Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid summed up his attitude after defeating the Boston Celtics on Friday night: “I feel great, man.”
Embiid has every reason to be feeling good: his 76ers have won 10 of their last 12 games and have seemingly found a rhythm after months and months (and, frankly, years) of people wondering if they’d ever get it together.
brought the heat.🔥
Game Highlights vs. Miami Heat | 01.15.22 pic.twitter.com/xhkfqKBD3b
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 16, 2022
There is reason to believe that the 76ers might have found a sweet spot with their roster and style of play that could lead them deep in the postseason.
As the top of Eastern Conference battles it out for the number one seed, Philly is sitting pretty and only getting better.
No Simmons, No Problem
It’s wild to think that the 76ers are performing so well without one of their star players.
We all know the story: Ben Simmons had a miserable postseason last year and ended up souring on the team and demanded a trade.
The trade hasn’t come yet and Simmons has refused to play for Philly.
His absence led many to think this season could have been a complete disaster for the 76ers since he really is a star player – when he wants to be.
But Philadelphia hasn’t even blinked after losing Simmons – in fact, they’re functioning like he never existed in the first place.
The team certainly misses the defensive output that Simmons brought at times but they are storming forward without him, unburdened and unbothered by the past.
The 76ers are like an ex-girlfriend who seems to be thriving after a breakup.
It’s got to hurt Simmons to see the team get better after his exit but it’s music to the ears of Philly fans.
Beating The Big Dogs
The entire 76ers lineup is stepping up – it’s not just Embiid.
From defense to offense and everything in between, Embiid is being greatly assisted by Tobias Harris, Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, and more.
However, it cannot be stressed enough that Embiid is taking on a new leadership role that he was lacking in the past.
This is the version of Embiid that Philly fans have been demanding for years.
big fella working all 94 ft.🔥 pic.twitter.com/ov648P18FC
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 16, 2022
And it’s led to some huge wins against major competitors: the 76ers have defeated the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Golden State Warriors over the last few weeks.
These are major victories because those are some of the best teams in the league and will surely battle with them in the postseason.
The fact that the 76ers can beat these teams not only helps their record, it helps their confidence and puts wind in their sails.
Philadelphia is playing against some easier opponents in the near future but they still have some huge competition after that, such as the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, and Phoenix Suns.
However, by the time they reach those squads, the 76ers might be the fourth or third seed in the East.
The 76ers have finally gotten it together and the future seems very bright right now.
Embiid knows that and told ESPN, “I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet.”
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