Boston in the 2nd round. How do the 76ers win the series?

[Eyeamok]

Just watch Jimmy Butler play in the playoffs and ask yourself if we have one guy that's capable of stepping up like that and getting huge bucket after bucket?

Nope.

Embiid is the obvious person as he's done it over and over again this season. But we've reached a time in Maxey's career where he needs to become that guy in order for him to take the next step.

Wow that is a tall task for Maxey right now especially since he seems to wilt against Boston. I mean I would love to see it. But in this series I doubt it.

[SixthStreet]

Maxey is one off-season of ball handling skill development from being that guy. I think he will get there. Don't think it will be against the Celtics, but might be against the weaker defenses he'll see in the following two rounds if we can beat the Celtics.

[Ferry Avenue]

The key in my opinion is going to be resiliency. There are going to be multiple points in the series when the team could get demoralized and dejected, and they’re going to have to draw on leadership among the players to persevere and overcome. The Heat comeback over Milwaukee last night was a great example of that process at work.

In terms of the difference between this team and those of recent years, that’s going to mean Embiid remains positive and enthusiastic as opposed to sullen and lethargic, Harden remains aggressive as opposed to lackadaisical, and Tucker, Harris, and Maxey continue what they’re doing.

All hands on deck with the mentality required to win a tough series like this. They’re going to need to inspire each other, and if one of the main guys is “off,” that’s going to spell lots of trouble.

[mksp]

Just watch Jimmy Butler play in the playoffs and ask yourself if we have one guy that's capable of stepping up like that and getting huge bucket after bucket?

Nope.

Embiid is the obvious person as he's done it over and over again this season. But we've reached a time in Maxey's career where he needs to become that guy in order for him to take the next step.

He hasn't really in the Playoffs though.

[Negrodamus]

Just watch Jimmy Butler play in the playoffs and ask yourself if we have one guy that's capable of stepping up like that and getting huge bucket after bucket?

Nope.

Embiid is the obvious person as he's done it over and over again this season. But we've reached a time in Maxey's career where he needs to become that guy in order for him to take the next step.

He hasn't really in the Playoffs though.

Right, but he's going to be the MVP and led the league in scoring. He's also going to be the most healthy he's been heading into the 2nd round. I know it ***hasn't*** happened, but if I were a betting man, he'd have to be the guy I peg as pulling it off on this team.

[Mik317]

just once I'd like to have a team in which "just throw bodies at one guy" doesn't immediately kill everything lol. He finally began to be better out of the double teams, have the shooters around him....and yet still thats the best option to defend us. No one else gets quadipple teamed like Jo and while yeah I get it...it feels like a cowardly move or some **** lol.

That being said, he needs to become a better shooter going forward to continue to make that a harder option and open up the floor even more....would kill all the zone we see too

[mksp]

just once I'd like to have a team in which "just throw bodies at one guy" doesn't immediately kill everything lol. He finally began to be better out of the double teams, have the shooters around him....and yet still thats the best option to defend us. No one else gets quadipple teamed like Jo and while yeah I get it...it feels like a cowardly move or some **** lol.

That being said, he needs to become a better shooter going forward to continue to make that a harder option and open up the floor even more....would kill all the zone we see too

It's tough when that guy is a C. And even tougher when that C has enough ball handling ability to believe they can dribble out of trouble.

[M2J]

just once I'd like to have a team in which "just throw bodies at one guy" doesn't immediately kill everything lol. He finally began to be better out of the double teams, have the shooters around him....and yet still thats the best option to defend us. No one else gets quadipple teamed like Jo and while yeah I get it...it feels like a cowardly move or some **** lol.

That being said, he needs to become a better shooter going forward to continue to make that a harder option and open up the floor even more....would kill all the zone we see too

It's tough when that guy is a C. And even tougher when that C has enough ball handling ability to believe they can dribble out of trouble.

Right your big man option is maybe the most efficient and dominant scorer in the world. But, because he can't come off a screen or pull up from 3... It's easier to take him out. However, I think they've built a good enough roster with shooting to make teams pay.

I think Maxey is going to be fine in that series. I believe he is generally in a rhythm and I don't believe Boston will do a ton more than Brooklyn against him. Just keep Smart away from him. The key will be PJ being willing to shoot and ability to hit, or playing more Melton/Jalen... Unless they're doing more one on one with Joel where he will dominate.

[Ferry Avenue]

just once I'd like to have a team in which "just throw bodies at one guy" doesn't immediately kill everything lol. He finally began to be better out of the double teams, have the shooters around him....and yet still thats the best option to defend us. No one else gets quadipple teamed like Jo and while yeah I get it...it feels like a cowardly move or some **** lol.

That being said, he needs to become a better shooter going forward to continue to make that a harder option and open up the floor even more....would kill all the zone we see too

It's tough when that guy is a C. And even tougher when that C has enough ball handling ability to believe they can dribble out of trouble.

And all of that can actually be the ceiling on this team’s championship hopes.

It’s about like an NFL team trying to win the Super Bowl by featuring a running back instead of a quarterback. As soon as that team featuring the running back goes up against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, they are very likely toast.

[HotelVitale]

The key in my opinion is going to be resiliency. There are going to be multiple points in the series when the team could get demoralized and dejected, and they’re going to have to draw on leadership among the players to persevere and overcome. The Heat comeback over Milwaukee last night was a great example of that process at work.

