This season, the NBA eastern conference has been ruled by two teams: the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. All season long, those squads have sat comfortably at the top of the standings and have both made a case for being Finals favorites.
But is there another team we should watch out for in the East? Speaking on NBA Today this week, NBA insider Brian Windhorst mentioned the 76ers and explained why they could be poised to shock the world this spring.
“They started the season off 12-12 and they had injuries to Tyrese Maxey and James Harden. Since that 12-12 start, they are 26-7. But when you watch this team play at full power, they are as good as anybody. If you look at the dynamics of the East over the last decade, a team of this magnitude would probably be the overwhelming favorite to win the East.”
.@WindhorstESPN says the 76ers are a legit threat to win the East 👀 pic.twitter.com/yvZ5sW7s5j
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 16, 2023
The 76ers are a different team than what they’ve been in the Embiid era so far. With James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and P.J. Tucker, they have unbelievable depth and a lot of firepower on both ends of the floor.
Of course, how far this team goes will ultimately depend on Joel Embiid and whether or not he can stay healthy through the postseason. If he can stay on the floor and deliver when it matters most, the 76ers are going to be a tough team for anybody to beat.
Can James Harden Maintain His All-Star Play?
The x-factor for the 76ers may be James Harden, who finds himself on his fourth stop in his NBA career. After a failed stint with the Nets, he has found a long-term home in Philly with Embiid and franchise GM Daryl Morey.
It’s no wonder, then, that the Beard is enjoying his best season in years. With averages of 21.4 points, 10.8 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game on 45% shooting, Harden has finally found his footing as a 76er.
But is the Harden and Embiid combo really enough to push the Sixers deep into the playoff bracket? On paper, they are stacked, but getting past the Celtics, Bucks, and even the Cavaliers will be no easy feat.
There are no gimme’s in the NBA, and the path to the Finals this year looks tougher than ever.
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