The 2016-17 Philadelphia 76ers are going to be an exciting team to watch this season. With Ben Simmons set to begin his NBA career, Joel Embiid is also expected to be healthy and Dario Saric will be with the team after spending two season in Turkey.
With the first preseason game just a little over a month away, the Sixerdelphia staff is giving their early predictions on the teams' starting five come Opening Night against the Thunder on October 26.
Brandon Apter, Editor
PG: Jerryd Bayless
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Jahlil Okafor
There are many different combinations we will see throughout the 2016-17 season, but I believe this is the most likely lineup for Opening Night. Bayless is the better option than Rodriguez and Henderson gets the nod over Hollis Thompson. I think Covington starts over Saric, who could earn himself a spot as a starter in due time, but his transitional period to the NBA will keep him in a reserve role to start. Ben Simmons will start at the four, but will play plenty of small forward as well and I have Okafor starting at center since he's the best offensive option on the team beyond Simmons.
Tim Kelly, Editor
PG: Jerryd Bayless
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Jahlil Okafor
While it’s not clear what Jahlil Okafor’s long-term fit is in the Sixers system, or with Nerlens Noel/Joel Embiid, Okafor is the most established young offensive talent that the team possesses, which will earn him the opening night start, even if the possibility of him not finishing the season with the team exists. Dario Saric has a much higher ceiling than Covington, but Covington’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc makes him a better fit to start and he should benefit from playing with Ben Simmons. Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick, will start at the four, though my guess is that he ends up being more of a point-forward type who thrives when he’s able to facilitate to others. Those who dislike Sam Hinkie giving chances to players like T.J. McConnell to start will be thrilled with the veteran backcourt of Bayless and Henderson, who are nice veterans fits on an otherwise very young team. Nerlens Noel will actually benefit quite a bit from this lineup, as his brand of defense and ability to have success in transition will be best used coming off the bench. The previously mentioned Saric, along with Joel Embiid, who remains the most talented prospect in all of Philadelphia sports, give the Sixers a very talented bench to round out a roster that suddenly looks very promising.
John Crichton, Staff Writer
PG: Jerryd Bayless
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Jahlil Okafor.
This gives the Sixers some veteran presence in the backcourt, and two guys that can play quality defense at the top. Having Covington starting is a no brainer because you want a knockdown shooter for Simmons to be able to kick out to. The center decision took a bit to decide for obvious reasons, but I think that until Embiid is in 100 percent ready for NBA game speed, you go with the safe bet and start Okafor. He's a double-double a night guy and should benefit from Simmons' passing ability. The bench players are going to be an exciting second unit because there's a ton of athleticism and it's a group that will love to push the pace. Sergio, Nik, Dario, Jerami and Nerlens/Joel will lead the second team charge.
Dashawn Hendricks, Staff Writer
PG: Jared Bayless
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Dario Saric
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Nerlens Noel
This 76ers lineup I feel is the most well balanced out of all the possible combinations. With Bayless and Henderson, you have two guards who can both shoot the basketball, which will be key with point forward Ben Simmons doing most of the ball handling duties. Saric and Noel are my wild cards. Both players bring hustle and grit, something that Brett Brown will greatly appreciate when it comes to the defensive side of the floor. More or less, the option to have Okafor and Embiid with Rodriguez running the show off the bench may be too enticing to pass on.
Dante Nelson, Staff Writer
PG: Jerryd Bayless
SG: Hollis Thompson
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Joel Embiid
The easiest pick for me is Bayless. Everybody else is honestly a toss up. But, if Embiid is truly ready, I feel like he’d be paired with Simmons. Covington and Thompson are there as usual. I thought about Saric at SF but I think not yet. Even though Noel seems more likely, they might toss a healthy Embiid out there to sedate the fans for at least the first night.
Danny Grugan, Staff Writer
PG: Jerryd Bayless
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Ben Simmons
C: Nerlens Noel
Predicting the Sixers starting 5 is not easy. The roster is still so much in flux and incomplete. My best guess at least initially would be Bayless, Henderson, Covington, Simmons and Noel. You need to surround the talented rookie with as much shooting and defense as possible. Ideallym Embiid would start in place of Nerlens but my sense is the Sixers will bring him along slowly. Sixers have added talent obviously, but more moves clearly need to be made. Brett Brown once again has his hands full.
