The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sergio Rodriguez May Be Key To Philadelphia 76ers Success

By Bret Stuter

Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to his team in a huddle during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to his team in a huddle during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) is greeted by center Joel Embiid (L) during a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) is greeted by center Joel Embiid (L) during a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixers Set For Season

Perhaps many believe the Philadelphia 76ers need more to this team than we have added.  We’ve lost point guard to free agency, and added Sergio Rodriguez.  We’ve lost Isaiah Canaan and replaced him with Jerryd Bayless.  Finally, we’ve lost venerable power forward Elton Brand.

But the team has forwards Dario Saric and Ben Simmons, a healthier center Joel Embiid, and shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot joining the team.   That places the team at 17 players, which places the performance in summer league for both T.J. McConnell and Richaun Holmes into the pressure cooker.

But barring any surprise signings, this team’s roster is ready to launch into the 2016-2017 season.  Forget the chatter about a log jam.  With Joel Embiid on minutes restrictions and alternating games, he is about 25-30 percent of the way there.  That leaves about 20 minutes per game average for both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor each per game going forward.

As for the power forward?  Dario Saric, Carl Landry, and Richaun Holmes will split duties there.

Small Forward?  That falls to Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, and Robert Covington.

Shooting guard?  That’s Nik Stauskas, Hollis Thompson, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

Point guard? That’s Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless, T.J. McConnell, and for now, Kendall Marshall.

That’s 15 plus right now.  And with the starting lineup, the bench of the Philadelphia 76ers looks very good indeed.

Next: 3 Moves the Philadelphia 76ers Need to Make

The Philadelphia 76ers needed to address the roster in many places. Some fixes are immediate, while some will just take time.  In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers have improved dramatically from a year ago.  Will their record end up better than .500?  That’s doubtful.   But with these pieces, this is absolutely the deepest and most complete roster the team has had in the past three years.