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Philadelphia 76ers: Early season tough schedule will prove beneficial

By Mark Wilson

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks off the floor during a timeout against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks off the floor during a timeout against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have a bright future, but could they begin to make the jump this season?

The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that has been through dark times over the last handful of seasons, and now have a chance to turn doubters into believers.

It won’t be easy, though, as they boast one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but the talent is there. However, expectations are still riding high for the Sixers, not only in the city of Brotherly Love but around the NBA as well.

With Joel Embiid playing like a man ready to put his “30 games only” whispers to rest, the team is headed in the right direction. The additions of Markelle Fultz, who is still recovering from injury, and J.J. Redick, one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters, this offseason should help the progression as well.

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Not to mention Ben Simmons, who’s playing like a seasoned veteran.

However, they must find a way to deal with what can only be described as one of, if not, the toughest early season schedule in the league.

The Philadelphia 76ers schedule had them open their season against the Washington Wizards, who won 49 games last year. They would then face the Boston Celtics, who won 53 games a year ago, and then they had to travel to Canada to face a Raptors team that won 51 games in 2016-17.

In their fourth game of the season, in which they finally got in the win column, they played a Pistons team that many expect to be much better than their 37-win campaign from last season.

If that wasn’t enough, they finished their tough opening schedule with a last-second loss against a Houston Rockets team. Ouch!

Take a closer look at the numbers if you may. In the Philadelphia 76ers first five games of the 2017-18 season, they have played teams who had a 2016-17 combined record of 245-165. Talk about being thrown into the fire early.

Although the team is sitting at 1-4 on the year, what they have endured will only make them stronger. Ben Simmons is looking like the next Sixers All-Star and Joel Embiid has only missed one game (due to rest).

Must Read: NBA: 10 early season observations of the 2017-18 season

The team is still learning how to play together and there are definitely going to be more growing pains, but the Philadelphia 76ers are only going to get better as the season progresses.