J.J. Redick is determined to win an NBA title before he retires. And not only does he think that championship could come with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he believes there’s a chance his team could hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy this year. Is he for real, or just imagining a game of Royal Canadian Basketball Star online slot?
From The Inquirer‘s Sarah Todd:
It’s that surprise factor and untapped potential of this Sixers team that has Redick thinking this could be another year in which a championship is within reach. Even being the realist that he is, Redick thinks the Sixers could make a run at a championship this year.
“I don’t want to put a ceiling on our team this year,” he said. “I think this group has the potential to win the Eastern Conference. Whether that’s this year or three years from now, having guys like Ben [Simmons] and Jo [Embiid], you have a chance. Those guys are that good.”
This isn’t as absurd as it seems. Yes, there are better teams in the Eastern Conference. And sure, the Sixers need Joel Embiid to be healthy and on point for this to be even a conversation. But, beyond that, why not the Sixers?
The Boston Celtics will be without Kyrie Irving—not to mention Gordon Hayward—for the rest of the year. The Toronto Raptors have been slumping of late. We don’t really know what the Washington Wizards will look like come playoff time; John Wall only just returned. The Milwaukee Bucks have been underachieving all season. The Indiana Pacers are fun, but come on. The Miami Heat are too inconsistent at the offensive end.
Beating the Cleveland Cavaliers feels like a stretch. They still have LeBron James and have sent a few statements against the East’s better teams in recent weeks. But the Sixers have one of the best, most versatile defenses in league. If Embiid is healthy and no one on the roster wilts in the moment, Philly has a better shot of pushing Cleveland to its limit than many other squads.
Indeed, a scenario in which the Sixers win the East is beyond unlikely…this season. Next season? Or the one after that? With the core they have, you never know. So if Redick sticks with them into the future, he may just get the opportunity to win the ring that has thus eluded him.
