Ten predictions for 2019
Basketball is back!
This is about to be a weird season in the NBA and anything can happen. The Warriors might miss the playoffs, everyone good is in LA, and the Sixers are freakin giants. We are headed into uncharted waters as the NBA is essentially up for grabs for the first time in years.
There are a lot of different things that could happen this season and I’m going to take a stab at predicting some of them. So here are my ten predictions for the Sixers in 2019-2020:
Ben Simmons sets a career high in three pointers, but not by much
I think it’s pretty safe to say Ben Simmons is going to sink a three pointer at some point in 2019. He released hype tapes in the offseason, he’s said he’ll take the open shots, and he’s already hit one in the preseason. Simmons has heard all the noise and he’s going to answer, but probably not enough to fully silence the noise.
Ben has admitted he doesn’t see himself as a good shooter. He knows his game and I think it’s pretty clear he hasn’t taken many shots beyond the arc for a reason. I’d be amazed if Simmons can shoot at a league average clip, but I think he’ll also be active enough to keep defenses honest.
Al Horford suffers an injury before Joel Embiid
There’s something about a 33-year old center playing starting power forward and backup center that makes me nervous. I’m not trying to speak anythign into existence, but Al Horford has dealt with knee issues over the past year and if the team is looking to rest Joel Embiid more often, he could play a lot of minutes.
Managing Horford’s playing time is going to be key because he’s just as much of an injury liability as Embiid in a big minutes role. Which brings me to my next point:
Kyle O’Quinn eventually takes over as backup center
Availability is the best ability and that should lead to plenty of playing time for Kyle O’Quinn. The Sixers should have their eyes set on the playoffs essentially from the very start seasoning, meaning they shouldn’t hesitate to rest Horford or Embiid if need be. That should give O’Quinn the opportunity to shine as the backup big.
O’Quinn considers himself one of the best backup centers in the league and his stats back it up. He is averaging about 14 points, 12 rebounds 2.4 blocks per 36 minutes in his career. He should be able to hold down the fort until the postseason, when Horford and Embiid can play larger roles on a night to night basis.
Celtics still have the Sixers’ number
Don’t get it twisted with this one, I fully believe the Sixers are a better team and they’ll finish with a better record than the Boston Celtics. But there are some things in nature I don’t question and the Sixers’ inability to beat the Celtics are one of them.
The loss of Al Horford is going to be huge for the Celtics, but the additions of Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter sucks for the Sixers. Walker averaged 37 points per game in his four contests against Philly, while Kanter has been a double-double machine and set career highs in points (31) and rebounds (22) against the Sixers on Christmas day two years ago. Best case scenario, Sixers split the season series with the Celtics.
Tobias Harris makes his first All-Star team, but his contract is a constant point of contention
While I think Tobias Harris will preform better than he did a year ago since he’s had a full offseason to better acclimate to the team, the morning radio hosts are going to need something to complain about. I don’t think anyone believes Harris is fully worth the money he’s getting paid, it was just what the market dictated, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to complain if he under preforms, which could happen now that he’s playing the three rather than the four.
Harris is a top ten player in the East, who fits the Sixers well. I’m expecting another 20 point per game season and an All-Star nod. I’m also expecting the people who wanted Brett Brown gone are going to need something else to complain about and that contracts makes too much sense.
Shake Milton leads the team in three point %
Maybe this one is more of a hot take than a prediction, but screw it, imma roll with it.
I think Shake Milton could really carve a role for himself as an off-ball three point shooter this season. The Sixers don’t have very much in that capacity off the bench and his new contract makes me think he’s ready to step into a bigger role.
Milton shot 43% from three over three years at SMU, 37% on six three’s per game in the G-League last season, and 42% (5 of 12) in the preseason this year. He has a proven track record as a sniper and could sneakily be the teams best three point shooter. His role won’t be big enough for him to become a volume shooter, which should make it easier for him to maintain a high shooting average.
Zhaire Smith wins the dunk contest
Now we’re getting into the REAL hot takes!
I’ve gotta admit, this is a huge stretch. Zhaire Smith’s role is completely undefined right now. He seems buried on the bench and has a better shot at getting minutes in Delaware rather than Philadelphia. Despite all that, Smith walks on air and if he can get a few highlight reel dunks in on limited minutes, he might be able to build a resume good enough for the dunk contest.
Smith could’ve been in the dunk contest a year ago, had he been fifty pounds heavier and not poisoned. This season, he’ll have every opportunity to participate. Smith is arguably one of the best dunkers in the NBA already, and if he can get into the dunk contest, I like his odds.
Head bands* make a comeback
(*Or some other accessory)
The head band bros may have disbanded and ninja headbands may have been banned, but the Sixers will persevere. I believe this team will find some type of kitschy accessory to wear as a group. Maybe they could steal a page from Bryce Harper and start wearing Franklin-inspired shooter sleeves, I don’t know, it’s just an idea.
Joel Embiid has never been shy when it comes to accessories. We’ve seen him in headbands, masks, goggles, and whole bunch more. And even though one member of the headband bros may have left, I believe Ben will be able to pick up the slack.
The Sixers will be popular during award season, but walk away empty handed
The Sixers have a ton of players who could potentially lose award races this season. Joel and Ben are sure to be in the MVP race. Mike Scott could steal some Sixth-man of the Year votes. Matisse Thybulle is sure to be a dark horse name for Rookie of the year, especially if Zion Williamson’s injury lingers. Brett Brown should even be a Coach of the Year candidate, but I’m not sure if the team’s narrative is strong enough for him to win.
Award Season is going to be disappointing, but the playoffs should be much better.
Sixers win the East, but not as the #1 seed
The Sixers are the best team in the East, but they aren’t built for the regular season. They need to rest their starters in preparation for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks won 60 games a year ago and will have every opportunity to do it again in a shaky Eastern conference.
As nice as the top-seed would be, it isn’t necessary to reach the Finals. The Sixers should be able to take care of any team who crosses their path leading up to the NBA finals.
Sixers lose to the LA Clippers in the Finals
The Clippers are the best team in basketball. The Sixers losing in the Finals has less to do with themselves and more to do with how talented the Clippers are. The Sixers should make it as series and push things to six or seven games, but ultimately, LA’s elite perimeter talent will prove to be too much and the Clippers will win their first title in franchise history.
