Barring a disastrous stretch after the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers are well on their way to make a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Currently, they are in sixth place in the East, but they should have little issues maintaining a surefire spot in the postseason. However, the question is — do they have enough to actually win the championship?
The antecedent as to what is this precise thing that needs to be “enough” is where the variance in opinion starts to kick in — and that is what ESPN’s Tim Bontemps said in his recent pod appearance. He said that the 76ers have the top end talent to be a real contender for the ship, but they just can’t seem to stay healthy throughout the playoffs.
Health is indeed the biggest looming concern when talking about Philly. That is probably the most critical reason why people do not even put them in discussions when discussing the cream of the crop in their own conference. Talent is clearly not lacking for this squad, but the injury bug has them at gunpoint during the worst moments possible.
Health continues to be the main reason why the 76ers are a hard pick to win the title
Joel Embiid has returned to looking like an MVP-caliber player, emerging as one of the best feel-good stories in the league this season. However, just before the break, he was once again experiencing some soreness in his knee — something that merits a lot of attention given his increased workload and track record with injuries.
Paul George has been suspended, but he is also among the most injury-prone stars in the league. His advanced age also does not help him sway the narrative around his durability. Kelly Oubre, arguably the biggest “swing” player on the roster, had already missed significant time this season due to injury. Even Tyrese Maxey has had some bumps and bruises that have cost him games.
On paper, the 76ers have the kind of talent that should fare well in a playoff setting. However, as everyone knows, luck is necessary for any team aspiring to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy. The teams that get to hang a banner are usually the healthiest ones, and that is certainly a dicey proposition to rely on for a team like Philly.
Of course, if they get a lot of luck from the basketball gods on the health department, the 76ers are probably the biggest wildcard to win the title. Having said that, the playoff are a different animal, and to even be in those conversations, they need to play spotless basketball moving forward.
And probably pray harder.