The Philadelphia 76ers Should Not Be Here
The Sixers climb out of a 3-1 hole to take down the Boston Celtics at TD Garden
The Philadelphia 76ers shouldn’t be here. They have no right. Not these Philadelphia 76ers with an oft-injured center who had an emergency appendectomy three weeks ago. One who collects obscure injuries like Pokémon cards. Not these Philadelphia 76ers led by an undersized guard who’s had to carry the weight of the team through high-minute counts and a rotating supporting cast. Not these 76ers, whose third star rode an underwhelming career in the Delaware Valley to a 25-game suspension in the middle of the season. Not these 76ers, whose big three played a total of 21 regular-season games together. Not these 76ers, who were banking on a 20-year-old rookie to be a major contributor against flamethrowers in green and white who’ve seen the view from the mountaintop. Not THESE 76ers, whose head coach had one foot out the door after another disappointing season, only to delay his slow march into unemployment by beating the Magic in the play-in tournament.
These Philadelphia 76ers should not be here. But the beautiful thing about narratives is that they beg to be rewritten. The beautiful thing about expectations is that they can be adjusted. The beautiful thing about underdogs is that they never doubt for a second that they can win.
And winning is exactly what Joel Embiid and the Sixers did against a Boston team that seemed destined to be one of the last teams dancing when the music ended. They scratched and clawed their way back from a 3-1 series deficit. And in a Game 7 that will be remembered in Philadelphia for a long time, the Sixers finally beat the Boston Celtics to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Better yet, they did it in the Garden in front of the Boston faithful. And as my homie Keenan mentioned, they also did it with only three points off the bench last night.
How do you like them apples (said in Good Will Hunting voice)?
The Sixers haven’t beaten the Celtics in the playoffs since 1982. That’s literally the year “Eye of the Tiger” dropped. That’s a lifetime ago. Close to my lifetime. In all of my years on earth, I’ve seen volcanoes, I’ve seen comets, I’ve seen a squirrel eat an entire piece of thin crust pizza. But I’ve never seen the Sixers beat the Celtics in the playoffs until now.
So much of life comes down to timing. Hard work, talent, strategy, and luck are all prerequisites for success. But all four bend the knee to the shifting sands of time. And finally, for the Sixers, the timing was on their side. A team that seemed cursed by the sins of The Process era finally saw the stars align. This team chose the perfect moment to become the version of themselves they were meant to be.
Joel Embiid was transcendent. His return in this series shifted the sheer physics of the court like Matthew McConaughey catapulting through wormholes. Joel played like he shed the weight of expectations along with the weight of his appendix. The Celtics’ defense had no answer for him in the post, and when he wasn’t scoring with singular brilliance, his sheer gravity opened up opportunities for the rest of his team.
Joel is the sun. He is the engine. His ceiling is the ceiling for this team. He once again showed why he is one of the most skilled and talented big men of all time. A one-of-a-kind world destroyer who overcame bad injury luck with a toughness that would break a lesser man. Embiid is grit personified. He is one of the greatest Philadelphia athletes we’ve ever had the pleasure of watching dominate his sport.
If Joel is the engine, then Tyrese is the ignition. Maxey has elevated his game to superstar levels this season, solidifying himself as The Guy. That Dude. A Cold Blooded Killer. His speed, agility, and Cirque du Soleil finishing skills contorted a Celtics defense that thought they had an answer for him, only to realize they were taking the wrong test. He’s a Rubik’s Cube. Maxey played free and unfettered basketball, giving this team exactly what it needed when it needed it. He held his ground defensively, never shying away from tough matchups. Watching him play basketball is like witnessing pure art. Michelangelo’s David. James Harden’s stepback. Tyrese has leveled up. He always knew how to score. Now he knows how to win.
Paul George proved that a 25-game suspension can be good for the mind, body, and soul. Ever since returning to the Sixers from his suspension, George has looked like a completely different player than we’ve seen in red, white, and blue. He’s looked more like himself than he has in years. The Paul George Who Was Promised. George was a steady veteran presence for the Sixers who excelled as a third option. He hit buckets when the team needed it, facilitated on fast breaks, and provided his signature defense. This is what the team envisioned when they signed PG. The arrival of Playoff P.
V.J. Edgecombe delivered with an all-encompassing aura. Edgecombe’s rare athleticism is only matched by his fearlessness. The 20-year-old rookie looked like he belonged and, in some moments, like one of the best players on the court (for reference, when I was 20, I was drinking Four Lokos in a college basement). His stout defense, ability to hit open threes, and capacity to create opportunities at such a young age and on such a big stage is incredible.
Kelly Oubre excelled as a role player, cutting to the basket when the opportunities presented themselves and providing a sheer will to win with a swagger that could engulf possessions. Quentin Grimes played like every bucket was a new contract, shining off the bench and at several moments singlehandedly altering the course of the game offensively and defensively. Andre Drummond provided strong backup minutes, using his mass to grab boards and hit timely corner threes.
The Philadelphia 76ers are not supposed to be here. But here they are. Context is important. It’s the first round of the playoffs, and the Sixers find themselves heading into a second-round rematch with a Knicks team that just blew the doors off the Atlanta C.J. McCollums. But you know what…fuck the context. The Sixers just completed a 3-1 comeback against one of the best teams in the league.
For now, the Philadelphia 76ers are immortal. They got their teeth kicked in and realized they don’t need teeth anyway. They are a team that embodies the city they call home. A manifestation of talent and grit that continues to raise the ceiling. For now, the Philadelphia 76ers have altered the course of history. And maybe this is exactly where they should’ve been all along.
such a nice read on a sunday morning 🥹 very proud of the sixers. i love a good underdog story 🙌🏽