Philadelphia 76ers: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

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5. Turnover rate is reduced markedly

If there were an overarching weakness for the Sixers last season despite their overall success, it was their turnover rate. For the season, the Sixers averaged a league-worst 16.5 turnovers per game, marking the second year in a row in which they committed the most in the league.

Not surprisingly, there was a significant correlation between their turnovers committed and the overall success of the team. In 23 games in which they committed 13 turnovers or less, the Sixers posted a 19-4 record. Conversely, in the 23 games in which they turned the ball over at least 19 times, the team recorded an 8-15 record.

Given the manner in which the Sixers play, the process of reducing their turnover rate is not going to be easy. Not only did they lead the league in passing at 343.9 per game, they also ranked fourth in overall pace and fifth in transition possessions. With a playing style predicated on significant ball movement and pushing and running at every opportunity, turnovers are going to occur.

Brett Brown on cutting back on turnovers:

"You can walk it up the floor and have your two best players play really, sort of, slow and play conservative. And we're not gonna. We're not gonna do that...

"We want to play fast, we want to play free, we want to share the ball."
— Andrew Porter (@And_Porter) April 24, 2018

However, there’s no reason this area can’t be improved significantly. Not surprisingly, the two main culprits in this department were Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, who ranked sixth and eighth in the league, respectively. However, this was Embiid’s first full season in the league after just 31 games over his first three years, while it was Simmons’ first season on an NBA court after an entire year on the sidelines.

With an increased familiarity with both their teammates and the league itself, there’s no reason that this duo in particular can’t rectify this area of their game, and in doing so, help the Sixers’ overall cause.