4 reasons the Philadelphia 76ers are not sleepers

Reason 4

Lastly, I can foresee another Sixers player rejuvenating his performance with extra time off to heal. He came from Boston and used to give the Sixers fits when paired with Kyrie Irving. As cameras start rolling and whistles start blowing in Disney in a few weeks, Al Horford 2.0 will be downloaded into the rotation and offer more features than the older version.

His post moves will still be there, and his passing will remain constant, but his movement and physicality will be elevated because of a well-rested body. The later two will provide much needed defensive effectiveness once he takes on the true backup center role for Joel Embiid.

The 34-year old still has some gas in the tank, and he will show why his value is on the higher end than what most doubters tend to believe. In addition, with 120 games of playoff experience, including conference finals minutes, Al Horford helps solidify why the 76ers should not be considered a sleeper pick the rest of the season.

Before the Coronavirus hit, if the Sixers were playing in South Philly, they were a juggernaut. If they were playing outside of the 215 area code, they wilted like a flower in the desert. The question for this team now is can they excel in a neutral environment? Can they rack up wins in a venue that neither has the enthusiasm of their home fans but also lacks the hostile energy of their opponents’ crowds?

This is the argument that sleeper pick pundits are throwing out here on their shows and in their articles. It is understandable. However, with a successful record against elite teams, a more motivated Joel Embiid, an incredulous Ben Simmons, and a rejuvenated Al Horford, the Philadelphia 76ers will show us why we should take the current Vegas odds with a grain of salt.