Staff Writer
Ending 2019 and shifting into the new year, the Philadelphia 76ers are off to a solid start. The team finished the year as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 23-13 record. However, the Sixers ended the year on a three game losing streak, stirring concern that the new starting lineup the Sixers acquired in the summer may not be working out.
In the summer, the 76ers signed center Al Horford to a multi-year deal worth over 100 million dollars. This free agent signing looked to help Sixers star Joel Embiid for when he is worn out and needs rest. They also acquired shooting guard Josh Richardson from the Miami Heat in exchange for Jimmy Butler. He is a young, defensive-minded player that is a good two-way player. These players are both playing well, but not meeting the high expectations that many hoped they would achieve. This has led to them falling to the sixth seed after being the third seed last year. The Sixers are also hoping for Ben Simmons to be more aggressive as his point per game since he is at a career low of 14ppg. Simmons has made a three pointer this year, but the coaches and fans are encouraging him to shoot more often resulting in defenders guarding the perimeter rather than sagging off, helping the defense.
Shifting into the new year, the Sixers hope to get back on track. After a convincing win on Christmas Day against the best team in the league, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Sixers and their fans hope they can get back to playing high level basketball again.
