NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers will enter the 2021-2022 NBA season under a microscope. The biggest question is what’s going on with the Ben Simmons situation? Nevertheless, a season still must be played and after their humiliation against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round last season. This team cannot afford to fall short of the NBA Finals this coming season.
Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris are now the focal point of the team and must prove that Simmons will not be missed. While some of the powerhouse teams have improved this offseason, the 76ers could be sending out the same core, minus their All-Star PG.
Every team will enter the new season with questions. Here are 3 for the Philadelphia 76ers as they enter the 2021-22 NBA season.
Who Starts At PG
Who gets the nod here? By trading Ben Simmons, the Philadelphia 76ers could come away with a top-level PG or, they can focus on other positions such as SG, SF, or PF. The reason for that is, Doc Rivers could hand the offense over to Tyrese Maxey or Seth Curry.
Maxey priced his worth in the playoffs with averages of 8.2 points while shooting 45 percent from the floor. Let’s not forget that Maxey was a rookie last season and still learning the game. But this offseason, Maxey has been working on his game, most notably his defense and perimeter shooting.
If Maxey is not ready to take the rings, then Curry is another possibility for the team. During the first few seasons in the league, Curry did run point for the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. While not known as an assist king, Curry is a great shooter from the perimeter.
Both players would spread the defense with their shooting and neither will shy away from attacking the rim. The 76ers would lose the advantage of size and defense with Maxey and Curry but either one could provide the team the stretching of defenses that Simmons could not.
Will Tobias Harris Reach All-Star level
If Ben Simmons is no longer a part of the 76ers, that means Tobias Harris should and would get more touches. Since joining the 76ers in 2018, Harris has averaged 19.3 points per game on 48 percent shooting. But with Simmons gone, Harris will now become the main second option behind Embiid.
While Harris has put up great numbers, this could easily be his season to shine and make the All-Star team. Harris can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. He’s also not that shabby from beyond the arc either. He hit 39 percent from deep last year.
With Simmons gone, that means that Harris will have better open looks as defenses will now focus on 5 players on the floor instead of 4 as they backed off Simmons who was unwilling to shoot from the perimeter. Harris could have a career year for the 2021-22 season.
Can Embiid Stay Healthy
This may be the biggest question for the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the new season. With the focus of the offseason centered on Ben Simmons, that means that Joel Embiid will literally take center stage. However, for the team, that’s a big caution.
Since entering the league in 2014, Embiid has yet to play a full season. In fact, his highest amount of games played in the regular season has been 63. If Embiid does continue to miss time, the 76ers could find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.
To put it short, Embiid must find a way to remain on the floor and become an iron man for his team.
