It is the most wonderful time of the year as there is a lot to look forward to with the holidays, winter break and……..the start of the NBA season???

That’s right, due to the adjusted schedule of the NBA season last year that resulted in the Bubble in Orlando ending in October, the 2020-2021 season will tip off very late this year with the first preseason games being played on Dec. 11 and the first regular season games on Dec. 22. 

The 76ers will have their first preseason game on Dec. 15, when they will face off against the team that swept them in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Boston Celtics. Since that disappointing series, the Sixers have made a lot of changes that should have fans very excited and optimistic for the season ahead. 

These moves all came as a result of the firing of head coach Brett Brown and the signings of head coach Doc Rivers from the LA Clippers and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey from the Houston Rockets. With the new changes to the personnel and the roster, it appears the organization is doing everything in its power to compliment the play styles of their two stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. 

The two main goals coming into this offseason were to trade Al Horford because of his large contract and inability to fit the playstyle, as well as to acquire three point shooters who could surround Ben and Joel, who are known to not fill that role. 

As the offseason wraps up, it appears they did just that when they traded Al Horford, a future first round pick and a second round pick for 3x NBA champion Danny Green who is a great shooter despite his struggles for the Lakers in their championship run last year. Additionally, they added more shooting when trading Josh Richardson and a second round pick for three-point deadeye Seth Curry, who has the second best three-point percentage in NBA history. Finally, they were able to find a gem in the late first round of the draft with guard Tyrese Maxey out of Kentucky who also has a solid three-point shot. 

With the likes of Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton already on the roster along with the new acquisitions, it appears the Sixers have found their perimeter shooters they have been seeking since the departures of Robert Covington and JJ Redick. Along with filling those needs, Philly was also able to acquire more depth in the frontcourt with the signing of 8x All-Star Dwight Howard and trading for young forward Tony Bradley. This will be key as they will have a solid replacement for Embiid which could allow for more rest and maybe even some games off. 

Danny Green and Dwight Howard were both a part of the Lakers championship last season, so Philly also finally has some championship DNA in the locker room, as well as guys who know what it takes to win.

Looking at the team headed into the season, it appears that the Sixers have all the aspects of a championship roster. Now, the organization as well as the city is hopeful that this will be the year everything will come together and the Larry O’Brien trophy will return to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since Julius Erving and Moses Malone brought it home in 1983.