Although they currently sit just within the surefire playoff picture in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers still have some reasons to believe they can exceed all expectations and make a deep postseason run this year. When fully healthy, this team can compete with any ball club, and that certainly seems to be the sentiment among the crowd.
In fact, longtime NBA agent Rich Paul warned everyone against taking the 76ers for granted when it comes time for the playoffs. In one recent podcast appearancehe said he rates Philly’s chances in the postseason high due to a number of factors: the top talent they have on their roster and their notoriously passionate crowd.
The 76ers indeed have two of those things in their arsenal, making them a tough opponent heading into a seven-game series. As such, people shouldn’t count them out just yet, especially with Joel Embiid now back in action after missing a handful of games recently due to injury. This team could easily become the absolute wild card in the playoffs.
The 76ers have what it takes to shock everyone and make a run for the title
Paul has been closely associated with players like LeBron James, so he’s certainly familiar with underdog stories and rises to the top in large part thanks to raw, dominant talent. Therefore, his assessment of what the 76ers are capable of should not be glossed over.
Philly indeed has a robust collection of high-end stars on their roster. Embiid looks like his dominant self from a few years ago. Tyrese Maxey has played at an All-NBA level all season. Paul George, while no longer an offensive savant, remains a highly impactful two-way contributor with plenty of playoff experience to boot.
On the edges, the 76ers also have rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe and veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. Those are great players to have around these three.
From a talent perspective, not many teams can really say they have more talent than the 76ers. And in the playoffs, having a more talented group can often help cover up a lot of mistakes and close the gap between good and truly elite teams.
The 76ers’ home crowd cannot be ignored either. While the team currently has a paltry 15-15 record at Xfinity Mobile Arena, a more intense crowd at home should make a world of difference when the postseason kicks off.
For these reasons, the 76ers cannot simply be cast aside. This team, as long as the stars align, has what it takes to shock the world and claim the chip for itself.
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