[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 76ers are 8-2 over their last 10 and are expecting Simmons backs after the allstar break…Embiid is all over ig&twitter saying they are gunna make the playoffs. 

 

What are are the chances they make the playoffs? I really think they could beat some people so long as they don’t get the cavs.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

I still don’t think Simmons will play this year but I’m bullish on the Sixers making the playoffs. Brett Brown has finally found a 10 man rotation that works.

Right now the 10 man rotation is:

C: Embiid/Noel
PF: ilyasova/Saric
SF: Covington/Luwawu-Caborot
SG: Stuaskus/Henderson
PG: McConnell/Rodriguez

The whole team has bought into his (Brown) philosophy. They are a very fun team to watch. Don’t be surprised if they beat the Rockets on Friday.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Is it a good thing that they’re winning? I know it probably feels amazing for them after the last few years of hell they’ve been through, but I feel like they need (or could at least really use) a top pick this year and with the way they’re going, they’ll probably get an 8-10 pick. If Simmons and Embiid become the franchise cornerstones they have the potential to be then I don’t think it matters as much and can be filled out perfectly with a guy like Monk, but picturing Fultz running with them seems too perfect and could really set them up for a long time

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 This upcoming pick for them reminds me of the OKC Harden pick. I really see this team in an eastern conference final in a few years.

[negguaryParticipant]

It’s not a good thing that we’re winning! This is from a documented die hard sixers fan!! That top five pick is so valuable and could help us form a young big three that can grow together! In addition, that top five pick happens to be the last piece to the puzzle point guard, and this draft happens to have superstar potential point guards. A playoff berth would be great but this top five pick could mean championship berths/ runs!! Not to mention that having another star lightens the load on embeast and cuts down on the amount of energy he has to exert and the strain he puts on his body and it also cuts down on the amount of risky plays he has to make due to the fact that he has to create for himself! This is a star’s league no matter how many guys on here want to pretend that you can win with solid contributors, it’s just not he case and the sixers need one more star to contend for years to come!

[EndlessknightParticipant]

There’s still a chance they could end up with the Lakers pick at 4 of 5 plus I think the Kings, despite the win last night, are going to collapse without Gay and end up around 6th worse. The Sixers could make the playoffs and still end up with 2 top ten pics in a loaded draft!

[dudo670Participant]

 That the Sixers winning is bad. And I’m a diehard Sixers fan as well and here’s why its not bad. The Sixers are winning because of how transcedent a player Embiid is! Even these last two games we’ve won without Embiid, its because Embiid’s prescence on the team makes everyone else so much more confident and excited to play. Earlier in the season you could tell there was less energy and confidence from guys on nights Embiid didn’t suit up, but now that we’re doing so well it doesn’t even matter because the confidence is so infectious.

At this point, we still have to see what Simmons brings to the table, and I’m not sold on him until I see him in the pros and see what he does, but Embiid is going to be the best player in the league in the next 4-5 years. We need to surround him with players that complement him first and foremost and also guys who complement Simmons. This would include shooters and guys who are athletic/can defend.

Lastly, Rudy Gay’s injury is a huge blow to the Kings. The Kings could very well end up drafting in the 4-6 range and giving that pick to us because of our rights to swap. Also, the Lakers are becoming a mess and have the second worst record. While it almost makes me feel like they will lowkey tank the rest of the season to keep their pick, we could very well end up with two top 7 picks. While personally, I would rather trade one if not both of those picks for a proven star who we know will complement Embiid, there is still potential to strike gold in the draft. Add in free agency, all the money the Sixers have and all the players who will want to play with Joel (and hopefully Simmons), I think you can make a very, very strong argument that this winning is great for the franchise. On top of the fact that the more you lose the more short term struggles becomes a long term problem.

 

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 Sixers are about winning games now. The idea of tanking or losing games is a thing of the past.  No player they draft at this point will be a Garuntee.  Sixers are at $70mil below the cap this off-season. Address your needs in FA and let the ping pong balls fall where they may.  Lakers could still land at 4 in the draft and the Sactown pick swap is still in play.  76ers already have a better record than Minny and NO.  I still have hope the Sixers can get lucky in the lottery but not at the expense of winning.  

[BornaskulParticipant]

They even won the last two without Embiid, so it’s not just him being fantastic(which he is).
I reckon to win the 8th seed in the East they will need to win 41 games which means going 24-14 till the end of the season.

 

I really hope they succeed, it would be a nice story. 

[EspressoParticipant]

 It’s amazing how they change the franchise around, they are executing so well down the court it’s unbelievable. They do not have a lot of talent but they move the ball, saric is playing great

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I dont think they will make the playoffs. Its one thing to win these games when there is no.pressure whatsoever bht when they are 2 games back with 5 games left in the season and the pressures on how will they respond. Like said abouve they will have to go 24-14. They just went 8-2. So for me to believe they will go 32-16 to close the season…I just dont see it.

