The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers are the Eastern Conference’s wildcard

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a foul shot against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a foul shot against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2020 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Sixers
Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid | Sixers (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Eastern Conference’s wildcard: Sixers Tsunami

As I have mentioned in my previous article about Daryl Morey, the newly minted president of basketball operations has thrusted the collective basketball conscious back in focus towards Philadelphia. He did so with a very impressive draft night featuring trades that put the correct pieces around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

More from The Sixer Sense

The right combination of players, system, coaching, and synergy could be the right elixir to erupt into a special season that we never could’ve thought would happen. Remember, Golden State had all the pieces but making the switch from Mark Jackson to Steve Kerr as head coach in 2015, caused “Hurricane Stephen Curry” to form over the NBA oceans.

I’m not calling the Sixers the next dynasty, but I have repeatedly said that the 76ers are a few moves away from an NBA Finals appearance and championship. The reality that many are sleeping on them does is good for Philly. It gives head coach Doc Rivers a chance to implement his system, his philosophy, and it gives Philadelphia a chance to gel throughout the season. It all works in their favor.

Whether it goes the way I am discussing in this article or not, I don’t know. The season has to play out. However, I have seen this song and dance before. Some teams miss their open door, some grasp it. Michael Jordan is the greatest player ever, but it took a coaching change to Phil Jackson and the drafting of a guy named Scottie Pippen to finally cash in on the greatness of Air Jordan.

Sometimes, a big enough earthquake is enough to set the tsunami in motion. Is a Philadelphia 76ers Tsunami on the way? Who knows…but we’ve felt the earthquake already.