The Sixers have been knocked out in the 2nd round again. But this one hurts more than any of the other ones. Against the Raptors in 2018, you could argue they just ran into a great team and gave them a fight. The Hawks series had the Ben Simmons excuse. Embiid was badly injured in 2022 against the Heat. But this year? To go out like that with so little fight? It was embarrassing. Joel Embiid is a great player. But when the lights shined the brightest he came up small. Embiid did not show up when the Sixers need him too the most.
Just 15 points. The least ever by a player in a game 7 the year they won MVP. Old Man Al Horford locked him up. And Embiid showed no fight in trying to overcome his struggles. James Harden sucked too for what it’s worth. The former MVP looked like he did in games 2 and 3. A Nonfactor. Too scared to shoot, and missed everything when he actually tried to shoot.
The Sixers superstars did not show up. But instead of focusing on how awful they were, let’s bring some joy to our lives instead. Because there actually have been Philadelphia Athletes who showed up when it mattered. Guys who when their teams needed them, they came up big to get the team a win. Who when the lights shined the brightest, they looked their best.
Embiid and Harden failed us. But these 12 guys did not. Of course, there are more than 12. People who were left off the list were not left off because I don’t think they played well. These are just 12 of the first guys who came to my mind who showed up for their teams in the playoffs or even their respective championships when it mattered most.