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Philadelphia 76ers Regular Season Staff Predictions

By Josh Wilson

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The staff of The Sixer Sense makes some predictions for the Philadelphia 76ers season.

Here at The Sixer Sense, we like to be fans too. We have opinions on how the year is going to go, and what we want to happen. As this year picks up, the staff here is looking to see some success in this rebuilding, but at the same time–for the most part–trusting the process.

Here’s some of our predictions for the upcoming season.

What are your overall expectations for the Sixers this season? Do they have any shot at all in making the playoffs?

"Bret Stuter: I think this Sixers team, despite a slow start, finishes season as one of the hotter NBA teams.  30+ wins is definitely doable. If the come together offensively faster than expected, they could make playoffs. But I think they’ll finish atop the lower third of NBA, but will be vastly improved.Lucas Gouvalis: My overall expectations for the Sixers this year are not very high. I think we will see glimpses of what the future could hold, but we still see a lot of similar things that we’ve seen the last two years. We have a young team on our hands and there will continue to be growing pains, however, I do believe this year will offer more of those positive glimpses than last year did. The Sixers are still a year away from playoff contention. I believe next year when Dario Saric comes over is the year you see the Sixers in the playoffs.Josh Wilson: Overall, I think they’re very behind starting the year, and that will make it very tough for them to stay competitive. They’re going to lose some games to start the season, and that will pretty much tell the tale for the rest of the season as well. I’ve been optimistic in the past about them sneaking into the final playoff spot, but now I just don’t see it happening."

Are the injuries going to hurt the team throughout the season, or provide incentive for other players to step up?

"BS: This Sixer team is an incubator, one last season of tolerating youth at this end to emerge with experienced NBA players at season’s end.  The injuries early in season actually play into that incubation process, forcing other players to emerge not only as an NBA presence, but rely upon themselves to make the shot or defend the hoop. LG: Injuries have already started to take its toll. Covington and Stauskas stick out already. Okafor’s sore knees could be an issue. But when you have a team this young, you’re always looking for young guys to step up. It will be curious to see who is this year’s Robert Covington.JW: I believe this roster has a to of untapped NBA talent, and that is shown by guys like T.J. McConnell making the team. He would not be on this squad if it wasn’t for a ton of injuries, and he wouldn’t get any minutes if it wasn’t for injuries. This could lead to a player stepping up big time, and we could discover the NBA’s next big star. Maybe."

Will the Sixers win more than 25 games this season?

"BS: Does a bear crap in the woods?LG: I’ve gone back and forth on this. Vegas has the over/under at 21.5, and I say the Sixers fall just short of 25 and win 24 games, but give me the over in Vegas. I think 2016-2017 is where you see the Sixers make a big jump and sneak into the Eastern Conference Playoffs with 40 wins.JW: No, I don’t think so. They’re far behind, and aren’t ready to start the season. Getting off on the wrong foot will haunt them for the whole year."

Will Jahlil Okafor win rookie of the year?

"BS:  I don’t think it’s a lock. The success of the 76ers team will play a large role in that.  Jah has a presence, but if he plateaus early, and neither progresses in his skillsets or does not flash brilliance with a marquis game, another player could steal the ROY from him.LG: I have said Okafor will win rookie of the year since he has been drafted and I will stick with it. His toughest competition will be from Emmanuel Mudiay. Both will have tremendous usage rates, but I think Okafor will do more with it and is a more polished NBA player from the start.JW: Yes, he will. There’s no reason that a player offered the chance to lead a team in his rookie season shouldn’t win rookie of the year, especially coming off with such success in college. Okafor has lots of talent and should play well with the offense centered on him."

Next: Breaking Down The Latest From The Sixers Point Guard Saga

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