Why are we not talking about Philly?

We can agree that when it comes to drama, the NBA offseason is better than your raunchy reality TV show that you binge watch or wait each week for the latest episode. It brings in the viewers of course, who isn’t interested in the Kyrie, KD, and Russ trade rumors that can shake the balance of the NBA once again? While that is all we talk about, we allow the other big names and franchise moves to go unnoticed until the season starts. The first team that comes to mind, is the Philadelphia 76ers.

            After the blockbuster trade that involved James Harden and Ben Simmons, the expectations of the 76ers were at the championship level with the new all-star duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid. Those expectations fell short after a lackluster second-round performance by the 76ers against the Miami Heat, falling short in a six-game series.

            With reports of Embiid rehabbing from several surgeries and rumors of James Harden on schedule to approach the season in far better physical condition than the previous year, along with taking a 15 million dollar pay cut to sign a better supporting cast is just the tip of the iceberg for the Philadelphia 76ers. Darryl Morey, former Rockets general manager, has put his foot into the free-agency game this offseason, signing key role players that are familiar with James Harden in PJ Tucker, Danuel House Jr, and Rockets G-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers MVP, Trevelin Queen, who can help off the bench, and trading for DeAnthony Melton who was a solid role player for the Grizzlies last season. Embiid has been vocal about signing players with more toughness to get them over the hump and Morrey has delivered.

            In a way, you can call this team a revamped Houston Rockets team with the addition of a quality wing in Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid who is arguably the best big man in the entire NBA. The league isn’t aware of what is going on in Philadelphia yet, but the 76ers are clearly all in on winning and have the potential to be the team to beat this upcoming season.