Ranking every player on the 2020-21 Philadelphia 76ers roster.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ 2020-21 season starts tomorrow. Ahead of what promises to be an exciting (and far different) experience compared to last season, we here at The Sixer Sense decided to reconvene once again to rank every player on the roster.
Last time we did this, Al Horford and Josh Richardson were on the team, Shake Milton was a newly minted starter, and Brett Brown was the puppeteer behind the curtain. Now Doc Rivers is running the show, Philadelphia has a slew of new shooters, and the team finds itself with a more balanced — and, on paper, more potent — offensive group.
Per usual, we averaged together lists from several contributors to reach our final composite ranking. This list was compiled prior to the Sixers’ two preseason games, but frankly, two preseason games should not have major sway over this kind of project.
Contributing to this article is Christopher Kline (@KlineNBA), Lucas Johnson (@LucasJohnsonNBA), Adam Gilbert (@adam_gib11), Jonathan Geib, Uriah Young (@UY76VO), Matt Plesco (@MattPlesco), and Matt Cahill.
Ranking every Sixers player #17 — Dakota Mathias
Dakota Mathias starred for four years at Purdue, where he became a full-time starter his final two seasons. As a senior in 2017-18, Mathias averaged 12.0 points and 3.9 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range. That long ball is his trademark, and it’s why Philadelphia sought him out this offseason.
The 25-year-old Mathias shot 39.5 percent from deep in 42 games with the Texas Legends last season. He has proven himself as one of the G-League’s top deep threats, and it makes sense for Philadelphia to invest in talent of that ilk. The more shooting on this roster, the better.
Mathias was more than just a shooter, too. He averaged 18.1 points per game, with enough go-to scoring punch to earn a bigger investment in Delaware. While the status of G-League basketball remains up in the air, one would expect Mathias to be featured as one of the top scorers on the roster if the Blue Coats do, in fact, suit up this season.
Daryl Morey and the Sixers front office have put a premium on shooting this offseason. In order to carve out a spot long-term, Mathias will need to outshine the likes of Isaiah Joe and Terrance Ferguson. It’s a tall task, but the Sixers clearly valued him over Marial Shayok, who was a second-round pick in 2019. That’s something.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #16 — Paul Reed
The 59th overall pick in November’s NBA Draft, the Sixers signed Paul Reed to a two-way contract. Whether he spends time on the bench or in Delaware this season, Reed is clearly a long-term project. He is someone the Sixers are investing in with an eye toward the future.
A lanky, explosive 6-foot-9 athlete, Reed has potential as either a four or small-ball five. He can rim-run, face up from the elbow, or simply crash the offensive glass. His 3-point shot is a work-in-progress, as is his decision-making, but Reed showed flashes of scoring upside at DePaul. He averaged 15.1 points on 55.1 percent shooting last season, and even hit 30.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Where the Sixers are likely most excited about Reed’s potential, however, is the defensive end. He needs to bulk up, but Reed’s wingspan, mobility, and upside as a weak-side rim protection and bastion of havoc would appeal to both Daryl Morey and Elton Brand. He’s still erratic, but Reed is a defensive playmaker, and there’s always value in high-effort players who make things happen.
Reed is buried in a deep Sixers frontcourt and is unlikely to earn any real playing time as a rookie. Maybe even as a sophomore. He’s someone who is good enough to stick around the program for a few years and incubate. The room for growth makes Reed worthy of his selection at No. 59 in the NBA Draft.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #15 — Vincent Poirier
The “battle” for Philadelphia’s final roster spot never really played out. Vincent Poirier was a surprise inclusion in the Al Horford trade, and his guaranteed contract neatly rounded out the regular season roster. He’s now the fourth traditional center in Doc Rivers’ frontcourt rotation.
Poirier is a big, bruising center. The 240-pound 7-footer was one of the best rebounders in Europe prior to his arrival in the States last season. He played sparingly as a rookie, appearing in 22 games and averaging just 5.9 minutes for the Boston Celtics. He is buried under an even deeper center group this season, but could find sparse minutes in garbage time or when Embiid sits.
