1. Expectations
The Sixers are burdened with more expectations than any season in recent memory. Brett Brown finally has a competitive roster and the guise of stability, with a roster that shouldn’t undergo major changes mid-season.
Most pundits peg Philadelphia as favorites or co-favorites in the East, with only Milwaukee garnering comparable buzz. While there are other worthy teams in the conference, Philadelphia feels like a real title contender in 2019-20. That wasn’t the vibe for most of last season.
Members of the media will ask every Philadelphia player their expectations for 2019-20. Some will mention personal goals. Others will mention championships. Some will be less bold, instead offering up long-winded answers that essentially boil down to “I don’t want to jinx it.”
We are potentially on the edge of a bright era in Philadelphia’s long basketball history. Embiid and Simmons are a special young duo, while Harris, Horford and Richardson spearhead a deeply talented supporting cast. The Sixers can bully teams on both ends, a rare size advantage the main reason.
The Sixers will get asked about expectations. You can expect responses of stark confidence or total avoidance, with very little in between. It’s the theme that will guide Philadelphia’s season, and perhaps determine Brown’s coaching future. The Sixers must live up to sky-high expectations.