With ten-day NBA contracts soon returning to the NBA reality, don’t be surprised to see Delaware 87ers prospects get a call up to the NBA. With any luck, it could be to the Philadelphia 76ers
The Delaware 87ers received solid prospects this year, courtesy of the Philadelphia 76ers. They were the young talent who did not make the final 15 roster, despite a spirited effort in the summer league and preseason. From Dionte Christmas, Shawn Long, Cat Barber, and Brandon Paul, they simply did not make the cut.
You see, this was the year that the team sought veteran reinforcements, because veterans win games. The team signed three veterans in free agency, and the NBA applauded. Finally, the team that tanked had turned the corner. Tanking no more. There is just one thing wrong with that scenario. The Philadelphia 76ers are not on a winning streak folks.
Slow Start
The troubles began this year when the season started, but the 76ers had 20 percent of the team injured: rookie Ben Simmons, free-agent Jerryd Bayless, and veteran Nerlens Noel. Three players at three different positions. It was painful, but not debilitating.
Still, the team had to work around minutes restrictions of Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, and Gerald Henderson as well. And yet, the team improved. The line-up remained constant, and the players began to understand one another. Meanwhile, rookie Joel Embiid began to launch himself into the national spotlight as the NBA Rookie of the Year prospect.