The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Looking at the Sixers’ schedule release

By Daniel Stets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 06: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards talks to Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 6, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wizards defeated the 76ers 125-119 in double overtime. 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)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 06: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards talks to Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 6, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wizards defeated the 76ers 125-119 in double overtime. 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Philadelphia 76ers will play Washington on October 18th, and New York on December 25th

Philadelphia 76ers fans will be very pleased in learning of the NBA’s scheduling decisions. The Sixers will open their season against Washington on Wednesday, October 18th. Philadelphia will also play the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

The first game will probably be a game the Sixers lose. Washington is a veteran and playoff tested team. John Wall is arguably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference. Otto Porter and Bradley Beal have a good chance to make the all star team next year in an increasingly weak eastern conference.

Markelle Fultz will most likely struggle vs John Wall. That’s to be expected. John Wall in his rookie year wasn’t very good. In his first year in the league, Wall had a true shooting percentage of under fifty percent. Don’t be surprised, and don’t be alarmed, when Fultz is most likely terrible in his first game.

Joel Embiid will get his chance to shine vs Washington. If Embiid wants to make an all star game, these are the types of games he’s going to have to dominate in, a nationally televised game against an elite Eastern Conference team. Philadelphia vs Washington will be a great test for Philadelphia. It will give Sixers fans a glimpse into how good the team can be this year.

Philadelphia vs New York

The second game Philadelphia will play in is a Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks. This will be an easier game for the Sixers to win. The Knicks are bad. They only have four seasons since the 2000-2001 season where they had a record over .500. If they trade Carmelo Anthony, they’ll be even worse than they are now.

Related Story: Sixers' national notoriety is on the rise

This is another game in which Embiid should dominate. Embiid is a vastly superior player to Willy Hernangómez and Joakim Noah.

Also, this is a game the Sixers should win, and win pretty easily. As of now, Frank Ntilikina will be the starting point guard for the Knicks. Ntilikina is no Wall, so Fultz should have a much easier time. Redick should be able to at least play at an equal level to Hardaway Jr. in this game. Robert Covington and Embiid as his rim protector should be able to handle Anthony if he is still with the team. Lastly, Ben Simmons gets matched up with Porzingis. That will be great to see. What I’m most interested to see is how Simmons handles Porzingis defensively. We all know about his offense, it’s going to be great. But how will Simmons handle a player who has a height advantage, and a player who is incredibly skilled offensively? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Conclusion

Next: Top 10 Sixers entering next season (Part 1)

Philadelphia will finally get their moment to shine. This team on paper is talented and balanced. Redick and Covington are two above average veterans. Embiid is an MVP caliber player if he stays healthy. Fultz and Simmons are rookies, but they’re not just ordinary rookies. They’re the past two number one overall picks. Philadelphia’s two primetime games will be a fun test for a team with a young core and playoff aspirations.