The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 New Years resolutions for 2018 Philadelphia 76ers

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery balls are picked inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, 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 Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery balls are picked inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, 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 Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Joel Embiid /

Resolution V – A lineup including Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz will be the most productive for the team

The Philadelphia 76ers currently start Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Right now, the third piece to the puzzle, Markelle Fultz, remains a puzzle.  So far, lineups which feature both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are the bread-and-butter of the team’s minutes. But keeping Joel Embiid is only second to keeping Markelle Fultz healthy.

So far, the 76ers appear to struggle at both efforts.  But the suspense of waiting will quickly become the satisfaction for having done so when the trio of talented specialists begin to operate on the same basketball court simultaneously.

Markelle forces teams to thin defense

Markelle Fultz, as he grows comfortable with his teammates, is a shot manufacturer. And from the moment they begin to sink, the Philadelphia 76ers offense becomes an enigma to defenders.  Joel Embiid can score in the paint. Ben Simmons is a risk to drive and score or push the ball to a perimeter shooter.  If those are the only variables, then NBA defenses have a chance to succeed.

But push the ball to Fultz, and he becomes the best of all three. He can drive to the paint, and he post at the perimeter and shoot, or he can draw defenders and pass out to the open man.  And as he draws the attention of the defenders, he draws attention away from his teammates. And that is when the fun begins once more.

Next: RECAP: Toronto Raptors 114, Philadelphia 76ers 109

Basketball in Philadelphia will be fun once more.  As 2018 arrives, this team will improve just as they did in 2017.  But this time, I will be sure to enjoy the journey.

That is my New Year’s resolution.