The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Training Camp Roster Set

By Bret Stuter

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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POWER FORWARD

Elton Brand, Richaun Holmes, Dario Saric, Shawn Long, Jahlil Okafor

While much of the preseason focus has been over the center position, the real competition will likely happen at the four. Why do I say that?

Veteran Elton Brand and second year Richaun Holmes are the most likely to be primarily power forwards, but neither will likely start.  That will fall to either Dario Saric or a migrating Jahlil Okafor.

Initially, I expect Saric to get the starts and the majority of quality minutes as Okafor develops his shots and defensive assignments at the four spot. However, as he learns the position and develops, I can see Brown alternating Okafor and Saric starts.

With just 15 positions, it’s likely that the team will carry just three players per position.  If Okafor fills a third spot at the five, that translates into the team carrying Brand, Holmes and Saric.

Shawn Long has the uphill battle to make the roster, but I’m not prepared to write him off just yet.  While Richaun Holmes showed strong improvement in summer league play, Shawn Long was equally as impressive.

Holmes averaged 23.8 minutes, 9.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, .3 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor.   Long averaged 12.0 minutes, 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, .2 steals and .2 assists per game while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor.

While Holmes is listed at 6-foot-10, Long has actually grown from 6-foot-9 to 6-foot-11 now.

This position may find some of the fiercest competition of any position on the team.