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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
KAUNAS, LITHUANIA – FEBRUARY 01: Jonah Bolden, #43 of Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv in action during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 21 game between Zalgiris Kaunas and Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv at Zalgirio Arena on February 1, 2018 in Kaunas, Lithuania. (Photo by Alius Koroliovas/EB via Getty Images)
KAUNAS, LITHUANIA – FEBRUARY 01: Jonah Bolden, #43 of Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv in action during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 21 game between Zalgiris Kaunas and Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv at Zalgirio Arena on February 1, 2018 in Kaunas, Lithuania. (Photo by Alius Koroliovas/EB via Getty Images) /

The cavalry arrives

We mentioned players who are overseas, but left it at that. Now we can discuss that in more detail. The team has three international players worth discussing: center Anžejs Pasečņiks, power forward Jonah Bolden, and small forward Mathias Lessort.  For now, we project Pasecniks coming over to fill Amir Johnson’s role, Bolden filling Ilyasova’s role, and Lessort working to fill a wing position.

Fans immediately fell in love with Bolden’s play in the summer league. He played hard, worked the boards well, and found ways to score. So far in the Euroleague, Bolden is putting up respectable production. He is getting 21.7 minutes, and scoring 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks. His perimeter shot needs work at just 32.1 percent, but he is hitting 48.3 percent from the floor. And he is so incredibly versatile. He plays hard on both ends of the court. He will be a huge plus for the team next year.

Center of attention

The Philadelphia 76ers traded back to the 25th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft to grab Andzejs Pasecniks. That selection revealed team president Bryan Colangelo’s strong desire to acquire another big to play behind Embiid. With Okafor traded, the team relies this season on a conglomeration of Amir Johnson, Richaun Holmes, and now recently acquired Ersan Ilyasova.  But the team needs a more permanent solution. Enter Pasecniks.

Pasecniks is a reported 7-foot-1 big who is very versatile as well. We wrote about the reasons why the team traded up for him at the start of the season. In short, he was a lightly scouted player who brings huge potential to the NBA. Ultimately, he is a player with a style similar to Kristaps Porzingis.

Next: How important is Joel Embiid’s 3-point shot?

So there are plenty of reasons to believe the Philadelphia 76ers will compete for the NBA Championship next season, and for years to come. Perhaps that is why many now believe LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers is likely. Whether that happens or not, this team is built to win. And we haven’t even talked about 2018 NBA Draft prospects.  Hmmmm…