The Philadelphia 76ers seem to be following another team’s example when it comes to roster construction coming into this new season. It’s no secret that this wasn’t the offseason that 76ers fans were hoping for.
With James Harden still on the team and no new star to get excited about, along with the massive trades by the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks for star guards Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, respectively, many Sixers fans are already ready for another second-round playoff exit. However, one can’t help but notice that the 76ers appear to be following a proven formula with their team building.
Depth over stars
That’s the name of the game for the 2023-2024 Philadelphia 76ers. Despite James Harden’s late arrival to training camp, it appears that the star guard has not budgeted on his position to not play again for the 76ers, at least not for the long haul. On the other hand, the potential return for James Harden appears to be pointing more toward role players than star players, changing the plans of the 76ers from star hunters to a team focused on building around center Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey.
While this is a drastically different approach than the star-hunting 76ers of years past, this could work in the end. We all just saw Nikola Jokic lead the Denver Nuggets to a championship with Jamal Murray and depth.
Many champions have often boasted big threes, but it has been proven that having one transcendent superstar and one secondary star can win championships, especially when the dynamic duo has played significant minutes together. This appears to be the formula that the 76ers are aiming to use, barring any reconciliation with James Harden.
Comparisons to Denver
For Philadelphia, Joel Embiid obviously fills the Nikola Jokic role. A true superstar big man who dominates the game every time he steps on the court. An MVP candidate every year who keeps their team in contention every year.
Next is the Jamal Murray role, clearly filled by Tyrese Maxey—a scoring guard who can excel playing next to and supporting the superstar already in place. Then you surround your stars with excellent role players who compliment your star’s abilities and minimize their weaknesses. Add in an excellent coach with Nick Nurse, and you have a recipe for success.
De’Anthony Melton is an excellent shooter and an even better defender at the shooting guard position—Philadelphia’s own version of Bruce Brown. Tobias Harris can create his own shot, make catch-and-shoot threes, and has become a great locker-room leader for the 76ers, kind of like Aaron Gordon this past season.
Playoff veterans like P.J. Tucker, Patrick Beverly, Danuel House Jr., and Danny Green provide leadership and are known variables for Philadelphia, while young guys like Jaden Springer and Paul Reed provide a certain level of excitement while still being able to show improvement. With Kelly Oubre also joining the squad, Philadelphia is in a far better place than most give them credit for.
There is reason for hope for the 76ers
Sure, the offseason didn’t go exactly as planned. At least not how fans wanted it to go. Yet, the 76ers, despite all of the offseason drama, have improved their team. They signed contributors like Kelly Oubre, Mo Bamba, and Patrick Beverly. They hired one of the best coaches in the NBA, Nick Nurse. And at the end of the day, they are still led by up-and-coming star Tyrese Maxey and the generational Joel Embiid.
