How Sixers can reach the NBA Finals: The bench provides great production
Last season, the Sixers bench averaged 36.3 points per game, which was one of the best in the league. Their bench will be key to them getting far in the NBA Playoffs.
Tyrese Maxey was a steal from the 2020 NBA Draft. He played exceptionally well during the 2020-21 season, averaging eight points per game and once scoring 39 points against the Denver Nuggets while in the starting point guard role. Maxey also stepped up during the playoffs last season, providing a spark plug off the bench for the Sixers.
He has been playing exceptionally well in the 2021 NBA Summer League, as shown in the highlights.
Jaden Springer looked promising in the NBA Summer League. In his first NBA Summer League, the Sixers first round draft pick averaged 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He struggled with his shooting, hitting only 15 percent of his 3-point attempts. The Sixers’ 2021 first round pick also scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting in the Sixers’ summer league finale. In his lone season at Tennessee, Springer averaged 12.5 points, which lead the team in scoring. Springer also had great efficiency in his offense with shooting splits of 47/44/81. It is worth noting that Springer gets most of his points while driving into the lane.
The addition of Andre Drummond is a great replacement for the recently departed Dwight Howard. Drummond has been one of the best rebounders in the game in recent years and will provide great minutes off the bench while Joel Embiid is on the bench. Paul Reed will also likely see a bigger role off the bench next season. Reed had a great summer league and has made the All-Summer League second team. Reed also recorded the second 20-20 game in NBA Summer League history.
Conclusion: The Sixers CAN make the NBA Finals in 2022
There is a lot that goes into the making of an NBA Championship winning team. The Sixers definitely have the talent and the coaching staff required to win a championship next year, but as always, a lot has to go right for them. If these three factors listed above take place, the Sixers could go further in the playoffs than they have in recent years.