When you think about the Philadelphia 76ers, the first word that comes to mind is patience. The Sixers were, yet again, among the worst teams in the NBA last season with a dreadful 18-64 record, and as a result, were granted the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, which they used on Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor. With yet another season on the horizon in their extensive rebuilding mode, Philadelphia’s main priority will be to develop their young talent in hopes of a very successful future.
In the process, while fielding a rebuilding roster, that means the 76ers aren’t as much an attraction for fans, which is why their tickets are currently averaging $189.67 on the secondary market. At the very least, they are a lot closer to getting where they want to be compared to when they first started their rebuilding project, and as a result, out-of-town fans might want to check out what Philadelphia has in store for the upcoming campaign. Fortunately, Hipmunk.com has all the tools to make the process quick and simple, with Philadelphia flights deals from most major airline carriers. Furthermore, a cheap Philadelphia hotel nearby the Wells Fargo Center, with rooms starting from $71.
Despite their current shortcomings as an organization, Philadelphia’s schedule does present some gems, like early on when they host LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 2. Interestingly, the 76ers shocked the Cavaliers last year in Philadelphia with one of the biggest upsets of the season, although it’s worth noting that the Cavs were without James and Irving in that contest.
In one of their first games in 2016, the 76ers will meet the Minnesota Timberwolves in a much-anticipated affair, as it was Okafor and No. 1 overall pick Karl Anthony-Towns who were the first two big men taken off the board in this past June’s NBA Draft. Thus, it will be interesting to see how the two young sensations square off when opposing one another.
On December 1, Kobe Bryant could be making his final career appearance in his hometown, while also bringing with him the second overall pick from the Draft, D’Angelo Russell. Like the 76ers, the Lakers have fallen on hard times in recent years, but with this potentially being Bryant’s last season, this could be the year Los Angeles returns as a force in the Western Conference.
Philadelphia’s most anticipated game in the upcoming year might be on March 27, when the Sixers invade the turf of the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. At Oracle Arena, they’ll take on the team that plowed through the league last season, while also seeing reigning MVP Stephen Curry in action.
As far as the 2015-16 season goes, the Sixers probably won’t make the playoffs. However, with Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Nik Stauskas, Tony Wroten and Jerami Grant, the Sixers possess a potentially emerging core that isn’t short on talent. At the very least, they could exceed 20 wins for the first time in three years.
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