The Sixer Sense
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Can These Philadelphia 76ers Win Games?

By Bret Stuter

Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) reacts after his off balance shot scores against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) reacts after his off balance shot scores against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Thirty Wins

We’ve ended up at thirty wins, which is a significant improvement over last year, and will enough of an improvement to have the NBA talking about the Philadelphia 76ers in a positive light once more.

Predicting this early always leaves plenty of room for that “margin of error”.  If the team deals before the season, if a player is injured, or even if the team struggles to find complimentary play out of the intended starting lineup, that number could evaporate rather quickly.

But the opposite holds true as well:  if the team comes out of the gate with a good run, if the team chemistry gels right away, or even if the team finds some potent offense early, this could be a team which may flirt with .500 play.

This team will surprise some folks this year.  They are a solid team this season with complimentary pieces, are entering this year the healthiest they’ve been since the 2013-2014 season, and are for all intents and purposes on the upswing.

Thirty wins may not seem like big news to many.  After all, that means that this team will lose 52 games if true.  Thirty wins will ensure that the team will be getting a 2017 NBA Draft lottery pick, and that the team will still be looking to improve the roster.

But thirty wins is a 300% improvement over the ten win ending from the 2015-2016 season.  It will mark the first season of rookie Ben Simmon, as well as red-shirted Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.  It will finally renew hope into the dreams of the young roster of the Philadelphia 76ers, a hope that there is light at the end of a very long and disappointing tunnel of futility.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Could Choose Between Cat Barber, Nik Stauskas

Thirty wins may not seem like much now, but it could be the first step towards a championship for the city of Philadelphia.