In terms of the difference between this team and those of recent years, that’s going to mean Embiid remains positive and enthusiastic as opposed to sullen and lethargic, Harden remains aggressive as opposed to lackadaisical, and Tucker, Harris, and Maxey continue what they’re doing.

All hands on deck with the mentality required to win a tough series like this. They’re going to need to inspire each other, and if one of the main guys is “off,” that’s going to spell lots of trouble.

That's been one of the best things about this team this year, lot of comebacks and slow, steady efforts to crawl back into tough games. It feels fragile, though, I saw enough of it this year to trust it but I saw the last 2 PO runs so not that much. I also worry about those weird 3- or 4-minute lapses and those extra pts we give teams (terrible fouls when they're in the penalty, blown coverages in pn'r giving up wide open dunks, etc). If the focus wavers those swings of 9-10 pts here and there can kill us.

[Eyeamok]

If Joel gets the MVP nod I think he comes into this series with something to prove, because a lot of people will be saying but Joker has better stats and Embiid only won because Joker has won it twice in a row. Almost like a pity MVP award for Joel. So to shut the press and the fans up he will go nuts. BUT if he does not get the nod, oh he is going to be a sulky mess. "Oh nobody loves me. There is nothing I can do to change the voters minds...ever!" Winning the MVP puts Joel in a better frame of mind, rested and ready to play dominant basketball. Might be this teams only chance.

[spikeslovechild]

Smart flopping around the court like a dying fish. So glad the refs didn't fall for his antics and just looked at him

[phillynative]

Smart flopping around the court like a dying fish. So glad the refs didn't fall for his antics and just looked at him

Yea he's shameless at this point. What happened to players being fined ? I worry about him and Grant flopping around Embiid and causing him to fall awkwardly again.

[Philly2good]

Hawks in 7

[76ciology]

Maxey may not be able to get good looks against White, Brogdon, Tatum, Smart or Brown, he needs to watch this Hawks series and see the tendencies of Hawks bigs to play drop on defense. His long 3s are also available even on those Celts wings.

Sixers have to do better communicating on transition defense. Celts transition offense of wings and 5 out offense is hard to defend.

Sixers have to practice getting the refs attention on all those ILLEGAL SCREENS Smart and Al like to do.
- Smart likes to fall down in order to create a more effective screens or to prevent help defense to rotate
- Al like to boxout the help defender when he cuts or rolls to the basket, leaving the ball handler without any help defense to contest when he drives to the basket

In terms of orchestrating the flow of the game. The key is to stay close, get extra possessions and Biid-Harden outplaying Celts, no disrespect but MID alphas down the stretch. Celts will play 48 minutes of good basketball, but they dont have a good extra gear to shift into. The closest thing is having Rob Williams out there but Rob Williams is a negative on the floor against us in reg season and it will kill their 5 out offense

[spikeslovechild]

Go hawks!

[mjkvol]

Smart flopping around the court like a dying fish. So glad the refs didn't fall for his antics and just looked at him

Yea he's shameless at this point. What happened to players being fined ? I worry about him and Grant flopping around Embiid and causing him to fall awkwardly again.

I'm through 'worrying' about anything regarding Embiid, be it treating him like glass so he isn't hurt again, or especially his mood swings if he's somehow 'disrespected' and doesn't win MVP. Just go out and f***king play. If he mopes and the Sixers lose, then maybe he was never as great as we all thought he was. If he gets hurt again, I suppose it just isn't meant to be with him.

Not directed at you, but all the gnashing of teeth over Embiid's moods and health from the fan base, and Harden as well to an extent, has just gotten beyond old. These are allegedly all time great players both headed to the HOF - time to go out and prove you belong in that kind of company. That's what truly great players do.

[Wilfried]

This season should be the one where we can see if Joel has it in him or not. Whether you lose or not, but it's about the fight and composure you show.

We have Boston and who knows Miami/New York. Boston is not unbeatable either, and still have to have an injury somewhere.

[Eyeamok]

Smart flopping around the court like a dying fish. So glad the refs didn't fall for his antics and just looked at him

Yea he's shameless at this point. What happened to players being fined ? I worry about him and Grant flopping around Embiid and causing him to fall awkwardly again.

I'm through 'worrying' about anything regarding Embiid, be it treating him like glass so he isn't hurt again, or especially his mood swings if he's somehow 'disrespected' and doesn't win MVP. Just go out and f***king play. If he mopes and the Sixers lose, then maybe he was never as great as we all thought he was. If he gets hurt again, I suppose it just isn't meant to be with him.

Not directed at you, but all the gnashing of teeth over Embiid's moods and health from the fan base, and Harden as well to an extent, has just gotten beyond old. These are allegedly all time great players both headed to the HOF - time to go out and prove you belong in that kind of company. That's what truly great players do.

No MVP he's going to be a mopy dick.

Watch on YouTube

[76ciology]

Since Hawks figured out how to beat the Celts by attacking Al Horford in G3, they have averaged 120 ORtg.

Trae also averaged 15+ppg in the 4th for the last 3 games.

And in crunch time of G5, when Celts wants more defense by inserting Rob Williams, they collapsed on offense.

Watch on YouTube

If Hawks have figured it our as early as G1, this probably is a closer series. Even possibly Hawks leading this series right now.

Btw check :20 to :30 secs of that clip, personally I find Smart did a dirty play by “falling” which in effect creates a allowable illegal screen