The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Situated Perfectly For 2017 NBA Draft

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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For years, the Philadelphia 76ers fans have heard about the mythical logjam, the poor draft selections, and the misfits comprising the roster. In truth, the Philadelphia 76ers were building towards needs from the exact positions this 2017 NBA Draft fills

The Philadelphia 76ers have been the butt of plenty of jokes in the NBA for the past four years. From “Tankadelphia”, to “Winless for Wiggins”, the city has had to endure the jovial and oftentimes dark side of the sport.  It’s an industry of winning now, seize the moment, just win baby all rolled up into a media and executive “click” that dictates the right and wrong way to go about your business.

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    • To that, the Philadelphia 76ers did it the wrong way.  Or did they?

    When the best centers were available in the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted – you guessed it – centers.  When the team was in need of a point guard, but there was a better power forward on the  draft board, what did the team do?

    Draft the guard, trade the guard for a power forward, red-shirt the power forward for two years.

    Even fans, who staunchly supported Sam Hinkie, had their faith shaken to the core when the team traded Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter Williams.

    What’s it all about, Alfie?

    Fix Focus Folks

    The problem is focus.  We, as fans of a sport that focus on the present over all else, likewise focus on the present.  Even as we state “Trust The Process”, we hammer at trades to happen, or scratch our heads at how we got here in the first place.

    We can fix all the fears of tomorrow, simply by changing our focus a little to the future.

    As the Philadelphia 76ers now stand, the team has a solid core in the front court.  There is Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Richaun Holmes, and Dario Saric, all versatile and all talented.  Call them centers or power forwards, but they are versatile enough to play in either role, depending on the circumstances.

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    Versatility

    Now as you know, Ben Simmons and Robert Covington are incredibly versatile players.  And while Simmons is likely the point guard offensively, Covington is a two way small forward. If you place Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot into the mix, he is a raw shooting guard or small forward. Raw, but promising. Very promising.

    But the team has room to grow and improve in the back court.  And lo and behold, that is the strength of the 2017 NBA Draft. In fact, if you follow any of the 2017 NBA mock drafts, or even use an online mock draft simulator, you find the 76ers will love virtually any player who falls to them in this draft.

    Celtics Lakers Were Not as Future Focused

    The topic of the 2017 NBA Draft has been a robust topic among Philadelphia 76ers circles. In fact, a curious point about the race for the number one pick between the Celtics, Lakers and 76ers shows how topsy turvy the NBA is right now.

    And as expected, from the group, the Philadelphia 76ers are the only team poised to take true advantage of this draft.  When you consider the Boston Celtics team, right now, that team’s strength is a very robust backcourt.  When you consider the strength of the Los Angeles Lakers, right now, that team’s strength is a very young and talented… um… back court.

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    So why are fans of the Celtics and Lakers flipping over the 2017 NBA Draft?  That draft boasts top prospects which include virtually a team of excellent guards. And so, there is point guard Markelle Fultz, point guard Lonzo Ball, point guard Dennis Smith Jr., point guard  De’Aaron Fox, shooting guard Malik Monk, and point guard Frank Ntilikina among the top ten prospects.  As a matter of fact, both the Celtics and Lakers need front court help desperately.

    This draft can offer wing help in the likes of Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, or Jonathan Isaac, but no centers.  Both teams need upgrades at the center position.

    Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers, with nearly even odds of landing two picks in the top ten, and perhaps even the top five, in the 2017 NBA Draft, will benefit from any of the talent available.  And to clarify, the Philadelphia 76ers are set at center.

    Next: Philadelphia 76ers Must Extend Covington This Summer

    He who laughs last, laughs best.