Rebounding is Poirier’s calling card, but he’s also fairly agile for his size. He runs the court well and is willing to get out in transition — a positive when you’re on the same team as Ben Simmons. He also has nice touch at the rim, with enough physicality to absorb contact and finish inside on a regular basis.
Poirier is nothing special and will not be part of the regular group this season. That said, he’s more than capable as a fourth center, and frankly, with Embiid and Dwight Howard both prone to injuries, his presence isn’t without utility.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #14 — Tony Bradley
Next in line behind Joel Embiid and Dwight Howard at center, Tony Bradley will get minutes this season — not in the regular rotation, necessarily, but as part of the contingency plan if (when) Embiid or Howard get hurt or rest. Bradley played a similar role in Utah last season as the tertiary big on a team helmed by an elite center.
Bradley doesn’t stand out much in the modern NBA. He doesn’t space the floor, he’s not particularly light on his feet, and as a result, a good number of defensive matchups are inherently unfavorable. Bradley will get torched in space and he’s not quick off the ground, so the Sixers can’t rely on him for much rim protection.
On the bright side, Bradley does have some nifty moves offensively. He has excellent body control and can long-step his way to points in the point. He makes nice use of long sides and sweeping hooks, and displays feather-soft touch at the rim. Get him the ball close to the basket and he has decent odds of finishing.
When it comes to third-string bigs, you could do worse than Bradley. He’s only 22 and on an expiring contract, so the risk is low and the potential reward somewhat high, even if he is limited by the nature of his skill set and athletic profile.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #13 — Isaiah Joe
The rookie from Arkansas came off the bench in his first NBA game and looked…well, like a rookie. In the final few minutes of his first preseason game, Isaiah Joe checked in and threw up an air ball on his first shot attempt. He got an initial taste of professional play and looked quite lost. Honestly, it was expected.
As a second-round pick, Joe is going to need some time to adjust to a few things vastly different from the NCAA game. One would be the grueling schedule that will be triple the amount of games he played at Arkansas. In addition, the size and speed of NBA players will put his body to the test. Will he be able to keep up with skilled, savvy veterans? Will he even see enough playing to be in such a position?
Minutes for Isaiah Joe may be as slim as his slender frame. With Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Danny Green, and Seth Curry ahead of Joe on the guard list, Doc Rivers may have to keep Joe at the end of the bench. The other option is for Joe to develop his game with the Delaware Blue Coats. Whatever the case, we can’t expect too much from the sharp shooter who excelled at the collegiate level.
— URIAH YOUNG
Ranking every Sixers player #12 — Terrance Ferguson
After making a strong first impression in the league, Terrance Ferguson’s production has tapered off. He shot just 29.2 percent from deep last season and was buried beneath OKC’s slew of young wings. He will find it similarly hard to get minutes on a contender in Philadelphia, where the perimeter rotation looks as good as it has since the Embiid era began.
Ferguson is a springy athlete, has bouts of hot shooting on his record, and can certainly revive his career with a strong season. There’s room for him to crack the rotation — Mike Scott and Matisse Thybulle aren’t immovable forces, and the rookie Tyrese Maxey is, well, a rookie. We can expect Doc Rivers to at least test the waters on occasion.
With a thin frame and lack of discipline, Ferguson’s defense is mostly a negative. He can flash his athleticism for the occasional big play, but more often than not, Ferguson is easily exploitable and undisciplined. Such is life with young players, but Ferguson is reaching a critical point in his NBA career. He only has another season or two to prove he belongs in the NBA.
The Sixers’ perimeter depth is finally not a weakness — at least, not a crippling weakness. Rivers’ rotation is mostly serviceable, if not inspiring to the highest degree. Ferguson has an uphill battle in front of him, and I’m not confident he can overcome it, but the opportunities will present themselves.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #11 — Mike Scott
A sudden barrage of clutch 3s in the preseason has Mike Scott back in the Philadelphia conscious. Leader of the Hive and longstanding fan-favorite, Scott struggled to justify his over $5 million contract last season. He may get a second chance to prove his worth under Doc Rivers, who coached him briefly alongside Tobias Harris in LA.
