The Philadelphia 76ers are set to take on the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. They play host to the Raptors in Game 1 Saturday night. Ahead of the first matchup, Stephen A. Smith discussed the high stakes for the Sixers in the series.
NBA on ESPN tweeted the clip Saturday afternoon.
.@stephenasmith says there will be "epic consequences" if the Sixers aren't able to beat the Raptors 😳 pic.twitter.com/eImvbNSBoT
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2022
“Everything” is on the line for the Sixers, according to Stephen A. “The future of Doc Rivers as coach…the future of James Harden as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers…the future of Daryl Morey.”
He mentioned Morey's blockbuster transaction with the Brooklyn Nets, picking up James Harden and Paul Millsap while losing Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and multiple draft picks.
“You can't get out of the first round against the Toronto Raptors? That is an indictment against this franchise that will have epic consequences. They don't win this series, heads will roll.”
Stephen A. is right. This is arguably the best chance that the Sixers have had at an NBA Finals title since The Process began. Not to mention, Joel Embiid isn't getting any younger. He only has a couple of years left in his prime before he starts to decline.
If the Sixers pull off the series win, they'll take on the winner of the Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks series in the Conference Semifinals.
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