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;
The Heat Shouldn’t Beat The 76ers In A Play In Tournament Game At Home
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat shoots a lay up past Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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…
If You Have To Play Friday Night Are You Truly A Threat To The Celtics?
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?
The Knicks Are Impressive, But Are You Scared Of Them?
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.
The Conference Semifinals Opponent Could Be Very Favorable
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.
Could This Be The Season That This Team Finally Gets It Right?
If the 76ers win tonight consider me VERY optimistic about their path to redemption. How about you?
Share your thoughts at [email protected]
Watch Kincade & Salciunas on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page for discussion about the latest breaking sports news in Philadelphia.
6 Things Sixers President Daryl Morey Said When He Joined Our Show
Tyrese Maxey Passed All Tests With Flying Colors
“One big question coming in was Tyrese Maxey. We knew he was an amazing player, but we thought we’d get a better sense of where he’s at with, some of the other roster changes. And we got an even better sense of how he can play as as one of the primary guys when Joel was out. He passed everything with flying colors.”
Boston Is The Best Team He Has Seen Since The Warriors
“Boston’s a juggernaut. I mean, they’re the best team I’ve seen since the Golden State teams we went against when I was in the West. I think the other teams all have question marks. We are one of those teams. We need we need health. We need we need a few things to go our way. The Celtics don’t need a lot to go their way.
We feel very good about matching up with everybody where, you know, in terms of the Celtics that we do match up with them. More than most teams we think we match up pretty well. But they’re playing at a at a really high level. We’ve got to play them eventually if we’re going to reach our goal of winning the championship. So yeah, it’ll be it’ll be a challenge whenever we face them.”
Sees His Team As One of The Favorites
“I think we’re in this weird position of having some significant challenges during the regular season. But we feel like we’re one of the favorites. I don’t see three or 4 or 5 teams better than us. When when we have everyone, which, unfortunately, we don’t have everyone. But we have the horses. We feel like we go in as one of the favorites, but we’ve got the added challenge. It’s pretty rare you have to win one more one-and-done, to maintain being the favorite right up front.”
His Team Is On An Upswing
“In the past few years there was some negative news right before the playoffs. Now we’re on an upswing.
We’ve got Maxey on his ascendency. We have Joel still at this peak. When he’s when he’s been out there this year he’s been better than even his MVP year. We’ve got a mix of veterans that have won tons and tons of playoff games, some of them against me like Batum and Lowry. We’ve got guys who are, showing the league what they can do like the Oubres of the world.
We’ve got an upward trend. We’ve given ourselves an extra battle with Miami. But I feel like going into the playoffs, we have everyone playing on a really nice upward trend.”
His Ideas For the NBA Playoffs Format
“I think they should add more things to make the regular season meaningful. I think the top two teams should get byes. I think there should be even more of a Play-In tournament from seed 5 on. Home court should only go to the top few teams.
Obviously, it hurt us this season. But I do think it’s the right direction for the league. We generally have the least interesting playoffs of any of the major professional teams in terms of the better teams beating the worst teams. So adding drama like this is a positive for the league, even if it’s not positive for the Sixers this year.”
It Was Torture For Him Score Board Watching on Sunday
“Generally just torture. I like the planning part of the job that’s, you know, let’s figure out how to best way to win the championship. Because during the game, especially when it’s, you know, waiting for results from other teams, there’s really a lack of control there. It’s really mostly torture.
Especially when a game going your way is like 8-to 10-point lead and then it flips on you. That’s the part of the job I probably would take out if I could. I wish it could be just the methodical planning without a bunch of randomness if we could avoid it.”
