Philadelphia 76ers: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day

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.

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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.

5. Ben Simmons is ready to go

While the enters the season as a rookie, the experience Simmons gained off the court last season is bound to hold him in good stead come opening night:

"“Breaking my foot, obviously I had a lot of time to myself, to grow as a person. I just really looked at what I wanted to be as a player and a person….I think I’ve grown on and off the court.”"

Despite not having stepped on an NBA floor, Sixers’ head coach Brett Brown has essentially already given Simmons the keys to take control of the offense:

"“He’s the first coach to finally give me the opportunity. He obviously sees something in me. I believe in myself and I believe I can do it. There’s not many people who can really guard me off the dribble, the full length of the court. It’s going to be a mismatch problem a lot of the time.”"

At 6’10”, and referred to by coach Brown as “Usain Bolt” for his ability to get up and down the floor, Simmons provides the Sixers with a distinct advantage and point of difference as the team’s primary ball-handler.

Moving forward, and once the team starts to jell, Simmons is bound to form a lethal partnership with a fellow rookie, and another point guard coming out of college, Markelle Fultz:

"“He’s a great player, a good friend, our chemistry is getting better and better every day, on and off the court.”"

Having only recently turned 21, the partnership Simmons can potentially form with Fultz and co. for the next decade is simply salivating for Sixers onlookers.

4. J.J. Redick feels the Sixers represent a perfect fit

Now entering his 12th season in the league, J.J. Redick has a good feel for what represents an up-and-coming franchise.

Having reached the 2009 NBA Finals as a member of the Orlando Magic, and fresh off four consecutive 50-win seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Redick is well-versed in recognizing talent in the league.

So while his signing with the Sixers this offseason may have come as a surprise to some, the man himself was in little doubt as to his intentions:

"“A team that is trending up, and I felt that my skill set, my personality could help them sort of trend in that direction a little quicker…..It was an interesting opportunity to join the franchise at a great time where there’s a lot of excitement about the team, about the core.”"

As a career 41.5 percent 3-point shooter, Redick’s arrival helped address one of the greatest needs the Sixers had entering this offseason.

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In his conversation with the media, Redick detailed how he will fit within the Sixers’ system, in particular around emerging center Joel Embiid:

"“We can balance each other out…we complement each other really well. An example of course would be spacing. But I also think because of my cutting and off the ball movement, and his passing, his screening, his rolling, my pocket passes. Those are all things that sort of complement each other. Defensively, it gives me a lot of confidence guarding someone when I’ve got somebody like Joel.”"

The combination of Redick’s elite perimeter shooting, veteran leadership and postseason experience are all invaluable for a young and emerging Sixers roster.

3. Fultz feels at home

Philadelphia is quite a distance from Fultz’s hometown Seattle, which is why it was comforting to hear that the 19-year-old has acclimated well to his new surroundings:

"“I love Philly, just having the fans here…this team is so young, so open, we’ve got some good vets here. Just coming here I feel welcome, almost going back to college being welcomed, everybody being around all the time.”"

Being a first-year point guard is a tough induction for any player, particularly when you have the added expectations of being the No. 1 overall pick. But sharing the court with a fellow rookie and ball-handler in Simmons is bound to ease some of the pressure and focus he would otherwise receive from opposing teams.

But most of all, he seems genuinely excited playing alongside Simmons:

Furthermore, the overall depth of talent surrounding Fultz this season is only going to help in his development:

"“I think it’s only going to help my style of play, just being an unselfish point guard and doing whatever the team needs to win. Just having guys that can make even more open shots, that can create for themselves, not having people help off of people that’s on my team, that’s only going to help me and make me better.”"

While he may not be the Sixers’ primary ball handler, playing more off the ball is something Fultz is more than capable of fulfilling. Having averaged 23.3 points per game, included hitting at a 41.3 percent clip from 3-point range in college, Fultz is no stranger to racking up the scoring numbers.

And while there’s going to be a natural transition period, the abundance of talent on hand is only going to benefit both Fultz and the team.

2. The forgotten Sixer

With all the media hype and attention centred on the emerging trio of Embiid, Fultz and Simmons, it’s incredibly easy to forget that there’s also another young, high lottery pick on the Sixers’ roster.

Jahlil Okafor was the No. 3 overall selection in 2015. But following a premising rookie campaign, the emergence of Embiid last season has made Okafor somewhat redundant moving forward.

So naturally when addressing the media, the subject of trade speculation was raised:

"“It has been a lot, I hear all the trade rumours just like you guys do, just trying to stay as professional as possible, control what I can. That’s why I took the initiative this offseason to change my diet and to lose weight, and just try to prepare the best way I can so once the season comes I’ll be in good shape no matter where I end up.”"

Given Okafor has missed 61 games in his first two seasons, with recurring knee issues becoming a  common denominator. So credit should be given to the 21-year-old for recognizing that dropping weight is going to be beneficial on his joints for both the present and the future:

"“It wasn’t easy. The first drastic change I made was my diet. I became a vegan. I didn’t jump full vegan. I gradually made my way to that. First I took out dairy. I took out steak and chicken and fish and then some of my favorites like cheese. All the other BS I was putting in my body I cut out. “The reason for doing that was so that I could become healthy. I read somewhere that dairy wasn’t inflammatory and my knee was always swelling up last season. I had no idea about that, so once I found that out, I cut out dairy. Now I’m a full-on vegan and I feel great. I’m gonna stick with it.”"

So while Okafor’s tenure in Philadelphia appears rather tenuous, the Sixers will be heartened in the knowledge that Okafor has given himself every chance to succeed, if required, this season.

1. The Process is ready

Naturally with Embiid, the first line of questioning from the media centred around the health of his surgically repaired knee:

"“I feel great…there’s a lot stuff I had to correct so the focus this summer was on my body. We’ve been working a lot on landing…I fell a lot last year. We’ve been doing a lot of strength in the gym and I feel good about the season.”"

Landing was certainly an issue last season, with Embiid’s season-ending knee injuring occurring on a driving dunk in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. And with just 31 games under his belt over three seasons, it’s only natural that the Sizers’ strength and conditioning staff are going to take an extra-cautious approach to Embiid’s health.

But despite his frustrations of recent seasons, Embiid’s outlook is nonetheless extremely optimistic:

"“I love to win, I’ll put my body on the line to win….I think as long as I stay healthy I’ve got a lot to improve on, and a lot of potential.”"

To say Embiid has potential is an enormous statement. After averaging 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in just 25.4 minutes per game last season, Embiid’s impact on the Sixers’ fortunes was simply remarkable given his limited time in the league.

Next: Top 10 candidates for the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

While both Embiid and the Sixers don’t expect him to come close to playing the full 82 games, if he is able to stay healthy, and his new collection of teammates can jell as a team, the Sixers’ outlook is simply scary for opposing teams.