Scott’s value is rooted in spot-up 3s and physical defense. The Sixers lack physical defenders in the second unit, and shooting is always a positive. Scott hit only 36.9 percent of his 3s last season, but the year prior, he shot 41.2 percent from deep with the Sixers. If he can crack that number again, he will undoubtedly have a spot in Rivers’ rotation.
The Sixers have youth on the roster that should, in theory, take precedence over Scott. That said, Philadelphia is trying to win games, and if Rivers believes in Scott than development may not take precedence. Rivers is a notoriously veteran-friendly coach, and his previous relationship with Scott is a point in Scott’s favor.
In reality, Scott isn’t much of a defender. He plays the part of a tough, no-nonsense player, but it doesn’t always translate to competent defense. He’s physical, he tries hard, and he will occasionally dive on the floor or mix it up with an opponent, but Scott is still unreliable on that end of the floor. His value is tied mostly to shooting, and his shooting numbers will determine his play time this season.
— CHRISTOPHER KLINE
Ranking every Sixers player #10 — Furkan Korkmaz
At the ten spot is Furkan Korkmaz. Still just 23 years old, Korkmaz is entering his fourth season. After almost leaving the team last offseason, Furkan returned and had the best year of his career. Appearing in 72 games and starting in 12, Korkmaz solidified his role in the 76ers rotation. His game-winner against Portland in the fifth game of the season was a welcome sight for fans and the organization alike after a tumultuous year off and on the court in 2018. After scoring 65 points in two games in February, things were looking up for Korkmaz. Despite a couple of poor performances, Korkmaz continued to score in double figures as the season ended in March and during the restart in August. With limited minutes in the postseason, Korkmaz struggled — tallying just three points in the entire Boston series.
Korkmaz appears to be in line for a significant bench role this season -– apart from Dwight Howard and Shake Milton, it seems Furkan Korkmaz will be the next man off the bench. With his averages steadily increasing throughout his career, Furkan is due for a breakout season. It could not come at a better time for the Turkish native, being in the last year of his contract.
While breaking down Furkan’s game, let’s start with the bad stuff — defense. Korkmaz, throughout his career, has averaged more fouls per game than steals and blocks combined. Furthermore, in 24 more appearances, Korkmaz only recorded 12 more steals and 14 more blocks. The blocks stat is promising, given he had three total blocks for the first two years of his career. Regardless, at 6-foot-7 and usually guarding the other team’s worst offensive player, Korkmaz, needs more than this.
There is also a picture that statistics cannot tell. Korkmaz gets bullied defensively. His long, lean frame allows him to get punished on that side of the ball. He is not the quickest player either and often tries to spring himself free on the fast break, leaving himself vulnerable to getting beaten off the dribble. He rarely, if ever, guards someone taller than him. Put simply, he is a horrid defender. Korkmaz does not need to be a good defender, though. In fact, he does not even have to be a serviceable defender. All he needs to do is not to be a liability on that side of the ball. We know he can contribute offensively — the best part of his game — but his future depends on the degree of his ineptness on defense.
Now to the fun stuff, the offense. Korkmaz can shoot the lights out… most of the time. Yes, he is a streaky shooter, but it is hard to argue with shooting 40 percent from deep last season while usually being the only perimeter threat on the court. He has steadily improved the rest of his offensive game as well. Last season, his field goal percentage sat at 43 percent, but he only averaged two non-3-point attempts per game. His league experience has helped him track down rebounds — something you would expect from a player of Korkmaz’s size.
If there is a place for his game to improve on the offensive side, it is passing. His assist rate stayed the same while his turnover rate increased. Hopefully, it comes down to his lack of experience with some turnovers being the right idea, just a little too late. However, there are quite a few turnovers that leave fans and the organization wondering if he belongs in the NBA. Furkan will have a role off of the bench and have the time to prove himself. Offensively, he needs to continue his growth and point production. On top of that, he needs to clean up his game by providing more assists and turning the ball over less.
