The analyst and former Philadelphia 76ers forward Charles Barkley assessed the Sixers’ readiness for the upcoming season:
“The Sixers got everything. I’m putting my faith in Ben and Joel. Let’s be realistic. The Sixers were probably a bounce of a basketball away from being the champs last year. That ball bounced like 12 times in slow motion. Now, they’re on everybody’s radar. I love the addition of Al Horford. I love the addition of Josh Richardson. The Sixers have everything in place,” Barkley said.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith agrees with Barkley:
This past season, Simmons averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game, while shooting at 56.3 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, Embiid averaged 27.5 points, 13.6 boards and 3.7 assists per contest, while shooting at 48.4 percent from the field.
