The 2021-22 NBA season is nearing its conclusion with the postseason right around the corner. At this stage in the season, most teams have already started to plan out their strategies about how to play in the playoffs.
Evidently, the teams that realistically have no chance of making it to the postseason start focusing on next season. Fortunately, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers do not fall in that category.
In fact, the 76ers are one of the frontrunners to not only win the Eastern Conference but also win the 2022 NBA Championship.
On the same note, Embiid was recently interviewed by Sam Amick of The Athletic. He was asked about his honest opinion on the chances of the 76ers winning the championship.
Via The Athletic:
“We have a chance. But we’ve all got to play at the highest level possible. I’ve got to be as dominant as ever. Obviously (Harden) has to be extremely good too, whether it’s scoring the ball or setting up guys. Everybody else has got to come in together and believe in it and really buy-in. Tyrese (Maxey) has been great. Tobias (Harris) has been great. Matisse (Thybulle) has been great. Georges (Niang) and guys coming off the bench, they’ve been great.”
To be honest, Embiid gave a pretty realistic assessment of how things are going for the 76ers. Considering the cutthroat competition in the Eastern Conference, even a single defeat could prove to be fatal for the team in their hopes of winning the 2022 title.
While Embiid understands that and is currently in the form of his life, the same cannot be said for his superstar teammate James Harden. The Beard joined the 76ers this season after being unhappy with the Brooklyn Nets.
But so far, he hasn’t truly played like the fans expected him to. The most recent example of it was his terrible performance against the Phoenix Suns. He had an inefficient game and was even called out by NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins.
Hopefully, Harden can quickly get adjusted to his new team and play like a true superstar come playoff time to help the 76ers win the 2022 NBA Championship.
