How The Sixers Can Sneak Into The Playoffs

George Kondoleon

Feb 27, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (white jacket) reacts with team mates after a score against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Wizards 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Sixers seem to be a long, long way from sniffing the entity that is the NBA playoffs. The Sixers go into the season as projected bottom feeders once again this year, and I even gave them a mere 27 wins and called it a stretch in my Sixers predictions post. So why even entertain the fact that this current Sixers roster can reach the promised land of the NBA playoffs? One reason to substantiate their case comes from their bitter Atlantic Division rivals, the Boston Celtics.

Specifically, the 2014-15 Celtics are a good reason why we shouldn’t totally shut down hope of a surprise playoff run. It is, of course difficult to predict the NBA’s “cinderella story”, and even more difficult to make the case for the league’s favorite public target for tanking, our beloved Sixers. However, no one in their right mind could honestly say that they knew the Celtics would end up playing in the post season.

The Celtics roster at the beginning of the year looked like this:

Although this team boasted solid veterans like Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger, and highly anticipated rookie guard Marcus Smart, no one really considered these Celtics as a playoff threat. The playoff hope continued to dwindle after the team traded Rondo to the Mavericks in mid-December. The Celtics were on course to miss the playoffs and join the Sixers at the bottom of the conference.

The team drudged along the first half of the season, but managed to go 20-31 before the all star break, and still sat just 1.5 games behind the 8th seed. The team was in a peculiar situation right before the trade deadline, debating on whether the team should continue to be torn down for a total rebuild, or trade for an impact player that could turn the season into a mild success.

The Celtics decided to go for the latter and trade for Suns’ guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas had just joined the Suns and showed off impressive offensive skills by shooting 39.1% from behind the 3-pt line, scoring 29.6 pts per 100 possessions and racked up a 19.7 player efficiency rating (league average 15). Celtics deciding to acquire a spark-plug guard who isn’t considered a “star” could have been portrayed as the Celtics being overly optimistic. Here is the roster after the trades the team made:

The team added more depth, but in many ways were still not consistently considered in playoff talks. However the scrutinized pick up of Isaiah Thomas proved to be just what the doctor ordered. That, along with the inspired play of Marcus Smart and Evan Turner, (yeah that Evan Turner), propelled an amazing run into the playoffs.

Since the arrival of Thomas, the team’s scoring jumped up from 100.8 points per game up to 102.3. The defense, although more related to the pick up of other various role players, also saw an improvement by holding teams under 100 points per game. The team went a stunning 20-11 in the second half.

Acquiring Thomas was the most critical move the franchise made during the season, and one that propelled them to Cinderella status. The Celtics shocked the experts and took hold of the 7th seed only to fall to the title hungry Cavs. The Celtics saw themselves as a playoff team even when they were the team on the outside looking in. So why can’t the Sixers end up the same way?

Next: What Has To Happen For The Sixers?

Chemistry

To say a miracle must happen for the Sixers to end up where the Celtics were by the All Star break is an understatement, but crazier occurrences have been evident in the NBA. The Sixers must not only exceed all expectations, but must also gel to form a prolific unit that proves formidable on both sides of the ball.

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Chemistry hasn’t been of the upmost importance the past two years for the Sixers, as Philadelphia has served as a revolving door for both youngsters and veterans. In fact, the Sixers retained just 3 players (Tony Wroten, Hollis Thompson, and Nerlens Noel*) since Sam Hinkie took the reigns.

*Noel was drafted under Hinkie’s first year, but missed the entire 2013-14 season. Still considered one of the longest tenured Sixers.

We saw hints of chemistry near the tail end of last year, specifically between former point guard Ish Smith and center Nerlens Noel. However, to put themselves in the situation to play sleeper, the chemistry must evolve much sooner than it did in 2014-15.

This will be quite a task to accomplish, as there already seems to be quite a debate about who will take hold of the starting PG position. With two returning starters already set to start once again this year (Robert Covington, Noel, three if you consider Thompson as well), the chemistry may slowly be starting to form. Continuity in the lineup has been a problem, but the Sixers seem committed to finding the best possible lineup for the future. The chemistry will come as the games go by.

Next: Beefed Up Offense

Beefed Up Offense

Putting the ball in the hoop was probably the biggest problems of all the problems the 2014-15 Sixers faced throughout the season. The team finished 29th in the league in points, last in turnovers, and last in field goal percentage. The team looked to improve on these stats by picking up various pieces.

Signing guards like TJ McConnell, Scottie Wilbekin, Jordan McCrae, and Pierre Jackson shows the team’s willingness to beef up not only the outside shooting ability, but also to limit the amount of turnovers the team surrenders. All of the new guards averaged under 3 turnovers per game during their NCAA careers and must continue to ensure possessions aren’t wasted.

The decreased turnovers will allow for more opportunities for the main offensive options on the team, Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor. Covington must continue his semi-efficient shooting from the outside and improve his lack of an inside game. He has the skill set to become, once again, one of the more reliable scorers in the Sixers offense and must use it. For this team to succeed Cov must shoot between 38-40% from three, averaging 17 ppg and 6 rebounds.

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Jahlil Okafor isn’t able to hit the bar scene in Philadelphia, but will be the center of debates in every Philly sports bar during the course of the season. Okafor’s rookie season has to pretty much be historic for the Sixers to have any chance of winning 20-22 games before the all-star break.

