Last offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers signed nine-time All-Star Paul George, and they were going to team George with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, none of that ever came together. Embiid played in only 19 games, George played only 41 games, and Maxey played in 52 games.
Ultimately, the 76ers would finish 24-58, a significant drop from their previous seasons, and miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017. This was a disappointing outcome for a team with high expectations.
Now, it’s a new day.
Embiid is back, and the hope is that he’s healthy. When he’s healthy, Embiid is one of the best players in the NBA; he’s a game-changer, and the 76ers are championship contenders. However, if he’s not healthy, the Sixers can still be good, but not championship good.
Maxey is poised to have a big season. In the offseason, Maxey said missing the playoffs has really motivated him. The one-time All-Star is one of the better point guards in the NBA. He will again put up big numbers for the 76ers.
George, like Embiid, has to stay healthy. The 35-year-old George might not be what he used to be, but he can still get it done at a fairly high level. Again, he has to be healthy, and if he is, the 76ers are championship contenders.
The 76ers have some solid young talent. Second-year guard Jared McCain, who will miss the start of the season with a thumb injury, was playing at a high level before going down with a torn meniscus last season. When healthy, he has proven to be a good shooter and a decent scorer.
Quentin Grimes is back, and last season, Grimes also showed the ability to score, especially near the end of the season when he was called on to be one of the team’s primary scorers. With the roster now fortified, Grimes will get even better looks and will contribute.
Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, who was the third pick in this year’s draft, has shown a lot of flashes in the preseason. In watching Edgecombe, who will be the opening day starter, you see a player who looks the part in many phases of the game. He’s an athlete who can get downhill and finish at the basket. He will contribute for the 76ers this season.
Also, veteran Kelly Oubre Jr. will be back and should also help for the 76ers.
Rounding out the roster, Adem Bona is expected to be Embiid’s primary backup. Also, veterans Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry, and Eric Gordon have returned. It should be interesting to see the roles they have this season. Furthermore, forwards Justin Edwards and Trendon Watford should help as well.
End of the Day…
Head coach Nick Nurse and the 76ers can win an NBA title. Yes, they can win a championship. However, health, health, health will be the biggest question surrounding this team. With how wide open things are in the East, the 76ers have the talent to get to the NBA Finals.
It feels like we’ve been here before, but with Embiid and George on the roster, you have to talk about health.
However, if those guys are not available, Philadelphia does have a promising young core of Maxey, McCain, and Edgecombe that could give them hope for the future.
Prediction:
The 76ers go 52-30, but they bow out in the second round of the playoffs again. However, don’t be surprised if they win it all.
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