The Sixers open their season tonight at home against world-destroyer Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Russ is gonna go off for 40/15/10, but in the long run what else can we expect from the Sixers this year? Here are some predictions:

Joel Embiid will become a league-wide fan favorite

People already love him here. Well, most people:

https://twitter.com/AngeloCataldi/status/783585033047138304

https://twitter.com/AngeloCataldi/status/784310110789050369

https://twitter.com/AngeloCataldi/status/753157323229499393

But just look at him:

He’ll play like a man beyond his years, he’ll tweet like the funniest dude on the planet, and he’ll antagonize the competition like a prime-era KG. He’s got all the makings of a personality superstar, and he’ll blow up throughout the league.

Franklin will injure someone

It’s been a while since Franklin’s first and last scandal – thanks, Kyle – so he’s long overdue. This is the year he slips and falls on someone in the front row or hits them with a loose leg while he’s dancing. It’s a mascot rite of passage.

The Sixers will partner with some startup we’ve never heard of and it’ll be announced in Business Journal

The Sixers love partnerships. From buying an e-sports team, to partnering with Stubhub, to even pairing up with social media accounts:

https://twitter.com/ProHoopsHistory/status/790696611798249472

And while the tickets still say “WF Center” instead of the arena’s full name, Blitzer/O’Neil/Harris are always looking for new partners. This season, they’ll work with some new app or startup we’ve never heard of. They’ve already backed a fantasy sports startup out of their innovation lab. That’s just the beginning.

Nerlens Noel will return from injury, play well, and be traded

If Nerlens survives the year as a Sixer, they’re not going to re-sign him. It would be wise to at least get something for him, rather than nothing. He’ll return from his injury in 5 weeks or so, show off a little bit on the court, and be swapped for what seems like low value, but it’s what happens when a player is unhappy, has reportedly been shopped for months, and is taking up minutes for other people.

Richaun Holmes will get Most Improved Player votes

Holmes has already shown flashes of insane improvement in the pre-season – causing Max on the Stepover to claim he’s better than Nerlens Noel is, right now – and he’ll continue to grow. When Nerlens is traded, his playing time will improve (as well as when Okafor and Embiid get minor injuries) and he’ll start landing on some national radars.

Brett Brown hair will turn from slightly grey to pure white

The stress will finally get to him, his follicles will go snow white, and the final evolution into Popovich will be complete. His beard will come back. It will be wonderful.

Dario Saric will be the most quotable player in years

Apparently, Croatian doesn’t translate direct to English very well. For example:

If his game falls apart, he’ll be in danger of finding himself in the Bryz zone of ridicule. But if he stays consistent, and keeps talking, it’ll be amazing.

Ben Simmons will come back, slowly, and inspire the hottest of takes

Ben Simmons will take his time coming back. Around late-January or early February. And when he does, he’ll be facing NBA talent in mid-season form, coming off of an injury that kept him off of his feet, and getting used to the pace of the NBA game. It’ll be a shaky start but he’ll get his legs under him. But before he does, the takes will be earth shattering.