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There are legitimately a significant number of Sixers fans who right now would prefer the 3 or 4 seed to the 1 seed. The logic is fair, but I can't remember a time in my life outside of this season where fans would rather not have home court throughout the eastern conference playoffs.

But the logic is sound. The Sixers are a good road team. They may matchup better with teams they'd get in that 3 or 4 spot.

But also, there are still some variables in play. People assumed Miami would be #1, but the Bucks or even Celtics could very easily grab the 1 seed with the way they've been playing also. So those who wanted the #4 seed to potentially play Miami in the 2nd round, that could change going forward if the Bucks or Celtics climb to #1.

Lastly, not sure how important this is to people, but if the Sixers get the #1 seed, Embiid being MVP would practically be a lock.

Factoring all that in, what is your preference?

I'll always take the 1 seed over trying to fix matchups. Especially this year where none of the seedings are predictable with the convoluted standings and play-in teams to consider.

The more game 7's at home, the better.

It basically comes down to how badly you want to avoid the Nets. The bulls/cavs/raptors/hawks/hornets are all destined to be 1st round fodder if they make it out of the play-in.

Seed 3/4 has a more guaranteed path to the semis but a harder path to the finals. Seed 1/2 risk being humiliated with a first round upset against the Nets but if they survive have a better shot of going all the way.

Risk/reward I rather have the high seed and take down the Nets if it comes to that.

1 seed would be nice but not happening I’ll take the 4 seed.

Isocleas2 wrote:It basically comes down to how badly you want to avoid the Nets. The bulls/cavs/raptors/hawks/hornets are all destined to be 1st round fodder if they make it out of the play-in.

Seed 3/4 has a more guaranteed path to the semis but a harder path to the finals. Seed 1/2 risk being humiliated with a first round upset against the Nets but if they survive have a better shot of going all the way.

Risk/reward I rather have the high seed and take down the Nets if it comes to that.

Really do not want to play Toronto they crash the offensive glass hard they could be a huge problem

We can avoid Toronto and Brooklyn by finishing 6th, so

A week ago I was firmly on the 3/4 side, but Miami potentially imploding makes the whole thing more of a guessing game than it already was. Going balls out for the 1 seed is fine, but if it is at the cost of badly needed rest for Harden, then it isn't worth it.

It's a given that Embiid is playing any game he can, but I'd love to see him sit for a couple as well.

You always want home-court throughout in my opinion. Playing game sevens on the road isn't easy.

Never got the fear of the Nets. They're borderline .500 for a reason, they aren't very talented. People will say injuries and the mandate, but they've been right around .500 since Durant has come back too, so that argument doesn't fly. They play no defense, have no interior presence, and their two best players ooze loser energy.

The Bucks and Celtics are much more dangerous.

FireMorey wrote:Never got the fear of the Nets. They're borderline .500 for a reason, they aren't very talented. People will say injuries and the mandate, but they've been right around .500 since Durant has come back too, so that argument doesn't fly. They play no defense, have no interior presence, and their two best players ooze loser energy.

The Bucks and Celtics are much more dangerous.

I don't disagree with any of that except that guys like Durant and Irving are capable of taking over games by themselves, which makes the Nets a potentially scary opponent in a short series if one or both get hot.

But no doubt the Bucks and Celtics are much worse matchups for us.

you play whoever you face

any team that tries to duck other teams isn't winning it all anyway IMO

If we face the Nets and KD and Kyrie stay at Super Saiyan levels and body us...then so be it...team was going to get creamed by Giannis or whoever came out of the west anywho.

if we do win it all, I'd like to be w/ no qualifiers attached.

Really, the whole discussion is kind of pointless. There are too many moving parts to possibly be able to 'map out' where you end up even if you were actively trying to. Like Mik said, just play the games and deal with whatever matchup you get. Most important to me is getting there healthy and somewhat rested.

Imagine:

1. Philadelphia
2. Milwaukee
3. Boston
4. Miami
5. Chicago
6. Toronto
7. Brooklyn
8. Cleveland

FireMorey wrote:Never got the fear of the Nets. They're borderline .500 for a reason, they aren't very talented. People will say injuries and the mandate, but they've been right around .500 since Durant has come back too, so that argument doesn't fly. They play no defense, have no interior presence, and their two best players ooze loser energy.

The Bucks and Celtics are much more dangerous.

It’s hard to tell cause kyrie has played in road games only since Kd return. So nets are 3-2 with kyrie plus Kd on the road.

Losses to Memphis and Boston on the road. So not
Exactly bottom feeders they lost to.

Now kyrie available to play all games.

ProcessDoctor wrote:Imagine:

1. Philadelphia
2. Milwaukee
3. Boston
4. Miami
5. Chicago
6. Toronto
7. Brooklyn
8. Cleveland

I would rather have the Celtics at #2 and get beaten by the Nets in the first round. The team that's playing the best in the East right now is the Celtics. Go ahead and get them eliminated.

ProcessDoctor wrote:Imagine:

1. Philadelphia
2. Milwaukee
3. Boston
4. Miami
5. Chicago
6. Toronto
7. Brooklyn
8. Cleveland

We might be looking at BRK and then BOS after the first round, but CLE, MIA and then deal with whoever survives MIL/BOS in the ECF would be ideal.

Still feel, in my heart (can only go by my heart), that the only teams we'd beat in the first round are Cleveland and Chicago. So who **** cares where we finish.

Stanford wrote:Still feel, in my heart (can only go by my heart), that the only teams we'd beat in the first round are Cleveland and Chicago. So who **** cares where we finish.

Ferry Avenue wrote:

ProcessDoctor wrote:Imagine:

1. Philadelphia
2. Milwaukee
3. Boston
4. Miami
5. Chicago
6. Toronto
7. Brooklyn
8. Cleveland

I would rather have the Celtics at #2 and get beaten by the Nets in the first round. The team that's playing the best in the East right now is the Celtics. Go ahead and get them eliminated.

You're much more confident in the Nets (or less confident in the Celtics?) than I am. I think Boston would win that series in 5.

Get the 1 seed. Play whomever.