The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Depth Chart Reveals Playoff Caliber Team

By Bret Stuter

Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers dancers and flight squad gather at center court with Franklin the mascot at the Wells Fargo Center after the last home game of the season against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia 76ers dancers and flight squad gather at center court with Franklin the mascot at the Wells Fargo Center after the last home game of the season against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Center Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is the franchise player so many hoped for. Well, he will be if he can remain healthy enough to stay on the basketball court. This year, he will.   He was a defensive blockade, and an offensive juggernaut.   And as we learned in the season, he only is embarrassed once.  Despite playing just 31 games, he truly exhibited enough star quality to fuel wildfire optimism.

He averaged 25 playing minutes per game in 2016-2017. I see that rising to 30 minutes per game in 2017-2018.  And so, I project he delivers:

28 points (PPG), 11 Rebounds (RPG), 4 Assists(APG), 4.5 Blocks (BPG), 2.0 Steals (SPG)
50 percent shooting from the floor, 38 percent three-point, and 81 percent shooting free throws