The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Why Philadelphia 76ers Are Improving

By Bret Stuter

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) and forward Robert Covington (33) shoot at the basket from the second floor balcony during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) and forward Robert Covington (33) shoot at the basket from the second floor balcony during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Unforeseen Circumstances

The Philadelphia 76ers have had a run of seriously bad luck in recent years. Injuries have haunted the team, injuries to the top players and to the number of players, for years. Eventually luck will break the other way.

Right now the team is sitting on the two top rookies in the nation in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric. Beyond this, when Ben Simmons arrives, that could turn into three of the nations top rookies.

Live Feed

NBA Rumors: The Lillard sweepstakes have been narrowed to just 2 teams
NBA Rumors: The Lillard sweepstakes have been narrowed to just 2 teams /

Hoops Habit

  • NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting 8 most likely dark horse suitors for Damian Lillard Sir Charles In Charge
  • NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard would not report to training camp if not traded to Miami Sir Charles In Charge
  • NBA Rumors: Miami Heat the favorites to sign key free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.? Sir Charles In Charge
  • NBA rumors: Victor Wembanyama slated to start at the power forward position FanSided
  • NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season Sir Charles In Charge

    • All on one team.

    And that is just the start of this team’s progress.

    At some point, Nerlens Noel will either try to play lights out to earn his next contract, or will be dealt to any number of NBA team suitors.  In either case, the results will move the 76ers in a positive direction.

    Inconsistency

    Meanwhile, the team has seen very inconsistent play from Robert Covington. On occasion, Nik Stauskas has been down and up.  To start the season,Dario Saric has been slow to get up to speed.  Even senior team veteran Hollis Thompson has allowed doubts with his inconsistent play.  It’s naive to think each player will grow out of it.

    But its equally naive to assert that no player will do so.

    Players oscillate in their performance. Much like waves during a rising tide. The key to the ebb and flow of player production is to maximize good production, and minimize off nights.  Right now, the cycle is one good game surrounded by four bad games.

    Eventually, that will improve as players learn their own limits, and trust teammates in theirs.