Trust the Process! As the Philadelphia 76ers look to get better, here are five midseason takeaways from their start to the 2016-17 season.
Halfway through the 2016-17 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers are turning a corner. The Sixers are 7-3 in the month of January, allowing just 99 points per game. They are allowing well under their average of 104.3 points per game (16th in the NBA) this month and its largely been due to the play of rookie big man Joel Embiid.
The Process is averaging 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists per game through 30 games this season. He is still on a minutes’ restriction of 28 minutes per game as of Dec. 21 and isn’t playing in back-to-back games yet. But it’s been hard to ignore his presence on the court. The Philadelphia 76ers have lost two games in back-to-back scenarios this month, so imagine the possibilities if you will.
Their first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Simmons, is still playing it cautious as well as he returns from an acute Jones fracture in his right foot. And despite all the injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers are 15-27, already upping their win total from last season.
Fans have yet to see what Simmons will bring to the table but as they patiently await his return, Joel Embiid serves as a benchmark for the development of the 76ers youth. Whats impressive is how management has managed to put together such a young roster with the likes of rookie Dario Saric backing up the veteran Ersan Ilyasova from the bench. As a result, Philly is only 5.5 games out of a playoff spot.
Here are five midseason takeaways for the Philadelphia 76ers.