Where Will The Process Finish?

The playoff stretch is officially here and for the first time in five years, that actually means something for the Sixers. The slogan “The Process”, that was used for the last few years has now slowly turned into “Here They Come”. So, here is the outlook of what the Sixers have ahead of them. The Sixers have 26 games left in the 2017-2018 NBA Regular Season, with only 10 of those games being against teams with a record above .500. Thursday night was a great example of taking care of a team that is on the decline. The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 116-115, with two crucial free throws drained by rookie of the year candidate, Ben Simmons. Simmons had a stat line reading 32 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds by a rookie, that has only been duplicated by Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, and Steve Francis. If that Where Will The Process Finish? If that doesn’t impress you, then add the presence of Joel Embiid, who recorded 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists and boom, you have a dynamic duo between these two young athletes.

Both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were responsible for 74 points (including assists) which counts for 64% of the Sixers points. If these guys can be this big of a factor in the remaining games, then who knows how high of a seed the Sixers can reach. Embiid came out and said the goal is home court advantage in the first round, which means the Sixers would have to reach the 4th seed. Can this be accomplished? We will have to wait and find out, but here is how I see the playoff picture panning out:

1st Seed

Toronto Raptors (41-17) 

The Toronto Raptors have been the most stable regime this season. They changed the culture and system prior to last year’s season, that resulted in a 2nd round knock out sweep, courtesy of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Head coach Dwane Casey wanted a to play offense with a fresh new twist, and that is spacing and ball movement. That statistics speak for themselves as Toronto leads the Eastern Conference with 111.9 points per game. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have decided to work together, rather than be selfish, as Lowry is shooting at a lower rate. He is averaging 16.6 points per game, but an upgrade in assists at 6.5 per game.  Their defense is one of the best in the league, holding opponents to (103.4 ppg), which is third best in the Eastern Conference. This team can be compared to the 2014-2015 first seeded Atlanta Hawks. That Hawks team ran a system that created ball movement and less isolation offense.  In the regular season that may work wonders, but when playoff time comes around, it’s all about having the stars to carry you to the promise land. I do not see this Raptors team knocking off Cleveland, I would even make a case that this could be a team that is out in the second round with a loss to the Celtics, Wizards, or Cavs. I am not buying anything north of the border this year.

2nd Seed

Boston Celtics (41-19) 

The Boston Celtics are a team that is on the decline. Since they got off to that hot start by going 20-4 and everyone calling Kyrie Irving an MVP candidate, they have become mediocre.  Since that hot start, the Celtics are 21-15 and have lost . Of course the presence of Kyrie Irving creates opportunities to beat top teams like they did against the Cavs, Rockets, and Warriors, but can that carry them through the playoffs? I would have to say no, but there is a stat that stands out to me that could keep the Boston Celtics alive come the month of May. Behind the Spurs, Boston has the best defensive efficiency in the league at (99.6 PPG). We all know the playoffs are a different breed as players even like Nick Young, will try on defense. With that being said, this is their only hope, but without Gordon Hayward, I do not see this team reaching the finals.

3rd Seed

Cleveland Cavaliers (35-23) 

What a roller coaster of a season this has been for LeBron and company. Just a few weeks ago, the Cavs cleaned up shop by getting rid of D-Rose, Iman Shumpert, Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, and Jae Crowder. In return, they got a lot younger with George Hill, Larry Nance Jr, Jordan Clarkson, and Rodney Hood.  Since this trade, the Cavs look re-energized and playing like a unit. Cleveland is 3-2 since making the blockbuster trades. Something that I am sure everyone knows is if the boss is happy, everyone is happy. As long as LeBron is content, the Cavs in my mind will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals for the 4th consecutive year. Bring on the Golden Sate Warriors.