The last time he was a free agent, Korkmaz was on his way back to Turkey after not receiving an NBA offer until the 76ers came calling late. It is a make-or-break year for Furkan. We know what he brings — a streaky 3-point shooter who can be a liability on the defensive end. His playing time hinges on his defensive aptitude. Furkan can undoubtedly carve out a role for himself as a 3-point shooter.
If he wants to elevate his career, however, Korkmaz needs to improve on the defensive end. He will get the playing time to prove himself, so now it comes down to whether or not Korkmaz can perform. With a player efficiency rating (PER) of 12 last season, Korkmaz was below the league average. His added value — an estimation of points added above a replacement — was at 36.9 last season. This is an incredible number for a role player. But his PER suffers because of his defense.
For Furkan, the formula is simple, keep improving on the offensive end but focus on the defensive side. It is not an overstatement to say that this is the most critical year in his NBA career. Perhaps, his NBA dreams rely on his performance this season.
— MATT PLESCO
Ranking every Sixers player #9 — Tyrese Maxey
Despite being a rookie, Tyrese Maxey comes in as number nine in these rankings and after the impressive preseason he’s had, it could be argued he should be higher. He missed the beginning of training camp because of a positive COVID-19 test, but that didn’t stop him from producing in the Sixers’ two preseason games.
In the first preseason win against the Boston Celtics, Maxey had eight points and three assists. Against the Indiana Pacers, Maxey had 11 points and five rounds in a winning effort. Not bad for the 21st pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
I’ve already written on how he and Shake Milton can be the team’s backcourt of the future, but he’s been showing this preseason that he’s deserving of a rotational spot to begin the year. He can create for himself and others, which is the skill that the Sixers don’t have much of outside of Ben Simmons and arguably Milton.
With Milton’s ability to play off the ball, Maxey has a chance to earn backup point guard minutes early and often this season. If Maxey continues to grow as a rookie, he might quickly become one of the steals of this past NBA draft.
— LUCAS JOHNSON
Ranking every Sixers player #8 — Dwight Howard
Like previous stars past their prime, Dwight Howard is at the point in his career where he has essentially become a key role player on a contender. While the eighth spot certainly seems low for the future Hall of Fame center, it doesn’t mean he won’t play a key role for the Sixers.
In years past, the 76ers defense struggled when Joel Embiid wasn’t on the court. It was somewhat better last year with Al Horford filling the role as backup center, but the year before was horrendous. Despite being near the end of his career, Howard is still a much better defender than Horford, Boban Marjanovic, Greg Monroe, and Amir Johnson were in the past two seasons.
The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year will certainly anchor the second unit’s defense. Offensive he will be running the floor and finishing strong around the rim, whether it be on lobs or offensive rebounding.
Besides being a very good reserve, he will more than likely be starting several games this season. Until Embiid proves he can play for almost a complete season, having an eight-time former All-Star step into a starting role is definitely a win for Philly. Despite being 35-years-old, Howard appears to have something left in the tank, so adding him this offseason was a big steal for the franchise.
— LUCAS JOHNSON
Ranking every Sixers player #7 — Shake Milton
Despite coming in at number seven on our list, Shake Milton will probably be the 76ers’ sixth man this year. Doc Rivers has stated that he knows of four players who will definitely be coming off the bench, and, as reports and preseason games have shown, Shake will be one of those players. We know his game well, and some would argue that Doc Rivers knows his potential better than anyone else. After torching Rivers’ Clippers for 39 points last season, the second-round pick had arrived on the NBA stage.
The 76ers had a slew of injuries last year, and Milton successfully stepped into the starting lineup for more than a quarter of the season. On a minimum deal, Shake has shown a great feel and knowledge of the game. Last season he stepped up in a big way — when not in the starting lineup, Shake proved to be a useful bench scorer. He improved his field goal percentage by nearly 10 percent and shot 11 percent better from deep — all of which came on more attempts than the previous season. His averages were up across the board. Most notably, he improved his assists by nearly two per game. While, of course, this comes back to an increase in minutes, Shake has proven he belongs in the Sixers lineup.
