It has been a pretty good start for the Philadelphia 76ers when the NBA 2020-2021 Season tipped off last December 22, 2020.
Off to a good start when the Philly slow started dominating the Washington Wizards in their first game. And another win when they beat the New York Knicks on an empty Madison Square Garden.
But will these be enough for the Phillies to be on their road as the NBA's best team this season? Or is this just another history repeating itself?
Winning at Home
It's not fresh news anymore that when it comes to playing at home, the Philadelphia 76ers are dominating. It has been proven from the last season when they conquered all their home matches. By this, the Phillies earned an overwhelming 92% win percentage at home matches.
Who would forget how they trampled the Milwaukee Bucks on a Christmas Day last season and then got onto trounce the giants of the Los Angeles Lakers the day after? And a month later, this resulted in the Western Conference with their young team, which is excellent news for the NBA.
This proves that the Sixers are maximizing their home-court advantage to the optimum. The question is, will it be enough for them to beat their worst record from the last season?
The "Road" Blocks
Many experts like to call the only thing that holds back the Sixers from dominating the NBA season: the "road" blocks. Their win percentage is incredible. However, these so-called "road" blocks challenge them, especially their young leaders, Joe Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Over the last season, where the Sixers proudly boast their 92% win percentage, it's the same time that they are wickedly defeated by almost all teams, even the worst ones on their road matches. This resulted in a 32% win percentage and was crowned as the season-worst road record of all current playoff teams. That's just how bad the Sixers are on the road, including the 1-13 road record against teams with winning records.
A Team Of Young Leaders
It's undeniable that young stars dominantly lead the Sixers. Joe Embiid is 23-years old while Ben Simmons is 25-years old. Added Tobias Harris in the duo, these young leaders try their best to lead the team in every match. But it's not fair to put the fault on their shoulders.
During the home matches, the trio is reliable and powerful alongside other team members who spend minutes on the court. However, only Joe Embiid, Philly's star center, shows prowess during the road matches. But it's not only that the presence of Embiid on the court is highly dominant.
During the match between the Sixers and the Cavaliers, the Sixers were trampled by Cleveland's giants and won the game at 118-94 final score. This is the only match that Embiid sits down as he has a minor back injury that needs tending.
With this match, it goes to show that Joe Embiid's presence on the court will likely put the Sixers in a little advantage and control. But that's still up to debate, and it will likely get to be proven as the season rolls out.
Sixers On the Move and Other Challenges
When the season started, the Sixers predominantly endured the matches against the Wizards and the Knicks. They might have lost the game without Embiid with the Cavs, but all is well after then.
The recent update is that the Sixers are owning it with their 7-1 standing and might be leading the Eastern Conference this season. This is incredible for all Sixers fans out there as they are coming face to face to challenge the Boston Celtics with their 7-3 standing.
However, while the Sixers are on the move on earning as the best NBA team this season, the COVID-19 challenge is upon their faces. In a match with the Nets, the Sixers were only left with six players to play the game. Not to mention the injuries that the key players face, which forces the Sixers rookies to play longer minutes.
Lost to Nets with 122-109, the Sixers need to rule out significant decisions as per head coach Doc Rivers. Aside from the COVID restrictions, the players' injuries are also present. Luckily, they will have Embiid and Scott to play for the next match but still a probability. While Simmons, Ferguson, and Korkmaz will remain sidelined.
In their match with the Atlanta Hawks, once again, the Sixers will rely heavily on their rookies. Good thing that the rookies are performing well as Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey earned his career-high at 39 points during the match with the Brooklyn Nets. Joining Tyrese are Isaiah Joe and Dakota Mathias.
Takeaway
The Phillies are considered one of the strongest NBA teams, but due to some drawbacks, they are one of the teams that makes experts draw their cards back. With their strong home court advantage wins and slacking road matches, the Sixers make it hard for many NBA die-hard fans to stick with them. However, it's undeniable as well that they're a team of young ones. The uncertainties are there, yet the team shows potential. It's way better to see how the season rolls out and how this team will go to prove that they're worthy of earning a spot in the NBA season finals.
