The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Fans Ask: How Much Longer?

By Bret Stuter

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks over to the bench in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Washington Wizards won 106- 99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks over to the bench in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Washington Wizards won 106- 99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Wizard Wall

The miracle of the Washington Wizards selecting guard John Wall was certainly an unexpected turn of events, as the Wizards had just a 10.3 percent chance of selecting the top pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

In joining the Wizards, Wall arrived to a team with 26 wins and a mature roster.  But the team’s fortunes did not improve immediately, as the team had veteran point guard Gilbert Arenas on the team.   In fact, the Wizards strengths lie mainly in their back court, and the team fell to 23 wins in 2010-2011, and to 20 wins in 2011-2012.

In 2012, the Wizards added shooting guard Bradley Beal to the back court to pair with Wall, and the team began to improve: 29 wins in 2012-2013 season and 44 wins in the 2013-2014 season.  Once more, this was the fourth year since being drafted.

The Wizards have continued at the “just over or at” .500 for the past three seasons, solid in backcourt but struggling to find equivalent help in the front court.  The Wizards had no help in the 2016 NBA draft, as they had traded their first round pick, Kris Humphries, and DeJuan Blair for Markieff Morris.

The Wizards have tried to build around Wall via free agency and trades, and have had very mixed results.  Fortunately, the Philadelphia 76ers have trusted their program so far and should not be stuck in the .500 cycle.

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