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The Philadelphia 76ers have made a lot of changes this past off-season, the team’s most notable addition is the two-time NBA champion in Andrew Bynum.
Along with Bynum, there are nine new faces on this Sixers roster.
Despite the new faces, the team’s chemistry seems to be there or at least close to being on point.
When compared to the top tier teams in the East, like the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks and now the Brooklyn Nets, the Sixers match up respectively well.
As of now this team is 5th in our Eastern conference power rankings behind the other teams mentioned above.
Philly is definitely a playoff team, but being title contenders has yet to be determined.
The Sixers will go as far as their 7-foot center’s knees will take them.
If Bynum stays healthy for the full season plus the playoffs, then the sky is the limit for this team.
Although Bynum is the new star, basketball is still a team game, and this team full of young athletic players will help the big fella in many ways, beginning with the starting point guard.
Jrue Holiday has shown at times last season that he can get to the basket at will and can knock down the open jumper consistently.
Holiday also showed that he knows how to manage a game, and will eventually be a star in this league.
Next is the former No. 2 overall pick in 2010’s draft, Evan Turner, who never backs down from any challenge on the court.
He’s also determined to maximize his skills, and has improved his jump shot tremendously.
Lastly, are the role players, guys like Nick Young, Jason Richardson and Dorell Wright (the new faces) are deadly sharpshooters from the three-point line, which will make teams, think twice about doubling down on Bynum in the post.
A couple of the older faces like Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes, are all good rebounders that have the ability to be great on the boards.
Bynum won’t be the only one pulling down double-digit rebounds this season.
Let’s not forget about the youngsters, especially the undrafted rookie, Maalik Wayns.
In the preseason, Wayns has shown his hunger and determination to make the other 29 teams in the NBA feel foolish for not taking a shot on him.
He’s averaged 10 points and 4 assists in seven preseason games, and looks like he will be a consistent contributor to the team throughout the regular season.
All in all, Sixers fans have a lot to be excited about this year, and should look forward to a good season from this team.
Sixers next game: Regular season and home-opener against the Denver Nuggets at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31.
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