The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers true strength is young deep roster

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks to the bench against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 18: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks to the bench against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers are more than a young talented team. The roster has been planned years ago. And that is this team’s true strength

There is much to be said about the stars of the Philadelphia 76ers right now. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are young in age and experience, but are playing like seasoned NBA veterans.  But the team will soon have a refurbished Markelle Fultz in the lineup too.  When that happens, the team will have three of the most respected young players in the NBA on the same roster simultaneously.   And with so much star power, it’s easy to be blinded as to the real mechanics of this team.

But there’s more to this team than meets the eye.  And to understand that, we need to examine the where’s and who’s of the team roster.  A year ago, the Philadelphia 76ers found some veteran players to help the team at key positions and during valuable minutes.  Power forward Ersan Ilyasova gave the team a boost on offense. Shooting guard Gerald Henderson gave the team some offense and a bird-dog mentality on defense.  Point guard Sergio Rodriguez gave the team some offense and a good basketball IQ.

New faces, better places

This season, the team is bolstered by the hot-handed shooting of shooting guard J.J. Redick, the stalwart versatility of power forward Amir Johnson, and the offense of Jerryd Bayless.  But they are known quantities. The true unsung heroes of this team begin with undrafted forward Robert Covington. He came to the team undrafted, and became available after the Houston Rockets could not squeeze him onto their talented roster.

But he was just the first. The team also added point guard T.J. McConnell, another undrafted player who arrived unheralded to the team, but outplayed all expectations virtually every year.  And that’s two players who arrived undrafted.

Next year brings more depth, and youth

The Philadelphia 76ers have three players overseas who are aiming at playing for the team in 2018. From a previous article about the Philadelphia 76ers international flair

"the team has Latvian center Anzecs Pasecniks, Australian power forward Jonah Bolden, and French small forward Mathias Lessort will only reinforce the team’s international roster next year."

So where will the team fit these players? Well we know the team will part ways with center Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas at the end of this season. As far as power forward Jonah Bolden? Look for his opening to come at the expense of vacating Amir Johnson.

Depth and more youth

So the team will add a 7-foot-2 center who has a similar style to center Joel Embiid.  Simultaneously, the team’s power forward addition has the type of versatility to add to the Philadelphia 76ers in virtually every aspect of the game.

And finally the 6-foot-9 French foward is already a significant defensive presence in the Euroleague. He will fill the roster spot vacated by Nik Stauskas, but will slide in to back up workhorse Robert Covington.

Time, effort, familiarity

The Philadelphia 76ers are 13-9 in their first 22 games this season. That masks the fact that the team has not benefited from top-pick Markelle Fultz’s play.  That also masks the fact that this team continues to learn how to win, and what the capabilities of each player are.   The road to success is never easy. But the road for the Philadelphia 76ers is doubly perilous this season, as the team is carving a new path with each game.

The Philadelphia 76ers bench has shown mixed results so far this season.  But that’s to be expected. Lineups do not magically sync up. They need playing time: i.e. experience.  And so far, the lion’s share of playing minutes falls to the starting five.  But the team is hitting the goals of the coaching staff on pace, space and pass.

Three stars win a championship, on the right team

And with those goals, it takes more than the starting five to achieve top-tier in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers have a strong starting lineup. But the true strength to this team is its depth.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers: 5 goals for the remainder of the season

That depth will take longer to develop, but as the end of the season approaches, will stand out in games.  In the end, it takes three stars to win a championship. But it takes an entire team to do so as well.