Coach Brett Browns p(r)ep talk shows new side to Philadelphia 76ers
By Bret Stuter
3-seed? Still possible
The reality is that the Philadelphia 76ers are in a position not unseen in many many years. The opportunity to reach the NBA playoffs as a potential top-4-seed is a distinction few first-timers can achieve. This 76ers team is within grasp of that level of greatness.
To get there requires Coach Brown’s psychological efforts to rouse the sleeping roster. This team has plenty of talent. Brown simply encourages his players to grab that opportunity and hold on for all they are worth. With 38 wins, the Philadelphia 76ers are still in play for the 3-seed in the NBA Eastern Conference. A year ago, that is the spot held by the Toronto Raptors.
Playoff impacts
The playoff push for the Philadelphia 76ers resumes tonight as the Sixers host the Charlotte Hornets. The teams last met on March 6, when the 76ers defeated the Hornets in Charlotte by the score of 128-114. In that game, Robert Covington played outstanding defense. So far, the Philadelphia 76ers are 2-0 against the Hornets and can sweep them with a victory tonight.
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Other games with NBA Eastern Conference playoff impacts are the Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers at Indiana Pacers, the Denver Nuggets at the Miami Heat, and the Detroit Pistons at the Sacramento Kings. With a win tonight and losses by the Cavaliers and Pacers, the Philadelphia could emerge just .5 games out of the 3-seed. The fact that Coach Brown can get in his players faces and read them the riot act is actually very reassuring. It’s time someone spoke up. Thankfully, it was the head coach.