What can we learn during Philadelphia 76ers preseason?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 19: Robert Covington #33, Dario Saric #9, Nik Stauskas #11, Richaun Holmes #22 and TJ McConnell #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on March 19, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Celtics 105-99. 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) /

Defense KPIs

I continue to anticipate the defense of the Philadelphia 76ers improving into the middle of the pack of the NBA. And I will likely continue this year as well. The best the team has done in any Brett Brown coached era is 20th in the league.

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That will improve this year. You know it and I know it. Center Joel Embiid is a huge contributor to the team defense, and the plan is to get about 90 percent of the games played with his participation. So I cheated and placed two KPIs into one category. Let’s check those out now.

KPI V: How much has team defense improved? How are defensive assignments differing from last season?

Subtle changes can bring huge impacts

The Philadelphia 76ers are a very versatile team, with nearly every player capable of filling the role of multiple positions. Robert Covington stepped up in a big way in the 2016-2017 season defensively. Will Nik Stauskas do so this year? Markelle Fultz? As defensive resources emerge, it will be intriguing to investigate how Coach Brown makes use of their talents. Will he concentrate defensive player on the court simultaneously? Or will he opt to disperse their impact by rotating them onto the floor at differing intervals?

There is a brand new set of players. Even returning players, like Ben Simmons and Jerryd Bayless, are relatively unknowns to the Philadelphia 76ers. So this preseason will be the first experiences of fans, coaches, and players, to become acquainted with one another.

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What is in one game may not be what will be in the next. Look for lots of dials to be turned and levers to be pulled throughout the preseason. It’s necessary to change things up to get the best 360 degree optics on the strengths and weaknesses of the team.

In the end, the 2017-2018 season is chalk-full of upside and potential. But look for the subtle changes. Those will likely bring the biggest impacts when the season arrives.