2020-21-22 Sixers Season

[phillychuck]

Sixers analytically "won" both games in Miami, even without Joel. They lost because Miami shot better on the same "quality" of shots. This takes defense the shots into account.

https://twitter.com/hooparj/status/1522076160485564417?s=20&t=fhIqwP4t1yAcIT7rTNUvuA

https://twitter.com/Shot_Quality/status/1522066962053885952?s=20&t=fhIqwP4t1yAcIT7rTNUvuA

[VoteForKalas]

I hear ya, but let's face it, Joel is the most powerful person in the organization, and the team is probably also more likely to be hoping the doctors clear him than not. Odds are they will be on the same page, right or wrong.

Agreed, as I said in my original post.

The question I was raising is would getting him into this series be a positive in the short and long term for Embiid and the team? I do not think so which is why I'd hold him out.

[zambonir]

Trust the Process, not the Outcome

[allentown]

The process was abandoned a long time ago. We, every team really, needs to include a sports psychologist on its scouting and draft day teams. We drafted a lot of talented players; too many were head cases.

[zambonir]

The expression here is really "good process, bad outcome." But given how romanticized The Process remains, learning that the Sixers actually "won" these two games according to advanced stats seems very on-brand.

I can't imagine the Sixers don't include a sports psychologist and extensive character works in their scouting. But hey, so did the Eagles when they drafted Wentz.

[zambonir]

Sounds like he'll play (has cleared concussion protocol, still has to be given green light on the other).

I'm not sure it's a big deal either way. It's a definite positive in the short term and I don't think there are any long term risks that don't exist any time he steps on a basketball court. That's assuming he never had a concussion, mind you.

[LegoDoom]

https://twitter.com/hooparj/status/1522076160485564417?s=20&t=fhIqwP4t1yAcIT7rTNUvuA

No idea how good the ShotQuality site is, but they got the date of the game wrong and listed Jimmy Butler as playing for Chicago. Not a great way to advertise!

The Sixers half-court game seems to struggling without Embiid (which is understandable). I was hoping that Harden could help fill the void offensively, but that hasn't happened yet.

[VoteForKalas]

Sounds like he'll play (has cleared concussion protocol, still has to be given green light on the other).

I'm not sure it's a big deal either way. It's a definite positive in the short term and I don't think there are any long term risks that don't exist any time he steps on a basketball court. That's assuming he never had a concussion, mind you.

As you and I and many others suspected, the 76ers & Embiid both want him to play.

I hope it is not a big deal. I hope he plays great and the team wins. He will definitely help with our rebounding, transition and shooting issues.

[bkeich]

Simpler. It is pretty much the only way we could win.

If Embiid can play we have a chance in this series, we were lucky in that he missed the games at Miami, we just need to steal 1 of those. If he misses games in Philly and we lose it is over. C

[zambonir]

The reality is, based on Embiid's history and the Sixers history, to say nothing about the questions surrounding Harden, there is no "next season where they have a better chance" to save him for.

Maybe there will be, maybe there won't be, but for now trying to even this series is all anyone can count on.

Still not clear if he actually had a concussion or just had to clear protocol because of the nature of the injury and symptoms. Perhaps there's no difference (but still considered minor or he wouldn't have been able to clear).

Anyway, there's no baseball on, so...

[xogfog]

Nice win tonight. Can they win three of the next four? With Embiid back, it is possible, but really need to win game 4.

[VoteForKalas]

Good win for the team. Embiid did have an impact but did not have his A game for understandable reasons.

Maxey woke up in the 2nd half, Harden did the best he could, Harris continued to play good defense and Green finally hit some shots.

Go get the next one now.

[bkeich]

(Deleted)

[bkox]

NBA fines Sixers for injury report violation with Embiid

[zambonir]

It's funny how the Sixers were never favored to win this series even with Joel but now it feels like there's real momentum. Game 5 winner probably wins the series though.

[VoteForKalas]

Agreed, the 76ers have to win one in Miami. Checking that off in Game 5 would be optimal with a chance to close it out at home.

If they lose Game 5, they likely force a Game 7, but I would not have high hopes on that one.

[zambonir]

Miami is not young/banged up as well, but yeah, the preferred path is clear.

Just as a fan I also like that we are finally to the point where the games are every two days (though I don't know when Game 7 would be).

[bigegypt0417]

Last nights 4th quarter James Harden is what we've been waiting for...that James Harden for full games would make this team very hard to beat.

[xogfog]

Looks like Embiid will finish 2nd to Jokic again for MVP. I hope this lights a fire under the big fella and he balls out for the rest of the playoffs.

[zambonir]

That's certainly the irresistible storyline, at least for the rest of this series. I suppose you would have wanted him to lose to Giannis rather than Jokic to carry that narrative into another round (fingers crossed).