Is it crazy to think the sixers could make it to the finals?

 They really could make a surprise "premature" run, like the 2007 Cavs.  If not this year, health willing, I would guess they are there as often as not over the next 10 years.

 Philly deserves recognition for the season they have had with such a young team, enough to put them in that conversation. However playoff basketball is different than the regular season and I know thats cliche but its true. The refs call the game different. There is alot more physical play and less transition oppurtunities. Young teams usually struggle adjusting to this style of play and I doubt Philly will be an exception. However if they had Embiid down low to get half court buckets things would be different. I think they will be the favourites in the East very soon but not this year.

Depends on if Cleveland can flip that switch or not. I think this is like the 2011 OKC season when they lost to Dallas in the WCF but everyone knew they’d be on top for a while…..dang now I’m getting sad remembering, injuries really suck man

 with kyrie out and the inconsistencies of Cleveland,  its possible.  Toronto is hit or miss.  Their will be no expectations for philly,  and because of that , they might play loose and free.  I would not be totally surprised if made it to the  finals. 

 with kyrie out and the inconsistencies of Cleveland,  its possible.  Toronto is hit or miss.  Their will be no expectations for philly,  and because of that , they might play loose and free.  I would not be totally surprised if made it to the  finals. 

 Championship!

The Sixers are 36-12 since a win on Christmas day. If they can get the banged Celtics in the 2nd round I like their chances to make the finals.

 GREAT chemistry.

 There were a lot of armchair experts saying Embiid’s career would be done by now, Ben was overrated and the Sixers would win well under 41 games. Where are you now? Those posts will be made available to everyone shortly. 

The Sixers are a 49+ win team and have been virtually all season without their #1 pick. They will go second round at least, probable ECF.. NBA Finals and even a championship are there if they want it bad enough. Lakers 2018 or Kings 2019 pick to come, plus a big free agency period. Get on the train now, it’s gonna be a long ride. Trust the process!

Not crazy at all. 

It’s one of the reasons I thought they should trade Fultz away for a proven guard scorer. You have no idea how small the window is going to be. If Embiid gets hurt, the window closes. You might have an 8-10 window to contend in the East, but you also might only have 3-4 years or less (just ask the Thunder). 

Maybe you can’t wait for Fultz to prove himself. 

Next year, they will have to contend with a (hopefully) fully healthy Celtic team. The Cavs might be players to get another piece and keep Lebron (even if it is unlikely). The Bucks will likely be better for at least a year or two.

This year might be their easiest road to the finals for the next 5 years. 

 I know you guys love the 76ers, honestly I do to they are probably my favourite team to watch but when you start putting up Championship expectations so early your setting them up for failure. 

I like what I’ve been seeing this season with Simmons and Embiid. Adding Belinelli to the mix just made them that more of a threat because they were missing perimeter shooters to keep defenses honest.

On another thought, the sports world is going to be sick if this actually happens.

 76ers ceiling and floor will be solely dictated by injuries to key players..Simmons,Saric and Embiid

If the 76ers get things clicking and haven’t peaked to soon then I could at least see an ECF in their future but I could just as easily see a 2nd round out vs the winner of the Raptors vs Wizards series(assuming they stay in 3rd) due to inexperience..

As for Finals I don’t know if you can call that just yet due to age and injury risks but I have stranger things happen, like Lebron carrying scrubs to the finals so never say never.

No matter what I bet it will be one interesting ride for Philly fans.

 Before Embiid’s injury Phila’s startung 5 was the #1 ranked startung 5 in the NBA – I kno wthat sounds Insane but look it up – it’s true

But there 2nd Unit would come on & get Destroyed & basically guve back everything the starters gained 

Then Bellineli & Ilyasova basically decided to go to Phila as a package deal b/c of Brett Brown’s Supr’s connection & Ilyasova played in Phila last year & they both knew they could get minutes on a Playoff team 

And then Fultz returned out of nowhere & essentially Replaced TJ McConnell as the 2nd team PG & Fultz was a Massive upgrade  b/c Phila’s 2nd Unit was getting Destroyed by perimtere penetration & no Embiid protecting the Rim 

It’s not getting a lot of Publicity but Fultz has been Phenominal running that 2nd unit, he is penetrating off the dribble & spraying passes to wide open 3 pt shooters & he’s got the opponents on their heels the whole time

The 2nd team now functions almost identically to the 1st team — This Phila team is VERY dangerous b/c they are now a 10 man Deep rotation w/ a set in stone identity & incredible versatility — Half court, in transition, play Slow, Play Fast & the Sixers can now give it to you Any way you like it

They can get through some Eastern conference teams, but in my opinion, not Cleveland or Toronto in a 7 game series. The regular season and the playoffs are two different animals. Coaches and players can specifically focus and scheme against your weaknesses, and as we well know, young teams tend to struggle replicating their regular season success in the playoffs.

 Even the great MJ struggled with success in the playoffs in his early years (it took him 4 years before he won a first round series). I’m not saying they can’t get wind a series or two, but I’m saying winning in the NBA playoffs is really, REALLY hard.