Philadelphia 76ers demanding respect in Eastern Conference after impressive preseason run – NBA Feature
The biggest surprise by far of the NBA preseason has been the performance of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers finished out their preseason schedule with a win over the New York Knicks on Monday. The victory was their fifth consecutive and sixth in seven games, meaning that Phillies finished the preseason with a 6-1 record while sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. Even though the preseason games do not matter much as many teams are not playing their complete rosters and superstars are rested, the fact that this team that finished 8th in the Eastern Conference last season and is playing without its franchise player in Andrew Bynum, is worthy of credit.
The Sixers have defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Knicks, Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, while losing its only preseason game to the Nets. And considering that Bynum did not play a single game in the preseason, it is amazing to see the Sixers pull off victory after victory. The reason for them playing so well has been the fact that their role players, much like the San Antonio Spurs, have been delivering on a consistent basis and is providing the team with a group of young guns who can combine to do the job, rather than relying on a superstar. For any team, that is a very positive sign.
Spencer Hawes has played all seven preseason games, and is averaging 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 22.7 minutes of action. Jrue Holiday is averaging 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists after playing in six preseason games. Nick Young, the offseason acquisition of the Sixers from the Los Angeles Clippers, has made an instant impression on the Sixers team as well as fans. He is averaging 15 points while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 44 percent from the distance in 7 preseason games, even though he has not started in one of them. Evan Turner has averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3 assists in five preseason games. Thaddeus Young has been the most impressive of them all, averaging 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while going 58.6 percent from the field.
Philadelphia have also been lucky in the fact that their offseason acquisitions have also paid off well. While Bynum is still to play his first game as a Sixer, Nick Young has been impressive in his new team and Dorrell Wright has also made an instant impact. Wright played for the Golden State Warriors last season and was added to the Sixers line-up in the offseason. In five preseason games, he has averaged 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. Hence, it is safe to say that the Sixers have a variety of players who can play the forward position well and score on a consistent basis. The Phillies are also on course to becoming one of the best rebounding teams in the Eastern Conference. And when Bynum starts playing, things will only get better.
The Sixers also have a great shooter and 6th man in the team in the form of Nick Young, and have some good players in Jrue Holiday and Wright in the backcourt. Although they lack a traditional point guard who can set plays and control the game, the Sixers are looking like one of the tough sides in the Eastern Conference and after their run in the preseason, have a chance of finishing in the top 5 of the East next season.
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