New look Philly finals bound?

The 2019 NBA Finals ended up causing an immense domino effect around the league. It ultimately gave Brooklyn Kevin Durant, forced the Warriors into a much-changed roster, the Clippers landed the duo of Kawhi and Paul George, and many other high profile free agents also changed suit. But for the city of Philadelphia, Toronto’s championship handed them something slightly different. Hope.

The 76ers were on the receiving end of an all-time NBA moment when Kawhi Leonard dropped a game 7 buzzer beater in the conference semi-finals. The emotion Joel Embiid displayed walking down the tunnel post-game showed just how much basketball means to Philly; they really were a couple of bounces away. And I don’t just mean from the conference finals. None of Embiid, Simmons or Butler would have had the same impact that Kawhi did in the rest of the playoffs, but I’d like to think Philly had the length and defensive prowess to contain Giannis’ Bucks. I see the Milwaukee series going in a similar direction if the 76ers were there in Toronto’s place, especially after a game 7 road win. Embiid would have been slightly more healthy, the team more confident.

Of course, this is all just playing with hypotheticals. IF Kawhi’s shot doesn’t drop. IF they contain Giannis. IF Simmons and Embiid step up in crunch time. IF Klay still gets hurt, and KD remains hurt. I’m definitely not implying that if the Sixers won that game 7, a title would have become a guarantee. But, the fact that this Raptors team did go on to win it all, does mean Philly are close. Extremely close. The East looks slightly more open next year; Kawhi went West, the Celtics lost Kyrie and Horford and are an unknown quantity as of now. The Pacers made some nice moves, but Victor Oladipo’s recovery is still a question mark. Even the Bucks lost Malcolm Brogdon, and I remain a tad unconvinced of Giannis’ ability to be the #1 guy on a championship team. The East isn’t a cakewalk now, but it is there for the taking, and this Philadelphia roster certainly has the potential.

The entire (projected) starting line-up for the 76ers are all under contract for at least the next 3 years. I have a fondness for Philly and am a huge Jimmy Butler fan, so a small part of me was disappointed when he chose to sign with Miami. The Sixers ultimately needed to pick one of Butler and Tobias Harris, and in the end the decision was made for them. And despite everything I love about Jimmy and the playoff basketball he brings to a team, Harris is the better fit. A couple of years younger, doesn’t need to be the guy, slightly better from three-point range. Initially it seemed like they were losing Butler and JJ Reddick, and adding very little. At this point, I wasn’t too psyched about them going into the new season. But Philly’s next two moves were nothing short of superb. First, they manage to get Josh Richardson out of the Butler deal, who is looking like a huge young talent. Richardson and Simmons in the backcourt has massive defensive potential, and Richardson can score the ball in a number of ways as well. Then, they add the new ‘Mr Fundamental’, Al Horford?? Reddick and Butler are big losses, but in an Eastern conference without Kawhi Leonard, Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford and Embiid is a finals team. The bench needs filling out, but I just love the different aspects of this unit.

But aside from these moves and losses, the future of the 76ers remains in the hands of Embiid and Simmons. That hasn’t changed. Any sort of success for the Sixers ultimately involves Simmons taking a leap. But what it doesn’t ‘need’ to involve is a three-ball. This whole charade about Ben Simmons and shooting a three is becoming tiresome, despite it worth a retweet at times. What’s tiresome is the fact that Simmons doesn’t ‘need’ to be letting fly from deep. He needs a jumper, and some more post-moves, but not necessarily a three. It’s not as comparable to a young Lebron as much as people think, because Lebron could shoot, it just wasn’t as consistent as it is now. But he was shooting. Simmons is a step behind Giannis in the shooting category- these players don’t need to become automatic from deep, they need a midrange, and more go-to moves in the post. I know the midrange is a dying art, but Simmons needs something more than he has now to continuously keep defenses honest. He already averages around 16 a game, and is one of the best passers in the league. He has the size and the skill to be a dominant post player, and I believe he has a touch good enough to develop a decent midrange and/or fadeaway jumper.

And that’s all he needs! The Australian is a battering ram in transition, but will continue to be exposed in the playoffs if he doesn’t improve. At times, he’s a liability on offence. A championship teams second best player, is never a glaring liability. The thing is with Simmons, he has EVERYTHING else. His passing ability is absurd, he rebounds with ease, he is a crazy athlete and can even defend at an incredibly high level. It’s amazing that it can be as simple as it is with Simmons, as he is so young. He adds a jumper, he can realize the tag of a generational basketball player. I really am that high on him, and is development remains the key to Philly’s championship hopes.

The Bucks may edge the Sixers in the regular season, but if Simmons improves and Embiid stays healthy, I’d be comfortable placing a bet on Philly coming out on top in the East. Their chemistry will be great, and the blend of talent, youth and experience seems terrific. Teams like the Pacers, the Nets and the Celtics will spend the season figuring things out. The Raptors can’t compete without Kawhi, even though I still like that roster without him. In a surprising year, I think Simmons and Embiid will take the East, and validate ‘The Process’ at last.