Sixers: 5 Things To Watch This Season
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Shut up and cue the music!
The Sixers open their season tonight in Boston at the Celtics. So what should Sixers fans be ready to focus on in 2015-16?
5. The Process
Here we go. Year 3 of Brett Brown. Year 3 of Sam Hinkie. Year 3 of the process.
The Sixers are potentially looking at FOUR first-round picks in 2016 (and one second-round pick), they have boatloads of money, and they have ascending young talent (which we'll get to).
Do you still trust the process?
4. Big Shot Bob
Robert Covington, 24, sprung onto the scene last year averaging 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and making 2.4 three's per game (37.4%). Covington, at 6'9", is long, can score, can shoot, can defend, and is arguably the best acquisition of the Hinkie era.
Unfortunately, RoCo will start the season sidelines with a sprained knee.
Will Covington progress into a nice role player or something more than that?
3. Sauce Castillo
This summer, Hinkie acquired the sharp shooting Nik Stauskas, aka Sauce Castillo, from the Kings in a multi-player deal. Stauskas, the 2014 8th overall pick, shot 42-percent from three-point range over his final 22 games as a rookie with the Kings. The former Michigan standout can flat-out shoot it with the best of 'em, a weapon the Sixers have lacked for years.
How will Sauce shoot it in a Sixers uni?
2. Nerlens, In Year Two
Nerlens Noel was named to the NBA first-team all rookie team and arguably deserved to be all-NBA defender last season, his first. Noel finished top-10 in the NBA in blocks per game, steals per game, and defensive rating (amount of points a player allows per 100 possessions).
Now, he enters year two alongside center Jahlil Okafor. Noel is excited about having the chance to play power forward and use his athleticism on the perimeter a little more.
How will Noel progress in year two, alongside Okafor?
1. Big Jah
Speaking of Jahlil Okafor, all eyes are on the NBA's third overall pick and consensus rookie of the year candidate. How will he change the offensive scheme on the Sixers? Will he collapse defenses? Can he defend? Can he run the floor? Can he shoot free-throws?
Is he a star?
