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There are many variables that could affect the Sixers’ performance this season. Let’s examine five things that could go right and five things that could go wrong.

5 THINGS THAT COULD GO RIGHT

1. Andrew Bynum stays healthy. The early-season caution regarding the big center’s knee issues allow him to get healthy. He remains healthy all season, turning the Sixers into championship contenders. Bynum signs a multi-year contract extension and becomes the centerpiece of the franchise’s future.

2. Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright and Nick Young provide the excellent outside shooting the Sixers have been missing for years. Scoring points becomes much easier.

3. Jrue Holiday develops into the leader the Sixers hoped he would become. He, too, signs a lucrative contract extension.

4. Evan Turner embraces his new role. He doesn’t worry about his offensive production. Instead, his defense, rebounding and versatility serve as the glue that makes the Sixers a better team.

5. Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen flourish as starters.

5 THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG

1. Andrew Bynum’s health is a distraction the entire season. There remains ongoing uncertainty regarding when Bynum will be ready to play. People other than our resident pessimist compare Bynum to Jeff Ruland.

2. The Sixers find out there’s a reason that Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright, Nick Young, Kwame Brown and Damien Wilkins are all on their third (at least!) team in the past four seasons. The shooting might improve, but these players turn out to be damaged parts that don’t fit.

3. Jrue Holiday, perhaps bothered by his contract situation, doesn’t develop into a leader, even with Andre Iguodala out of the way. He’s unable to become the coach on the floor that head coach Doug Collins would like his point guard to be.

4. Evan Turner struggles to adjust to the switch to small forward. He’s ineffective without the ball in his hands on offense, and that affects the other aspects of his game.

5. It turns out that Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen already are giving us the best they’ve got. They look out of place in starting roles and are soon put back on the bench.

(Click here for our complete 76ers preview)

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