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*Photo via Cssne
The 2015-2016 season hasn't even started yet, but people presume that the Philadelphia 76ers will be at the bottom of the standings once again. That may be true, but they will be a whole lot better than last year’s team.
The 76ers will already improve with a lottery pick(Jahlil Okafor) starting for them next year. Jahlil Okafor was the third pick in the 2015 NBA draft and many consider him to be a potential All-Star. Pairing him with Nerlens Noel, who had an impressive rookie season, would give the Sixers a formidable frontcourt. They have the potential to be the next dynamic front court duo, similar to Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
With their new acquisition Carl Landry (assuming he stays on the teams), the Sixers are deep in the frontcourt. This will give them an advantage against other teams in the East, as the Eastern Conference has limited big men. They also have the versatility to play big and play small, which is crucial in today's NBA (Golden State Warriors). Landry is a solid NBA veteran who can provide low post scoring and rebounding. He's a great forward for a young, rebuilding team.
Another aspect they improved in is guard play. Tony Wroten averaged 17 points per game and 5.2 assists per game, but only played in 30 games. He should be healthy this upcoming season and ready to contribute. He has a bright future in the NBA as he is only 22 years old and has a lot of time to develop. Look for him to take a big leap this season.
The Sixers also got an underrated pickup in Nik Stauskas. He's a great guard with plenty of potential. He will play a decent role in improving the Sixers from the guard position.
They will also improve defensively. Jahlil Okafor is not a great defender, but he's considerably bigger than the players that Philly had starting last year. With him in the lineup, Nerlens can slide into the power forward slot, which is his primary position. As well, this will allow Nerlens to pick up the lack of defense by Okafor, who can concentrate on grabbing rebounds.
The Sixers have made improvements in every category. They are still a young team that needs some time to develop, but they are finally heading in the right direction. They will be a lottery team again next year, but expect them to win a lot more games.