Sixers preseason schedule includes several intriguing wrinkles

By Christopher Kline | Aug 3, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up with Joel Embiid #21 before the game against the New York Knicks on January 11, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers announced their preseason schedule early Thursday morning, and there are several intriguing aspects worth noting.

This preseason has the potential to be a really interesting series of games, both for the Philadelphia 76ers and the league as a whole. Not only do the Sixers have some intriguing matchups in play, but the NBA is expanding to different areas of the country, with games being featured in both the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (New York) and the Sprint Center (Kansas City, MO.) .

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While the game in the Coliseum remains a virtual home game for the Brooklyn Nets, it does expand the map a bit in and around New York City. It’s the game in Kansas City, however, that could speak to potential expansion ideas within the league office. As Kyle Neubeck pointed out, multiple franchises have found success in that area as of late, with Oklahoma City and Chicago being the closest in proximity.

Adam Silver wasn’t shy about mentioning expansion in July, either, stating that the addition of new teams is “inevitable.” The basis for that question may have been an expansion to Seattle, but he does note that multiple areas would be in consideration — with Kansas City likely amongst that group.

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That game — which wraps up the Sixers’ preseason schedule — will also be within an hour of Joel Embiid‘s collegiate team, which gives an opportunity for heavy doses of Kansas fans to trickle into Missouri to watch him play — assuming he’s on the floor.

Aside from the geographical intricacies, the league managed to give Philly an interesting slate of games as well. They’ll continue to stoke what may be a budding rivalry against Boston, with both teams’ draft picks now forever intertwined. They’ll also face the East’s other young, rebuilding franchise in Brooklyn, whose added talent of D’Angelo Russell, Allen Crabbe and DeMarre Carroll could make for some interesting basketball come next season.

The foremost concern for Sixers fans, however, will be health. Joel Embiid has already said he’ll be ready for training camp, but he still hasn’t been cleared for five-on-five play. That’s a long waiting period for an injury that was previously considered minor.

We’ll also see how cautious Philadelphia is in regards to Ben Simmons. While he should be good to go by all accounts, there’s always a looming possibility that they end up holding him out for precautionary reasons.

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Regardless of who does and doesn’t play, there will obviously be minutes restrictions on the Sixers’ starters. That’s standard for almost every preseason game, as the second half is typically dominated by young talent and those who are shuffled towards the back end of the regular rotation.

J.J. Redick will make his Sixers debut as well. Philadelphia hasn’t had any semblance of elite shooting during their rebuild, meaning Redick’s presence could allow Brett Brown to dive into some more advanced actions — especially with distributors like Fultz and Simmons joining the fold.

This could be our first chance to watch the culminating point of several grueling years of constant rebuilding. Philadelphia has it’s core in place, and they’ll have a low intensity, low risk environment in which to showcase it before the season starts.

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There’s still reason to believe Embiid could be held out of any games prior to the regular season, so getting one’s hopes up is a risky bet. But both the talent and health seems to be moving in the right direction for this Sixers squad. Fingers crossed.