Locked In: The Sixers can win the title this year
The Philadelphia 76ers are peaking at the right time. They have the talent, chemistry and work ethic to win it all, this year.
So, what did Ben Simmons say in his post-game interview after the Philadelphia 76ers turned a close game into a 130-103 blowout of the Miami Heat in his first ever playoff game? I’m paraphrasing here, but Simmons said the team needs to be locked in from the opening tip through the whole game, not just the second half. And that they are not satisfied.
Wow! That’s impressive.
There was no celebrating. No patting himself or his teammates on the back. There was laser focus on the next game and how the Sixers can play better. This after a 27-point win. His demeanor? All business.
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If the national media hasn’t taken notice yet, they should. Simmons and the Sixers are on a mission.
We’re familiar with the numbers: 17 straight wins. Eight in a row with Embiid, nine in a row without Embiid. They are playing high-level hoops.
In watching this team, I’m reminded of two squads: the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s and the current Golden State Warriors.
The comparisons to the Lakers are striking. In Simmons you have a Magic-esque point guard. But you also have a blue-collar power forward in Dario Saric, who is much better than Kurt Rambis and in Joel Embiid you have a top-tier center, who may not end up having the career Kareem had (who has?), but who is frequently compared to Hakeem Olajuwon.
That’s pretty good. Those Showime Lakers won it all in Magic’s rookie year in 1979-80.
And when the Warriors won the title in 2015, they became the first team since the 90-91 Bulls to win a championship without any prior Finals experience. They pretty much came out of nowhere — it happens sometimes.
So it’s been done recently – and by the very team the Sixers may face if they make it that far. The Sixers play like Golden State, employing frenetic defense and raining threes at a rapid pace.
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The Sixers bench is strong and deep. The emergence of Markelle Fultz has been a revelation. His fluidity, speed and herky-jerky moves leave fans gasping in awe at least three times a game. He is an electrifying player who is improving with each game.
Marco Belinelli reminds me of a Harlem Globetrotters’ trick shooter, with his freakish ability to make off-balance shots. Ersan Ilyasova seemingly brings a lunch pail to work and does all of the little things right. He’s always around the ball — to tip it in, or back to a teammate to retain possession. And he can bang down the threes also.
Amir Johnson and Richaun Holmes have filled in capably in Embiid’s absence.
I know, they’ve only won one playoff game. But I expect another sound thumping of Miami tonight.
The Sixers have a lot of weapons. Their core is young and talented. The supporting cast is experienced and professional. They’re good. Really good.
So don’t be overly surprised if the City of Philadelphia sees its third championship in a four month span.