The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers asking NBA: How do you like us now?

By Bret Stuter

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers spins a basketball on his finger during media day on September 26, 2016 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers spins a basketball on his finger during media day on September 26, 2016 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Ten win Philadelphia 76ers seems a lifetime ago. After two top draft picks and two free agent signings, Sixers wanna know. NBA: How do you like us now?

The Philadelphia 76ers are no longer Tankadelphia. After ten wins to culminate a three-year streak of NBA austerity, the 2016-2017 Philadelphia 76ers began the long climb of improving. The team changed executives, then selected Ben Simmons as the number one draft pick. The team brought both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric onto the roster as two-year red-shirted rookies.

Despite the additions, the team’s injuries capped a very promising season at 28 wins, despite the team fighting through injuries to as many as four starting players.  The NBA, however, was unimpressed.

Snub snobbery

The league snubbed center Joel Embiid in All-Star balloting, then snubbed both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric in the NBA Rookie of the Year Awards.

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Few among the traditional NBA rank and file appreciated the 76ers austerity to accumulate NBA assets.  But no matter. The team muscled through the 2016-2017 season. Despite a second consecutive season of adding a 16th emergency player to the roster due to injury, the team improved significantly.  In fact, the team held playoff hopes as late as the end of January 2017, until player injury  hampered the team even further.