Where Do the Sixers Go From Here: A Look at 4 Hypotheticals for the NBA
Well, here we are.
We’re just short of three weeks without NBA basketball and more importantly, 76ers basketball.
I can’t speak for everyone, but if you fellow Sixers fans are anything like myself, it’s been a rough three weeks. We’re in the midst of a very interesting time in sports history. The sports world has come to a standstill due to the COVID-19 outbreak and it’s left us all wondering: “what’s next?” Speaking strictly about the NBA, and more specifically our 76ers, I’ll try to provide some context.
Let’s start by saying that timing now, more than ever, is everything. In the wake of President Trump’s latest announcement that this “social distancing” movement will continue until at least April 30th, we may be going on another month without Sixers basketball.
The national media’s response has been to experiment with various theories about how the NBA could continue after this epidemic resolves itself.
Let’s run through some of the theories.
1) The NBA Season Picks Right up Where It Left Off
This is probably the most ideal scenario from a fan’s perspective. We don’t miss out on any games, the Sixers have a chance to move up in the playoff seeding, and Ben Simmons is given ample time to rest and recover from his back injury before the playoffs.
The only real downside to this scenario is how it affects the following NBA season, as well as offseason events like the draft. If the season were to pick back up where it left off, it would really depend on when the season resumes.
Trying to predict when the season could resume is an arduous task that I don’t intend to take on, but I’ll leave it up to you. When do you think the season could resume? May? June? July?
2) The Playoffs Start as Soon as the NBA Resumes
Let’s first assume that the COVID-19 epidemic leads Commissioner Adam Silver to cancel the remainder of the NBA regular season and moving straight into the playoffs. What does this mean for our Sixers?
Well as it currently stands, the Sixers hold the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference and would match up with the Boston Celtics. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Sixers. While yes, holding a top-four seed would be ideal, matching up with the Celtics; a team we beat in the season series 3-1, could lead the Sixers to a first-round win. This would then match the Sixers up with either the Brooklyn Nets or (more likely) the Toronto Raptors.
From this point on, it may be hard to say where the Sixers. They could very easily move past the Raptors and onto the Milwaukee Bucks, another tough matchup. Or the Raptors stop us in our tracks for the second year in a row in the Conference Semifinals. I will leave it there and let you, the fan, decide where you think the Sixers could go from there.
3) The Top Four Seeds in Each Conference Play an Abbreviated Playoff
This would be hurt for Sixers fans, no doubt about it. Missing the playoffs after playing a season with tons of promise would be a sufficient punch in the gut. Let me at least try to put a silver lining on the season if it were to end that very unfortunate way. The NBA Draft. The upcoming draft, whenever it happens, would see the Sixers giving their first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets.
But, the Sixers would receive the Thunder’s first-round pick which currently sits at 22, only three spots higher than the Sixers. The Sixers would also receive the better of the Nets or Knicks’ second-round picks this year. This would end up being the Knicks’ pick, which currently sits at 36 overall.
What do you say Sixers fans? Two solid picks right? Oh who am I kidding, an abbreviated playoff would hurt pretty badly.
4) NBA Season Is Canceled
But wow, an abbreviated playoff wouldn’t hurt as bad as this! Please Adam Silver, if you’re reading this, give us something. Don’t let this epidemic end our NBA season. Speaking now as a fan of the NBA, not just the Sixers, we need closure to this season.
There are so many over-arching narratives this season that us fans need answers to.
Is LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo the MVP? Who would win the battle of L.A.? Could the Raptors repeat without Kawhi Leonard? Would the Rockets’ small-ball approach translate to a playoff run? Can the Sixers put it all together come playoff time?
Please… for us the fans… don’t let the season end this way.
Featured Image: @thehardwoodhoop NBA Standings 2019-20.” ESPN.com. ESPN. Updated daily. Future Traded Pick Details.” Basketball.realgm.com. Real GM. Updated daily.
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