The start of the NBA season approaching means it’s time for my favorite bi-annual tradition: depressing my coworkers by asking them long term questions about the state of the Philadelphia 76ers. As a team
that quickly went from title contenders to ping pong ball hopefuls, there’s a lot of ways this season can go. So I’ve gotten the Liberty Ballers staff one of the hardest questions in the league: how the hell is this Sixers season going to go?
The gang had so much to say about the team that this is part two of our series. You can check out the first part here. (I’ll link when part 1 is live)
What are your team expectations for this season, what would make it a success to you?
Sean Kennedy: I think Joel Embiid and Paul George staying reasonably healthy is what would make this season a success. George, so the team’s front office can move his deal without it being treated as a toxic asset, and Joel, so he’s back to being viewed as a helpful basketball player rather than a contract albatross through the rest of the decade. I don’t think anyone has Conference Finals aspirations for this club anymore, but let the young guys like VJ Edgecombe and Jared McCain develop, have the rest of the squad stay reasonably healthy so you can properly assess things, get into the playoffs and see what happens.
Bryan Toporek: I’m honestly approaching this season like I did with the Process years back in the day. I’m less concerned with their overall win-loss record and more focused on individual player development. Obviously, Embiid and George dodging the injury bug would be a huge success, but beyond that, I’m curious to see how the young backcourt fits together and how they’ve each addressed their weaknesses. Did Maxey improve as a playmaker this offseason? Did McCain improve defensively? How will Edgecombe’s long-range shooting translate to the NBA? Did Grimes fire his agent yet?
If Maxey, McCain and Edgecombe establish themselves as the backcourt of the future, that’s a major success regardless of what happens with Embiid and George. And if Grimes proves his late-season breakout wasn’t a fluke, that’ll only further help the Sixers’ cause.
Drew Peltzman: My expectation for this team would be a first or second round exit depending on the matchup. Although it pains me to say that anything less than a conference finals would be a success, looking at the team from a long-view, getting McCain and Edgecombe playoff experience as quickly as possible would be a success. Winning a series or two, or three would be the cherry on top as it would set the young guys up for playoff success for years to come. I chose to look at the team from this point of view, as it would be obviously disappointing from an Embiid-George perspective, but I see a clearer path to a championship through the young core.
Erin Grugan: As a reporter covering the team and as a fan, I would find success in just playing tolerable basketball at a respectable level. I don’t think they’re contending for a title by any means. They might not even be particularly good. But if it means seeing the team finally shift focus to the younger side, start to build something around them and really operate on the floor through them, I’ll be happier than last season for sure.
Tom West: Success could be a few different things for this version of the Sixers. If we see a new era of Sixers basketball approaching with their young guard talents flourishing, then that would still be exciting for the future even if any playoff success (or appearance) doesn’t happen this year. If the Sixers somehow stay healthier than expected, Embiid plays 50-60 games and is around for the playoffs, then sneaking into the postseason as a low seed and stealing a first-round series would be quite the success. To keep it simple, though, I’ll combine the two and say we get great seasons from McCain and Edgecombe, plus a competitive appearance in the first round of the playoffs. That seems like a pretty good outcome all things considered, and within the realms of possibility. Setting ideal expectations much higher than that seems like an easy way to be disappointed given the injury question marks we have right now.
Harrison Grimm: I’m coming into this season with pretty low — or maybe just open — expectations. At this point, we genuinely have no idea how much we’ll see of Embiid, if at all. And of course, George comes with his own injury concerns. I think it’s best to approach this year assuming neither will be a consistent factor, so that when they doplay, they’ll exceed expectations. Even if both miss time, the Sixers still have a deep group of talented guards, versatile forwards who can fill in, and a few young bigs who could surprise people.
What would make this season a success? Two things, really. From a team standpoint, a championship has to be the goal — that’s the only thing left for the Sixers to chase given their payroll and the presence of George and Embiid. From a longer-term perspective, VJ Edgecombe’s rookie season feels pivotal. A strong, healthy rookie campaign would go a long way toward restoring some optimism in the franchise and clarifying what the next phase of this team looks like.
Do you believe they can make the playoffs in a depleted eastern conference? If so, what would that look like?
SK: I mean, they better. Nearly every single thing had to go wrong for the team last season and we were still talking into the spring about whether the Sixers should tank or push for the Play-In. I can’t imagine the series of unfortunate events that would have to happen for a second season for Philadelphia to once again be a lottery team. I’m not talking about them being a juggernaut, but something like the seventh seed feels like an appropriate landing spot.
BT: I don’t see why not? The Cavaliers, Knicks, Hawks, Magic and Pistons are the only five teams that I have penciled in as virtual playoff locks (assuming health). The Wizards and Nets are clearly not trying to win this year. That leaves the Pacers, Bucks, Celtics, Bulls, Raptors and Hornets as teams that could go either way. The Sixers would just have to finish ahead of three of them to earn a spot in the play-in tournament. At that point, as long as they’re relatively healthy, they’d likely be one of the most talented teams in that mix.
