Predictions for a big Philadelphia 76ers 2019-20 season
By Simon Smith
1. The Sixers to reach the Eastern Conference Finals
The expectations facing the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019-20 are undeniable.
With Tobias Harris extended for five years, Ben Simmons for four and Al Horford also added to the payroll for four years this offseason, the Sixers are all-in for the right now. That doesn’t count Joel Embiid’s five-year extension signed last summer and that Josh Richardson is signed through the 2021-22 season.
With the aforementioned Raptors minus their Finals MVP in Kawhi Leonard and the Boston Celtics significantly changed over the summer due to the departures of Kyrie Irving and Horford, the Sixers’ window to advance past the second round, and put themselves in a position for a finals appearance is real.
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Ultimately, finding capable replacements for Jimmy Butler and J.J Redick down the stretch of big playoff games is going to represent the biggest challenge for this Sixers group. Encouragingly, unlike last season when it finished 28th in the league in points per game, the Sixers’ bench unit looks considerably upgraded.
With the arrival of scoring guard Trey Burke and backup center Kyle O’Quinn, in addition to the returning Mike Scott and James Ennis III, the Sixers should enter the season with their second unit better prepared to contribute offensively.
Next. Predicting each team's 2019-20 record. dark
Overall when considering the talent at their disposal, and the wide array of skill sets each player brings to the table, tuning in to watch the Sixers competing all the way deep into June is a very distinct possibility.