Philadelphia 76ers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18
By Simon Smith
4. Improvement from within
Putting aside the dynamic trio of Embiid, Fultz and Embiid, there are some other members of the Sixers’ roster who are going to be vital if the team is take the next step and reach the playoffs.
Robert Covington established himself last season as one of the premier perimeter defenders in the game. At 6’9″ and possessing a 7’2″ wingspan, Covington’s overall level of hustle, combined with his athleticism and physical traits, make him a nightmare for opposing wing players. He ranked fourth overall in steals at 1.9 per game, and furthermore made excellent use of his physical gifts by leading the league in deflections with 4.2 per game.
While this area of his game can’t be questioned, it’s his consistency at the other end of the floor that’s going to prove vital if the Sixers are to make a leap forward. Last season, Covington shot at a 39.9 percent clip from the field, marking the third straight year in which he’s been unable to break the 40 percent barrier.
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So while Covington struggled overall, the Sixers will be hoping he can build upon his strong finish to the season. Covington started last season ice-cold, averaging 10.1 points in 29.8 minutes per hame over his first 30 games, which included shooting a disastrous 27.8 percent from 3-point range.
However, Covington was able to turn this around significantly, averaging 15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game over his final 37 games of the season. Most notably, he converted at a 37.5 percent clip from behind three on 6.4 attempts per game. These numbers are more indicative of what Covington is capable of producing, and this will be paramount if the Sixers are to meet their lofty expectations.
Another key contributor last year was rookie Dario Saric. Like Covington, Saric had some struggles early on last season, understandable in his case due to his adjustment to the league. In Saric’s case, it was a tale of two halves. Over his first 42 games, Saric posted 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game, shooting just 37.0 overall from the filed.
But down the stretch, Saric simply excelled, averaging 16.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game, shooting at a 44.0 percent clip from the field. He was duly selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while also finishing second overall in Rookie of the Year voting.
While there are a number of other key contributors the Sixers will be looking toward for major contributions, Covington and Saric are two players whose performances are essential for a successful season.