The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Duke’s Marvin Bagley worth watching for 2018 NBA Draft

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - JUNE 24: President of Operations Brian Colangelo addresses the media at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on JUNE 24, 2015 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - JUNE 24: President of Operations Brian Colangelo addresses the media at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on JUNE 24, 2015 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Markelle Fultz speaks to the media after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Markelle Fultz speaks to the media after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why Bagley to Philly?

The marriage may not strike you as a good one, may strike you as redundancy, and may even hit you in the “Stop being so selfish!” perspective. Well, all or none of those may be true. The ulimate goal is to build the best team possible.  So far, the Philadelphia 76ers have managed to land two consecutive top-draft picks in Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.

Live Feed

Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?
Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery? /

Swarm and Sting

  • Cleveland Cavaliers’ 10 biggest draft busts since 2000 King James Gospel
  • Latest 2024 mock draft has Washington Wizards land an explosive athlete Wiz of Awes
  • 3 reasons why Johnny Davis may never grow to his draft position Wiz of Awes
  • Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James Hoops Habit
  • Where do the Washington Wizards rank in terms of future draft assets? Wiz of Awes

    • Bagley adds one more top talent. And his talents compliment that of Joel Embiid. Keep in mind that head coach Brett Brown coached a set of twin towers in David Robinson and Tim Duncan. While he has Joel Embiid gearing up for another season, the team continues to search for the other bookend. Bagley is worthy of that consideration.

    Bagley brings… plenty

    Building a championship roster from the rubble of a 10-72 team is not a well worn path.  In fact, it’s so uncommon that few, if any, believe it to be possible. Not even the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to those depths without LeBron James. And it took the return of James, plus three of four top picks from the NBA Draft, to get Cleveland back into the hunt.

    So skepticism is indeed warranted.

    Perhaps that skepticism is what fuels the need for Bagley to the 76ers. You see, the team has an elite post presence, a versatile big who can run the team like a point guard, and a back court expert who can rule with or without the ball.  And that may not be enough. Bagley reinforces Joel Embiid’s skillsets.  While ball handling duplication complicates a team roster, post defense is a more-the-merrier type of skillset.