Adam Somers
Staff Writer
As the Sixers move towards a highly anticipated season, there is much to love. With the addition of Markelle Fultz and shooter, JJ Redick, the Sixers seem prepared to make a major jump this season. After going 28-54 last year, the Sixers’ combination of a healthy Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, along along with editions has ESPN predicting them to go 37-45, with many believing they can do even better.
Philadelphia is known for its passionate fans and they are certainly excited for the season, and this resonates with the players. New addition JJ Redick called Philly a “Sports Town,” suggesting that he had never played in one before, bouncing around from Orlando, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles. Along with Markelle Fultz remarking to NBC Sports “Just walking around, just having the fans here. Just walking around hearing, ‘Trust the process.’ This team is just so young, so open. We’ve got some good vets here. Just coming here, I feel welcomed. It almost feels like I’m almost going back to college, just being welcomed. Just having everyone being around all the time. I love it. I don’t regret anything that happened. I’m excited.” These new additions have certainly received a warm welcome from their fans, and will be an integral part of future success.
Team President Bryan Colangelo, believes the Sixers are ready to take the next step as well, saying to CSN Philly “We have added a number of pieces, some familiar faces, some unfamiliar. But we feel that all in all, we’re going in with a good blend of that young core that we talk about. We talk about the veteran presence and inclusion with the mix, and feel that things are moving in the right direction with us and put us in a good position to compete and take another step forward as an organization.” It definitely is a potent mix, and in years to come the Sixers should be serious contenders if they can keep their young stars on track.
