The Philadelphia 76ers weren’t alleged to win this collection. Not towards Boston, not because the decrease seed, and definitely not beneath the circumstances they had been coping with. And but, right here they’re. And so they have crushed Boston in a collection for the primary time for the reason that 80s.
Beating the second-seeded Celtics in a Sport 7 has fully modified the tone round this workforce, turning what as soon as seemed like a misplaced season into one thing much more bold. The fan base is dreaming once more.
Not cautiously, however overtly, as a result of once you take down a workforce like Boston, the ceiling instantly feels a lot increased than it did simply weeks in the past. However the query is not what they only did. It’s whether or not they can do it once more.
Joel Embiid turned the collection into one thing private
All the pieces begins with Joel Embiid, and on this case, every little thing modified due to him. After lacking a lot of the common season and present process an appendectomy shortly earlier than the playoffs, his return in the midst of the collection may have been restricted, cautious, and gradual.
As an alternative, it was decisive, virtually overwhelming, as he stepped again onto the court docket and instantly took management in a method that resembled a Finals MVP efficiency slightly than a participant coming back from surgical procedure.
He didn’t ease into the second. He outlined it. That sort of affect shifts every little thing, but it surely additionally raises crucial query transferring ahead: can he maintain it?
The Philadelphia 76ers supporting forged rose precisely when wanted
Embiid was the centerpiece, however this was not a one-man collection. Paul George, coming back from a suspension associated to banned substances, delivered when it mattered, bringing scoring and composure that helped stabilize the workforce in crucial stretches.
Tyrese Maxey was spectacular, taking part in with tempo and confidence, whereas rookie VJ Edgecombe stepped into the highlight with a stage of fearlessness that didn’t match his expertise.
Even Kelly Oubre, who didn’t dominate the stat sheet, performed a job that mattered. His power, physicality, and willingness to get beneath Boston’s pores and skin disrupted rhythm and added an edge that doesn’t all the time present in numbers however turns into seen in how a collection unfolds.
The Boston Celtics by no means totally discovered their rhythm
For the Celtics, the collection by no means fairly aligned. Jayson Tatum, coming back from an extended Achilles damage absence that saved him out for a lot of the common season, struggled to discover a constant rhythm, and that inconsistency echoed all through the workforce.
Boston had the expertise, however not the cohesion, particularly within the moments the place execution turns into every little thing. That opened the door.
Philadelphia didn’t simply make the most of it, they pressured it wider, making use of strain in key moments and capitalizing on each stretch the place Boston seemed unsure. By the point Sport 7 arrived, the momentum had already shifted.
Can the Philadelphia 76ers maintain this stage?
That is the place actuality units in. Profitable one collection like that is spectacular. Repeating it throughout a number of rounds is one thing else fully, particularly when so many variables stay unsure. Embiid’s well being is the largest one, as a result of every little thing relies on his skill to remain on the ground at this stage of dominance.
Round him, the questions proceed. Can Paul George keep his steadiness and consistency? Can Oubre translate his toughness into extra tangible manufacturing when wanted? Can a rookie like Edgecombe proceed to carry out at close to All-Star stage beneath rising strain? And might Maxey totally embrace the position of chief amongst veterans as expectations rise?
These aren’t small questions. They outline the distinction between an excellent second and a championship run. In the event that they reply these questions properly, Sixers followers might hope.
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