Philadelphia 76ers: Season Preview
Last year, the Philadelphia 76ers concluded their season with a record of 47-35, facing an early exit by losing to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. Under the leadership of head coach Nick Nurse, who enters his second season with the franchise and has a career coaching record of 274-198, the team is gearing up for what they hope will be a better performance this year.
The 76ers will kick off their new season on October 23, when they face off against the Milwaukee Bucks. This offseason, the team saw several player departures, including forward Nicolas Batum, center Mo Bamba, guard Buddy Hield, guard De’Anthony Melton, forward Cameron Payne, and center Paul Reed. However, they also made significant additions, bringing in star players such as guard Paul George, center Andre Drummond, guard Eric Gordon, guard Reggie Jackson, forward Caleb Martin, and forward Guerschon Yabusele.
BetMGM has listed the team with championship odds at 10-1, signaling a belief in their potential. A major financial commitment of over $400 million was made to retain the talents of Tyrese Maxey and acquire Paul George during free agency. Additionally, just prior to the start of training camp, Joel Embiid secured a substantial $193 million extension. As Embiid approaches his 30th birthday, the weight of expectations looms heavily, especially considering his history of injuries. The All-Star center has never played more than 68 games in a single season, and last year he was limited to just 39 games due to knee surgery. During the past regular season, the 76ers thrived with Embiid, boasting a record of 31-8, but struggled without him, finishing with a disappointing 16-27 tally. With George now on the roster, the hope is that this trio can finally help the franchise break through to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001, especially if Embiid suffers another injury.
When analyzing the team’s strengths, the acquisition of George stands out as promising. His addition is expected to create a strong partnership with Embiid. However, this high-cost investment carries pressure, as the 76ers have faced challenges in building a championship-caliber team around their star center in the past, failing with players like Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, and Al Horford. George is a well-recognized player, having made the All-NBA Team six times and the NBA All-Defensive Team four times, and won the league’s most improved player award in 2013.
Conversely, concern lingers regarding George’s injury history, which echoes the issues faced with Embiid. While George did play 76 games last year, marking his first time exceeding 56 games since the 2018-2019 season, both players not exceeding 75 games could significantly hinder their playoff aspirations. Historically, Embiid has not been able to maintain his health throughout an entire postseason, raising questions about his legacy and putting additional pressure on the team’s championship hopes.
Among the players to monitor this season, both George and Embiid are sure to attract attention. However, Tyrese Maxey emerges as a key player who could take a significant step forward. Coming off a season where he achieved All-Star status and was named NBA’s Most Improved Player, the central question remains whether he can continue to carve out his place or if he will be overshadowed by George’s presence. Maxey’s scoring has improved for three consecutive years, culminating in an average of 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game, all of which are personal bests for him.
As the new season unfolds, the Philadelphia 76ers aim to navigate their way through the challenges ahead, hoping to maximize their star talent and finally achieve postseason success.