The Sixer Sense
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There’s Plenty Of Reasons For Philadelphia 76ers Optimism Beyond The 2016 NBA Draft

Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) drives toward the net during the fourth quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (12) drives toward the net during the fourth quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers logo on the warm up shirt of center Jahlil Okafor (not pictured) prior to action against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers logo on the warm up shirt of center Jahlil Okafor (not pictured) prior to action against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls won 111-88. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

III. Statistical upticks

Statistics in the win and loss column suggest that the team is far worse off than previous years. But the fundamentals of a team improve long before the record reflects the improvement. Take the team in the turnovers section. The Philadelphia 76ers were the NBA worst team in turnovers a year ago, averaging a generous 16.9 turnovers per game last season.  However, the team has improved to 15.6 turnovers per game.  While that number is still at 29th in a league of 30, it is merely .3 TPG from the 26th Houston Rockets.  In a related statistic, the Philadelphia 76ers had the ball stolen at a league-worst rate of 9.5 times per game last season, while this year, that thievery has improved to just 25th in the league at at 8.7 SPG.

The team even suffered on the assists per turnover statistic, again a league worst in the 2014-2015 season at 1.21.  That statistic has improved dramatically, improving to 1.37 assists per turnover, good for 28th in the NBA.

It was not simply ball security that improved significantly with this team.   Offensively, the team was a very lackluster 92.0 points per game last year, and at the point of the season where Mike D’Antoni was hired, the team had descended to a league worst 91.1 points per game.  But by season’s end, the team had improved to 97.3 points per game, tied for 29th in the league.  Shot accuracy is also on the uptick, as the team shot just 40.8% from the floor, and just 32.0% from three point range. The team even struggled at free throws last year, shooting just 67.6% from the foul line.  This year, the team has improved all around: shooting 43.1% from the floor, 33.6% on treys, and 69.3% from the foul line.  While none of these improvements have translated into wins, it demonstrates that the team fundamentals are improving.  Those fundamentals were driven upwards despite the age of the team falling to the league youngest.

ALSO ON SIXER SENSE: Nerlens Noel Has Quietly Improved

Next season, improvements will be dramatic.  With no risk of a mass exodus in free agency (just point guard Ish Smith and power forward Elton Brand have expiring contracts), the team can be patient and strategic in identifying players who deliver both offense and defense to this young roster.  Brett Brown has already displayed his excitement at adding veteran presence in the back court to anchor consistent performances there as well as deliver a guiding hand to the youngsters on the roster.

Next: Future Moves