4th Seed

Washington Wizards (34-25)

Many are surprised that the Wizards are in the position that they are currently in. When the injury occurred to John Wall, many thought this team would slide down to the bottom half of the playoff bracket, but Bradley Beal has taken over. Since the Wall injury, the Wizards are 8-3 and are climbing up the standings after beating Cleveland the other night 110-103. Bradley Beal is averaging 21 points and roughly 7 assists in this new role that he has taken. He is their leader and playing up to that standard. Maybe the Wizards are better off without John Wall, but it it will be interesting to see how this team plays when he returns.

5th Seed

Philadelphia 76ers (31-25) 

Clap your hands everybody, the Philadelphia 76ers are one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a 6 game winning streak. They took care of their homestand, going five for five before the All Star break, and then beat the Bulls Thursday night on the road. This will be the beginning of a tough stretch for the boys down broad street, playing nine of twelve on the road. Road games against the Wizards, Heat twice, Cavs, and Bucks are all playoff teams, so this will be a huge test for the Sixers, who currently sit in the 7th spot. The way I see it, as long as they go 5-7 or 6-6 during the stretch, they will have a chance to make some noise in the month of March and April. The remaining schedule is the easiest in the Eastern Conference, playing opponents with a combined 41% W/L record. That stretch is a 10 home, 5 road cruise with all five road opponents out of the playoffs. I fully expect the Sixers to blow past the Pacers, who have one of the hardest schedules remaining, and the inconsistent Bucks squad. The Sixers have Simmons and Embiid, finding their grooves at the correct time. The All Star break allowed them to play with superstars that let them learn and grow for the playoff run.

6th Seed

Milwaukee Bucks (33-25) 

Since firing Jason Kidd, Milwaukee has played significantly better. Giannis Antetokounmpo will improve this team’s record based on his drive to win. Eric Bledsoe was a key addition earlier in the season when he requested a trade from the Suns. I have a hard time figuring out this Bucks squad, who are very inconsistent. They have a plethora of talent, but can not put it all together for more than a week at a time. The clear issue with this team, is the depth on the bench. I have no idea who their 6th man is without Malcolm Brogdon, who remains out indefinitely with a torn quad. Jabari Parker made his return from injury recently, but he has yet to look anything like his former self. I believe this team is a first round exit, and that all the hype from the owners and the city for this year, was a waste of their time. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

7th Seed

Indiana Pacers (34-25) 

This has been a shock to me. The Pacers lost their All-Star in Paul George and looked to be rebuilding. They instead have a most improved player candidate in Victor Oladipo who has positioned themselves in the playoff race. They are a streaky team however, and if they do hit a cold spot, they could slip out and not make it in. Something that is keeping them in a great seeding position is their ability to win in their own building. The Pacers are 21-11 at home, compared to just 13-14 on the road. A huge scare if I am a Pacers fan, is they have one of the toughest schedules to finish out the year. To this date, the Pacers have the 2nd easiest schedule, only behind the Atlanta Hawks. The Sixers and Heat both have much easier schedules to close out the year, so my message to Pacers fans; look out.

8th seed

Miami Heat (30-29) 

The Miami Heat get the job done period. The Heat were hot last season and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker with the Bulls. The Heat have a bunch of role players like Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Goran Dragic, and James Johnson who know their roles and make the team more efficient overall. Hassan Whiteside has been out with a few injuries throughout the year but the efficiency level of the Heat is better when Whiteside is on the bench in the fourth quarter. Now, with the addition of Wade, the Heat have a true leader to help them find the postseason. This team has been under-covered by the media, and under-looked by fans all season, but now with Dwyane Wade in the locker room, I expect them to make it. They have one of the best coaches in Erik Spoelstra and owners in Pat Riley, compared to the other team on the outside in the Detroit Pistons. A stat that shines out to me that separates the Heat from the Pistons is their road records. The Heat are one of the best road teams in the conference at 16-17, compared to the Pistons, who just lost to the Hawks on the road, at a 9-17 road record. The Heat also have had one of the toughest schedules up to this point in the season, so their path will get easier as the season comes to an end. I understand that Detroit has Blake Griffin, but I never have been a big fan. Detroit is the odd man out this postseason.