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OKC Thunder: Analyzing stretch run schedules with view to seeding

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 26: Anthony Davis
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 26: Anthony Davis /
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OKC Thunder stretch report
PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 24 : Joel Embiid /

Philadelphia 76ers

The process is working and with it the Sixers are headed to the postseason. The question is whether they’ll do so with a home court seed.

The other big question is how the playoffs will affect this young squad. Analysts make me laugh who cite youngsters as needing to learn what the playoffs are like and lose first. But, suddenly these same experts are saying the Sixers will win because of their youth. Do they know something we don’t?

Thhe same analyst who said Indiana’s youngsters would probably be susceptible because of their youth also said Philly’s youngsters would benefit from it.  The odd part of this statement is Myles Turner, Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis all have postseason experience. Comparatively,  none of Philly’s youngsters do.

I’m not suggesting Philly can’t do well because they have veterans on the team, just be consistent in your statements.

It’s akin to saying Houston will win because of Chris Paul’s playoff experience and success when he’s never been past the second round. And in the same breathe saying DeRozan and Lowry choke (last time I checked they did get to a conference final and push the Cavs to six games).

Remaining schedule includes:

  • Denver Nuggets, Monday 26
  • New York Knicks, Wednesday 28
  • At Atlanta Hawks, Friday 30
  • At Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, April 1
  • Brooklyn Nets, Tuesday 3
  • At Detroit Pistons, Wednesday 4
  • Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday 6
  • Dallas Mavericks,Sunday 8
  • At Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday 10
  • Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday 11

Philly is the only contending team with ten games remaining. Four games are on the road, only three opponents are contenders, but like their upper bracket counterparts they also have two back to back sets.

Certainly, witnessing Joel Embiid in the postseason will be exciting as it will the plethora of youthful talent in Philly. I’m torn on whether the youngsters would benefit more from a first round series win or a loss.  Normally I’d lean toward the winning, but recalling the Raptors, Bucks and even Wizards first playoff series, doing well didn’t necessarily benefit all of them. They returned expecting calls and success, forgetting hard work never stops on the path to winning.

The other caution is in the past 15 games Philly is a stellar 10-5 but only two of those wins were against top teams (Cleveland/Minnesota). And all five loses were to top squads. It’s worrisome only two of their last nine are against the elite as well.

Brett Brown has a job to do in order to make sure the team remain fundamentally strong and hungry. The counter to that argument is since this is the most games Embiid has played, it may behoove the Sixers to get him ample rest for his first playoff appearance.

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