Preview of the NBA 2021-22 season over Philadelphia 76ers. Data, results from the previous season, a look at their squad and future free agents, the objectives of the course, the player to watch and a forecast on the franchise.
Philadelphia 76ers
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- Market movements: Renovations by Furkan Korkmaz, Georges Niang and Danny Green; signing of Andre Drummond (here all movements).
- Backcourt: Isaiah Joe, Danny Green, Tyrese Maxey, Furkan Korkmaz, Shake Milton, Grant Riller, Matisse Thybulle, Shaquille Harrison, Jaden Springer, Seth Curry.
- Frontcourt: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Paul Reed, Andre Drummond, Georges Niang, Tobias Harris.
This is how they face the season
The waters go down somewhat choppy in the Philly franchise due to the situation with Ben Simmons. The All-Star has tried an exit that finally has not arrived, and the player has had no choice but to pick up cable and return to the discipline directed by Doc Rivers. The elimination of the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Semifinals, and subsequent negative comments by Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid, hurt Simmons, who has refused to return to the Sixers.
The franchise directed by Daryl Morey has tried (without success) to find him a new accommodation; however, its lofty claims have ruined any operation. It was leaked that they negotiated with the Sacramento Kings, the San Antonio Spurs and even a possible barter for Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn.
With the Australian back in training, it is assumed that he will start with Joel Embiid, Seth Curry, Danny Green and Tobias Harris following the pre-established script. In preseason we have seen enough minutes for Georges Niang to replace Harris; and also the young Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton or Matisse Thybulle interspersing the position of ‘one’ starter. But as we have discussed previously, presumably they will return to the bench while Simmons is on the team.
With the soap opera finished (temporarily), Joel Embiid assumes all the leading role in these Sixers. The whole game passes through his hands, and from the management they have given him their total and absolute confidence with a salary extension for the super maximum.
The pivot is the most decisive of this squad and his future aspirations in the table will depend on his physical condition. Last year he held out quite well, playing 51 of the 72 possible rounds, and in the playoffs he forced despite having certain physical problems.
With Simmons back, and Embiid centering the opposing defenses, the spaces generated on the floor have to be used by his squires, with special relevance for a Tobias Harris who has always performed very well under Rivers’ orders.
Harris improved his performance coinciding with Rivers on the bench, and especially in percentages with 51% in field goals and 40% in triples. The success of other shooters will also be key, such as Seth Curry (45% in 3-pointers last year) and his teammate Danny Green (40%).
Regarding their young values, Thybulle, Maxey or Milton are untouchable for management. The Australian starred in some pretty good Tokyo Olympics, especially on defense, and both Maxey and Milton are called to replace Simmons if they finally find a place for him.
And trading cards at the reserve center position with Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond going the other way (from LA to Philadelphia and vice versa). Embiid will take three-quarters of the pie, and when Drummond has his chance, he must be very clear about his role, which is none other than intimidation, defense and rebounding. His relationship with Embiid is not the best possible and it will be necessary to closely monitor how both evolve.
The player to watch
Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian pivot has become the visible face of the franchise both on and off the floors. Since he debuted in the NBA, he has been polishing his game and fundamentals to become one of the best centers in the NBA.
Embiid played 51 official games out of 72 possible (70%). And it’s not a bad number given his injury history. But at the most important moment of the year, that is, in the playoffs, he held out like the most. At Rivers’ command we have seen one of his best versions, and this has placed him in the main conversations for the MVP and in the Best Quintets of the Year.
In 31.1 minutes he has averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1 steal and 1.4 blocks; in addition to 54.1% in field goals and 37% in triples with at least three attempts per night. Embiid continues to work to expand his offensive repertoire, and has paid special attention to his foreign release, as he acknowledged in recent statements.
NBA preview 2021-22 Philadelphia 76ers, prediction
Elio Martínez, director of Trends Wide, leaves a personal and subjective forecast on what he thinks each franchise will do during the season in the NBA 2021-22 preview.
Another team that by elimination I place it in a clear position in my predictions. These 76ers are anyone’s guess. The Simmons thing I do not think will last the entire course, so we do not know what type of team it will be as the course progresses regular season, which makes me place them fourth in the East behind two established projects like Bucks and Nets as well as half a rung below Miami, a team built to think as a realistic goal in the Eastern Finals and that does not have a star calling for the transfer.
Previous team reviewed: Phoenix Suns. Next team: Utah Jazz.
(Cover photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)