The 76ers made moves to put themselves in contention for a title. Well one media outlet feels it's not enough
Whenever the NBA has its free agent frenzy, there’s sure to be some major turnaround. Some moves turn heads while others shake the foundation of what is the NBA. For the Philadelphia 76ers, the trade for Jaylen Brown and the signing of LeBron James sent shockwaves through the association. The funny thing is Sporting News doesn’t see it the same.
Sporting News released their power rankings about how every team’s free agency changed the league's landscape, and the 76ers came in at number 11. Does anyone else feel this is a bit low? Especially for a team that many put in championship conversations. It’s really hard to justify these moves being outside the top five. They add two of the biggest superstars in the league today, and yet it’s just being tossed to the side.
Not only did they add those two, but you also included the new assets in Dean Wade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons, and you have yourself one star-studded bench. Sporting News also details how they made this ranking due to the limit restrictions that would be put on Joel Embiid and James.
This list is about who they added, not who is already on the team. Then, they say that even though in the regular season they could get 45 wins, they will have a powerhouse when it comes to the playoffs. So, how does that not count as changing the landscape of the NBA?
It’s understandable to have teams like OKC and San Antonio up there, considering OKC traded away Lu Dort and the Spurs added Tobias Harris and re-signed Julian Champaganie. One could even live with the Minnesota Timberwolves considering they added the human highlight in Lamelo Ball. But none of those additions propel their respective teams the way the 76ers additions do. It goes on to make the list more confusing when you think about it.
Rankings continue to be subjective, and it begs the question, what really goes into these lists? But there has to be something to say when the 76ers improve on their biggest need of shot creators. This, plus adding players who can do it all on both ends of the court, is something that’s not being talked about enough. Defense wins championships, and these additions by Philadelphia can help them do just that.
Despite what the listing says, this team's offseason moves have put the whole NBA on notice. If anything, everyone in the East has to be concerned that a low-seeded 76ers team is coming for the top spot.
