If the Sixers Stars Align In 2015

Oct 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers cheer squad fires t-shirts to the fans during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the Sixers 111 to 91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

If the Sixers Stars Align In 2015

We had talked at length about the NBA draft, about what needs to work, about the challenges of the recent past. We’ve talked about what the team needs, what the team should do and shouldn’t do. We talk about Trusting The Process.  Something that continues to puzzle me, even trouble me sometimes, is the habit of losing.  Let’s be honest with ourselves. Sometimes facing defeat is easier.   We are certainly familiar with it, and we’ve gotten to a point where nobody expects the Sixer’s to threaten an NBA playoff appearance.  I mean, we have a mantra now #TrustTheProcess which is not a mantra of success, but simply a reassurance that someday the pain of today will have success in the future.

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But let’s be impatient for once.  Let’s be more about the 2015 season than any other moment in the Philadelphia 76ers history or future.  And to challenge this theory of “what if…” , we need to begin by the conclusion that the Process Worked.  So what must happen for the team to become an NBA Playoff team in 2015?

Well the good news is that the NBA is made up of two conferences:  a very very good Western Conference, and the Eastern Conference.   Good news indeed, because the Philadelphia 76ers are in the Eastern Conference.   To make the playoffs, they need to get close to .500 , or to win as many or nearly as many as they lose.  This is a huge feat unto itself, as the team will need to win a minimum of 40 games, and have only won 37 in the past two years.

Next: 2013/14 Worst Defense

Apr 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center

(4) dressed in plain clothes on the bench during a timeout in the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

2013/14 Worst Defense In The League

When the Philadelphia 76ers traded their lone bright star from the team, Jrue Holiday, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Nerlens Noel, it was the beginning of a trend.  The Sixers could and would delay the benefits of an action to maximize the eventual value.  At the time, Nerlens Noel was rehabbing an ACL operation on his knee.   To select him, a team would need to weather the storm for a year while he rehabilitated.

So that’s just the Sixers did.  They weathered a storm.

In 2013/14 season they had the absolute worst defense in the NBA, allowing 109.9 points per game.  Focusing on defense last season, the team improved dramatically to 101 points per game.  In 2013/14 they had an offense that scored 99.5 points per game.   That production dropped last season to nearly the league low of 92.0 points per game.
But with the focus on scoring, and with an eye on maintaining defense, can this team do better?

I think yes, they can.  We’ve discussed the fact that the Sixers were the worst turnover team in the NBA last season. But the team has taken steps to correct that, having severed ties with players who accounted for nearly 13 turnovers per game (TPG). With that fix alone, the team could shave approximately ten points from the opponents score (12.8 TPG x 44% shooting x 2pts) and add nearly nine points to their own score (12.8 TPG x 40% shooting x 2 pts).  Now we know that the playing minutes will not result in zero TPG, but logically with no other changes we should be adding more points to our offense and reducing opponents points on our defense.

To put on new clothes, you need to disrobe.   To become a contender, the team needs to shed habits and players who do not fit their path to success.  The first stop on the path to success was to improve defensively.  Did they?  Yes, why yes they did.  When Noel joined the team on the basketball court, he became a significant defensive presence.   It was that presence that enabled the team to shave nearly 9 points per game from their opponents.  Defense was last year’s focus.  It will continue to be a priority, but the team has a new focus this year.  Offense.   To get to that point, the team needs to continue to rebuild.

Next: Sixers Offend

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard

(55) keeps the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Xavier Munford (14) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Can The Sixers Offend The NBA?

The team is in building mode right now. But the architectural plans include toughness. The team has already begun to assemble those pieces by signing Pierre Jackson and Scottie Wilbekin to four year deals.

The Sixers team this year will include Isaiah Canaan, Tony Wroten, Nik Stauskas, Ish Smith, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington, Scottie Wilbekin, and of course, Pierre Jackson.  In this roster, the team gets the best of the past two seasons.  No, they will not threaten the elite of the NBA, but should someone get a hot hand on a night or even in a run of games, this team will pile up some wins.  And with Noel and Okafor on the team, defense will be enough to bring some respect to this team.   The team has grit, and will work hard.   This team can score 99 points a game, and can hold their opponents to 100 points per game.  Will it be enough?  Perhaps….
if the stars align in 2015 on the court.

Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is the attitude, the mental toughness.   When the Sixers have the belief that they will win, they will.  Could that be this year?  This team will be better, IS better, than the past two years.

NBA dominance is still in the future.  But it begins with a spark, success where we were projected to fail.  2015 could be the start of that success. Jahlil Okafor could be the catalyst that puts the team onto a winning track .   If the stars align.

Next: Will More People Tune In To Watch Games This Year?