Sixers Are Better? We’re Better! You Bet!

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard

(31) and forward Robert Covington (33) bring the ball up court against the Miami Heat during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Heat won 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Youth Movement

The part of the process that escapes much analysis is the Sixers dedication to the youth movement.   Why is that significant?  While other teams trade veterans and top draft selections for the immediate impact on the team, the Sixers have begun to harvest a vastly untapped resource of talent that is not quite good enough to earn an NBA roster spot.

In the 2014-15 season, the Philadelphia 76ers fielded nine undrafted players: Brandon Davies, Drew Gordon, Chris Johnson, JaKarr Sampson, Alexey Shved, Henry Sims, Malcolm Thomas, Hollis Thompson and Robert Covington.  Of this group, JaKarr Sampson, Hollis Thompson, and Robert Covington are currently on the roster.

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Meanwhile, the team has center Jahlil Okafor (19), Nik Stauskas (21), Nerlens Noel (21), Richaun Holmes (21), Jerami Grant (21), Joel Embiid (21), Tony Wroten (22), Scottie Wilbekin (22), JaKarr Sampson (22), Pierre Jackson (23),  Hollis Thompson (24), Robert Covington (24), Isaiah Canaan (24) and Furkan Aldemir (24).  With a mentor/head coach in Brett Brown, it’s clear that the organization is heavily invested in player development.

Next: Fountain Of Youth