The Philadelphia 76ers surprised many last season, winning 52 games and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Expectations are getting higher, though, and the Boston Celtics are their primary rivals.
Without any significant roster changes, the Sixers’ personnel doesn’t stack up to Boston’s on paper. If Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons take another step forward, though, the Sixers have the raw talent to compete.
Add in a healthy Markelle Fultz, and the Sixers have a more-than-slim chance to topple the budding Celtics juggernaut. Whether or not we get a healthy Fultz, of course, is yet to be seen.