The Sixer Sense
Fansided

4 reasons to be thankful for the Philadelphia 76ers

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - NOVEMBER 22 : Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers get the crowd pumped up against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center on November 22, 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 - NOVEMBER 22 : Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers get the crowd pumped up against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center on November 22, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Thanksgiving day is more about feasting and football nowadays than the celebration of giving true thanks. But for Philadelphia 76ers fans, here are four things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day.

The Philadelphia 76ers are winning. But that has not been the case for many years. So in the spirit of giving thanks, particularly the day after feasting on turkey, ham, or any number of fine cullinary dishes, let’s take stock of who and what Philadelphia 76ers fans have to be thankful for this season.

Let’s face it, the team which won just 10 games two seasons ago taxed even the most optimistic fan to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  But here we stand, cheering for a team with ten wins despite starting 1-4.  And at this juncture, where there are still those standing on the sidelines, let’s relish the success in the most noble way: thanking those who got us here.

Thank you Sam Hinkie

Let’s start with the founder of the feast, Sam Hinkie.  Without his vision and bravado, the Philadelphia 76ers would simply be at the mercy of random chance. He assumed the helm of a rudderless team, with no talent in the pipelines nor currency in the vault.  The team had devolved into an antiquated shell-of-her-former-self.  He revitalized everything. On one hand, he set in motion the state of the art training facility in Camden New Jersey.  On the other hand, he hired head coach Brett Brown, the NBA’s finest development coach, to mentor his annual crop of young talented men with aspirations of succeeding in the NBA.

In fact, he traded talent for draft picks, shed salary dollars for capacity, and then absorbed more overpaid salaries for more draft picks.  Without Sam Hinkie, the Philadelphia 76ers are simply another “used to be good” NBA team, with little hope of change.

Thank you, head coach Brett Brown

We can be thankful that our current head coach did not turn tail and run from the sales pitch by former team president Sam Hinkie.  In fact, the vision was Hinkie’s, but the nuts and bolts operation all fell upon Brett Brown, and continues to do so.  Brown has not been provided a turn key roster with natural fit and veteran wisdom. To the contrary, he takes a new shipment of raw and novice athletes and converts them into NBA talent and into a cohesive team.

Now, many simply look at the Philadelphia 76ers record under Brown and pass on by. But Brown’s leadership and positive perspective deserve value. And with an NBA team suddenly in the playoff hunt, he has earned a spot in the NBA Coach of the Year discussions.   The Philadelphia 76ers improved from 10 wins to 28 wins despite a roster crippled by injuries.  This season, the team is on track for 50 wins.  That margin of improvement should certainly earn him some NBA accolades. For now, our thanks will have to do.

Thank you Joel Embiid

For three years, Joel Embiid has been fettered by injury and medical protocols. A young enthusiastic NBA superstar-in-the-making had to face the cruelest lesson of all. PATIENCE.  And he did so with resolve and renewed vigor.

His story is one few could bear. He did not have a background in basketball, merely the intrigue of watching basketball stars on videotape. That, and the encouragement of NBA player and fellow countryman Luc Mbah A Moute.  It was that mentorship which brought Embiid to the USA, and eventually to the NBA Draft.

Two years on the bench rehabbing. 31 games and then more bench and rehabbing. For many, that would be enough to encourage an early retirement. Instead, it simply fueled Embiid’s desire more.  Now as the scoring and defensive leader for the team, Embiid appears to be on track as an NBA elite player. And he gives the team timely prods as well. Not only does he turn up the heat to motivate the team, but he has fun in the process.

Thank you Ben Simmons

If not for the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, would this Philadelphia 76ers team be good? Certainly yes. But the perfect storm collision of the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons in the 2016 NBA Draft, the first overall pick, and head coach Brett Brown’s familiarity with the entire life history of Simmons is the stuff of legends.

Nobody foresaw any hope to slotting Ben Simmons to the NBA point guard role.  Well, nobody but a few of the writers here at The Sixer Sense, that is.  While we have advocated a point guard role for Simmons, some continued to see him as a power forward, some suggested a multi-role function, and others simply waxed frustration over the debate.

Versatility

The reality is that Ben Simmons in the lineup truly allows the team an opportunity to field the best starting five on the roster.  And that in itself is a very special player in today’s NBA. But that is just the beginning.  This is a young man who in his rookie season is scoring nearly 20 points. Added to that, he is pulling down over nine rebounds, and handing out nearly eight assists per game.

Next: The one area where the Philadelphia 76ers messed up

There are many more players, persons, and events to be thankful for. But as a Philadelphia 76ers fan, I’m willing to bet each of you already knows that.  As the Philadelphia Eagles continue to march into post-season, the city of Philadelphia also has the 76ers to cheer for a run into post season. After a very long drought, looks like playoff monsoons are taking aim at Philly now.