The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Are you kidding me!?

By CHRISTIAN KLEMASH

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After their 15th consecutive victory, the Philadelphia 76ers must set their sights on the biggest prize.

Are you kidding me?

Or, as Philadelphia 76ers radio broadcaster Tom McGinnis bellows, “Are. You. KIDDING ME!!!”

The Sixers won their 15th straight last night.  15 straight.  Are you kidding me?

And who says this team can’t go all the way?  I’m listening.

You have the best point guard in the NBA, the best big man in the NBA, the best coach in the NBA and the best bench in the NBA.  Right now.

The Eagles did it.  Nova did it.

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The 15 straight is a team record, breaking the previous mark of 14 in a row set by Dr. J, Moses Malone, et al, in 1982-83.  That team won the title by the way.

In last night’s win, albeit against a poor Atlanta Hawks team, the Sixers depth was on full display.  Playing without Joel Embiid again, and with Dario Saric leaving the game in the first minute after he broke a tooth, the supporting cast stepped up.  J.J. Redick led all scorers with 28 points, followed by Ersan Ilyasova with 26, Marco Belinelli with 20 and Amir Johnson chipping in with 15.

The ability of the bench, and Belinelli and Ilyasova in particular, has elevated this team to the next level.  These two guys can shoot, period.  And when the ball starts to go in, it becomes contagious, preventing the Sixers from sinking into the prolonged scoring droughts they were prone to earlier in the season.

One thing about great teams is that have a tendency to win it all the first time that particular group reaches the finals in their particular sport.  When they win it all in their first crack at it, they usually go on to win more than one.  Jordan’s Bulls and Brady’s Patriots come to mind quickly.

So what I’m saying is the Sixers have a pretty good shot.

They can beat Cleveland in the East.  And I think they can beat Golden State in the West.  Simmons, Embiid, Redick, Saric, Covington, Belinelli, Ilyasova, Fultz, McConnell, Johnson and Holmes against Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green, Iguodala, Cook and Livingston.

I’ll take the Sixers.

Against any team in the league right now.

They have the better TEAM.

So let’s get it on.  Playoffs start on Sunday.

There’s still a long way to go, but they can win it all.  This year.

Next: Sixers Playoff Gift Guide

POST NOTE:  I’m listening to analysts talk about whether Simmons will win Rookie of the Year.  Who cares?  It’s a moot point.  The point is this — the prize is much bigger this year and I’m sure the Sixers already have their eyes on it.