Early trade overreaction: Sixers are winning the NBA championship

The new-look Sixers, featuring the dynamic duo of Joel Embiid and James Harden, have played just two games together yet they look like a championship-caliber team. Is this an overreaction and too early to say? Possibly, but let’s dive in anyway.

First off let’s start with the incredible stats. In the first two games together, against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks, Embiid and Harden have the following per game stat averages.

• Joel Embiid: 35.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3 assists
• James Harden: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 14 assists

Now outside of the numbers, the effect Harden has on this team is simply unmissable. Watching the games it is clear the offensive spacing is vastly improved. Maxey, Thybulle, Harris, Green, any name you want to input have seen so much clear floor and open shots because defenses have to give immense attention to not only Embiid, but also Harden now.

Embiid even noticed the spacing after the Timberwolves game saying in his post game press conference: “That was probably the most wide open I’ve ever been in my career. I had a lot of easy baskets. I used to have to work for everything.”

The Sixers’ new superstar duo unlocks real championship potential

Watching this team for close to 30 years, I have never been this excited about the Sixers. I was in attendance at Madison Square Garden on Sunday and there were as many Sixers fans as Knicks fans, if not more. This is the first time since the Allen Iverson teams of the early 2000s that it genuinely feels like this team can win the NBA Championship.

I am as hesitant as anyone, because living in Philadelphia we have seen heartbreak in all our sports, especially the Sixers with the unrealized potential of recent teams. Three years ago I was laying on my apartment floor in disbelief after Kawhi Leonard’s shot bounced one, two, three times on the rim.

But is time to get up off the floor now and fully buy in. Michael Scott said it best.

As fans, we need to believe that what we have seen in these first two games is real. This Sixers team is legit. The offense is the most prolific it has been in decades. We have two top 5 players in the entire league on our roster. And as long as we stay healthy, the Championship trophy has a real shot to come to Philly this season. If you live outside of Philly, I suggest buying flights home for the parade window now before prices skyrocket.

I’ll see you all on Broad Street in June!