Look Alive: 76ers are Approaching

We are approaching the end of basketball season, which means its playoff season! Tis the season for intensive, nail-biting games! Throughout the year, the NBA and its teams have surprised us with selective trades and termination of coaches. However, the most surprising news in my opinion would be that the 76ers are actually in the playoffs!

It has been a good year for Philly: they have gotten their first super bowl win, their best known rapper has been celebrated and released from jail, and now, their basketball team, who hasn’t clenched a playoff spot since 2012, has made it to round 2. Armed with a Andre Iguodala, now General Manager of the 76ers G-League team, Elton Brand, Jrue Holiday, who now plays for the Pelicans, and leading scorer, Lou Williams, who is currently at home with the rest of Clippers Nation. The 76ers in went 35-31 during the 2011-2012 season, barely touching a spot in the playoffs.

Where is the sudden success coming from? I have several fingers to point. One would be at JJ Redick. Formerly an LA Clipper, JJ, a known enterprising person, averages 17 points per game and at least three assists. He is not alone, however. Veteran players along with new coming rookies back up his talents. The expert players that include Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli, and Ersan Ilyasova allow their talents to shine within the team, and their chemistry has been in tip-top shape, allowing for the 76ers passing through the first round of finals swiftly.

The rookies this year include Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. These two have been a match made in basketball heaven. Both young players donate an exponential amount of talent, contributing at least 38 points per game (a duo total) and mimic a younger version of our Golden State Splash Bros. A common trait in today’s NBA rookies (and in Russel Westbrook) is their willingness to get through to the media. Embiid lets the media know that one of his goals was to make it to the playoffs and they have successfully made it. With the guidance and leadership of old-time players like Redick, the 76ers stand at third in the Eastern conference under the Celtics and Toronto with a 55-27 record.

Did I mention the Cav’s current standing is fourth? Do you see where I am going with this?

Overall, the team allows for outlets and new pupils to go for it and when they do, they exceed better than anyone could have predicted. My favorite part of watching the team dominate from court to court is the freedom to learn from each other despite their ages. Redick finally gets past the first round of the playoffs, something the Clippers could barely do, and Embiid and Simmons get enough time in the spotlight to reflect on their skills throughout games.

Originally, I had already picked out my two teams for the finals: the Cavs and the Rockets, but the way this team showcases their talent develops a debatable matchup.