Could the 76ers make the playoffs?
For the first time in a long time, there is optimism within the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
After being terrible for the last few years and openly tanking in order to obtain high draft picks, they finally got their superstar in Ben Simmons. Simmons, a 6'10 forward who can play point guard or any other position on the floor, has had a successful summer league for the 76ers.
His scoring is a problem, especially in a league that is driven by shooting. But he excels in almost every other category. Simmons has a unique ability for somebody his size to bring the ball up the court and make excellent passes. His court vision is phenomenal, as seen in these highlights.
With the addition of Simmons, 2014 third overall pick Joel Embiid and 12th overall selection 2014 Dario Saric, 76ers fans finally have something to be excited about.
These three players will join a roster that includes Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.
Many people do not know much about Saric, as he has been playing overseas for the last two seasons. A sweet-shooting 6'10 power forward, Saric recently averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game during the Olympic qualifying tournament and was named MVP.
It is believed within the organization that Saric has the ability to play small-forward and with the logjam of bigs on the roster, it might become his natural position.
Coach Brett Brown has been on record saying he would like for Ben Simmons to eventually play point guard, which could mean a deadly starting lineup for Philadelphia. "There are times I think that he can be a point guard," Brown said. " Not Draymond Green. Not LeBron. Not Lamar Odom. That's a point forward. I walk both lines at different moments. To start him off, we'll play him as a point forward."
If Simmons were to play point guard, the 76ers could realistically play four players that are at least 6'10. If they wanted to get crazy and play with three bigs at times, all five players on the court could be 6'10. Playing Simmons at point gives the 76ers unlimited options. Possible lineups could look like this:
PG: Ben Simmons 6'10
SG: Robert Covington/ Nik Stauskas (6'9 and 6'6)
SF: Dario Saric/Covington (6'10 and 6'9)
PF: Nerlens Noel/Jahil Okafor/ Joel Embiid (All players are at least 6'11)
Center: Okafor/Embiid/Noel
There are a lot of moving pieces in this monster lineup. The 76ers have admitted that Noel, Okafor or Embiid might be traded. But there are a lot of possibilities with these heights, and with their bigs being mobile this 76ers team could possibly compete for the 8th seed in the East.
The East is much improved, and teams like the Pacers, Knicks and Bulls will likely surge into the top 6 seeds along with Cleveland, Toronto and Boston. The last three seeds will be up for grabs between a handful of teams, and the 76ers could be a sleeper in all of this.
As a Charlotte Hornets fan, I'd like to think they will have one of the final seeds. Kemba Walker had a breakout 2nd half last season, and he should build on that and become a potential all-star. Besides Charlotte, Atlanta added Dwight Howard, Miami has a decent roster without Chris Bosh and a good one with him. Washington should get back into the playoff hunt with the hiring of Scott Brooks and the Bucks could earn some playoff talk as well.
The East is Cleveland's conference, but it is a very deep conference and it will be tough for the 76ers to make the leap into the playoffs. That being said, I think Brett Brown is an outstanding coach and Philly has a fantastic young team. If this team can turn the corner and figure things out, I think they can at least contend for the playoffs. In a deep conference, it will be a challenge to make that leap in one year. For Philadelphia fans, it will be a breath of fresh air if the team can just compete in the East instead of being the laughing joke of the NBA.
