Gearing up for the second spherical of the NBA Playoffs, Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers was sort sufficient to supply up a collaboration between the blogs. So right here’s some questions that I had for Paul and his solutions beneath.
1. So…. how’s the knee?
Nicely, in accordance with Doc Rivers, not so nice! There’s a lot grey space right here. The most typical factor you hear is that return to play from a minor LCL sprain is one-to-two weeks with a brace (shoutout to my fiancé, whose experience as an athletic coach has been extremely useful overlaying this basketball crew). Monday could be 11 days since Embiid suffered the harm in Sport 3 in opposition to Brooklyn. If he’s again for Sport 2 that may be virtually two full weeks. The 2 issues I’d notice: 1. Doc is only a nickname and a couple of. Embiid has really been listed as uncertain and performed earlier than. It’s a rattling disgrace for Embiid. It felt like there’d been a larger sense of urgency and focus from him this common season. The harm bug has bitten him within the second spherical but once more.
2. James Harden isn’t at his MVP peak anymore, however he’s nonetheless a power to be reckoned with. He averaged 21, 10.7, and 6.1 this season. How has the match with Joel been and what ought to we count on from him this sequence?
Harden and Embiid have fashioned one of many higher duos in Sixers historical past. The pick-and-roll was unstoppable for stretches this season and the Sixers had the perfect file within the NBA from December on largely due to that pair main a supercharged offense. Harden took the function of flooring normal and was elite. Like Embiid, well being is probably going the largest concern with Harden. The Beard was enjoying at a respectable All-NBA stage till an Achilles subject crept up in late March. Within the first spherical in opposition to Brooklyn, Harden was fairly routinely in a position to get by his main defender, however his ending on the rim was unimaginably dangerous. Whether or not that’s well being or psychological or rhythm (as a result of the seems have been SO open) is unclear. Harden rediscovering the contact on his floater could be a large boon. To be frank, I’m unsure what to anticipate out of Harden. His Sixers tenure has been so unstable. The highs have been very excessive and the lows have been very low.
3. Inform us concerning the Tyrese Maxey expertise. From afar he looks as if a very enjoyable man to root for (and somewhat terrifying to root in opposition to when he’s rolling).
Maxey is the present golden youngster in Philly sports activities. He can do no fallacious. Doc typically refers to him as a “sunshine man” and for good cause. He’s simply probably the most affable participant I’ve ever been round. And he works. It is a man that fell to the Sixers as a result of groups have been scared off by his poor taking pictures numbers in faculty. Over the past two seasons, he’s been the most effective three-point shooters within the NBA. Pair that along with his lightning pace and he’s a troublesome guard — although the Celtics didn’t expertise that a lot this season! His solely subject is that he’ll typically defer to his famous person teammates. Derrick White loved success in opposition to him, however I think about Maxey will make a larger influence on this sequence than he did in opposition to Boston within the common season. He can rating in bunches and alter video games rapidly.
4. Any wild predictions or daring takes?
Nicely, I might’ve advised you earlier than the postseason started that these groups are extra evenly matched than individuals assume. However with Embiid’s standing very a lot unsure and uncertainty round which model of Harden the Sixers will get, issues really feel far more tilted the Celtics’ manner. Make no mistake, it could’ve taken close to perfection for the Sixers to beat the Celtics in the event that they have been wholesome, however I believe they’d an opportunity. My solely “daring take” is (if the Sixers are at full power) that their depth is significantly better than individuals notice. “Playoff P.J.” Tucker is a real phenomenon, De’Anthony Melton has been a godsend and Jalen McDaniels and Paul Reed add athleticism this crew has seemingly by no means had throughout the Embiid period.
Thanks Paul! Right here’s hoping everybody’s wholesome and the perfect crew wins. (My solutions to Paul’s questions can be posted on Liberty Ballers when they’re accessible)