Philadelphia 76ers: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day
By Simon Smith
Bound to be one of the more fascinating teams to follow this upcoming season, here are five takeaways from the Philadelphia 76ers’ 2017-18 Media Day.
All involved with the Philadelphia 76ers are about to find out just how far the “Trust the Process” mantra has come thus far.
Following four seasons of heartache that have produced a 75-253 record, the Sixers appear to be on the cusp of something special.
Despite coming off a season that produced just 28 wins, the impetus and momentum gained from last season was profound. Having won just 10 games for the entire 2015-16 campaign, the Sixers compiled a 10-5 record last season in the month of January alone, mainly off the impact of rookie center Joel Embiid.
Having played just 31 games over three seasons, Embiid is targeting opening night to kick off his regular season after having season-ending knee surgery back in March.
https://twitter.com/sixers/status/912433742194642945
On top of the emergence of Embiid, the other two main features for the Sixers this upcoming season are a pair of rookies in Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons. This year’s No. 1 overall pick, Fultz represents the prototypical combo guard with the ability to play both and off the ball.
And then there is Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick who was sidelined all of last season with a foot injury. According to Simmons, he is all set for opening night:
"“One hundred percent, cleared to play.”"
Furthermore, when you thrown in the additions of veterans J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson, and a host of other emerging young talent, it’s easy to see why the Sixers are set to be one of the more fascinating teams to follow this season.
With this in mind, here are five takeaways from the Sixers’ 2017-18 Media Day.