This 12 months’s free company interval within the NBA hasn’t been as energetic as some others lately, however there has nonetheless been sufficient motion to raise some contending groups, at the very least on paper.
No less than to date, the Jap Convention has gotten stronger, particularly at or close to the highest, due to strikes the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks have made.
The Sixers nabbed nine-time All-Star ahead Paul George whereas the Knicks traded for two-way stud Mikal Bridges, positioning each groups to noticeably problem the world champion Boston Celtics for East supremacy this coming season.
However Chris Broussard stated on Fox Sports activities 1’s “First Things First” that he nonetheless feels the Celtics are the workforce to beat, and he has the Knicks second forward of Philly.
“On paper, the Sixers are great. … But they’re not going to be healthy! Give me Boston right now. And I’ll still take New York over Philly.”
— @Chris_Broussard on if the 76ers are the most effective workforce within the East: pic.twitter.com/uQmQN0St7r
— First Issues First (@FTFonFS1) July 1, 2024
The Sixers now have a official Massive 3 in George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, however they do have some actual well being issues between Embiid and George, each of whom are injury-prone, one thing Broussard identified.
Embiid solely performed in 39 video games this previous season due to a knee harm, and he has a documented historical past of knee issues.
The Sixers might have George and Embiid, however each males have a historical past of underperforming within the playoffs.
In the meantime, for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart elevate their sport beneath the intense lights of the postseason, and Bridges has been to the NBA Finals earlier than.
Embiid has by no means been previous the second spherical, and the Sixers as a franchise haven’t been to the Jap Convention Finals since 2001.
The race for the Jap Convention will definitely be attention-grabbing on the very least subsequent spring.