It is safe to expect more of the same improvement from Shake this season. With the arrival of shooters like Seth Curry and Danny Green, he could find more space to knock down shots on the offensive end. Doc Rivers loves Shake Milton, and he’s made that public throughout training camp. Shake will have the opportunity to show his growth on both ends.
It is also clear that Shake will be the Sixers’ most important bench player. After just one preseason game, we can see that Shake will lead the second unit, and his defensive prowess against Jaylen Brown suggests he could get a fair bit of time with the top unit. Perhaps the best signing the Sixers made this offseason was that of Dwight Howard, and no player is in line to benefit more from Howard than Milton. Shake has a certified running mate on the second unit. In the Boston game, it was apparent that Howard will be adept at creating shooting opportunities for Milton. The Ben and Joel pick-and-roll is a hot topic among fans, but the Milton and Howard two-man game will be critical to the Sixers not losing games with Ben and Joel on the bench.
However, his growth on the defensive side of the ball will show us the ceiling he has this year. He has made public his desire to improve defensively, and his weight gain will allow him to be bullied less on the defensive side. While his lateral quickness has never been superb, Milton will need to work on this aspect of his game to survive with the top unit.
On the positive side of things for Milton is the fact that he does not need to be a good NBA defender; he just needs to be serviceable. J.J. Redick and other players of the Sixers recent past have been putrid on the defensive end but had a solidified role in the lineup. This is not to say Milton is the same offensively as Redick, but he is a young player on a great contract who can positively contribute to the team on a nightly basis. Any positive defensive contributions are an added bonus for Philadelphia. If Milton can even be serviceable defensively, he will thrust the 76ers high into the Eastern Conference Playoff picture. Shake might not have looked great during the restart, but it was in an unusual situation where he was thrust into the starting lineup when Brett Brown made a final effort to save his job.
With that being said, however, we cannot take a lot away from Shake’s time in the bubble. More telling will be his preseason performance, which, so far, has been stellar. He drew a charge on Jaylen Brown in the third quarter and threw a beautiful alley-oop to Howard. While the starters lack some chemistry, it looks like Shake and Howard fit perfectly together.
The best-case scenario this season is that Shake Milton becomes the Sixth Man of the Year. While this is a fantasy and, probably, will not happen, the Sixers do not need it to happen. If Shake continues the steady improvement he has shown throughout his career, he will undoubtedly be a key contributor this season for Philadelphia. Doc trusts him, Dwight Howard trusts him, and the front office clearly believes in him.
At the same time, this is not a make-or-break season for Shake; this year could elevate him into the spotlight. Nobody would have expected Shake to be this good this early after being drafted 54th overall. But with his vast offensive skillset and never good enough mindset, Shake Milton is one of the Sixers’ top talents and a gem they found late in the draft. Do not expect Milton to be an All-Star but do expect him to fit comfortably and excel in the Sixers’ new system.
— MATT PLESCO
The difference between the Sixers being merely good or a serious contender may not lie with their stars, but with with their sixth man, Shake Milton. Doc Rivers has publicly compared Shake to Lou WIlliams and Jamal Crawford, and while that may be setting the bar pretty high, it does tell everyone just how highly they think of Milton and what he means to this team. When he is hot, Milton can score points in bunches. Shake needs to feel comfortable and relaxed to excel, and working with Sam Cassell, who had a similar role on the Championship Houston Rockets of the ’90’s, is only going to help his development.
Milton is defensively weak, but capable of offensive explosions that can change the momentum of a game. Hitting 2-3 three pointers in five minutes or scoring 15-20 points in a half can alter the outcome of a game, while allowing allowing the starters to rest and hitting the defense with a nasty change of pace. Bringing him off the bench will allow this young player to grow his confidence without pressure and feel the rhythm of the game before entering. He was at his best last year when he could just play freely and loose and Rivers has already said that he is going to give him complete freedom and a long leash.
