ESPN misses the mark with its puzzling Sixers prediction

Few teams can say that they had a more successful offseason than the Philadelphia 76ers, who successfully remade their roster. They added nine-time all-star Paul George, re-signed Tyrese Maxey to a max contract, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lory. They also added players such as Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and a potential rotation player from France on the cheap.

Despite that, ESPN seemingly discounts the Sixers' strong summer. They currently project the Sixers to win 52 games next season (subscription required) and finish third in the Eastern Conference standings. While the 76ers finished seventh in the standings last season after winning 47 games, moving up to the third seed seems like an upgrade, but that may undersell their potential.

The Sixers, after all, have arguably the best player in the conference in Joel Embiid, as well as one of the fastest-rising stars in Maxey. Add in that they brought in George, who has often been miscast as the best player on a great team or even the second-best player but at this point in his career, he seems perfect as a third star. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have the most potential of any team in the East not named the Boston Celtics.

Unsurprisingly, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites in the East, and the New York Knicks are seen as the team with the best chance to take them down. Be that as it may; if everything goes the Sixers' way, they have the second-best team in the East and the best chance of knocking off the Celtics.

That will depend largely on the health of Embiid and George, both of whom aren't exactly iron men. However, if both are healthy come playoff time, then the Sixers have as good of a chance as any team in the East to unseat the Celtics.

Seeding will matter a lot, with the second or third seed likely avoiding having to play both the Celtics and Knicks. Philly will have to go through one of those two teams if they want to make their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. Fortunately for them, they have a strong team that is entirely capable of doing so. Even if ESPN seems to underrate their potential.