The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Have A Huge Decision to make…

By Bret Stuter

Oct 17, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of a Spalding basketball with the signature of NBA commissioner Adam Silver (not pictured) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of a Spalding basketball with the signature of NBA commissioner Adam Silver (not pictured) at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

76er

It’s lonely at the top. With one choice to make, the future of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise hangs in the balance

Have you begun to feel the excitement? May 17th was kind, perhaps kinder than any day has been in the last three years of the Philadelphia 76ers.  For now, we choose at number one

The NBA Draft. It’s just two rounds and just 60 selections. But for one night, dreams either grow wings and soar into reality, or the awaken to the ice cold reality of seeking other basketball options to keep the dreams of professional basketball alive.

Dreams are the stuff of the Philadelphia 76ers fan base for the past three years.  Ever optimistic, ever hopeful, the folks who #TrustTheProcess lost their innocence when the mad man with the plan, Sam Hinkie, stepped down in his reign as President and General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers.

But not before bequeathing the chance at the number one pick of the 2016 NBA draft. A remote 26.9% chance which has become the reality we dared not hope for.

With the first pick of the 2016 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select….

More from Draft

Well now… let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  The wait is over, the debate is on pause for now.  The Los Angeles Lakers pick has been placed gently into the vault for the 2017 NBA draft.

Let’s take inventory of the team as we now stand:

At the moment, the starting lineup is center Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel or Joel Embiid, power forward Dario Saric or Jahlil Okafor or Joel Embiid, the small forward is either Dario Saric or Robert Covington or Jerami Grant, the shooting guard is either Nik Stauskas or Isaiah Canaan or Robert Covington and the point guard is either T.J. McConnell, or they re-sign Ish Smith.

Other players on the roster will like be serving as reserves this year.

But if the team chooses Ben Simmons, where does he play for this team?   If the team chooses Brandon Ingram, where does he play for this team?  In either case, whomever we choose not only impacts that player, but likely the entire roster.  Simmons needs shooters, as he is a ball distributor. Players like Nik Stauskas, Isaiah Canaan, and Carl Landry would do very well on the roster if the team elects to aim at Ben Simmons.   Dario Saric would be a nice shooter too in that scenario.  We’ve talked about the synergies created if Saric and Simmons are on the same basketball court, as well as highlighted the positives of Canaan with Simmons.

But the choice of Brandon Ingram also has its positives, as he would give a nice compliment to fellow Duke alumni Jahlil Okafor, he would enhance the game of T.J. McConnell and of Nerlens Noel.  In fact, there is a consensus that he would be a nice counter balance to the debut of Joel Embiid as well.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Doctor Martin Is Our NBA Draft Ace

So which way does the team go?  From the moment the choice is made, the franchise begins its journey.  Some players who are very talented will find that moment will be their bus stop, and they will be destined to part ways with the Sixers.  Other players value will go up exponentially.   Still other players, not yet on the team, will find a new home here.

Here’s hoping they make the right call.