years number 1 overall pick, Markelle Fultz. While Fultz only played in 14 games all of last season, he showed flashes of brilliance in the seasons final game logging a triple double vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. If Fultz can improve his jump shot he could be the exact star the 76ers are looking for this season
Consistency
Joel Embiid FINALLY played a majority of a season and put up monster numbers. Joel averaged 22.9 points per game, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Coming into his 2nd off season fully healthy, Joel is looking to have an MVP caliber season and advance the Sixers to the next step of “The Process,” winning a title. Ben Simmons was also Mr. Reliable last season playing in 81 games and earning the Rookie of the Year Award. Coming into a fully healthy offseason, Simmons also has the opportunity to grow immensely as a player and develop into a top 10 player in the entire NBA. With Lebron’s departure to the West it leaves the Eastern Conference wide open for a team like the Sixers with tons of young talent and the star power necessary to compete with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Boston Celtics. With that being said the Sixers are SERIOUS contenders this season.
