Some may say I am an eternal optimist. This may be true, but I take that as a compliment. I have been all-in on Sam Hinkie's process since Day 1, like many of you, but I am not throwing in the towel just yet.
I refuse to listen to the pile on, mob mentality, results oriented digital sports media culture that we have created and bow down to the accepted narrative of: "The Sixers are dead."
Nah.
Ultimately, I still believe in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid -- whom Elton Brand said today that he's not trading -- and that's really all that matters. But I can explain. Here are five reasons why I still believe in the Philadelphia 76ers.
5. Ben Simmons was injured
This is an extremely simple, but vital point, that people are completely ignoring. The Sixers did not have Ben Simmons in the playoffs. Simmons was the team's a) best all-around defender b) best shot creator and c) best transition player. So what did the Sixers struggle to do against the Celtics? Defend their wing players, get open threes, and score in transition. It's not rocket science.
When NBA team's lose an all-star, they usually get eliminated. Houston, without Russell Westbrook, is in danger of losing to the Thunder (although they'll probably win the series, but James Harden is arguably the best offensive player of all-time so it's a little different, but they won't go far without Westbrook...you get the point).
4. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have only played together in two postseasons
This brings me to point No. 4. Because of Simmons' injury, this means he and Embiid and have now still only played in two postseasons together, and they've reached the second-round both times. And in one of those times, they took the eventual champion Toronto Raptors to the final second, literally, of Game 7 of that semi-finals series.
Now, I'm not handing out participation trophies here, but in the NBA stars do not lead teams to titles without another veteran all-star until they're in their late 20s. I mean go down the list: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry. You can go back to Michael Jordan. It just doesn't happen in the modern NBA.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 25, might be an exception and he could do it this year, but probably won't. The aforementioned Harden, 30, is arguably the greatest offensive player the game has ever seen and he still hasn't won a title. It's hard. It takes time.
3. The trio of Simmons, Embiid, and Tobias Harris is still really good
I know Harris is overpaid, let's get over that. He's still a good player and can be the third best player on a championship team. He's only 28 years old himself, now just entering his prime. Harris consistently averages right around 20 points a game, seven rebounds, and plays as hard as anyone in the league. He shoots 36.5% from three for his career. Now, he needs to take more three's, but the one thing that players tend to improve on as they age is shooting. The bodes well for Harris, and Simmons. Speaking of Simmons...
Look, ultimately Simmons and Embiid need to get better if the Sixers want to win a title(s), but everyone knows that. There's no reason to think Simmons at age 24 and Embiid at age 26 will never get a lick better. There's still upside to be had. Maybe not a ton, but there's some. Way more with Simmons, who if he decides to expand his half-court offensive game (it's not just "shoot"), could take a leap into that top-10 NBA player category. Will he do it? I don't know, but never say never. And even if he doesn't, he will still continue to improve defensively and with his decision making. Players get better as they near into their prime. Simmons didn't even hit his prime yet.
2. A new voice
I was a big Brett Brown fan, but who knows, maybe a new voice will get through to the players. Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe this motivates the players even more. Maybe this is all part of the process. I don't know, but I needed a 5th reason to round out this list and make it a post because "4 reasons" sounds weird.
1. Progress is not linear
One of the things I learned from Sam Hinkie (yes, I truly learned from him) is progress is not linear. The Sixers weren't supposed to be winning NBA Championships with Simmons and Embiid, yet. Again, this is still the beginning. But early expectations -- thanks in large part to their uncanny success in their respective first two seasons -- have created this mentality that the team is a failure because of early playoff exits. That's not true. A first-round exit in 2020 with an injured Simmons doesn't mean a thing when they roll the ball out to start the 2020-21 season. That's the beauty of sports.
