The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Off Season Grades

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction 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) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Summary

Head Coach Brett Brown has a vision of “Space, Pace, and Pass” for this team. He now has an appropriate roster to deliver that vision to the basketball court, and in doing so, to the city of Philadelphia.

No element of this off-season were taken from a cookie cutter approach of adding a similar position or skill set to the roster multiple times.  Each new player adds something vital, needed, and unique to this roster.

While there is no way to judge the results before events happen, I don’t think there can be any profound arguments at flawed logic or judgment at this point.  When I have assessed this teams off-season transactions previously and seperately, I have been very pleased. Now, looking at each transaction individually and as a whole, I am even more impressed.

The core of this team, which we will discuss in an upcoming article, is about the young players on the roster.  No NBA championship is won by free agency.   And so with that knowledge, the team has done nothing to derail the train from the tracks that were laid by the previous general manager.  The draft delivered a potential elite player and solid pieces.  The salary cap freedom was used to sign bridge veterans who will help the team compete now, but also help to develop the young players on the roster to compete tomorrow.

Can you imagine how much benefit Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will get by playing with Gerald Henderson?  How incredible it will be for Sergio Rodriguez to mentor T.J. McConnell?  Will Nik Stauskas find answers in working with Jerryd Bayless?

Next: Game Recap: Utah Jazz Vs. Philadelphia 76ers

We will see.  But as we observe, take note that developing the roster suddenly is not longer the burden on Brett Brown’s plate.  Now the team has veteran leadership in the front court and the back court.

Some say this team is no better than the 10-72 team from a year ago.  I say just by having 15 players healthy at the season’s opener, the team is already far better.  Right now, I believe this team is a 30 game winner.  While that may not be huge, it’s a huge step of progress.  If Joel Embiid can play consecutive games, or if the team finds early success, this team could even flirt with post season this year.