It’s also crucial for a team loaded with high salary stars to find a few diamonds in the rough, a la Robert Covington. All good Championship teams have players who, for one reason or another are underpaid, and inexpensive talent is hard to find. If they are going to have three or more Max salaries on the payroll, the Sixers are going to need their cheaper players to produce.
This is the season that the SIxers find out exactly what they have in Shake Milton. Were the flashes of Shake that we saw last year just fool’s gold, like a Philly version of “Linsanity”, or is Shake capable of being the microwave scorer off the bench that this team will need to be a threat in the East? Rivers and the Sixers are already betting on Shake being the real deal. If they are right, the SIxers will have a very exciting player for a long time.
— MATT CAHILL
Ranking every Sixers player #6 — Matisse Thybulle
Will there be a sophomore slump or a second year ascent from Matisse Thybulle? That’s a real question with significant implications for the 76ers. As a rookie, Thybulle left a solid impression on his NBA peers and fans around the league.
His defensive stats were astounding last year, considering he only played 20 minutes per night. Per 36, Thybulle averaged 2.6 steals and 1.3 blocks. His reputation as a ball hawk has been noted, so he must be ready for teams to study his tendencies to counter his effectiveness. Ideally, a steady influence from mature veterans like Tobias Harris and Danny Green will help Thybulle get to the next level of NBA play.
For as much as there is to admire about his game, there’s more to Thybulle off the court for eyebrows to be raised. Consider his activism to encourage voting and raise awareness on social issues. On a lighter note, Thybulle has his own popular YouTube channel that gained attention during the NBA Bubble season.
New hairdo and all, Matisse Thybulle will be watched closely this year. If he improves his shooting and driving skills, he will add much to the Sixers’ bench production. It will be interesting to see how a new coaching staff will bring Thybulle along. Even more interesting will be if he remembers to buy enough Popeye’s biscuits for the team when called upon.
— URIAH YOUNG
Ranking every Sixers player #5 — Danny Green
The newest acquisition from the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers is Danny Green who comes in ranking 5th in his first year as a Philadelphia 76er. Green is a three-time NBA champion, winning in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, 2019 with the Toronto Raptors and this past year with the Lakers. He is well-known for his 3-point shooting ability and slightly lesser-known for his defense.
Green was one of the premier 3-and-D players, those who specialize in 3-point shooting and playing defense as their main skills, but age has taken a toll here. He garnered much praise for his defense on LeBron James in the 2014 NBA Finals, but at age 33, Green is slower and less intimidating than he once was. Additionally, last season he had one of his worst shooting seasons averaging 36.7 percent from deep, which is a far cry from his 2018 season with the Raptors where his 3-point percentage was a staggering 46.5 percent.
The question here obviously is, can Green get back to his 2018 shooting form and not be a defensive liability? The hope is that with the defensive presence and strength the Sixers already have in their lineup that Green will not be asked to do as much and can be seamlessly plugged into the system. His 3-point shooting should benefit from the attention Embiid will draw on offense, giving Green more space and time to shoot.
Lastly, and most importantly, Green’s veteran presence will be a huge asset in the locker room and his playoff and NBA Finals experience will be incredibly valuable to a group of young players who have not yet played on that big of a stage in their nascent careers.
— JONATHAN GEIB
Ranking every Sixers player #4 — Seth Curry
Under normal basketball circumstances I’m not sure we would have Seth Curry ranked this high. Don’t get me wrong, he is a nice player with good handles that has flashes of an ability to generate his own shot, but his weaknesses on defense make him tough to have out there for starters minutes. The Mavericks started him on occasion, but once the playoffs rolled around, they moved him back to the bench to provide a shooting and scoring burst off the pine. In my opinion, you are getting what you paid for with Seth Curry, a professional shooter.
