The Sixer Sense
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Underwhelmed: Key To Philadelphia 76ers Season Is Steady Improvement

By Bret Stuter

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; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) shoots the ball over Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half at William D. Mullins Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Amherst, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) shoots the ball over Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half at William D. Mullins Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Something To Build Upon

This is a new team with rookies and veterans unfamiliar with one another or this coaching staff. If you expect a crisp roaring start out of the gates, I’m sorry to say you will be disappointed frequently.

Preseason games are meant to familiarize players and fans, similar to the onramp into the expressway. Building up speed, merging, and then taking this team as far as they can go. Joel Embiid appears to be everything we had hoped he would be. While he only scored six points, he pulled in four rebounds and two blocked shots in just 12 minutes of play… his first game in nearly three years.

Dario Saric appears to be NBA ready. Shooting both from the perimeter and the floor at a 66.7 percent clip, bringing in six rebounds while adding two assists and a block demonstrate his ability to contribute in so many ways on the court.

And the third international player to make a very positive impression was Sergio Rodriguez.  While some may have overlooked the Spanish point guard, his arrival has been heralded as a very positive move by writers at The Sixer Sense.  His five points and six assists marked a turning point in the game.  While he only shot 25 percent and remained outside the arc when shooting, his passing acumen was on full display to the crowd disappointed in Ben Simmons absence.

This was a solid team effort and resulted in needed positive momentum for the team heading into this year.