Potential 76ers Depth Chart (What Log Jam?)

 If Simmons was a natural SF, then there would be no logjam… But, he will likely play PF because he likes it there with probably Okafor and Embiid coming off the bench. I really like Okafor so I wish he was the starting C, but he’s probly gonna back up Noel.

 I could see Saric starting at the PF with Simmons at the SF with Noel as the starting C.

But as Embiid plays his way into shape I can see him taking the starting centre position.

I’m glad Bayless finally gets to start somewhere, but I think Stauskas is more valuable in the starting lineup for his shooting over Henderson, who is more of a slasher.

Simmons is going to need to be surrounded by shooters that way Lebron needs it because he can’t shoot a lick and needs options as a playmaker.

 That backcourt is scary good.

 Simmons & Embiid could be stars.

Okafor is a stud too. They have 3 young players who all must be double teamed. Okafor is under contract for 3 more years. I would not trade him any time soon unless a team blew me away w/ an offer at the trade deadline.

They have 5 or 6 Lottery picks over the next 3 drafts so they will add More high level talent. I luv the Veteran additions like Bayless, Rodriguez & Henderson. & Saric is one of those do everything glue guys who fans will go crazy for & they have Crazy size, length & ath;eticism.

Here’s the flip side. Noel is the Most over rated prospect in the League. He can’t gaurd Any starting NBA Center w/o simply being pushed under the Rim & scored on. Suburban Analytics nerds who never played Luv him but that’s b/c they don’t understand the difference between On ball & Off ball defense & the value of establishing position in the paint which analytics can Not track

Stauskus & McConnell are absolute garbage & neither belongs in the NBA. Covington is Awful too. If he had ANY value another team would have acquired him – another guy Analytics nerds like to talk about when he scores 20 points after Phila is down 30 at halftime & the opponent stops defending.

I’m a Lakers fan so I’m biased towards the young talent. I think the Lakers, T-Wolve & Phila got the best young talent in the NBA but it’s gonna be a long while before we meet in the Finals – but we’ll get there

I would start Simmons, Okafor and Embiid with Noel and Saric off the Bench. That could become a scary unit if they play well together.

 Until Brett Brown can have a look at his rotations in preseason we will all be using guess work. Personally I think that Oak and Noel are their starting front court. Simmons will play as a point forward more. Saric will likely start from the bench as he’ll need to get used to the NBA and with Simmons starting they’ll want to bed him in first.

Embiid will certainly we subject to a strict minutes limit initially. The 76ers have waited a long time for him to play and he’ll be brought along slowly from the bench. They have guys to fill the minutes so there is no need to over use Embiid. Also they may well sit Embiid for some games as they will want to see how he responds to regular games and not have him playing some back to backs. Once they have got Embiid up to a decent minutes level and think he is sounds then they may look to increase his minutes post All Star game time. 

The team will also have different line ups if they are chasing a game or protecting a lead, wanting to go uptempo etc. There are 96 frontcourt minutes plus some of the SF minutes can be used by Saric and Simmons so the 5 young bigs can share minutes around if required.

Obviously someone is getting traded. If I were the coach, I’d start off:

PG: Bayless (24 mpg), Rodriguez (18 mpg), McConnell (6 mpg)

SG: Henderson (28 mpg), Stauskas (12 mpg), Luwawu (8 mpg)

SF: Covington (32 mpg), Grant (16 mpg)

PF: Simmons: (30 mpg), Saric (18 mpg)

C: Noel (20 mpg), Okafor (16 mpg), Embiid (12 mpg)

Okafor really needs to be moved. He has talent in the post, but the floor spacing is too rough for him to reach his potential, and he was sub-Kanter on defense last year, I think he will be average in time but he just doesn’t fit. I would expect that Okafor and Noel get heavier minutes early to regain their trade value. Hopefully Sergio will overtake Bayless, I would honestly rather give the minutes to McConnell than Bayless, whose 3point% last year could be a fluke.

This starting lineup would revolve around Simmons-Noel pick and rolls with Bayless and Covington spotting up and Henderson lurking around the baseline.

