Sweet Science Sports | NBA 2026–27 Season Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers may have fallen to the Boston Celtics 125–120 in preseason action, but the final score wasn't the biggest story. What stood out was how naturally this new-look Philadelphia team moved together on the basketball court.

For a roster featuring LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, the biggest question entering the season was chemistry. How quickly could four established stars develop an offensive identity without sacrificing their individual strengths?

Judging by the early returns, the process is moving along nicely.

TOO MANY MISMATCHES

Philadelphia presents opposing defenses with an enormous challenge.

Embiid commands attention inside. LeBron can dictate the offense, attack mismatches or create opportunities for teammates. Maxey's explosiveness puts pressure on perimeter defenders, while Brown brings another powerful scoring presence capable of attacking from multiple positions.

And then there's rookie VJ Edgecombe, another athletic weapon Philadelphia can incorporate into an already dangerous rotation.

The beauty of this offense is that nobody needs to dominate the basketball for Philadelphia to be effective.

Against Boston, the Sixers registered 29 assists despite shooting just 18% from three-point range. The ball movement and willingness to play through one another were encouraging.

This isn't simply about having talented players. It's about those players beginning to understand one another.

DEFENSE REMAINS THE QUESTION

Offensively, Philadelphia has very little to prove in terms of individual talent. Defensively, nevertheless, the evaluation is far from complete.

Boston's 63–46 rebounding advantage deserves attention, but preseason basketball isn't the ideal environment for determining a team's defensive ceiling.

Preseason is about conditioning, developing timing, installing systems and getting your basketball legs underneath you.

The regular season will provide a better indication of Philadelphia's defensive identity. The playoffs will deliver the ultimate examination, when opponents begin systematically exploiting unfavorable matchups.

For now, chemistry and continuity should remain the priority.

THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF THE EAST?

The defending champion New York Knicks remain the standard, but Philadelphia looks equipped to challenge for Eastern Conference supremacy.

The encouraging development isn't that the Sixers have four established stars. We already knew that.

It's that they're beginning to look like a basketball team rather than a collection of individual talent.

The movement is fluid, the offensive possibilities are numerous, and the players appear increasingly comfortable sharing the floor.

As that familiarity improves, Philadelphia's already formidable offensive potential could become even more difficult to contain.

And perhaps the most exciting development for basketball fans is just how entertaining this team looks.

S³ FINAL TAKE

Philadelphia doesn't need to reinvent its offense. It needs to continue developing chemistry, establish its defensive identity and remain healthy.

The Sixers look like one of the most exciting teams entering the 2026–27 season, and the early returns support S³'s preseason projection of Philadelphia as a legitimate championship contender.

The talent is undeniable. The chemistry is building.

Now comes the real season.

S³ PRESEASON PROJECTION: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS | 63–19 | NBA CHAMPIONS

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