Dr. J expects 76ers to make playoffs, if healthy

The Process is officially over and it's time to win games.

That's the unified message coming from the Philadelphia 76ers following years of unsightly tanking. With an overabundance of young talent on the roster, the Sixers are expected to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference.

Franchise legend Julius Erving predicts postseason basketball will return to his beloved city of Philadelphia so long as the players can avoid another round of disastrous injuries.

"I think we should make a good run at the playoffs," Erving recently told Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly. "There's enough young talent on the team and the system is good enough, it's proven itself, that, if we can keep a healthy team out there, then we should be able to make a run at the playoffs."

The Sixers will field a young nucleus that includes Joel Embiid at center, Ben Simmons as a point forward, and Markelle Fultz running the point. Provided they're healthy - which is a major assumption - there isn't a more talented young trio in the league.

Philadelphia also added veterans J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson to provide leadership and steady production alongside their promising prospects. The likes of Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Nik Stauskas, and Jahlil Okafor round out the supporting cast.

On paper, all of the Sixers' talent should translate to a playoff appearance, but they also can't get ahead of themselves. After all, Philadelphia won just 28 games last season and would need to add at least a dozen more wins to secure a spot.

Embiid and Simmons would also both need to return to full strength following major surgeries. Foot and knee surgeries limited Embiid to just 31 career appearances in three seasons, while Simmons missed his entire rookie campaign with a broken foot.

Either way, Erving is just looking forward to another step in the right direction.

"I'm ready. We want to have a team that's a contender for the title," he said.