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Predictions For The Atlantic Division In The 2016-17 Season

By Carter Johnson

Mar 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to shoot as Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk (41) defends in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to shoot as Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk (41) defends in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Philadelphia 76ers

2015-16 Record: 10-72 (last in Atlantic Division)
2016-17 Prediction: 20-62 (4th in Atlantic Division) 

After years of fans laboring through painfully awful seasons only to have the team draft another big come June, it seems Sam Hinkie’s abhorred “Process” may have finally came through for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Basketball justice was done in May when the Sixers landed the number one overall pick and proceeded to take a potential superstar in LSU forward Ben Simmons in June’s draft.

Unlike their previous picks, Simmons may finally be the game-changing talent the Philly faithful have been hoping for to turn their basketball fortunes around.

Upon looking at the Aussie’s unique combination of size, speed and playmaking ability, comparisons to LeBron James and Magic Johnson aren’t far off when projecting the ceiling for the young forward’s potential.

The team still has a frontcourt logjam to deal with as 2014 first-round pick Joel Embiid is finally set to take the floor for the Sixers alongside fellow 2014 pick Nerlens Noel and 2015 first-rounder and All-Rookie First Teamer Jahlil Okafor.

Add in the fact that Croatian stash pick Dario Saric will join the team in 2016 and head coach Brett Brown definitely will have his hands full in terms of this frontcourt rotation.

However, this should be the year things start to turn around for the Sixers. Simmons’ playmaking ability and physical dominance alone should propel the team to more wins in the 2016-17 season and the team will only grow more dangerous as Simmons gets his rhythm and develops chemistry with the plethora of bigs the Sixers have.

Don’t expect a 30-win season, but look for an improved Sixers squad in the first year of the post-Process era.

Next: No. 3