One year on, the Philadelphia 76ers are unrecognizable. The stark contrast between the Sixers' 2025-26 opening-night starting lineup and the one that could potentially be fielded this year is incredible. There is only one man to thank for turning water into wine: Mike Gansey.
2025-26 Starting Lineup |
|---|
PG: Tyrese Maxey |
SG: VJ Edgecombe |
PF: Dominick Barlow |
SF: Kelly Oubre Jr. |
C: Adem Bona |
Potential 2026-27 Starting Lineup |
|---|
PG: Tyrese Maxey |
SG: VJ Edgecombe |
PF: LeBron James |
SF: Jaylen Brown |
C: Joel Embiid |
Gansey has transformed the Sixers' questionable frontcourt
Unless the 76ers' head coach Nick Nurse has a few tactical tweaks up his sleeve, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will retain their place as the starting guards this year. Their electric partnership lit up the NBA and inspired Philadelphia to clinch a postseason berth. However, the team's frontcourt depth didn't whet fans' palates in the same manner.
While Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow will always provide their team with a high level of hustle, having their names on a team sheet doesn't move the needle for any franchise. If the duo held a supporting role, maybe so, but not when they boast a prominent role in the rotation.
It took Mike Gansey a matter of weeks to smell out the weaknesses that have plagued the 76ers for several years and create a solution covered in stardust. Philadelphia's leading man now has more than hard workers at his disposal; he has two players who shift the perception of the franchise from pretenders to contenders.
LeBron James is a bona fide superstar who doesn't just bring championship credentials but also a resume as arguably the greatest player to ever grace a basketball court. Additionally, Jaylen Brown possesses invaluable leadership qualities, while also bringing his own monster mentality to a team that is forever the bridesmaid and never the bride.
Joel Embiid is the cherry on top of a star-studded cake
Writing this sentence could be a curse in itself; nevertheless, as it stands, Joel Embiid appears healthy and ready to be unleashed at the season's opening tip. The 76ers' energetic center Adem Bona brings much enthusiasm to the lineup, but nothing quite compares to the elite skill set of Embiid.
Despite struggling with fitness issues throughout his career, the 32-year-old has averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game to establish himself as one of the most dominant two-way bigs in the entire league.
Mike Gansey might not deserve the credit for putting Embiid in a position to start the season; however, his ability to construct a roster that should allow Nick Nurse to stagger his offensive talisman's minutes will be critical to Philadelphia's success.
As we all know, it won't be Embiid's ability to start the campaign that brings the 76ers a title, but his ability to build momentum as the playoffs approach. Gansey has created an environment in which this theory stands a strong chance of coming to fruition. Let us see if Lady Luck is feeling generous as the Sixers embark on their championship journey.
12 months is a long time in the ruthless world of the NBA. Notwithstanding that, the job Mike Gansey has done during his short tenure in South Philly has been remarkable. Scratching names like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dominick Barlow off the opening-night lineup in favor of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown is just ridiculous.
Stand aside, Brad Stevens, Mike Gansey is already polishing his trophy cabinet in anticipation of stealing your Executive of the Year award.
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