Fansided

One New Year’s Resolution For Each Eastern Conference Team

By Will Osgood

Dec 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) takes a breather during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena. The 76ers won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) takes a breather during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena. The 76ers won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 16
Next
Dec 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard K.J. McDaniels (left) shoots past Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (center) and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (right) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard K.J. McDaniels (left) shoots past Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (center) and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (right) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia 76ers

There isn’t much positive to say about the Philadelphia 76ers this season, though them not having anything going for them is strangely all part of the plan. It’s like the Joker says, “Nobody panics when things go “according to plan.” Even if the plan is horrifying! If, tomorrow, I tell the press that, like, a gang banger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it’s all ‘part of the plan’.”

The plan implemented by general manager Sam Hinkie has been one of utter destruction to the 76ers roster, we think from the outside, in hopes that it will result in a uniquely talented roster in a few years. To that end, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid make up one of the youngest but most talented frontcourt options ever assembled.

But neither are currently at full health. And that is a large part of the problem for Philadelphia, nobody can stay on the floor for Philadelphia. Tony Wroten has been in and out of the lineup, Jason Richardson has not played. And with the exception of Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels, the rest of the 76ers squad that garner major minutes is best suited for the NBA Developmental League.

And it shows, as this youthful Sixers squad is third in the league in PACE (number of possessions per 48 minutes) yet worst in the league in ORtg (points per 100 possessions), which sounds a lot like the average D-League team. As the 11th best defensive team in the league in DRtg, the Sixers under Brett Brown are playing sharp basketball on one end of the floor.

Thus Philadelphia’s New Year’s Resolution is to get full healthy, which in turn should lead to better offensive efficiency, if not for this season, then at least going forward.

Next: The Next Most Embarrassing Team Also Resides in the Atlantic Division

Home/NBA