With the exception of the lockout-shortened season in 2011/12, the Sixers haven’t finished over .500 since the 2004/05 campaign. They’ve posted a 41-41 record twice during that stretch, but have been unable to reach the 42-win threshold in over a decade.
There’s some reason to believe that streak could come to an end in 2017/18. After all, the Sixers’ roster is more stacked with young talent than it has been at any time during that stretch, with No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz joining a group that includes Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Robert Covington, and last year’s No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, who looks ready to go after missing his rookie season.
However, while Philadelphia’s young core is exciting, it’s also unproven. Fultz and Simmons have yet to play in an NBA game. Embiid has only played in 31 of them. And Simmons and Embiid are both coming off major injuries.
While a playoff berth is the goal for the Sixers, president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo has made an effort to temper expectations. As we noted yesterday, Colangelo recently suggested that Philadelphia is “hoping” to make the postseason, but not forecasting an appearance in the playoffs. That would be “getting a little ahead of ourselves,” in Colangelo’s words, and he’s not wrong — the Sixers improved their win total from 10 in 2015/16 to 28 last season, but they’d need another big jump to make the postseason.
Oddsmakers are optimistic about the Sixers’ chances to make that leap, with offshore betting site Bovada putting the team’s over/under for 2017/18 at 41.5 wins. Bettors are a little more hesistant to go all-in on the Sixers, with Bovada’s current lines indicating that action has been heavy on the under.
What do you think? Is this the year the Sixers finally get back up to 42 wins, or does the team’s young core need a little more time to develop? Vote below and jump into the comment section to share your thoughts!
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Previous over/under voting results:
- Golden State Warriors: Over 67.5 (53.57%)
- Boston Celtics: Over 55.5 (63.5%)
- Houston Rockets: Over 55.5 (65.57%)
- San Antonio Spurs: Over 54.5 (67.74%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Over 53.5 (68.82%)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Over 50.5 (71.77%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Over 48.5 (55.69%)
- Toronto Raptors: Over 48.5 (64.21%)
- Washington Wizards: Over 47.5 (71.29%)
- Milwaukee Bucks: Over 47.5 (63.88%)
- Denver Nuggets: Under 45.5 (50.44%)
- Los Angeles Clippers: Over 43.5 (60.7%)
- Miami Heat: Over 43.5 (55.39%)
- Charlotte Hornets: Over 42.5 (51.07%)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Over 42.5 (56.3%)
Surprised more than half have said over 41.5. Just don’t see a team turning it around that fast even in a weak Eastern Conference. I see them getting around 38 wins which is improvement but don’t see them getting 42 wins.
I don’t understand why but Under almost never wins even with teams on a downward trend. I mean I would the 76ers being below .500 is one of the safer bets thus far but what do I know
Agreed…it seems fairly unlikely that every team will go OVER their projected win total.
Some people only vote if they are fans of the team, so unfortunately, these polls are inaccurate
A torn meniscus isn’t a major injury. And Simmons’ broken foot isn’t that major either. KD had it a few years ago and he’s done alright since. Simmons will have a major impact from day 1 considering he’s much better than Embiid. I imagine a .500 season and a playoff seed between 6-8
I think our definitions of “major” are different. Neither injury was career-threatening or anything, but Simmons missed the entire season and Embiid hasn’t been fully cleared yet.
Ok, that clears it up. I’m guess I’m so used to Sixers’ players being injured that a major injury to me is a career derailing
48 wins
I like the concept of these polls, but how can the over win ever time? There’s a finite amount of wins to go around lol
Yeah, I feel like at the end we’ll just have to shift the voting down 10% or so for all of them to get a more balanced outcome. Haha.
It’s because fans of the team are more likely to read the article about their team and are also more likely to be optimistic. Only 161 people have voted in this poll; it’s not very meaningful.
Valid points. I appreciate your statistical analysis
If Embiid is healthy–say 60 games, 25-28 MPG–I’ll take the over. Otherwise, I’ll take the under.
At least 74
At least 74….
….losses,
…games missed by starting 5,
… years between championships (only 40 more to go,)
…. sixer fans shouldn’t have voted the over,
Wins lol
It’s Called Karma from All that tanking the
Sixers have done. HaHa
This should be a fun year in Philly no matter where they end up.
Sixers fans will finally get to see the players they’ve been talking about for so long.
And so will some of the players!
So I voted under.
ill give em 36