The Philadelphia 76ers might just get better as a team, even after failing to add a game-changing piece to their equation this offseason. While the 2017-18 Sixers surprised many — not only by making the postseason but snatching the No. 3 seed from the Cleveland Cavaliers — they could make an even bigger splash with a wide-open East, with a lot hinging on Markelle Fultz' development.
From Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer:
“The Sixers can cast Simmons in the Blake Griffin role in a sequel to Lob City, since Simmons is an elite athlete who can flush down lobs. Simmons could also act as a transcendent playmaker like Draymond Green on the short roll and kick out passes to Embiid or Redick for 3-pointers. A more diverse, creative half-court game plan for Simmons would minimize the player’s glaring weakness as a shooter, while also adding new dimensions to the Sixers offense that makes it less predictable. But Fultz’s development is required.”
The Sixers could have one of the scariest trios in the East with Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid, rivaling perhaps that of Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford of the Boston Celtics.
The Toronto Raptors could prove formidable as well thanks to the addition of Kawhi Leonard. Yet Fultz's play and improvement could prove to be the catalyst for how far this Sixers team can go.
Fultz will need a dependable jumper coming into this season given he is already known to boast all the athletic qualities to start in this league and make a dent in NBA defenses. A big factor will be unpredictability, as Eastern Conference teams have had a full year's worth of footage on Simmons, one they plan to unleash on the Sixers if they don't deploy a different plan of attack for the woeful lefty jump shooter.
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