Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN forecasting season for Embiid, Fultz, Simmons

By Simon Smith | Aug 9, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 30: Joel Embiid /

In their recently released season projections, ESPN forecast their expectations for Joel Embiid, Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons.

With the the commencement of the 2017-18 NBA season just over a couple of months away, the initial forecasts and predictions have begun to trickle through.

Some recent forecasts by ESPN include the dynamic young trio of the Philadelphia 76ers — Joel Embiid, Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons. Despite having played just 31 career games between them, expectations surrounding these three are huge in The City of Brotherly Love.

First of all, ESPN commenced by predicting the upcoming Rookie of the Year winner. The Sixers are primed to have two leading contenders in Fultz and Simmons. As the 2017 No. 1 overall selection, Fultz’s name is naturally going to be featured among the leaders for this award.

Furthermore, Simmons, the No. 1 overall selection in 2016, qualifies for the award having missed the entire 2016-17 season due to a foot injury. ESPN‘s polling panel consisted of 140 people, with the panel awarding five points for a first place, three points for a second placed vote, and one point for a third placed vote.

Simmons finished third in voting with 62 points, with Fultz close behind in fourth place with 60 votes. Leading the way was Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers with 140 points, followed by Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks with 86 points.

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Also, a separate poll was conducted to forecast who the panelists felt would become a first-time All-Star this upcoming season. Having set the league alight in his debut season, Embiid’s second year is bound to be one of the talking points of the upcoming season if he can stay healthy. It appears the panel at ESPN feel likewise.

With panelists allowed to vote on up to five players each, there was naturally going to be a bevy of players nominated. In the end, Embiid tied for third in voting with 96 points, alongside Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Leading the voting overall was Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves with 108 points, followed by Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks with 104 points.

While these predictions are certainly encouraging for Sixers fans, they shouldn’t come as any surprise. Simmons has already been anointed as the Sixers’ floor general for the upcoming season by head coach Brett Brown, meaning he is going to be presented with every opportunity to impress in his debut season.

Simmons recently took to Instagram to express the confidence and determination he possesses for the season ahead:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXgI4wYg2xr/?taken-by=bensimmons

Meanwhile, Fultz is expected to play a predominately off-the-ball role alongside Simmons, and newly acquired veteran J.J. Redick.

And then there is Embiid, whose presence on both ends of the floor last season was a sight to behold as he led the Sixers to a 10-5 record in January before succumbing to a season-ending knee injury. After all, the Sixers won a total of 10 games for the entire 2015-16 season.

Furthermore, the elite talent level in the Eastern Conference has taken a hit this offseason. Among the departures are Paul George being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jimmy Butler being dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Paul Millsap signing as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets.

These departures, combined with Embiid’s seemingly limitless talent, bodes well for the upcoming season and Embiid’s All-Star chances.

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And in combination with Simmons and Fultz, Sixers fans are understandably fascinated for their prospects for this season and beyond.