Shaquille O’Neal had an amazing season for the Orlando Magic, averaging 23.4 ppg and 13.9 rebounds, and his team still failed to make the playoffs. Okafor has the offensive ability to rack up points in the mid 20’s every night, and must do so if the Sixers have any hope of making a run. Putting up big numbers like that will draw double teams that the Sixers’ outside shooters are already salivating over.

The Sixers have realized the opportunity to free up shooters and were progressive by drafting stretch four rookie Richaun Holmes who has shown a great shooting touch, and also are encouraging Furkan Aldemir to take more threes, as evident over the course of the NBA Summer League.

Everything must go right for the Sixers, and when I mean everything, I literally mean everything. Yes, I am implying that Furk develops a consistent outside shot and pairs well with either Okafor or Noel. If Furkan and Holmes become the Sixers’ version of the Celtic’s Jared Sullinger/Kelly Olynyk, they could become a huge compliment to the inside game of Okafor.

These miraculous offensive improvements could put the Sixers in the conversation of the playoffs come All Star break, but will still have work to do in the second half, and with the all-star break also bringing the NBA trade deadline, it is time for Hinkie to do his Hinkie things.

Next: Trade Tony Wroten

Trade Tony Wroten

Now this isn’t me trying to oust Tony Wroten for personal reasons. I love the guy and think he is a great point guard and could be one of the best bench players in the NBA, but if the Sixers want to make a run in the upcoming season, moving Wroten might be best. Wroten was in fact the Sixers biggest trade bait during the 2014-15 season before tearing his ACL, and will continue to be their biggest trade bait if he stays healthy.

The Sixers won’t get a crazy return for Wroten, but could gain some important role players. One trade I was flirting around with was a trade that would send Wroten and a 2nd rounder for Indiana’s Chase Budinger. Budinger can play both SF and PF, but best fits into the Sixers’ offense as a SF. Only time will tell whether the Sixers would bring in a guy like Budinger to produce off the bench behind Robert Covington, or even come in as a starter. A veteran like Budinger can be a nice piece to an amazingly surprising puzzle.

Next: Find An Isaiah Thomas

Find An “Isaiah Thomas”

Yes, the Sixers PG position debate will continue to circulate until someone establishes themselves. Although the Sixers have their eyes on guards in the upcoming draft like Malik Newman and Jamal Murray, they may also have the rights to 4 first round draft picks in 2016, which is huge trade appeal to teams realizing they may have a chance of missing the playoffs. The 2016 Isaiah Thomas factor could come from anyone for the Sixers, but their are some glaring options.

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The Suns’ Eric Bledsoe has been on Sixers fans’ hate radar ever since he claimed the 2014 Kentucky team would beat the 2014 Sixers, but all would be forgiven if he ended up scoring buckets for the city of brotherly love.

Bledsoe signed a huge deal with the Phoenix Suns last September for 5 years and $70 million, which could help the Sixers in trade talks. If the Suns find themselves in a disappointing spot by All Star break, they could look towards moving their pricy guard due to the overload they have at the guard position.

The Sixers could end up sending a package that would look something like the 2016 Sixers 1st round pick, the Kings’ 2018 1st round pick, a 2016/17 2nd round pick, and the rights to Vasilije Micic (or sub in Tony Wroten, if not traded elsewhere) for Bledsoe and a future 2nd rounder.

Now remember, do not have a “tank and keep picks” mentality while reading this. This, again, is a hypothetical situation that would occur if the Sixers find themselves at the cusp of a playoff run in the upcoming season. Bledsoe is a dynamic scorer that has added a new and improved 3-pt game (shot 2.7% better from the outside in two years with the Suns than his 3 seasons with the Clippers) that compliments his incredible driving ability. Bledsoe has been at the helm of an NBA offense for 5 seasons now and is starting to develop as a more efficient play maker, averaging close to 6 assists per game with the Suns.

The Sixers are in need of some experienced guard play and Bledsoe brings that to the table while still just 25 years old. Just trading for a guy like Bledsoe won’t be what pushes the 2015-16 Sixers to the playoff.

Next: Find Chemistry Again

Feb 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) celebrates a three point shot with 76ers guard Tim Frazier (20) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers beat the Hornets 89-81. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Find Chemistry…Again

After our hypothetical Sixers traded for Eric Bledsoe, the team must get over the bumps of playing with a new frontcourt general. Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics started off as a hot couple by going 6-4 in the Thomas’ first ten games. Not only would Bledsoe and the Sixers start off hot, but also they must find the rhythm that is evident on a playoff ready team. Coming together on both sides of the ball will be an even tougher task for the Sixers than winning close to 20 games before the break. The young Sixers will have to face the pressure of an intense playoff run and probably have to beat out 2-3 other competitive teams looking for playoff glory.

The 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers will have to climb mountain after mountain if they want to get anywhere near where the 2014-15 Celtics ended up. The Celtics made the right moves and everything worked perfectly, a mix of smart work and a ton of luck. The Sixers hopes for the playoffs are very very slim, but still there. A miraculous season must occur. Oh, and there is a glaring similarity between the ’14-15 Celtics and the ’15-16 Sixers…Gerald Wallace.

Just kidding, but really it’ll be interesting to see if the Sixers can be this year’s Cinderella. I hope everyone enjoyed the hypothetical trip through a Sixers playoff run.

Share your thoughts on what the Sixers could do to make a Cinderella run and follow @SixerSense.

Next: Elton Brand Retires From NBA

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George Kondoleon

Student at Temple University. Re-incarnation of Keith Van Horn