Can Raptors win Atlantic Division again? Off-season retooling creates new rankings
By Brian Boake
Apr 5, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) saves a ball from going out of bounds against the New York Knicks in front of referee Joe Crawford (17) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers
Say Hello to: Nik Stauskas, Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, Jahlil Okafor, J.P. Tokoto
Farewell: Luc Mbah a Moute, Jason Richardson, Thomas Robinson
’14-’15 record: 18-64
Philly GM Sam Hinkie has tried to make an asset out of failure, and instead has demonstrated the immense difficulty of tanking as a road back to contention. Jahlil Okafor, the latest in a string of top-10 draft selections, will contend for minutes with the 76ers’ best player, Nerlens Noel. Joel Embiid was expected to contribute, but he’s sitting out another season with a chronic foot problem.
The constant churn in the roster has got to be more than exasperating for coach Brett Brown. He’s got their kids playing hard, particularly on D. But somebody’s got to score, and whoever somebody is, he doesn’t play for the 76ers. They could improve dramatically, and still not get to 30 wins.
Next: Knocking the Knicks