NBA Power Rankings: Who are the biggest threats to the Warriors?
By Tony Pesta
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The biggest winners of the 2019 NBA trade deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers are fully equipped for a deep playoff run. It has been a wild year of acquisitions for Philly, with the additions of Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler, this team could realistically have four All-Stars in their starting lineup.
Ben Simmons is a generational talent at the point guard position. Even without a 3-point shot, Simmons has no trouble carving up opposing defenses and getting himself and his teammate’s open buckets.
Of course, Joel Embiid is as dominant as they come, racking up 27.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game. He is eating opposing centers alive and is forcing his name into MVP conversations.
Throw in the deadly 3-point shooting of J.J. Reddick and the versatility of both Harris and Butler and there is an argument to be made that Philly is the deepest team in the league. However, where they truly lack is their bench unit, which has been slightly improved by the addition of Jonathon Simmons and Mike Scott.
The 76ers have to prove that they are capable of putting all of these moving pieces together, but if they do, the Eastern Conference is in trouble.