5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About The Philly Sports Scene
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Although it may not feel like it sometimes, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Philly sports. All four of Philadelphia's major pro sports teams have optimistic outlooks.
Here are five reasons to be optimistic about the Philadelphia sports scene.
5. The Phillies' future
You have the current young talent like: Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Nola, Vincent Velasquez, and Jerad Eickhoff.
You have the future talent like: J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, Tommy Joseph, Jorge Alfaro, Roman Quinn, Mark Appel, Jake Thompson, and Zach Eflin.
You have a promising, transparent, and player-friendly manager in Pete Mackanin.
You have a new, young, hungry general manager in Matt Klentak.
You have a wealthy 'win-at-all-cost' owner in John Powers Middleton.
You have a new multi-billion dollar 25-year TV deal in a big market, and a beautiful stadium.
And you have big time stars becoming free-agents in the coming years, names like: Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, and Manny Machado. What, I can't dream a bit?
4. Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery
The 76ers have a legitimate shot of acquiring four first-round picks in this year's NBA Draft. Three picks are a certainty -- no lower than pick No. 4, pick No. 24, and pick No. 26 -- and the 76ers also have a 44-percent chance of acquiring the Lakers' top-three protected pick.
Best case scenario for the Sixers? 1, 4, 24, and 26.
Not to mention, Dario Saric and Joel Embiid are expected to actually be in a 76ers uniform in 2016-17 (knock on wood)!
3. Flyers' Farm System
There's a lot of young talent coming to the Flyers very soon to go along with one of the league's best rookies in Shayne Gostisbehere, a leader in Claude Giroux, an ascending head coach in Dave Hakstol, and a proven general manager in Rox Hextall.
All four of their top prospects are perfect for the new-aged NHL. Notice, three of the four are can really skate and are very versatile, especially the top two.
- Ivan Provorov, D - 6-0; Flyers' most talented prospect; offensive ability, superb skater, high hockey IQ
- Travis Konecny, C - 5-11; excellent skater, versatile forward, high-upside
- Travis Sanheim, D - 6-3 and just 190-pounds, but very talented; can also skate well
- Samuel Morin, D - 6-6; big frame, a powerful skater and shooter; needs to refine skills, hopes to be a shutdown defender in NHL
2. Carson Wentz
Last 13 quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Tom Brady.
Moral of the story? You need a franchise quarterback. And for the first time since 1999 (See: number five) the Eagles drafted their future franchise QB in Carson Wentz? Who knows how good he'll be, but A. --- he has all the physical tools and B. -- he's smart and has the right mindset. So why the heck not get excited about him?
Ps. With Donovan McNabb the Eagles have 10 playoff wins. Before and after McNabb, they have nine. Quarterback is the most important aspect of an NFL franchise.
1. Ebb and Flow
Most major sports cities go through peaks and valleys of winning and losing. From 2008-2012, Philly teams were winning (Phillies '08 World Series Title, Eagles '09 NFC Championship game appearance, Flyers '10 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, 76ers '12 playoff series win).
The past few years: The Phillies have been on a steady decline, the Flyers have begun to rebuild, the Sixers' have become the league's worst NBA team amid their own rebuilding "process", and the Eagles are on their third coach in five seasons.
It's going to come back around. It has to, right?