The Sixer Sense
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Players Need to Channel Playoff Excitement

By Josh Wilson

Apr 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of NBA playoffs logo during game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of NBA playoffs logo during game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers players are likely keeping close tabs on the NBA Playoffs. They need to channel that excitement for a run next season.

The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that has not been even thought of as a playoff caliber group in quite some time. After Sam Hinkie took over as president and general manager, he really stripped the team and started over, moving forward with a tank-heavy mindset. The team was losing games, and losing a lot of them, but it was all by design. Still, they were looked at by some as an embarrassment to the league.

For the first time this year, they were back to being, at the very least, entertaining. In the month of January, they were one of the best teams in the NBA on both ends of the floor, and they even looked like if they could keep things up, they could make a case for being one of the teams to make the playoffs.

Now, injuries would, of course, get the best of the Sixers this season crushing any hopes of making it into the playoffs, but the idea is still there, and it seems more than reasonable to expect that the Sixers could be in the postseason next year with the best teams in the NBA. Something that might help them kick off next season in the right way, however, is keeping tabs on this year’s playoffs.

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While there is reason to believe watching the playoffs could be disappointing for players — it reminds them of what they were unable to achieve throughout the season — the Sixers should see what’s going on, keep tabs on how teams are doing, and really become fans for the offseason.

Many players likely do watch the playoffs, and the Sixers’ own Nik Stauskas is actually working as a reporter for TSN covering the Toronto Raptors and their playoff run, so he is really seeing things from a firsthand perspective.

So, as someone who wants to see the Sixers in the playoffs next season, why would I want the Sixers players subjecting themselves to watching the playoffs even if it can be a painful reminder of what they missed out on this year? Inspiration. You can’t go into a season without some sort of inspiration and hope to succeed. You have to set goals and set marks on those goals.

Most players do watch they playoffs, but there may be some who try to avoid it.

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Watching the playoffs can be brutal, yes, especially with how close the Sixers thought they could get in January. But that anger should fuel them, and should inspire them to be right back in the running next year.

If I were the Sixers coaching staff, I would implore the players to be watching the postseason. Find things they like, they don’t like, and most of all, get excited for the Sixers to be there next year.

Next: 10 Reasons the Sixers Are More Compelling than the Eagles

What’s a fresh season without some passion?