The Sixer Sense
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The Philadelphia 76ers Starting Five for 2016-2017

By Dan Falcone

Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) looks to make a pass against Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) and forward Robert Covington (33) in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) looks to make a pass against Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) and forward Robert Covington (33) in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of pieces to sort out, but here is a prediction of the tentative starting lineup for this season.

So it’s not the starting five, but it is my starting five as of today. The lineup says a lot about where the Philadelphia 76ers have been of late, where the are, and where they are going.

My starting five: Nerlens Noel, Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, Robert Covington, and Jerryd Bayless. Key reserve: Richaun Holmes

Nerlens Noel: Teams want Noel because he is a great fit for many systems in the NBA that structure their game plan off of pushing the ball up the court and defending. And Noel is a live wire in both aspects. And let’s face it, Brett Brown loves Noel for his ability and unique skill set defensively just as much as Toronto, Boston, and New Orleans. I once heard a very good coach state, “I will put someone on the floor that can’t play basketball, if they avoid fouling, block shots, disrupt passing lanes, and fight through screens.” In other words, trade defense for offense on some level.

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Ben Simmons: Thanks to Sam Hinkie we have Simmons. The number one pick is going to have to start. He is a great passer with outstanding vision, a speed demon in the open floor, and complements the Philly veterans. He is adjusting to the NBA life and the mini-Lebron hype. Simmons has a unique skill set and it’s nice to have such a talented guard that they are actually trying to make more selfish.

Robert Covington: I am biased here. Covington is a player I really like. He has size, speed, strength, the willingness to defend and compete, and shoots 3-pointers well. He also has the Noel paradox. That is, since teams want Covington, the Sixers realize his value to the team or potential to assist the franchise. Ainge didn’t budge however, and neither did Philly. Why? because Covington is good. They just ain’t giving him away.

Jerami Grant: Quite the talent. If you didn’t see the dunk you need to. (After receiving an outstanding push pass off the bounce) Grant is another key find from the Old Guard. He always could be explosive and offensive rebound, but now his abilities are extending right before our eyes. He is very fast and covers ground like Noel and Simmons, so you get the idea of advanced chemistry.

Jerryd Bayless: And yet another good fit. The 27-year old has found himself on many an NBA roster. This is the best 10-72 team I’ve seen in quite some time. The franchise placeholder Bayless is the veteran glue on the perimeter that the Sixers need. It’s a shame that Tiny Tyler Ulis is too small, he could have packed a Philly punch, and I think the Sixers should have tried him out but oh well.

What about Jahlil Okafor? He can score in his sleep, this we know, but the Philadelphia 76ers need to trade him and he is not a good fit for this team. He shows an open mind, but his game is too incomplete at this stage for what the Sixers need and I fear for him being cut, especially if Embiid gets healthy sooner than later.

Okafor plays intense and exerts plenty of effort, but only when he gets touches. In the NBA, a league so dedicated on isolation, screen and roll, and screen and roll again on the very next action, Okafor needs to be on a team that plays slower and emphasizes defense far less than offense, if there is a team.

What about Dario Saric? He may not be financially fit to make the transition yet, so I will believe it when I see him here in the Philly red, white and blue.

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What about Joel Emiid? He may not be physically fit to make the transition yet, so I will also believe that when I see it as well. Emiid’s health could have enormous implications for the team.  The selection of Okafor, because of the health of Embiid, ultimately cost Hinkie his job, I believe, and now the Sixers find themselves currently in a bind to rid themselves of the center.