DP: Yes, I believe they will confidently beat conference teams that are not named the Cavaliers, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, and Magic. I have them set up competing for the sixth seed behind these teams, likely in a battle with Boston and Chicago to get out of the play-in.
EG: The best play-in team from the East last season was .500 (Orlando Magic) and the worst had just 37 wins (Miami Heat), so I think a trip to that tournament is more than possible for the Sixers this season. I think this would be one of the easier seasons to do it as the East looks preseason (which ultimately means less than nothing) but it would take a lot of things to go right. Now, whether they could make it beyond that is another situation entirely.
TW: I’ll follow up from my last answer and say I think they can make the playoffs as a 7/8 seed, but so many “ifs” obviously come into play. If Embiid isn’t healthy, then they most likely aren’t winning a series anyway. A first-round exit seems likely, if they even make it that far.
HG: The Sixers definitely have the talent to make the playoffs this year. As of now, I’d put these teams definitively ahead of them: the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic. The Atlanta Hawks could also surprise people, though I’d hesitate to rank them above a fully healthy Sixers squad. Either way, that’s four or five teams competing for six playoff spots.
That means the Sixers will likely be jockeying with the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors for that final spot. All of those teams have legitimate talent but also come with major questions when it comes to personnel, fit, or consistency.
What are your expectations for VJ Edgecombe’s for this season? What do you think his most realistic role will be for this season?
SK: I think Edgecombe is entering a perfect situation in which to ease his way in as a rookie. The Sixers have plenty of other ball-handlers, and he can develop that aspect of his game slowly, while scoring via open off-ball jumpers, crashing the glass, and getting out in transition. The defensive side of the ball is where he’ll make his biggest mark initially, already flashing his great potential to fight through screens and stick to opposing top perimeter options.
BT: I’d imagine he begins the season as a starter, although I wouldn’t be shocked if he slides back to the bench once Embiid, George and McCain are all back in the fold. Either way, the Sixers seemingly understand that they need to prioritize Edgecombe’s development this year. That should mean a regular rotation role (whether as a starter or one of the top reserves) and frequent appearances in three-guard lineups.
DP: I think Edgecombe will finish the year second in rookie of the year voting. I think he will start the season as the sixth or seventh man in the rotation, but will start gaining the trust of Nick Nurse and the coaching staff from game one. I think his defensive ability, transition playmaking, and athleticism will translate very well and quickly on an NBA court. I believe his handle, shooting, and finishing ability will be vastly improved by the end of the season, making him a must-start. Thankfully Nurse has a history of playing rookies the minutes they earn, as opposed to previous Sixers coaches.
EG: I have (possibly dangerously) high expectations for VJ Edgecombe. There’s always going to be some level of learning curve coming to the NBA especially as young as he is, but his fundamental skillset, attitude and fearlessness he’s already starting to show throughout the preseason has be optimistic. I love seeing his playmaking ability and game awareness already looking good, and I think he has the potential to be both a great shooting guard and point guard.
TW: Closer to the draft I’d have said Edgecombe would start the season as a helpful role player and work his way towards a valuable sixth-man type role. But he looks primed to continue as a starter once the regular season begins, and frankly looks set to deliver sooner rather than later if his immense upside and preseason success is anything to go by. Even if he doesn’t get loads of ball-handling duties with Maxey and McCain around, Edgecombe brings enough as a dynamic and high-motor defender, as an aggressive and explosive transition scorer and slasher, and ideally enough spot-up shooting to make a real impact. If he proves he’s capable of guarding up a bit against some wings by using his strong frame and athleticism, that’ll go a long way to upping his minutes and increasing the viability of smaller three-guard lineups with him, Maxey and McCain. When speaking during preseason, Nurse has sounded confident in Edgecombe and choosing him as a starter as the season begins, with the willingness to let VJ play through inevitable ups and downs. To let this exciting young guard begin his career with maximum opportunity, in a season where the Sixers clearly aren’t title contenders anyway, sounds like the best plan.
HG: I’ve had the opportunity to write about Edgecombe throughout most of the summer, and I have high hopes for him this season. It looks like he’s primed not just for a starting spot, but for a featured role in the Sixers’ offense. Nick Nurse seems to believe in his on-ball ability and floor vision, which would be huge if it translates.
The Sixers will likely lean into his Swiss Army knife skill set — rebounding, setting up teammates, running in transition, and locking down on defense. It might not translate into eye-popping offensive stats right away, but he’s the kind of player who impacts the game in ways the box score doesn’t always capture. Whether he’s starting or not, he’ll have a big role with the Sixers team that could only get bigger in the years to come.
Josh Grieb: And that’s all for this section of the roundtable! Don’t worry the staff still plenty has some thoughts so stay tuned for final installment tomorrow!
