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Philadelphia 76ers sights set on Eastern Conference title in two years

Bret Stuter
Bret Stuter

The Sixer Sense

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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)

The Philadelphia 76ers surprised everyone with 28 wins despite an injury depleted roster last season. So it should not surprise anyone that the team will challenge for the Eastern Conference title in two years

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has started the countdown. If you don’t read the Sixer Sense, you may have missed this:

And so, we had something to talk about. Embiid threw the gauntlet down upon the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Meanwhile, nobody is talking about the Philadelphia 76ers rise in the Eastern Conference.

But they soon will be.

Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, both top draft picks from 2016 and 2017 respectively, debut on the team simultaneously this year. That has never happened in NBA history.

While I do not advocate comparing any rookie to an established NBA elite, the fact is that the Philadelphia 76ers basketball talent is off the charts right now.

BOSTON – JUNE 7: If the Celtics lose in Game Seven on Saturday night, this could be the final snapshot of the ‘Big Three’ era at the Garden as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are a glum bunch on the bench in the fourth quarter, having already been pulled from the game. The Boston Celtics hosted the Miami Heat for game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – JUNE 7: If the Celtics lose in Game Seven on Saturday night, this could be the final snapshot of the ‘Big Three’ era at the Garden as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are a glum bunch on the bench in the fourth quarter, having already been pulled from the game. The Boston Celtics hosted the Miami Heat for game six of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Can’t win for losing

To finish in the top five of the Eastern Conference last year, a team merely needed to play 52.5 percent or better.  The 2016-2017 Atlanta Hawks finished four games over .500.  They have regressed.  In fact, in the Eastern Conference, much of the story will not be about which team improved, but which team sustained their talent level relative to the other teams.

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NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season

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    • The Boston Celtics scored Gordan Hayward in free agency.  But the team lost Kelly Olnyk, Amir Johnson, and Avery Bradley.  Is that now a better team? Well, how’s the hip of Isaiah Thomas?

    The Toronto Raptors lost P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson to free agency.  Have they improved in the paint?

    The Washington Wizards lost Bojan Bogdanavich to free agency too.

    Sixers improved

    On one hand, the Philadelphia 76ers added J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson to a roster with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Jerryd Bayless returning to health, as well as Markelle Fultz coming in as the 2017 NBA Draft top selection.  The team has gained ground this year.

    On the other hand, the 76ers debut two consensus top NBA draft picks simultaneously. This is historic for the NBA, and is lost in the shuffle of NBA veteran talent to the western conference.  The future of the NBA is centered in Philadelphia.  That future is starting now.

    PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 3 : Richaun Holmes
    PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 3 : Richaun Holmes

    Healthy Philadelphia 76ers can play with best teams

    This is not a bad team from last season. In fact, with many of the starters injured, the team rose to 20 wins and 30 losses in 2017.  Adding the talent described above will push the team over the .500 hurdle.

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    Bill Simmons 'guarantees' Knicks will have one of three stars by next year

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    • If the team stays healthy.

    But the Philadelphia 76ers have something for the NBA this year.  Call it a new twist, wrinkle, or era.  Joel Embiid, at full health, is a difference maker in the paint.  The team has not rushed anything.  As Embiid rehabbed, the team stockpiled pieces. Now, the team is on the fast track to success.

    FA chose Philly

    Redick and Johnson had choices from virtually every NBA team out there. They chose to play in Philadelphia to play for coach Brett Brown, to join a winner, to play for fans who are more passionate than any other fans in the NBA.

    But players see what’s happening in Philly.  They see the team built on defense.  They know that this team is at the cusp of great things.

    It’s tough not to see. The team played hard with three plus starters injured last season.  Now, the team has those players healthy, another top draft pick, and two highly coveted NBA free agents.

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    SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: JJ Redick

    Arms race, or retreat?

    Many NBA experts talk about the arms race in the NBA western conference. Some of that could be true.  But there is a different answer too.

    Looking at the depth of this Philadelphia 76ers team, when success happens, it will come in a long train of winning seasons. Perhaps part of the race to the west is not only about teams trying to compete there, but in the belief that if they don’t win now, there will be less chance down the road if they are not playing for the Sixers.

    Sixers stockpiled for long championship run

    The Sixers have plenty of cash, picks, and players stashed internationally.  The team simply needs to be healthy and develop.  And right now, that is what this season is all about.

    Joel Embiid is cooking up a feast in Philadelphia. He is as gifted as they come, both on offense and defense.  For nearly three years, he has had to endure the NBA’s worst trolling.

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    That all changes this year. As the Philadelphia 76ers showcase their stuff, the tone will soon change.  They are not out to impress anyone, nor to make the trolling stop. They are out to win, and the first stop to success is the playoffs. The second step is the NBA Eastern Conference.
    And after that, the NBA Championship.

    Bret Stuter

    Bret Stuter

    Bret Stuter is the site expert for Ramblin Fan who has covered the Los Angeles Rams for 5 years. Swept up into loving professional sports from a family that listened to games on the radio, he is at home cheering for HC Sean McVay and the Rams. Articles have been featured on B/R, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, Sporting News, and Washington Post. Bret loves to fish, and watch games at sports bars over pizza.