The Philadelphia 76ers are BACK in the postseason. For the folks who said “just get me to the playoffs” it’s finally here! The Sixers will battle the Brooklyn Nets and the schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Saturday in Philly at 1pm.
- Game 2: TBA in Philly
- Game 3: TBA in Brooklyn
- Game 4: TBA in Brooklyn
- Game 5: TBA in Philly*
- Game 6: TBA in Brooklyn*
- Game 7: TBA in Philly*
- =if necessary
The Sixers have struggled in the past *checks notes* 22 years. After a long arduous “process” they still have yet to see the Eastern Conference Finals. They have lost in game 7 twice, including once at home to the Hawks who have proven in years since to be a fluke. It has been frustrating to say the least. It has left many Sixers fans to have a “just get me to the playoffs” mentality this season. And even then there is a growing concern that the 22 year draught will be 23 since the team finished 3rd in a very tough Eastern Conference.
The team enjoyed the most success they’ve had since 2001, yet it has gone slightly unnoticed since the Bucks and Celtics were better regular season teams. The Celtics, in particular, proved to be a boogie man type team for the Sixers, who just failed to beat them time and time again. They finally won their final regular season game against the Celtics but it was a nail biter.
All this is to say, it is NOT going to be easy. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have hope. Hope is a big part of being a sports fan. The belief in (at times) the improbable.
So before the Sixers tip it off at 1pm on Saturday (a game you can hear on 97.5 the Fanatic) lets take a look at some of the reasons to be optimistic as the team looks for a title.
The Sixers have the MVP
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid WILL win the MVP. He is the best player in the league and anytime you have the MVP how could you NOT feel good heading into the post season?!
Embiid is Healthy
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
It’s not often that Joel Embiid heads into the postseason healthy. But *knock on wood* he will be heading into this run healthy and ready to go. A healthy Joel Embiid is dangerous as we saw what happens when Embiid is banged up. Now its a matter of staying healthy.
James Harden & Embiid 2 Man Game
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The pick and roll game with Embiid and Harden is close to unstoppable. Harden is an incredible facilitator and helped Joel Embiid cement his MVP candidacy. Conversely Joel Embiid has taken the weight off James Harden who is used to having to be “the guy”. The two compliment each other SO well and they both have never played with a player like the other. It’s peanut butter and jelly
The Second Unit Is Feeling Themselves
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
You dont think those last two games of the season mattered? Well in the standings they didnt. But to Jalen McDaniels, Paul Reed, Shake Milton and Georges Niang it mattered. Because those guys started in those garbage games (Niang sat against Brooklyn). And to go into Atlanta and beat the Hawks starting 5 is HUGE for confidence. Both were team wins and the second unit is now heading into the playoffs feeling pretty good.
Easy Path
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
In the first round the Sixers have arguably the easiest path. The Sixers couldve had to deal with the Heat, Knicks, or Cavs. The Sixers will go up against the Brooklyn Nets. It’s not like you are worried about losing in the first round, but the Heat, Knicks and Cavs could be a pain. The Nets seem to be a team that will lay down. Id much rather face the Nets than the Knicks, Cavs, or the Heat.
It's No Fun Being A Negadelphian
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Do we have a choice? It sucks going into the playoffs all negative and feeling like the team has no hope. It has been 20+ years since the team got out of the second round. We all know it! But this is a different team. Lets have some hope! It’s better than the alternative.
