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76ers poised for bright future after dismal seasons
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NO. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons has created a stir in Philly that has the Sixers stealing lazy summer headlines for the first time in years. Dario Saric’s arrival from a Turkish league after two years overseas was greeted with cameras and fans mobbing him at the airport. And Joel Embiid appears finally healthy after sitting out the last two years with foot injuries.
For the first time in years, the Sixers seem poised to move up and ahead in the standings instead of shedding talent and salary with the sole intention of landing at the bottom.
The Sixers signed Laric last week more than two years after they acquired his rights on a draft-night deal. Saric was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 12th overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft and he was quickly traded to the Sixers for Elfrid Payton.
Because of overseas contractual obligations, Saric played the last two seasons with the Turkish team Anadolu Efes. He was MVP of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists for his native Croatia.
Saric and Embiid, a fellow 2014 draft pick, have yet to play for the Sixers. Embiid should make his debut after missing the past two seasons with foot injuries. They join a roster that includes fellow lottery picks Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and, of course, Simmons.
Okafor, the No. 3 pick of the 2015 draft, has been cleared to play following right knee surgery that sidelined for the final month of the season.
“Jahlil has been in the gym working hard and has made great strides in his recovery and return to action, but he’s simply not in the kind of basketball condition required to compete at this level of competition,” Sixers President Bryan Colangelo said. “Our sports science and medical team feels that holding him out of scrimmage situations is in everyone’s best interest at this point of the summer.”
Sit and wait has become a bit of a theme in Philly the last few seasons, ending with last season’s 10-72 mark that earned them the No. 1 pick. Noel missed a year. Embiid and Saric, two. Okafor’s promising rookie season was limited to 53 games.
Once they’re back, it’s up to Colangelo and coach Brett Brown to decide how to make them fit. Colangelo has said he’s not comfortable with trying to fit centers Okafor, Noel and Embiid on the roster. One of them — surely Okafor or Noel — will have to go, before this season or next.
Simmons could fill in at point guard where the Sixers have a glaring need. He showed off the versatility in the NBA Summer League that made him the No. 1 pick. The Australian played in four games for the 76ers in Las Vegas, averaging 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
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