Comparing Philadelphia 76ers’ Rebuild With Boston Celtics

Oct 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Drew Gordon (30) scores on a hook shot past Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass (30) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the Sixers 111 to 91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Drew Gordon (30) scores on a hook shot past Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass (30) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the Sixers 111 to 91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 20, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Bucks defeated the Hawks 117-109 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Philips Arena. The Bucks defeated the Hawks 117-109 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

MCW

MCW still being the starting point guard entering the 2016-17 season would be one of the biggest differences between this version of the Sixers and the real team

Even still, the Sixers would have still drafted Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid. Until signing Horford this offseason, the Celtics were in desperate need of a rim protector.

Since there were reports like this saying the Celtics were interested in trading for Noel before the 2016 NBA draft and this article from Kevin O’Connor of Celticsblog.com.  Both detail just how badly the Celtics need a good defensive center, so logically it seems likely either team would have taken Noel with the sixth pick, if they had the opportunity.

While the Celtics do care more about winning games short term and not just caring about winning championships long term, Celtics’ general manager Danny Ainge says he would have drafted Embiid in the quote on the next page, so he wouldn’t be against waiting a year for a player he drafted to become healthy enough to play.

Next: What If the Sixers Copied the Celtics Rebuild Conclusion