However I will say this. Nowadays winning is a culture that spreads through an organization and is addictive. Philly has beat some very good teams and closed in tight games during this stretch. They are legit. This team will keep winning they have arrived.

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 according to reports. I think he’s back after the All Star game.

Don;t know if anyone got a chance to see this team but they are 10 deep – 2 full 5 man squads & they are know their roles & are playing very well.

I’m not saying they are great players but we all know that as we move into the All Star break teams just start to go thru the motions & kind of just show up for the final 1/3 of the season. 

Most of the top seeds are set & on auto pilot & then there are about 10 teams in both conferences fighting for the the 5 to 8 seeds & positioning.

This 76ers team is young, exciting & they really play for one another. Nerlens Noel has been a beast on the 2nd team & the last 2 nights they just moved him up to the 1st team w/ Embiid’s abscence & Noel was outstanding (I would LUV to see Noel on the Lakers next year) He’s incredibly explosive at both ends & he’s knocking down the mid range jumped & his free throws. Very impressive. He’s not Embiid but so what No One is Embiid.

I know this sounds crazy but the 6, 7 & 8 seeds in the East are .500 teams. I think Phila will be the 6 seed in the playoffs w/ Simmons playing the last 30 games or so & slowly moving into a starting role as to not upset the chemistry. If Simmons & Embiid are the starters & their chemistry is not disrupted by injury I think they can beat any team in the East except Cleveland.

 I know that sounds utterly INSANE but I said could not Would. They probably lose to Toronto or Boston in the first round. But ask yourself something; if you are a Raptors or Celtics fan do you want to see Embiid & Simmons wrecking your team & Robert Covington (one of the best defensive players in the East) shadowing your top scorer IT or DeRozan w/ Shaq 2.0 blocking out the sun in the paint & closing off all routes to the rim? Even if you beat them it’s going to take so much out of your team to get past them.

 

 

 

 

 

[The GoatParticipant]

Out of the box question – the Lakers pick , Ilyasova and Okafor for Melo – who says no – NYK, PHI, Melo? (Or maybe the league due to cap, but let’s figure they find a way to make it work with add-ons). 

The Knicks would have to be happy with a Ersan, Jah, Noah and Porzingis rotation and still get the bonus pick. 

Sixers end up with Simmons, Melo, Embiid, Saric, Noel and the rest of their current roster, Korkmaz coming over plus the 2017 draft… would Melo wave the clause? 

It’s a lot to give up for Melo but I think he’d really make them jump up a level. I quite seriously think they could make big playoff noise. 

[negguaryParticipant]

This is a youth movement, MELO is 32,33! Has not won with better rosters, is not a good leader, so really why would the sixers want him, and what does he bring to the table?? Answer: more unnecessary money on our books, a losing superstar attitude and culture, a ball dominate player, a chucker, no defense, oh and not to mention a loss of much more valuable assets than a 32 year old loser! Nah I’m good!!

[The GoatParticipant]

 That’s OK, I expected to get negged to minus 100. Draft picks are always seriously overvalued on this site.

You draft players with hope they can become someone like Melo, who was at the top of one of the best all time draft classes, but disagree with a trade a mid range lotto for him? 

Go and find me players after the 5th draft pick over the last 5 years that you wouldn’t trade for Melo. There’s probably only Giannis, Myles Turner and Jokic, and no one was taking Jokic in the 1st round anyway. 

I’m no Melo fan, yes he’s 32-33, but with Embiid, Simmons and a top 3 pick, they immediately have a bwttee chance to compete rather than having another late lotto player and Okafor on the bench. 

 

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Melo in no way fits into Brett Brown system. He’s a ball stopper. The Sxers are a pass heavy team that places great emphasis on defense. Does that sound like Melo to you?

When you add the issue of age and huge contract I doubt if the Knicks could get a top 10 pick for Anthony.

[Knicks44Participant]

As a Knicks Fan I would take that deal in a second. Even if it was just for Okafor and the pick.or honestly even just for the Lakers pick. Melo has to go so we can clear the cap space so we can sign a star that knows how to and cares about winning!

[HitsterParticipant]

The fact that they are winning games without Embeast is also a very encouraging sign. They will ease Simmons back in and he’ll be on a Embiid type minute restriction/sitting back to backs I assume.

The one thing I do think is key to them is to get Embiid and Simmons playing together and sitting out together, don’t about using different rotations for certain games or less depth when both sit. These are the two key guys going forward, get them working together as much as you can and fit the pieces in around that.

I’d also get an offer on the table to Ersan as he looks the ideal guy alongside Embeast and gives the team a nice veteran presence plus he’s a good mentor for Saric.

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