The Miami Heat have almost been completely made over for the coming season and that has to have those around the league on edge, but especially those in their own conference. While the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks are surely a team they’ve been geared up to go toe to toe with, the Brooklyn Nets are also as potent as they come with their three top twenty guys on the roster.
Aside from those two sure contenders though, the Philadelphia 76ers still might have the talent to get it done in the East. That’s, if they can figure it out, but can they?
Latest News
Though there have been little tidbits here and there, the biggest of the latest news surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers has to be the extension given to their best player and the mercurial situation of their second-best. First, the less-confusing news.
In fact, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Joel Embiid is a top twenty guy in the league, as is and maybe even higher, however, he’d be a top five guy if you could could guarantee a team that he was going play say… 75 of an 82 games of a season on a consistent basis.
He signed a four-year supermax extension through 2026-27, one that’ll pay him $196 million dollars. That was just a formality at that point, as he was bound to receive the deal.
As far as Simmons though, his is a bit more complicated.
Miami Heat Conference Roundup: Philadelphia 76ers – About Ben Simmons?
As far as things go with Ben Simmons, rumored to be out and wanting out of Philadelphia since the end of the playoffs, they aren’t as clear or as cheery as Embiid’s situation.
More On The Latest News
In fact, as opposed to keeping him there as long as they can, they are still, indeed, looking to move him.
It just isn’t happening as fast as they, him, or some others would like. Here is the latest on the situation, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
"Each of Minnesota, Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio has been consistently linked as a top Simmons destination, yet the overwhelming sense among league insiders continues to be that Simmons, for now, is expected to remain a Sixer once training camp opens on September 28—barring a change of temperature with Damian Lillard in Portland. That appears to be the ever-important undercurrent to what has been routinely described as a “James Harden-like” package Philadelphia is seeking for any Simmons return."
In fact, it seems and based on these reports partially, that Simmons will enter the season with Philadelphia. Here is how Fischer closed his reporting.
"Whether Simmons is amenable to that of course remains to be seen, but Philadelphia appears prepared for that outcome. Said one veteran front office voice, “Daryl is not afraid to go into training camp with a potentially combustible situation.”"
“Combustible” indeed, the situation could be, but is that a good thing for Philadelphia? It certainly would be for teams like the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat Conference Roundup: Philadelphia 76ers – Key Losses And Additions
The Miami Heat brought in quite a few guys that should be impactful, while they didn’t lose a ton. Can the same be said for Philadelphia?
Key Subtractions
They didn’t have any superstar losses, though they did lose a couple of key role-players and veterans. Waiving George Hill, he returned to the Milwaukee Bucks.
They also lost backup big man, Dwight Howard. He returned to the team he played with immediately prior to the Philadelphia 76ers and the team he won a title with, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Key Additions
Though they didn’t an awful lot, they did a plenty by bringing back two of their key shooters, Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz, both on multi-year deals. That was essential and a mega grab for them, figuratively.
In the way of new faces, they brought in Georges Niang to give them some versatility in the lineup and Andre Drummond, to be the new backup big man. They didn’t do anything crazy sexy, but they made some solid moves.
Miami Heat Conference Roundup: Philadelphia 76ers – How Heat Stack Up?
With the Miami Heat’s new additions, they’ll be a ton to handle for anyone. That includes the Philadelphia 76ers.
How The Miami Heat Stack Up With Philly
When it comes to Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers, it starts at the same place that it starts with every team and the 76ers, Joel Embiid. Ironically enough, the Miami Heat’s defense also starts with the guy that’ll see a lot of time on Embiid, Bam Adebayo.
That’s the first thing. With every moment of development and experience that Bam Adebayo gets, in general and against a specific assignment, the less effective that player will be.
Now when dealing with certain levels of talent, you can’t expect to stop them but hope to contain them and Joel Embiid is one of those guys. Hopefully, Bam Adebayo can contain him enough that he isn’t the one killing the Heat on a regular basis on hi own.
With Ben Simmons and his situation being as cloudy as it is, it’s hard to say how that part of the equation will go. With young guards like Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey in tow, along with shooters like Korkmaz and Green, Embiid should be enough of a center piece to cause major problems.
The Miami Heat will be able to counter that this season though, on both sides. They have re-tooled their defense and their offense, with both additional players and additional development.
Max Strus is coming back with a ton more confidence. So should Duncan Robinson, after signing a monster deal.
Jimmy Butler will be Jimmy Butler and especially after bringing over one of his best buds, Kyle Lowry. Tyler Herro is also sure to be in line for some key production this season and with the pressure off of him to be the third guy, he should step right into that big time production.
The Miami Heat have what it takes to win the East and be a top team, at the very minimum. They actually have what it takes to win the whole thing and with a few of the right chords being struck, they can be, but first they’ll have to figure out teams like the 76ers and these are the details in all of that.