The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Who will lead the Philadelphia 76ers in scoring this season?

Bret Stuter|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 8: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 8: Joel Embiid
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PHILADELPHIA,PA – JANUARY 3 : Robert Covington #33 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers are pumped up against Minnesota Timberwolves during game at the Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 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)
PHILADELPHIA,PA – JANUARY 3 : Robert Covington #33 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers are pumped up against Minnesota Timberwolves during game at the Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 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)

Front court scoring

Until now, Brett Brown has centered his scoring through the… center. And that makes sense as he learned NBA coaching during the Tim Duncan–David Robinson era of the San Antonio Spurs.  That places the first focus upon the big men who have a chance at some offensive pace-setting.  Who comes to mind first?

Joel Embiid does of course. Coming off a 20.2 points per game in just 31 games from his rookie season, there is every reason to expect far more from this young man in his rookie/sophomore season.  In fact, in a previous article about how this team has the potential for a magical Cinderella type season, I go on the record in projecting Embiid in the upper 20’s (28-30 PPG).  If he can do that, he is the front runner to lead the team in scoring.

Too much responsibility?

My only concern in that projection is his dual responsibility.  He is gifted offensively, yes. But he is the Rock of Gibraltar when it comes to team defense. As such, there is a risk that he will focus his attention to the defense, and defer the scoring to the younger bucks on the team

So who are those younger bucks, and how might they fare this season?