The Sixer Sense
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Jerami Grant Staking Claim To Philadelphia 76ers 2016 Starting Role

By Bret Stuter

Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) moves 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 forward Jerami Grant (39) moves 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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Oct 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (right) and center Joel Embiid (center) and forward Jerami Grant (left) on the bench in plain clothes while recovering from injuries during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 106-92. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (right) and center Joel Embiid (center) and forward Jerami Grant (left) on the bench in plain clothes while recovering from injuries during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 106-92. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Build

The presumptive number one selection from the 2016 NBA draft is Ben Simmons.  He’s a rare talent, a big man body with the moves and mind of a point guard.   While there are weaknesses, the Philadelphia 76ers team is ultimately designed to elevate the game of the NBA rookie.  In fact, the Philadelphia 76ers own head coach, Brett Brown, knew Ben Simmons before anyone in the NBA.  It’s that comprehensive understanding of the athlete and the system which will become the keystone of this team.

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But that keystone does not a bridge make, the piece of the new roster who is probably MOST anticipated in the two year Lion King Joel Embiid.  Standing tall at well over 7′ now (rumored to be 7’3″ and still growing), his athleticism actually exceeded his untrained body’s ability to start stop twist turn and move, leading to both back and foot injuries that not only required medical intervention, but a complete retraining to use that athleticism in a positive and productive manner based on his physical strengths and limitations.

The team will most certainly be addressing the back court.  But with all of the chatter, the sites of the fans at virtually every turn is to seek the biggest baddest most upsided and expensive production from each and every position.

It can’t happen.  The very nature of the NBA salary cap forces budgeting, compromises.  If the team pushes for a free agent and a max contract, that means money is obligated towards one instead of towards several.  That blending of elites and good role players is one of the most challenging facets of a championship team.  And so, the team must commit to young players who are not “quite there” and believe they will complete the journey.  It’s that faith in players from the team that we, as fans, debate and fall short of frequently.

Next: The Fit