The 2021 offseason is all but over and now is the time to look forward to the 2021-22 season. The summer league is in the books, the offseason moves are just about done and training camp is set to begin in about five weeks.
The Philadelphia 76ers figure to be in the race for the Eastern Conference title, but after another disappointing second-round playoff exit, some league executives and scouts are down on the Sixers.
In a recent survey of those league scouts and executives performed by ESPN, they do not give the Sixers any votes to represent the East in the 2022 NBA finals. Brooklyn received seven votes, Milwaukee received two and Miami, one.
An example of what the East executives told ESPN:
“If they are healthy, the Nets should clearly win,” an East executive said. “But as we saw this season, anything can happen.”
“I think Brooklyn is talented,” another East executive said. “Those guys are really good. But I haven’t seen if they can complement each other and be good enough in a series. Would I be surprised (if they win)? No. But I haven’t seen it yet.
“I think those guys in Milwaukee know how to win now, and they have confidence from winning it. The Bucks have an identity. No age issues. An ability to play inside out. There’s no real way they can’t play. I think you have to give them the edge.”
Philadelphia will be involved in the East title chase led by superstar big man Joel Embiid, but there are questions surrounding Ben Simmons. This gives them an opportunity to answer them and prove people wrong.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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