There are probably plenty of metaphors that could be used to describe the Sixers’ shortcomings as a team from the last two seasons, but I think one that’s most apt is, “You’re only as strong as your weakest link.” With the Toronto series serving as the barometer, the team’s fatal weakness was having to rely on their bench to survive when Embiid was off the floor, contributing to Joel’s ridiculous +90 stat while on the floor in that series.
Now, after a year of wheeling and dealing by Elton Brand, the Sixers have almost completely turned over their roster from the beginning of last season in an effort to re-roll the dice on a potential title run.