Philadelphia 76ers Lead the NBA's Boom-or-Bust Season

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Philadelphia 76ers Carry Boom-or-Bust Potential Into a Wide-Open NBA Season

The main focus is on the Philadelphia 76ers. They are the LA Rams of this season, with enormous boom-or-bust potential. If everything goes right, the Sixers could rip apart the NBA, earn the number one seed and pursue their first championship since the 1980s.

That could be the secret sauce for the NBA’s continued growth. The league benefits from Philadelphia becoming a super team and making an epic run. The Knicks just demonstrated what can happen when a franchise that always gets close but encounters a problem finally wins. New York is still buzzing from the Knicks championship, and the atmosphere at MSG for the banner ceremony will be incredible.

However, the Knicks are not expected to repeat. One of the NBA’s biggest early-season stories is the arrival of new faces in new places, particularly LeBron and Jaylen Brown. The major question is how they will fit with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and all the Sixers’ young talent.

There are changes elsewhere, including Paul George going to the Celtics. Another major storyline is an unbelievable rookie class featuring several talented young players entering the NBA.

The possibility of eight champions in eight years reflects the league’s parity, and a new champion could be crowned again. If that team is Philadelphia, it would extend the run to nine champions in nine years.

The movement of superstars through major trades and free agency has created opportunities for new blood across the NBA. Adam Silver and the league love that level of competition.

The question is whether it is time for the Spurs, a first-time champion or a throwback winner. Boston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City are among the possibilities discussed as teams that have won championships within the past 20 years but did not win last season.