Philadelphia 76ers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18
By Simon Smith
With much anticipation following a highly productive offseason, here are five reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers will make the playoffs in 2017-18.
It’s hard to not feel the excitement surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2017-18 NBA season.
The Sixers kicked off their summer with their blockbuster pre-draft trade with the Boston Celtics in order to acquire the No. 1 overall draft selection. As a result, the Sixers chose guard Markelle Fultz of the University of Washington.
Adding Fultz to an incredibly exciting emerging group that includes center Joel Embiid and 2016 No. 1 overall selection Ben Simmons is clearly going to be a sight for Sixers fans in the coming years. But as much promise as this trio possess, their development is clearly going to be a work in progress.
Embiid has played just 31 games since being selected No. 3 overall in 2014, while Simmons has yet to debut after missing his entire rookie campaign due to a foot fracture.
With this in mind, the Sixers’ front office further shored up their roster this offseason by signing veteran free agents J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson. A career 41.5 percent 3-point shooter, Redick’s primary strength will greatly assist after the Sixers finished 25th in the league in 3-point shooting at a 34.0 percent clip last season.
With a host of other key performers such as Robert Covington and Dario Saric looking to take the next step, the Sixers’ prospects for this upcoming season and incredibly rosy.
With the Sixers tipping off their 2017-18 campaign on Oct. 18 against the Washington Wizards, here are five prime reasons why they will make the playoffs.