The Sixers have been the topic of conversation as of late around the NBA. The absence of their star point guard has shifted the conversation away from basketball during these last few weeks. Ben Simmons has made it clear to the Philadelphia fanbase that he has no desire to play in this upcoming season. With the regular season quickly approaching, the Sixers have had no choice but to continue improving with the players who make themselves available.
On Monday, Oct. 4, the Philadelphia 76ers traveled to Toronto, Canada for their first preseason game of the 2021 season. The crowd in Scotiabank Arena produced enough energy to remind NBA analysts that the season is closer than many think. The Arena was filled to half its capacity as the fans in the audience took the first glimpse of their team’s potential.
In the end, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Sixers by a score of 123-107. Although fans in Philadelphia were disappointed by the loss, they found joy in some of the Sixers’ individual performances.
Winning is one of the main focuses for the Philadelphia 76ers as of late. The 76ers front office has made a point of developing a winning attitude that will carry into the 2021 season. After losing game seven of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals, the Sixers executives decided to look for players who could aid the Sixers in winning big games.
Veteran leadership was something that Philadelphia lacked on the hardwood last season. After parting ways with former shooting guard J.J Reddick in 2019, the Sixers decided to search for someone who could help lead on the court.
The Sixers have begun their long journey to the 2021 NBA Finals. Will Andre Drummond make an impact on the roster this season?
During the 2021 offseason, the Philadelphia front office signed veteran Andre Drummond to a one-year deal. Drummonds 14.9 career points per game average stood out to the Sixers organization. Throughout his career, Andre Drummond has been able to fill the role of a dominant big man. His 12.0 career rebound per game average has helped proved that Drummond could be a key player for any team.
During Monday’s performance against the Raptors, Drummond recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds. His 22 minutes on the floor were spent collecting defensive rebounds and finishing at the freethrow line. He went 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. If Drummond can produce like this alongside Joel Embiid, the Sixers might have a chance of reclaiming the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers believe that they can win games this season with their current active roster. As the preseason continues, Doc Rivers and his coaching staff will have the task of molding his team into a championship contender. The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to repeat their performance from the previous regular season despite Ben Simmons’ absence. If the Sixers have plans on making any noise this season, they must rely on their veteran leadership.