For only the 5th time in the last 44 years, have your Philadelphia 76ers started a season 7-1.
Four out of the five seasons began with the 2000-2001, Allen Iverson led NBA Finals team. I think it’s safe to say, we are watching something rare, and dare I say special unfolding before our eyes.
Something that I can’t quite yet fully put into words yet. It’s more so something you can just feel rather than articulate into words. As a lifelong Sixers fan, dating back to that first game I went to when I was 8 years old and Iverson signed my cream colored Old Navy Visor (Yes, I still have it), This is different. Yes it’s early, I know, but sometimes, you just get that feeling.
Let’s get into the MOSTLY fun part.
I see potential already building on the offensive side with barely any chemistry. Is every play ran smoothly? Of course not. Who would expect it to be this early with arguably the best starting five on paper we’ve ever seen? I would hope no one, regardless of the resumes on the floor. These integrations of talent and personalities take time.
But on the defensive side, look out.
As of today, the Sixers rank 3rd in Defensive Rating at 105.4. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen this team that high, especially early in a season. If that’s not impressive enough, Philadelphia is holding teams to 105.1 PPG, which is good for 2nd in the league. Is it crazy to call them Elite this soon on Defense? I’m going to say yes. That answer relies heavily on the health of Joel Hans Embiid.
More on that one day soon.
The fun part so far has been the energy and relationships you see forming in real time. The laughs, the smiles, the dances. Not to mention the entire team chiming in on Embiid’s intro dance (Shout out D-Generation X of course.) All the millennials you know what I’m talking about. LeBron James is genuinely having a blast playing here and he isn’t afraid of showing it. Stopping and having a sniff of a fan’s glass of wine mid-play certainly suggests that he’s enjoying himself here.
All in all, if this team is going to be successful and chase that parade down Broad Street for the first time since 1983, they need to continue to build the camaraderie we are seeing. Having fun out there is a part of that.
The best teams usually do.
