A Realistic View on the Sixers Playoff Chances
The Sixers 2016-2017 season has nearly reached the halfway point. Through 40 games, the Sixers are 16-24, while taking down playoff opponents in the last few weeks. Through 40 games in the 2015-2016 season, the Sixers stood at a lousy 4-36. For the first time in 4 years, the words “playoffs” are being thrown around by both players and national media alike. However, the question arises, “Are the Sixers truly a playoff team?”.
The phenomenon that is Joel Embiid has encouraged the fan base to believe in the playoffs. However, Joel Embiid himself may be the reason that the Sixers come up short of the eighth seed. Over the next 10 games, Joel Embiid is slated to miss 4 due to his load management that stems from his injury riddled past. Without Embiid in the lineup, the Sixers resemble the comedic act that was trotted on the floor during the 2015-2016 season. Ultimately, the minutes and load restriction on Embiid will all but vanish any playoff hopes that Sixers fans have.
While the pain of the Sixers possibly missing the playoffs may hurt, will it be best for “The Process”? Embiid is a star, who can single handedly change a game. Ben Simmons is waiting in the wings to make his much anticipated debut. Not to mention the two potential lottery picks that await the franchise come draft night. “The Process” has taken a dramatic turn to the positive side. The plan that was supposed to take 5-6 years now has fast forwarded to the immediate future. The Sixers have made strides this year that no one expected. When was the last time a SIXERS game was flexed into prime time on ESPN? When was the last time the SIXERS had a “hands down” all-star candidate? That should be all the evidence that one needs to realize the success that is taking place.
Missing the playoffs is a good thing. The lottery picks will remain in tact and an eventual whooping from Cleveland will be put on the back burner. Enjoy the success and improvement. As fans, we must have realistic expectations. The Sixers making strides and being in the national spotlight is a long way from 10-72. The Wells Fargo Center rocking is a far way from the average of 9-10 thousand fans a night of the earlier years. Before you know it, Sixers and fans will be far away from “The Process” era and moving towards bringing a championship back to the City of Brotherly Love.
TTP
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Categorized:Sixers