It’s Up To The 76ers To Make People Believers

The most tired talking point arguably in Philly sports radio is one based in complete fact. The 76ers haven’t been to the Conference Finals since 2001. It seems like a literal lifetime ago. A sore spot that has haunted the franchise and exemplifies the struggles of the past and the failure of the “process” to bear fruit.

The Joel Embiid injury in late January took the wind out of his MVP hopes and most certainly moved this team out of a probable two seed in the Eastern Conference. The path could be treacherous but the excuses shouldn’t be flowing this time around. If the 76ers want us to believe in them, take care of the following;

Before the apologists start, I acknowledge that “anything can happen” in a one-game scenario. There comes a point where the better team just proves that they are the better team. The Heat aren’t deep this week and it’s a chance to eliminate one of the Eastern Conference boogey man teams from your immediate path.

Facing Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler in a one game play-in is a superior option to facing them in a 7 game series. Enough of the Jimmy Butler talk! The 76ers have the best player and home court advantage, advance and pack for New York! Or…

A Friday night play-in game vs Chicago or Atlanta would be a terrible scene. Sure, it’s a chance to go to the playoffs but it’s also a statement. Even when things appear to be all in their favor they didn’t take advantage of it and dispose of Miami. How are you then supposed to think they would be ready to knock off Boston?

Being a team with no playoff pedigree and the weight of expectations on their shoulders sitting as a 2 seed is new territory for the Knicks. Embiid has always enjoyed the bright lights of games at MSG. I would like the 76ers chances to knock off the Knicks to advance.

If the 76ers knocked off the Knicks they would face the winner of the Bucks - Pacers series. Giannis is out to start the playoffs and Doc Rivers has his own demons to exercise. The Pacers will be making their first playoff series splash and anything they accomplish will be gravy. I’d love the 76ers in this scenario vs either team.

If the 76ers win tonight consider me VERY optimistic about their path to redemption. How about you?

Share your thoughts at John.Kincade@bbgi.com

Despite a tumultuous season, this Sixers team that Daryl Morey put together might be their best chance to win in a while. If they can get through he Play-In tournament, they have a chance to go deeper than they ever have, especially with a healthy Joel Embiid.

The man behind this roster, Daryl Morey, joined Mid-Days with bob Cooney earlier today.

Despite being the 7-seed, and having to tangle with the the play-in tournament, vibes around the team seem to be high. They enter the playoffs on an 8-game winning streak, thanks mostly to the return of Joel Embiid.

The reigning MVP was playing the best basketball of his career before injuring his meniscus in January. When he went out, the team fell apart. They went from comfortably in the 3-seed, to hanging for their lives. And there was concern Embiid would never return at all.

But with only a few weeks left, Embiid made his triumphant return. Suddenly we saw the team that had people so excited earlier in the season.

All of that said, the Play-In Tournament is tricky. You don't get a series against the Heat, you get 1 game. And Anything can happen in 1 game.

You get some wiggle room, in that if you lose you still get a chance at redemption vs whoever wins the 9-10 game. But even if you win that, it means you get the Celtics in the 1st round, instead of the Knicks. Not exactly ideal.

Morey likes his team's chances though. He joined Bob Cooney, and guest host Amy Fadool, on today's Mid-Day show. What did he say? Does he have any concerns? How far does he think his team can go?