Subscribe
Follow Us
After their Game 5 loss which put them down 3-2 in the series, Jimmy Butler of the Philadelphia 76ers spoke about the team's mindset for the do-or-die Game 6. Per NBA TV, Butler emphasized the importance of team play come Game 6. For him, their collective individual efforts will lift the Sixers past the Toronto Raptors and hopefully, extend the series to a Game 7.
"We win together, we lose together."
Jimmy Butler shares his mindset heading into Game 6.#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cYRAIpZc3G
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 8, 2019
The Sixers performance in Game 5 was not just an embarrassing 36-point loss, but it also revealed how the team isn't prepared to move up the ranks from a playoff contender to a legitimate championship caliber team.
Butler was the only one who showed up as he scored 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Ben Simmons who has been receiving praise for his extraordinary passing and athleticism, just chipped in seven points and seven assists in 25 minutes of action. He took just five field goal attempts and one free throw attempt. Joel Embiid, who's been battling with an illness, finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
Their performance was met by criticisms both left and right. Basketball analyst Shaquille O'Neal called out Embiid to step up. It doesn't matter if he's sick or not. Fans, meanwhile, called out Simmons for being just plain awful in the entire series.
When Butler joined the team midseason, many believed that the Sixers have turned into a powerhouse team — a squad capable of winning a championship. But from the looks of it, they look like a disgruntled group who are not ready for prime time. Game 6 is their chance is hush all the haters and more importantly, to keep their championship hopes alive.
