Underwhelmed: Key To Philadelphia 76ers Season Is Steady Improvement

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts after making a shot from the second floor balcony of the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex during media day. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts after making a shot from the second floor balcony of the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex during media day. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 4, 2016; Amherst, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Brandon Paul (43) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) during the second half at William D. Mullins Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Amherst, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Brandon Paul (43) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) during the second half at William D. Mullins Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Pre Season Story

If there was any team in the NBA with something on the line in the first preseason game, it is the Philadelphia 76ers.  Not by choice. Not by an overzealous fan base.  When the team opted an alternative route to building a championship, it was placed on the defense by  national media.  You can bet there would be national headlines today if the 76ers had lost.

“Three Years For Nothing…”, “Trust The Process Fails To Deliver”,  “Not Even Embiid Saric and Simmons Can Save This Team”.

Yes, from a preseason game.  The vultures have been circling this team for months.  But the team did deliver.  In fact, after a shaky start, the Philadelphia 76ers team was very impressive.  Spotting the Celtics a 16 point lead just part-way into the second quarter, the team’s bench roared to life.

Guard Brandon Paul led the team in scoring with 15 points, despite seeing just under 13 minutes of playing time.  Rounding out the scoring leaders was T.J. McConnell with 13 points, Jerami Grant/Dario Saric/Richaun Holmes all chipped in 10 points apiece.