They’re Ready.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, the question of this year has been the same, asked over and over all season. “Can this team win the East?”
The question was asked before Dario Saric and Rob Covington were dealt. Asked once more when Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris were respectively traded for. And again after losing mid-season matchups to Boston, Toronto, and Milwaukee despite some improvement. However in the span of the last two weeks, the Sixers might have proven that they finally do have what it takes. In 11 days, this team knocked off three of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Statement wins have come at home against Indiana and Boston, along with a tough road win in Milwaukee.
Between the All-Star Break, and Joel Embiid’s missed time following that break, the Sixers “Big Four” of Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris had to wait a while for to play together for an extended stretch of games. Now that they have, the rest of the league is bearing witness to the matchup nightmares they present.
Wednesday’s win against Boston might have been the biggest game of this regular season, and the atmosphere at Wells Fargo Center sure felt playoff-esque. It was also one of the most complete games that this core group has played so far in their short time together. All five starters are averaging at least 17 points a night. Getting that kind of production from the starters has taken the pressure off of the team’s relatively thin bench.
Another sign that is sure to boost confidence for fans has been Jimmy Butler’s ability to close out games in the fourth quarter. After drilling two game winners shortly after arriving via trade, it’s taken a while for him to really gel with this starting five. Slowly but surely though, he’s looked more and more comfortable in Brett Brown’s offense, and now we’re seeing him flat out take over games late. With 27 points in Milwaukee last Sunday, and 15 of his 22 in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, Butler is coming into his own, and taking on the closer role that this team lacked last year.
Moment of the Night?
You already know.@budweiserusa | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/X4kN70Vcgk
— * – Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 21, 2019
Butler was one of the NBA leaders in fourth quarter scoring last year, a major reason in justifying his acquisition. Last year’s Sixers ranked dead last in the NBA when it came to 4th-quarter offensive rating, and prior to the November blockbuster, again found themselves among the lowest five. Without Butler and Harris, this team was somewhat predictable with where they would go with the basketball in late game scenarios, something that was exposed in the playoff loss to Boston. If they needed a two, the ball would almost surely find its way to Embiid posted up down low, whereas JJ Redick, Covington and Saric were usually their only options from beyond the arc. Typically, Embiid matched up on the block is a scenario this team will always like, but when an opponent believes that it’s pretty much the only option, it becomes predictable, and easier to defend or double team. Now, while Embiid is still an elite late game scorer, he isn’t this team’s only option. Arguments can be made for any of the starters when it comes to taking a big shot. They’re all stars, and all capable of stepping up in big moments. And not for nothing, but Simmons’ and-1 was one of the biggest buckets of the win over Boston.
Ben Simmons with the clutch and-1!#HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/qgBgEm9Phx
— Sports ReUp (@SportsReUp) March 21, 2019
The bottom line is that this starting five is off to a 7-1 start since being assembled.Everyone knew their potential, but understandably wondered if they would reach it this year, with such a short window to figure out how to coexist on a court together. As the first round inches closer, Tobias Harris is proving to be that missing piece, Jimmy Butler is finally fitting in, and everything seems to be falling into place for this team. That includes their schedule. Aside from one last matchup with Milwaukee, and a possible first round preview against Brooklyn, all of the Sixers remaining opponents have records below .500.
There’s no reason they shouldn’t get past the 55 win mark, and barring any injuries, should march into the playoffs hot, healthy, and more prepared than ever to take on the Eastern Conference heavyweights.
