But gaining one of the best players in the league also meant losing the depth of the roster. Philadelphia sent Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond to Brooklyn as part of the Harden deal, not to mention some first-round pick. MORE: Five thoughts for the Raptors vs. 76ers Are the 76ers too heavy? Their first-round match against the Raptors could provide an answer to that question. Toronto is certainly no stranger to making big swings – remember that guy from Kawhi Leonard? – but found success this season with a balanced attack and swarm of defense. The Raptors will challenge a team of 76ers hoping to make a deep run in the NBA playoffs and could upset Philly if the stars are not aligned. With this in mind, let’s look at the top 10 players in the series, starting with the easiest choice …

Raptors player rankings against 76ers

  1. Joel Embiid, 76ers Embiid enjoyed a season with MVP caliber in 2021-22, averaging 30.6 points per game, with 49.9 / 37.1 / 81.4 shots (goals / three points / free throws). He also played stellar defense, protecting the rim and being able to change perimeter players when needed. The score and the defensive superiority were expected, but Embiid made significant improvements with his pass. He gave 4.2 assists per game and seemed to be more comfortable reading and reacting to how his opponents attacked him. This element of his game will be huge against the Raptors.
  2. Pascal Shiakam, Raptors Shiakam deserves recognition for creating the best overall season of his career. Just look at the numbers: 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Oh, and it also led the NBA to minutes per game between suitably qualified players. It’s not the Siakam himself that the Sixers saw in the 2019 NBA playoffs. He is the top scorer and facilitator, and he should be in attack throughout the series.
  3. James Harden, 76ers Wait, Harden at No. 3? The former MVP? One of the top 75 players of all time? The point here is that Harden did not look much like the guy who scored 30 points in his sleep while leading the Rockets to over 50 wins each season. As TSN’s Scott Rafferty recently noted, Harden’s production and efficiency declined after a warm start with the 76ers. His explosiveness seems to have been lost and his three-pointer backback does not fall. Harden has to prove that his size to end the regular season was an accident and not the new regular. Otherwise, Philadelphia could have a problem.
  4. Fred VanVleet, Raptors Toronto knows what it’s going to gain from VanVleet overnight. He is a strong outside shooter (37.7 percent in 9.9 attempts for 3 points per game), a smart passer (6.7 assists per game) and a candidate for the All-Defensive Team on guard. Perhaps as important as his game, VanVleet has plenty of NBA Playoff experience and can be trusted with the ball in the biggest moments. “Freddy Stable”, indeed.
  5. Scotty Barnes, Raptors At just 20 years old, Barnes is already one of the most important parts of the Raptors’ rotation. He quickly became a Rookie of the Year nominee, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 35.4 minutes per game. Barnes could really shine defensively against the Sixers, especially if he matches Harden. He is long enough to withstand Harden’s outside shots, but sturdy enough to get stuck in the drive.
  6. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers Maxey made a major leap forward in his second NBA campaign, averaging almost 10 points. He also saw a sharp increase in home goal (46.2 to 48.5) and 3 percentage points (30.1 to 42.7). The former first-round pick can put pressure on the Raptors’ defense with his shot and speed outside the dribble. It will be exciting to watch how he handles the shining lights of the NBA Playoffs phase, having recorded limited minutes during last year after the season.
  7. AND Anunoby, Raptors Anunoby was only available for 48 games, losing extended time in the second half due to a finger injury. He did manage to play in the regular season final against the Knicks, but it would be unreasonable to expect peak OG to appear in Game 1. However, the 6-7 striker is a versatile defender and can stretch the floor with his shot. Even a smaller version of Anunoby can have an impact.
  8. Tobias Harris, 76ers Although he has not performed at the level of his huge contract, Harris remains a consistent secondary scoring option. It should have a lot of open eyes because Toronto will focus mainly on slowing down Embiid. Can Harris seize the opportunity and punish the Raptors when they move away from him?
  9. Gary Trent Jr., Raptors Trent is perfect for Toronto. It is a natural, alternating wing that plays defense with mood. The effort is always there, and it does not go behind a challenge. But man is not only intangible – he can take buckets. In the Raptors’ most recent game against the 76ers, Trent scored 30 points in 12 of 21 shots from the pitch. Do not be surprised if it has a big night that changes the dynamics of the series.
  10. Matisse Thybulle, 76ers Thybulle is one of the best extreme defenders in the NBA, a blur of hands and arms that can be left behind on a screen only to reappear and take a shot. He can close the top player of an opponent as if he were a Corner Bowl. But what is the value of Thybulle if it is only available for half the series? Because he is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Thybulle is not eligible to play in Toronto. His absence will put even more defensive responsibility on Embiid’s shoulders.