Atlantic Division Preview: Sixers

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In the final installment reviewing the state of the Atlantic Division heading into the 2013-14 NBA season, John Finger tells us what to expect out of the Sixers:

Philadelphia 76ers
2012-13 record: 34-48 (fourth place in Atlantic Division)

Arrivals
The entire roster save for Thad Young, Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner, Lavoy Allen and Kwame Brown.

Departures
Jrue Holiday, Andrew Bynum, Dorell Wright, Nick Young, Damien Wilkins.

Projected starting five
PG – Michael Carter-Williams
SG – James Anderson
SF – Evan Turner
PF – Thad Young
C – Spencer Hawes

Fun fact
Thad Young and Spencer Hawes were teammates in the 2006 McDonald’s High School All-American game. Going into his seventh season, Young is the longest-tenured Sixers player since Andre Iguodala spent eight seasons with the team. With seven years in the NBA, Young won’t turn 26 until next June 21.

Outlook
No player has averaged 40 minutes per game since Monta Ellis did it in 2010-11 for Golden State and no Sixer has done it since Allen Iverson in 2005-06 (though Iguodala averaged 39.87 minutes per game in 2008-09). The significance of this is with the Sixers’ inexperienced and depth-challenged roster, Young and Evan Turner will be counted on to play heavy minutes for Brett Brown.

Look, we all see that 10 to 15 wins is going to be a fight for the Sixers this season. In the rebuild of all rebuilds, the Sixers are looking to the 2014 NBA draft in which they could have two lottery picks. In the meantime, it’s going to be a long, trying season on the court for the Sixers.

Projection
Is the 9-73 record of the 1972-73 Sixers in jeopardy? Doubtful. However, each win the Sixers get in 2013-14 is going to be a battle. Nothing will come cheap for the Sixers this season.

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