PHILADELPHIA- After six long, grueling years of heartbreak, the 76ers are back in the playoffs. It seems like an eternity since the Philadelphia faithful saw their team in the playoffs. They defeated the Chicago Bulls 4-2 in the first round but lost to the Boston Celtics in the semi-finals 4-3.
Why should anyone get excited about the 76ers returning to the playoffs? Can this team honestly defeat the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, then the winner between the inevitable Cleveland Cavaliers/Boston Celtics series? Will Philadelphia really dethrone teams lead by Victor Oladipo, DeMar Derozan, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James? It’s a longshot at best that the 76ers have any shot at making the NBA Finals. Eventually, the 76ers will run into a team that is too much of a challenge.
Chances are, the 76ers will lose in the semi-finals once again. Hopefully this team at least makes it to the Eastern Conference Finals. It would be great for the 76ers to challenge the Cavaliers in the East’s final showdown. Regardless of which team you’re rooting for, this would be a great story and remarkable accomplishment for Philadelphia. Perhaps the 76ers will shock the world and make the NBA Finals. Is this team destined to meet the Houston Rockets or Golden state Warriors? will the 76ers follow the Eagles and win the NBA championship? Perhaps the sky is the limit for this young, up and coming team.
The point is this team made it back. The people of Philadelphia just celebrated their first super bowl after defeating the Patriots against all odds. Villanova, just won the NCAA Tournament. Is Philadelphia becoming the new city of champions? Instead of focusing on what team will eliminate them from the playoffs, let’s give this team praise. These players earned the respect and admiration of NBA fans and reporters. Everyone should show them some brotherly love and congratulate the players.