Promising Debut
While we have had plenty of reason to be optimistic, it was finally founded in the performance on October 4, 2016, in the first preseason game against the rival Boston Celtics. Joel Embiid stands above other NBA players, and his presence forced the Celtics to double team him in the low post. With that shift, the defense was stretched thin, opening up shots for his teammates.
Meanwhile, Dario Saric did not hesitate to shoot if he had an open shot. Facing a Celtics defense collapsing on Embiid, he found that open shot often enough to impress on just his first showing.
#NBARooks @JoelEmbiid, Dario Saric & @FCHWPO score their first #NBApreseason points! pic.twitter.com/TT7660x0rR
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2016
However, it took more than just Embiid and Saric to win the game against the Celtics. The 76ers bench clearly outperformed and outclassed the bench of the Boston Celtics, eliminating a 16 point deficit and reaching an eight point lead before settling in to win by three, 92-89.
All in all, it was a promising debut, but it was laced with rustiness of rookies that must be cleaned up rather quickly.