That’s why he was ranked as the fourth best player on the team. Seth Curry’s shooting ability is exactly what this team has been missing since the departure of J.J. Redick. Its absence allowed teams to double team Joel in the post and crowd the lane when Ben had the ball without any serious consequences.
Curry is going to get a ton of open looks off opposing defense’s overcompensation guarding Ben and Joel. If he can cash in at a high clip Curry could end up having a career year. This offense is perfectly suited for him. Help off Curry to stop Ben from getting to the rim? Boom, open three. Bring the double to stop Joel in the post? Splash another triple. Go under the screen in the pick in roll? Bang Curry makes you pay once again.
I’m anticipating a career year for Seth Curry, and I hope he can live up to the hype.
— ADAM GILBERT
Ranking every Sixers player #3 — Tobias Harris
I wish I could confidently write about Tobias Harris being a definitive true third wheel in a Philly ‘Big 3’ that would also encompass Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. His contract would certainly indicate that he should at minimum be that type of player since he is being paid the most. Aside from any discussions surrounding his place as part of a Philly ‘Big 3,’ I think we can all agree he is the third best player on the team. Outside of Shake Milton, Tobias is really the only player on the roster that can generate his own shot off the dribble from the perimeter.
I believe that for the 76ers to truly contend this season, Tobias will have a take a leap forward. Tobias had his best seasons in the league under Doc Rivers when he was with the Clippers. While he was on those Clippers teams, Harris averaged nearly 20 points and pulled in eight rebounds per game. He’s basically doing the same thing now for the 76ers, but the difference in his performance lays in the shooting percentages. Tobias was shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3 before being traded to Philly. Since then his percentages have dropped. Last year he was only a 36.7 percent shooter from behind the arc.
The 76ers need him to be better than that in an offense that generates looks off the greatness of Ben and Joel. Tobias needs to shoot the 3-ball with confidence, be a leader in the locker room, average at least 20 points with eight boards and prove to the 76ers faithful that he isn’t producing empty stats as a result of his inefficiencies. Tobias must play like he’s the third best player on the team. Hopefully, Doc can pull out the Tobias Harris that we saw leading the Clippers before we traded for him.
— ADAM GILBERT
Ranking every Sixers player #2 — Ben Simmons
Before getting into the positives about Ben Simmons and why he’s number two in these rankings, it’s mandatory as someone who covers the Sixers to write about Simmons’ unwillingness to take jump shots. Without a jumper prevents him from being number one on this list.
With that being written, Simmons is easily the second best player on this list. He’s the best passer and perimeter defender on the 76ers. He’s tied for the best overall defender, as well as being the third best finisher and rebounder on the team.
If he improves his shot blocking this season, there’s a real argument that can be made that Simmons should be a top candidate for Defensive Player of the Year this season. The question becomes can Simmons become more aggressive offensive, in terms of being a scorer and attempting jumpers.
The sky is the limit for Simmons, he just needs to get out of his own way offensively to reach that potential. Entering his fourth season will really show fans if Simmons is going to take that next step into superstardom or if he’s content with being the player he has shown to be thus far in his career.
— LUCAS JOHNSON
Ranking every Sixers player #1 — Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid takes the top spot once again in our Ranking the Sixers project. Embiid fends off Ben Simmons to retain his title as the best player on the Sixers, a title he well deserves. Until Simmons improves his jump shot this will not be much of a competition.
Embiid is an imposing presence on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and he matches up well with most any other opposing big in the league. His versatility is unique for his size and even though he shoots too many 3-pointers for a big man, he averaged 33% from deep last year. That is just slightly below the NBA league average for all players 3-point percentage. Embiid’s physical frame allows him to dominate in the post which leads to a wide array of ways he can beat teams on offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Embiid might even be better. He was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year during his one collegiate season and he has brought that skillset and intensity to the NBA. In 2018 and 2019 he made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and in 2018 he was in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year. Embiid can defend the perimeter and hold his own in the post. He is a pure all-around NBA superstar and if he can remain healthy will become a top five player in the league this upcoming season.
— JONATHAN GEIB