The 76ers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA so far this season. They have lost 17 out of their last 19 games, and they are currently sitting at a dismal 18-42 record. Despite all that, there is still some hope for the Sixers and their fans as they discovered a $2.4 million dollar loophole in order to sign free agent forward Kevin Durant.
The 76ers are in a dark offseason. Ben Simmons is injured, the team has no draft pick, and they have traded away their best player. They found one glimmer of hope, though. Read more in detail here: where is ben simmons from.
Fans of the Philadelphia 76ers can’t be too optimistic about the next NBA season. Ben Simmons has refused to come to the club’s facilities, has said that he would never wear a Sixers jersey again, and the organization seems to have no intention of selling him in the near future. It’s a bad scenario that may lead to a terrible season for the 76ers in 2021-22.
But, for a short time this week, Philly fans were able to forget about the absurd Simmons drama after seeing Andre Drummond seem like his former, All-Star self in his preseason debut with the club. After all, the Sixers may have something to look forward to this season.
Andre Drummond was signed by the 76ers for just $2.4 million.
The 76ers have a significant void behind Joel Embiid at center heading into the 2021 summer. For most of last season, Dwight Howard served as a reserve off the bench, but after only one season in Philadelphia, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, started searching for a replacement center who could spread the floor, shoot from beyond the arc, and play solid defense on the opposite end. Morey, on the other hand, leapt at the chance when Drummond became available for a dirt-cheap price.
Drummond signed a one-year deal with the Sixers in early August for $2.4 million, the veteran minimum. Last season, Drummond made almost $28 million, so Philadelphia got a steal with his free agency deal.
Drummond was the best rebounder in the NBA only a few years ago. From 2018 to 2020, he led the NBA in rebounds per game three times in a row, and he also led the NBA in offensive rebounds six times in a row while with the Detroit Pistons.
Drummond’s scoring and rebounding statistics have dropped in recent years as his playing time has reduced, but he’s still just 28. This season, the Sixers’ newest center has a shot to be the league’s finest backup big man.
Andre Drummond makes an immediate impact in his 76ers debut.
During Monday night’s preseason opener against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia fans got their first glimpse at the team’s new backup center, and he surpassed all expectations.
In his Sixers debut, Drummond had a team-high 19 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. The veteran made 6 of 9 shots from the field and was 7 of 8 from the free throw line. That’s promising coming from someone who has shot 47 percent from the line in his career.
Drummond looked like his old, dominating self in the paint for the most of the game against Toronto. In his unexpectedly smooth post moves, he displayed both strength and speed, defended the paint effectively, and even started the offense a few times from the top of the key.
It was an outstanding overall effort that should give Philly supporters plenty to cheer about this season.
In a very gloomy offseason tainted by Ben Simmons, there is a ray of optimism.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond drives to the hoop against the Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes and Dalano Banton | Mark Blinch/Getty Images
The 76ers’ 2021 offseason had been a disaster until Monday night’s promising performance from Drummond. When your All-Star point guard refuses to show up for work because his emotions were hurt, it’s difficult to identify any positives.
Simmons may be too far down the rabbit hole to return to the Sixers this season, and his trade value has plummeted to the point where he may be difficult to deal even for a good package. Philadelphia is in for a difficult start to the season as a result of the drama, which has produced a no-win scenario for all parties.
Sixers supporters really needed a victory to feel even somewhat hopeful going into the season, and they got one on Monday thanks to Drummond’s effort. Despite the fact that the 76ers may have lost their starting point guard this summer, they may have spent the most $2.4 million of any NBA club.
Basketball-Reference provided all stats.
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