The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: The Croat And The Goat

By Bret Stuter

Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Positive Momentum

The substance of the 2016-2017 season for the Philadelphia 76ers is important. But equally important is the perception. This team is trying to set the ship aright.  A quick start that falters later in the season could be counter productive.

In short, it’s not where the team ends up, but how it gets there this year.  And so, to end up on the radar of quality free agents next season, the team needs to end the year on an upswing.  Because of the need to improve over the course of the season, placing the team’s fortunes into the hands of the two rookies is the right move.  The goal is to improve gradually, over time, and to close out the season at or nearly at .500 basketball in the final weeks of play.

But to improve, the team must entrust the future to today’s “potential”.  The right choice can make all the difference in the world. But the wrong choice? It not only derails the team’s outlook, but calls into question the decision making process of the team’s front office.  Is everyone on the same page? Do they recognize elite talent, or simply ride a wave of public consensus.

In Dario Saric and Joel Embiid, you have two NBA rookies who have matured in the past two years and whose perspective about NBA play is not to earn a headline, but to earn a championship. And so, let’s look at who each of these two cornerstones have become on their way to the NBA.