From mid-season meltdowns to choking on the biggest stage, Philly sports never cease to disappoint.
The Phillies: blew it…Again.
Eagles: their failure feels eminent.
Right now, it is not a fun time to be a sports fan in this city.
Over the last decade, sixers fans have witnessed the team with the worst record ever, our own general manager anonymously slandering our team, two of our #1 overall pick players forgetting how to play basketball, and a load of drama as James Harden forced his way out.
On top of that, the playoffs have been straight up miserable.
Injuries, team disappearances, and even a game 7 buzzer beater that haunts everyone to this day.
We’re still waiting for our first eastern conference final since 2001. I wasn’t even born yet.
I’m totally desensitized to the sixers’ COUNTLESS shortcomings. I can’t take this team seriously.
I’m a sixers fan first things first. They were my first favorite sports team and always will be. But in the last 3 years or so, this team is just a joke to me.
With all of that said, What the heck is there to be excited about? I’ll tell you. Because this team is going to be special.
1. Joel Embiid Wants to Stay Healthy
Since drafting Embiid in 2014, injuries have always been the discussion surrounding Embiid.
I don’t think I’ve watched a healthy playoff run out of Embiid in my life.
You can’t even make some of this stuff up.
His own teammate broke his orbital bone. His meniscus tore. He lost feeling in half his face with Bell’s Palsy.
I mean COME ON. Embiid is generationally unlucky.
But this year, Embiid has made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to be healthy come playoff time. He doesn’t care about an MVP trophy. He’s been there and done that.
If he needs to rest, he will do just that. He stated recently that he probably won’t play a back-to-back game again in his career.
As a fan, I’m glad to see where his head is at. I like to see the sacrifice and initiative coming from Jojo.
2. Tobias Harris out, Paul George in
Tobias Harris was an overpaid role player. 9 points per game in the playoffs last year? How were we ever supposed to win anything when this guy was making up a third of our payroll?
This summer, it finally happened. Tobias Harris’ contract is up and he is not a sixer.
And not only is Tobias gone, BUT WE REPLACED HIM WITH PAUL GEORGE.
A 9-time all-star, 6-time all-NBA selection, and former MVP candidate is now playing alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Just think about that for a second.
Tobias Harris… to Paul George…
I’m going to cry. I used to pray for times like this.
Paul George is one of those guys that you can plug into literally any team, and he would fit.
Paul George as a third option is straight filth. He exemplifies the ideal “3 and D” style of wing player. His ability to play off-ball is perfect as his co-stars draw in the defense.
Not only can he play the off-ball “3 and D” role perfectly, but he has the athleticism and shot creation to anchor the offense, if need be, which is huge for when Embiid needs rest.
3. The Front Office SHOULD BE Aggressive
As the two points above may signify, this team is going for it all.
Joel Embiid is 30 years old.
Paul George is 34 years old.
Yes, we have everyone under contract, but the core of this team will decline.
Realistically, the sixers only have 2 seasons left to contend for a championship.
Past midseason acquisitions like Jaden McDaniels and George Hill aren’t going to cut it.
This front office can’t settle for another lackluster trade deadline. I think they know that themselves.
I would bet my life savings that the sixers will be MAKING MOVES throughout this season.
With how much depth we acquired this offseason and Kenyon Martin’s $7M contract, we are in prime position to make that trade to finally push us over the hump.
4. The Beginning and Eventual Rise of Jared McCain’s Career
A lot of hate came with this pick during the 2024 draft.
Everyone expected the team to draft Dalton Knecht, a guy who seemed very ready for the NBA and brings shooting and size that the team could’ve very much used. And with how Knecht played in the preseason, the McCain-haters may feel they’re being proven right.
But a preseason, nor a rookie season, can define a player’s career trajectory.
McCain not only brings elite shooting himself, shooting 41% from 3 last year at Duke, but also the ability to score all over the floor and facilitate an offense.
In my opinion, Knecht’s ceiling is capped at being a role player. Meanwhile, McCain has the ball handling and playmaking skills that can carry him to being a future star.
I can see Jared McCain becoming another shot creating, go-to scoring option for this team and I don’t think we have to wait too long to see that.
Multiple sources have said that he is already impressing in camp.
McCain has the ability, the work ethic, and the attitude to become great. Way greater than Knecht will ever be.
I’m telling you now, McCain is going to be special.
I know it’s hard to be optimistic in Philadelphia.
Maybe we shouldn’t get our hopes too high.
I can’t help but get excited for this team.
This team is sucking me in again and I can’t wait to go along for the ride.
