NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Shake Up At The Top

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Apr 16, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) prepares to shoot the ball in the first half of a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Last year’s season can be summed up as an embarrassment. The team tied an NBA record with 26 straight losses. WOW!

There was rumor that at one point they were virtually trying to lose to secure a top pick in the NBA draft. They succeeded and landed the third pick in the highly touted 2014 NBA Draft selecting Kansas center Joel Embiid.

While they are getting an extremely talented basketball player in Embiid, he will most likely miss the entire season with foot surgery. Again, like Lopez, lower extremity problems are never a good sign for NBA big men.

Adding Embiid was the best value pick. The surprise was that they already had a center in Nerlens Noel, but Philadelphia believes they can play alongside each other. At least Noel will be healthy this year and looked very good in the NBA Summer League. If Noel can stay healthy, Philly will have a major improvement at center from Henry Sims last year.

Michael Carter-Williams is the reigning rookie of the year (in a pretty terrible class), but gives the Sixers a good, young point guard to possibly build around. If he can improve his jump shot to at least respectable, he and Noel could form quite the pick and roll duo.

Besides a healthy Noel and a lot of rookies, Sixers’ fans don’t have much to cheer for in 2014-15. See you in the lottery Philadelphia.

Key Additions: Joel Embiid, Alexey Shved, KJ McDaniels, Jerami Grant, Dario Saric

Key Losses: Thaddeus Young