76ers show maturity, urgency in unlikely championship push
The Philadelphia 76ers gamed the system to build their core, and now they're skipping steps in their ascension as a genuine championship contender.
Conventional wisdom dictates that a young team must cut its teeth before learning how to win; that ecstasy is only borne from heartbreak. But the Sixers aren't interested in following any script other than their own.
They shrugged off the intimidation tactics of the Miami Heat in five games to become the first team to advance in the Eastern Conference, and it should surprise nobody if their first playoff run ends in a trip to The Finals.
Talent over experience
The concerns over how Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid would perform under the playoff spotlight look ridiculous in retrospect.
Neither player was bothered by the moment, nor were they vexed by the Heat's scare tactics. Erik Spoelstra tried every trick in the book to slow Simmons and neutralize Embiid, but like true superstars, they refused to be stopped. They thrived against physicality and kept their cool during conflict to deliver the same stellar performances they showed in the regular season.
Simmons averaged 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, nine assists, and 2.4 steals per game as the unquestioned leader of the pack. He pushed the pace, delivered picture-perfect passes, and showed versatility in checking every position on defense. He even took intentional fouling off the table, making 71.4 percent of his free throws in the series.
Embiid, meanwhile, bragged about being "made" for playoff basketball, and he wasn't far from the mark. The Defensive Player of the Year candidate limited the Heat to just 29 percent shooting on the 15.5 field goals he defended per game. On the other end, he scored 18.7 points while parading to the basket for 11 free throws each night because the Heat simply had no answers for him in the paint.
Poise under pressure
The other concern with the Sixers was that they didn't necessarily have a go-to scorer to carry them through tough finishes, but that didn't stop them from outscoring the Heat 151-112 in the fourth quarter through five games.
Not relying on one particular scorer in the clutch actually became an advantage, as it made the Sixers unpredictable. Unlike most teams, they kept running their system late in games instead of relying on isolation sets, and that empowered several contributors to step up in the fourth.
Simmons and Embiid were the biggest threats to score, but the likes of Dario Saric, Marco Belinelli, and J.J. Redick were just as capable of suddenly springing free for a dagger jumper or darting drive. Philadelphia's system is predicated on constant motion with dangerous shooters setting back picks for one another, and even Miami's ruthlessly disciplined defense couldn't keep up.
In the fourth quarter of a pivotal Game 4 on the road, it was Redick who drilled the game-winning shot off an improvised sequence involving Embiid and Simmons. Both stars had a chance to shoot, but they showed trust in Redick as they collaborated on a dagger shot from the corner which essentially decided the series.
Path is clear
Tougher tests lay ahead, but the Sixers don't exactly have the toughest path to The Finals as things currently stand.
The second-round series should be a breeze. The Celtics will be a pesky out, but the Sixers will have the top two players in the series and far more shooters than their shorthanded opponents. That matchup would play out similar to the Heat series, as the Celtics could steal a game or two at the most.
And if the Bucks were to pull off the comeback, the Sixers would also be the heavy favorite. Milwaukee struggles to guard the paint, and they have absolutely nobody to neutralize Embiid. Meanwhile, the Sixers could counter Giannis Antetokounmpo with either Simmons or Robert Covington at the point of attack, while Embiid waits to challenge at the rim.
Past that, the Sixers will see one of the Raptors, Cavaliers, Pacers, and Wizards. All four of those teams have proven to be flawed, which is why they're locked into tight 2-2 series at the moment. Toronto's stars have wilted under pressure, Washington has no depth, Indiana is limited, and Cleveland is ancient. None of them have looked convincing in the slightest.