Philadelphia 76ers – Dec. 31, 2017
#TheProcess meets #TheTimeline on New Years Eve when Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons come to Arizona. Oh and we cannot forget to include top 2017 NBA draft pick Markelle Fultz to the mix. Former Phoenix Suns General Manager Bryan Colangelo is looking for the Philadelphia 76ers to take the next step in this long rebuilding effort. This summer they added an impact shooter in J.J. Redick along with a veteran post presence in Amir Johnson. These moves are indicative of the Sixers’ attempt to compete for a playoff spot this season.
While Simmons and Markelle Fultz have yet to play in an NBA game and Joel Embiid has played only 31 games in three seasons, hope and ticket sales are high in Philadelphia. By Philadelphia drafting three potential generational players, they offer the Suns hope that this rebuild will be worth the wait. That does not even included 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up Dario Saric.
The “FEDS“, as Embiid refers to himself and three aforementioned teammates, is one of the best young cores in the league. Philadelphia’s young group will offer a good barometer to where Booker, Bender, Chriss, and Jackson are at as a unit. The only thing stopping this match-up from being as entertaining as possible is potential injuries.
Expect the game to full of highlights as the Suns look to close out 2017 on a high note. As these young Suns continue to grow and improve, it will not be long until fans have the same hope and excitement found in Philly takes over the Valley of the Sun!