 It will be interesting to see who they appoint a part of their rotation, who earns and maintains those positions and who gets lost in the shuffle. They seem like an exciting young team with tons of talent and a lot to prove. At this point not much can be done or said you just gotta get them on a court to work it all out. 

I’ve wondered about this too, because if Okafor is around, he has to start.

Maybe something like:

PG: Bayless / Rodriguez / McConnell
SG: Henderson / Stauskas / TWC
SF: Simmons / Covington / Thompson
PF: Okafor / Saric / Grant
C: Noel / Embiid / Holmes

TWC and potentially Holmes and McConnell would probably spend a lot of time in the D-League.  Holmes/McConnell don’t deserve it, but there’s really no minutes for them.

It would be a lot easier if Noel was dealt for a pick,

PG: Bayless / Rodriguez / McConnell
SG: Henderson / Stauskas / TWC
SF: Covington / Thompson / Grant
PF: Simmons / Saric / Brand?
C: Okafor / Embiid / Holmes

Deep(ish) Thoughts

They’re not playing twelve players.

 Thank goodness you didnt have Hollis Thompson in that rotation. He’s garbage truck juice. But at this point, I think it’s very important to get Simmons and Saric a lot of minutes. They’ll need to keep the pace up tempo so having Noel in there here and there will help and once Embiid is fully up to speed he’ll help as well. They can get good value for Okafor. He’s gotta go. Great player, but too slow for this team. 

I also love the sixers drafting TLC. Luwawu needs to get minutes this year. Being as though they won’t be contending, its very important to have him get experience and grow with Simmons, Saric, and Embiid. Next year is loaded with PGs as well as a game changer in Josh Jackson. Until then, develop these players by having them build chemistry with one another.

 I would go with.

PG-Bayless, Rodriguez, McConnell

SG-Henderson, Stauskas, TLC

SF-Simmons, Covington, Grant

PF-Saric, Noel, Holmes

C-Okafor, Embiid

Noel gets lost in my rotation due to how frail his body looks/past injury concerns, lack of offensive development, and previous behavioral issues. I would honestly dump him just to clear up the rotation minutes but there’s gotta be dome value in the kid they should be able to find some return.

 Barring trade I would go with Bayless, Henderson, Covington, Simmons, and Noel.  Okafor and Embiid would be a tandem off the bench.  Luwawu will do time in Delaware.  Same with Holmes if no trade is made.  Stauskas and Covington will get all the open shots they want so we will see early on if Stauskas is worth a roster spot.  I feel like the Sixers would prefer to trade Noel, he is a FA next year. This is why he gets the start over Okafor.  Boost his stock by showcasing him next to Simmons.  Jermi Grant can replace a lot of what Noel can do and doesnt demand starters minutes.  Cant wait to see who plays the best together. I didn’t even get to Saric yet!

 Love Bayless, from my home town,  but if he’s your best shooter on the floor you’re in trouble. 

The 76ers will need to develop shooters, the Bucks another young emerging team but much further into rebuild have a 3 point shooting need. Hopefully Embiid’s much vaunted shooting range will give Philly more options and we have yet to see what Saric and Simmons are like as NBA shooters.

Starters:

Noel,Saric,Lawlu,Stauskas and Simmons

Bench

Okafor,Embiid,Best available Sf/SG or Sf,Henderson and Bayles/T.J getting time at the P.g

That way Embiid and Okafor can build chemistry if Noel is going to be moved(most likely as higher trade value out of him and okafor). Then you move Saric  to the bench once the trade happens and Okafor and Embiid into the starting lineup..

By starting this team you get to evaluate all your pieces that you need to this season: Noel,Stauskas,Okafor and Embiid with out deviating from requirements: Embiid minutes limit,Okafor and Noel limited time together and seeing if Stauskas can turn into a J.J reddick(when reddick is healthy that is) type player-on the Clippers..

Then let the real player development begin in the second half of the season…Coupled with the scouting of rookies as my guess is another top 8 lottery finish this season unfortunately… But the positive to that is at least they will have two top 8 picks coming there way,maybe a third draft pick if the move noel/okafor…