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5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About The Philly Sports Scene

By Andrew Porter

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

 

2. J.P. Crawford
Crawford, 21, is regarded as the 4th best prospect in all of baseball. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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 AlfaroRoman QuinnMark 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

 

2014 NBA Draft Lottery
Photo Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

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

 

Ivan Provorov
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Ivan Provorov puts on his jersey after being selected seventh overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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.

  1. Ivan Provorov, D - 6-0; Flyers' most talented prospect; offensive ability, superb skater, high hockey IQ
  2. Travis Konecny, C - 5-11; excellent skater, versatile forward, high-upside
  3. Travis Sanheim, D - 6-3 and just 190-pounds, but very talented; can also skate well
  4. 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

 

Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz arrives at the Philadelphia airport. (credit; Don Bell)

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

 

World Series: Tampa Bay Rays v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 5
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 29: Catcher Carlos Ruiz #51 and Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after recording the final out of their 4-3 win to win the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays during the continuation of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 29, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

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?

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