Nine months ago, the Philadelphia 76ers played their first game in the Orlando bubble after a five-month hiatus due to Covid-19. Their opponent was the Indiana Pacers.
T.J. Warren would go off for 53 points against the Sixers and after that game, the doubt and uncertainty of this team began to seep in. Two games later, Ben Simmons would suffer a season-ending knee injury and the Sixers limped to the finish line the rest of the season, ultimately getting swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
After not even winning a single playoff game, questions began to arise around the Sixers:
- Is Brett Brown’s time here coming to an end?
- Can Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons play together?
- Will Tobias Harris live up to his max contract?
- Is there any way we can get rid of Al Horford and Josh Richardson?
Fast forward nine months and all those questions have been answered with a resounding yes, as the 76ers find themselves one win away from clinching the No.1 seed for the first time in 20 years.
Oh, and their opponent tonight to make this into a reality? The Indiana Pacers. The same team we saw start this team’s transition last year.
It’s crazy what a difference this team’s trajectory has gone over that span, for if you told me after that Indiana game the Sixers would be where they are now, I’d say you’re crazy. I would have listed all those questions I stated above and be shocked if at least one of them would have been answered by now.
But here we are, in full control of our own destiny, with Doc Rivers now manning the 47-21 Sixers to the top spot in the East.
MVP Candidate Joel Embiid and Defensive Player of the Year Candidate Ben Simmons have proved they can play together as the duo is a dominate 34-6 on the year.
Meanwhile Tobias Harris heard everyone’s complaining this offseason and took it personal, posting 19.5 points per game, a career best 51.7 FG%, and was a borderline All-Star this year.
Oh, and the Al Horford/Josh Richardson conundrum? New President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey took care of that, unloading both their contracts in return for two key starters in Danny Green and Seth Curry.
Yes, this team has done a complete 180 this year and it’s only fitting that they have a chance to secure the No.1 seed against the team that helped jumpstart their transformation
So, clinch that top spot tonight Sixers. Clinch it for the ‘01 team. Clinch it for the Show Ya Luv Era. Clinch it for the Hinkieites and the Processers and everyone in between.
Tonight is for the fans. Let’s get it done Sixers.
Tip-off is at 8:00 pm EST on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
