Two weeks ago I wrote about the new guys. This week it’s about the seven returning Sixers. 

Now I have covered my basis with each player on the roster, although two exceptions persist. Labaron Philion is a rookie, and I already included a stat about his sophomore season at Alabama when I introduced this series, and then the two two-way players (Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert) will get ink if they play any minutes this season.

Two weeks from today (September 28) my next post will appear that details notable milestones expected to be reached by certain players this season. Then I will do a prediction post prior to the regular season.

For this group I decided to go from most games played to fewest games played as a Sixer.  

Joel Embiid

I am happy for this guy. 

The amount of criticism, no matter how rightfully deserved, has been magnified. I have written about Embiid many, many times since the Sixers drafted him third overall in 2014. I recoil with any suggestion that the Sixers should trade him, Besides the obvious of who would trade for him, which is often overlooked. He deserves this team. The amount of stuff he has been through. Nothing normal ever happens to him.

When he entered the league, he quickly became a dominant two-way player, but his defense arrived at an elite level first. He eventually became an absurd scorer. Someone capable of scoring with ease in short stretches. He didn’t reach 50 points in a game until 2021. He has done it eight times. He may never reach that number again. In reality, though, the Sixers need him to be elite on defense far more than on offense. His defense remains the biggest x-factor.

Four players in NBA history have scored at least 35 points while playing 30 or fewer minutes in double digit games: Stephen Curry (16 times), Embiid (12), Giannis Antetokounmpo (11), and George Gervin (10). 

Tyrese Maxey

Everyone loves Tyrese Maxey. I don’t think a player benefits more than Maxey with the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. It is no surprise that his three-point percentage dipped once James Harden left, which Sixers reporter Chris Hine with The Inquirer covered excellently in this article. Off-ball will do wonders for Maxey’s efficiency. He also excels with the ball in his hands as a decision maker. 

Since Tyrese Maxey’s rookie season, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has more 30 point, zero-turnover games. 

Watching Maxey play basketball is ecstasy. To limit his minutes and responsibility will heighten the experience.

Adem Bona

In hindsight, I probably gave Adem Bona too hard of a time during last postseason.

Can you blame me, though? 

I nearly lost it. Fortunately they won this game. 

Hopefully another summer working on his game will translate well, but it is hard to envision him being the answer as the undisputed Embiid backup and spot starter. It’s more likely a committee or a trade deeper into the season. 

His best skill remains blocking shots, which has its own value. 

Last year only Robert Williams, Yves Missi, Jay Huff, and Dylan Cardwell had more games with at least three blocks off the bench than Bona. 

Justin Edwards 

During this decade there have been 30 instances where a player finished a game with a +/- greater than 45. Only Pascal Siakam, Jayson Tatum, and Brandon Ingram scored more points than Edwards (32) when he accomplished that last season. A big caveat is the Sixers played the Kings, but Edwards flashed multiple times last season. There was his performance against Boston where he missed one shot en route to 22 points. He was sensational in what turned out to be a must win over Portland without Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre, and Paul George. Then you had that late night Sacramento beauty. 

I have no clue what role Edwards will have on this team, but he is a capable scorer with legitimate defensive upside. 

VJ Edgecombe

At 20, Valdez Drexel Edgecombe Jr. meant everything to the Sixers, more than he should have been. His three-point shot was up and down, but that shouldn’t have been a surprise. It turned out to be essentially league average. He promised after the Knicks second round loss that no team will leave him wide open again. 

He’ll have every opportunity to either shoot open threes or attack close outs. His finishing around the rim actually needs more improvement than his three-point shot, but there is little doubt he’ll improve those numbers. 

Last year only three players averaged at least five rebounds, four assists, and one steal while making 140 threes–Luka Dončić, Jaylen Brown, and Edgecombe. 

Much has been made about the sacrifice Edgecombe will have to make this year. I think there would be truth to that for a different type of player, but this dude makes the right basketball decision more times than not. He’s a terrific rebounder. He does the little things well. He’s going to be special, even if he won’t make an All-Star Game until a bit later into his career. 

Dominick Barlow

His inability to play in the Boston series probably had more to do with Embiid missing the first three games of the series. Barlow and Embiid paired nicely all season. The biggest skill development for Barlow will be his outside shot. He’ll see plenty of open looks from three, so that’ll make or break this upcoming season. 

I mentioned his insane Clippers game during this post, which in hindsight maybe I should have held on to it. It’s a pretty sweet stat. Regardless, it’s not the lone game that Barlow dominated last season. His season began in Boston with a truly wonderful game. Only Spencer Hawes, Tony Wroten, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and James Harden finished with at least 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in a Sixers season opener since 2010 but he left the following game due to an elbow laceration. He ended up missing nine games in a row. But he quickly regained his spot in the rotation.

He should get a chance to play center this season. It might be his best path for playoff minutes.

Jabari Walker

Jabari’s dad, Samaki, fouled LeBron James on April 9, 2004 during LeBron’s rookie season, so there’s that.

In all seriousness, Jabari provided valuable minutes in spots last season. He shouldn’t be asked to play so many games this year.

Feel swell, friends!