Sixers Begin New Era
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The youth movement is on for the 76ers.
As the team prepares to open training camp on Saturday, it will be a much younger looking group of Sixers taking the court. A flurry of off-season moves have put the Sixers in rebuilding mode, and players such as Evan Turner are being counted on to help the young players settle in to the NBA.
"It's a little different," said Turner. "These are great young guys and they're great to be around. I don't mind helping."
The Sixers will be counting on players such as rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams, who will be jumping into the starting lineup. Carter-Williams knows there will be growing pains this winter, but he says he is excited to get the season started.
"I know there's going to be some downs this season," Carter-Williams said. "That's just part of the game. I'm going to be frustrated at times with myself. I just have to build on making those tough times better situations."
Another rookie the Sixers will be leaning on is Nerlens Noel, but the center is still recovering from a knee injury. Noel is expected to be back in January and his happy with his rehab progress.
"I feel great," said Noel. "I'm at the seven-month point and I've been working my butt off to get back and get my leg as strong as possible."
There have been many dire predictions made about the Sixers' chances for success this season. Many believe the Sixers will have one of the worst records in the NBA, but Thaddeus Young still has his sites set on the post-season.
"We're definitely going to take our bumps and bruises," Young said. "But success is getting back to the playoffs. Everybody probably thinks that's a bit far fetched, but anything is possible."
The Sixers announced forward Arnett Moultrie underwent ankle surgery and will be out for three months.
