The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Core: Ultimate Roster Analysis and Predictions

By Bret Stuter

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown goes over a play with his team during the third 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 head coach Brett Brown goes over a play with his team during the third 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 /

Summary

It’s been a long time coming for head coach Brett Brown.  Hopefully, in the long wait he’s prepared for this season, because it is almost upon us.

This is not just any roster.  It’s a roster filled with versatility.  Centers who can play forward positions, forwards who can play center or guard postions, and guards who can play forward positions.  In any given night, Brown can send out five guards for a small ball lineup, and in the same game swap out to a tall ball lineup.

Depending on the impact of any trades yet to be, right now the starters on the team seem to be:

Center– Jahlil Okafor                            Rotating Starter Joel Embiid            Reserve Nerlens Noel
Power forward- Dario Saric              Rotating Starter Carl Landry            Reserve Richaun Holmes
Small forward Ben Simmons            Rotating Starter Jerami Grant         Reserve Robert Covington
Shooting guard Gerald Henderson  Rotating Starter Hollis Thompson Reserve Timothe Luwawu                                                                                                                                                          – Cabarrot
Point guard Jerryd Bayless                Rotating Starter Sergio Rodriguez Reserve T.J. McConnell

Keep in mind that Brett Brown loves to switch things up.  Looking at that roster, I cannot help but notice that four of the five “reserve” players had started for the team last season.

With a roster like this, depth has suddenly gone from dire weakness to shiny strength.  That depth will give the team the opportunity to play strong all season and weather storms of the occasional injury.

Next: Is Philadelphia ready for Embiid's Debut?

There is still time for the team to modify the roster somewhat, but with a roster of Okafor, Saric, Simmons, Henderson and Bayless starting, this team will be very strong offensively.  Unlike other years where Brown had to coach up his raw talent, this year the players have a strong sense of where and what to do.

All that’s left to do now is to win some games.