NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Joel Embiid has his MVP. Tyrese Maxey is reaching superstar level. Tobias Harris is playing like a player in the last year of his deal and Daryl Morey is making all the right decisions in the front office for the Philadelphia 76ers. Oh yeah, and now they have a coach who can make adjustments on the fly. Now is the time.
In the last 2 seasons, Embiid wanted to prove he was the best player in the NBA. The issue was, he needed to stay healthy. He walked away with his first MVP, and now that he has it, the only thing left for him to do is lead his team to at least the Eastern Conference Finals.
Embiid wanted to prove he deserved the award over Nikola Jokic and at least during the regular season he was. However, Jokic took his stardom to the next level and led his team to an NBA Championship. That’s where Embiid needs to be. But can the Philadelphia 76ers get there this season?
The offseason drama surrounding the front office and James Harden is gone. The team is finally a unit. The chemistry was always there, what was missing was the right pieces. Morey, for all the heat he has taken, has provided Embiid with the necessary firepower needed to make it out of the second round. At least that’s what they hope.
It doesn’t matter who they play in the playoffs, the only team that can beat them is themselves. The 76ers are loaded. It’s not about having 2-3 All-Stars. They have the shooters with Maxey, Kelly Orube Jr, Daniel House Jr, Tobias Harris, and De’Anthony Melton. They have the rebounders on Embiid, Paul Reed, and Harris. PG depth has always been an issue but Maxey has proven he can handle the load while being backed up by Patrick Beverley. As far as defense, the 76ers are currently ranked 12th in Points Allowed. They are a unit.
Can The Philadelphia 76ers Win A Title This Year
But where it matters most is who’s calling the shots on the sidelines. During his tenure in Philadelphia, Doc Rivers caught plenty of heat for not making the right call or necessary adjustments on the fly that cost the team playoff series. But Nick Nurse, well, he’s different.
The team is responding to his direction. The ball is moving and it’s not just about one player getting theirs while everyone else takes poloroids. The Philadelphia 76ers are learning this season what has held them back during the “Trust The Process” era.
While Embiid is a one-man wrecking crew, he can’t do it alone. If he or Harden had shown up against the Boston Celtics last season, the 76ers could very well have celebrated a championship. But they were more about individual goals than team success. Harden wanted to prove he was a facilitator and Embiid wanted to prove he belonged in the conversation. They both got their wish and then were bounced.
Now, the focus has to be on team and nothing else. The Celtics are loaded but are just top-heavy. The Miami Heat lost key guys but still have valuable playoff experience. The Milwaukee Bucks added Damian Lillard but the bench might not hold up. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the deepest teams in the league.
We already know what the Philadelphia 76ers can do when they want to play individual ball, the only thing left for them is to do it as a team.
