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New York Knicks: Predicting The Atlantic Division

By Chris Priczak

Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) directs teammates during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) directs teammates during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are an interesting team. This team will be fun to watch, but the 76ers still aren’t good. They’re still a few years away from actually competing.

Unlike Brooklyn, Philadelphia has a good crop of young players — Ben Simmons, Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric — that could help this team in the future.

Simmons, the first overall pick in 2016, performed well at Summer League. Many of his passes wowed the crowd and the Sixers’ fans. In addition, he showed on occasions he has the ability to run the offense.

In one instance, the LSU product drove to the basket with two defenders on him. Simmons made the pass to T.J. McConnell, who made the extra pass to Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. Luwawu connected on the 3-point shot. The 76ers can expect Simmons to score a bunch and dish out amazing passes throughout the season.

Given that the Sixers won 10 games last season, there’s no doubt this team will be better next season.

If you add in the fact that the team has three centers on the roster, as Joel Embiid will finally take the court, there’s a chance that one of their centers will be traded before the start of the season.

If that is the case, the team can fill one of their needs in the process.

The 76ers needs help in the backcourt and needs to add shooters as well. The 76ers were No. 29 in shooting percentage and point per game last season; the team connected on 43.1 percent of their shots and averaged 97.4 point per contest.

The Sixers have many inexperienced players on their roster. After this team gets acclimated to the system and builds chemistry, they could be a solid team in a few years. Philadelphia will be an improved team next season, but this is still a team that will be in the lottery in 2017.

Next: Toronto Raptors

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