Philadelphia 76ers: 5 goals for Markelle Fultz’s rookie season

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 8: Markelle Fultz #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Start a playoff game

The Philadelphia 76ers and their fans have been relegated to the deep lottery for years as “The Process” ran its course. Philly put up the fourth-worst record last year, which was their best finish relative to rest of the league in five seasons.

This year, all of the future hope throughout the rebuild is going to come crashing onto the shoulders of this young roster. When Joel Embiid took the court last season, the 76ers played like a playoff team at a playoff pace. Now he is joined by two top picks in Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.

The organization has signaled a change in thinking as well, signing veterans J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson to one-year deals. While Philadelphia, with its incredibly young stars, is planning to add real star talent next offseason en route to contending in 2018-19 and beyond, they have their sights set on the postseason as early as this year.

In a weakened Eastern Conference that goal is no longer foolish. If Fultz and Simmons can step up from day one, this team has the pieces and the opportunity to make a run at the 7- or 8-seed.

Teams don’t usually make the playoffs when trotting out such young and inexperienced stars. This team’s core — Embiid, Simmons and Fultz — has played a grand total of 31 games in the NBA. That’s not the stuff of postseason contenders.

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But this team is loaded with talent, they have a smart coach, and their variability is high. They could be so young they need another season to put things together, like last year’s Minnesota Timberwolves. Or things could fall into place, and Markelle Fultz could be a major part of leading the Philadelphia 76ers back to the playoffs.

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