The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons why Philadelphia 76ers compete for 2018-19 NBA Championship

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers is interviewed by Molly Sullivan while Joel Embiid #21 and Robert Covington #33 pours water over him in congratulations after a fantastic game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers is interviewed by Molly Sullivan while Joel Embiid #21 and Robert Covington #33 pours water over him in congratulations after a fantastic game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA,PA – FEBRUARY 24 : Ben Simmons
PHILADELPHIA,PA – FEBRUARY 24 : Ben Simmons /

Another season of that young lineup

The more they play, the better they get.  Joel Embiid has played 81 NBA games. Ben Simmons is at 60. Dario Saric is at two years, while Robert Covington is at four seasons.  Ultimately, none of these starting four are at their “peak” yet. Simply translated, they will perform even better next season.  Better is relative, isn’t it?  So let’s crack that nut.

Joel Embiid has grown from 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds to 23.8 points and 11.3 rebounds. Next season those numbers grow to 25.0 points and 13 rebounds. Similarly, Ben Simmons runs at 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. Those numbers will also grow to 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists next season. Finally, the third member of the triad, Markelle Fultz, will contribute solid numbers as well. Look for him to show up as 15 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.

Still learning NBA and teammates

How can that be? This is a team who had spent practically all of 2017 learning about each other, their coaches, and NBA opponents. This is a team run by an NBA rookie. And as such, the hitches in their game like fouling, turnovers, and poor shooting from the free throw line fix over time. Right now, the team remains firmly entrenched in turnovers and in turnover differential.

But there is more to this team as well. This team has had virtually no contribution from either Markelle Fultz or Furkan Korkmaz this season. And the team allowed the vacated roster slot of Nik Stauskas to remain unfilled until the recent signing of Marco Belinelli. That meant this team carried more playing minutes per active player than any of the other NBA teams. Next season, the team roster will hopefully remain filled and healthy all season long.