NBA PLAYOFFS
The Process of Elimination: Story of The Series
The Philadelphia 76ers have been eliminated from the 2024 NBA playoffs by the New York Knicks. Read on as we recap the series and look at what the future may hold for both teams
I first started taking a genuine interest in the NBA around the 2013–2014 NBA season. I had seen snatches and glimpses prior to that season, but this was when my basketball fandom truly began to grow. At this same time, something else was beginning in Philadelphia. A long-term plan with the goal of taking the bottom-feeder of a franchise and turning it into a future dynasty. Under the watchful eye of Sam Hinkie, fans of the Philadelphia 76ers were encouraged to take a now-infamous mantra to heart.
“Trust the process.”
A decade later, the ‘process’ has died many a death, some more gruesome and heart wrenching than others. This year was no different. After just six games, The 76ers would be eliminated in embarassing fashion by the New York Knicks in the first round. This wasn’t embarrassing because their competition to be clear, New York is amazing this year. But it’s embarrassing because of the entire leadup that brought the basketball to the series. Perhaps one day I’ll go over the past decade for the franchise, but that’s a story for another time. But as far as this article, and postseason for ther 76ers is concerned, it’s the same old story.
Game 1 was exactly the type of game Philadelphia would hope for, which made the loss that much more heartbreaking. Joel Embiid would have an excellent game, scoring 29 points along with nearly 10 assists and rebounds. On top of that he would find substantial help in the form of Tyrese Maxey, a breakout star for the team and one of my favourite young players in the NBA. He would drop 33, making more than half his shots and dishing a few assists in his own right. After complaining last year that he and then-teammate James Harden couldn’t do it alone, Embiid was getting all the help he could ask for. And yet even still, with a substandard game from Jalen Bruson, the Knicks would win by 7 points, ultimately pulling away late in the fourth. This loss made me consider a question: if the 76ers couldn’t win a game like this, how would they ever have a chance of winning the series? Their stars played great, the opponent’s star did not, and they had enjoyed a solid lead for almost half of the third quarter. If you can’t win this game, what game can you win?
And yet for as bad as Game 1 was, Game 2 was even more heartbreaking.
In a game that was decided by a single three pointer with 13 seconds left in the game, Philadelphia would once again lose. In this game, Embiid and Maxey would record one point short of 70 between the two of them, as well as record double doubles. Hell, Maxey was one rebound from a triple-double! Once again the New York Knicks would see a bad game from Jalen Brunson, who made less than a third of his shots in the game. The 76ers as a whole shot better than the Knicks both from the field and from 3 point range. Yet once again, they lost the game. Now yes, some may argue the Knicks just made a ‘lucky shot’ late. But that doesn’t excuse the 76ers from being sloppy with the ball, coughing up 11 turnovers as well as losing the rebound battle which they should win, no discussions. And frankly, I don’t want to hear about any damn ‘luck.’ The Sixers themselves were pretty lucky in this series seeing so many bad games from Brunson and Co., on the same nights that Embiid and Maxey would have great ones. Especially in the case of Embiid, whose health and durability have repeatedly been his and the team’s downfall.
Game 3 would finally see Philly win, off the back of a 50 point game from Embiid. But this victory would be shortlived when the Knicks would return to win the fourth game in the city of brotherly love, putting the series at 3–1. We’ve all heard enough at this point about teams largely failing to come back from 3–1 leads so I’ll spare you that line. Though I will say: it’s amusing that this deficit didn’t come while Doc Rivers was at the helm, a coach who might be the most grossly overrated in NBA history. But we’ll leave him and his legacy alone for the time being.
Game 5 would see Philadelphia stave off elimination in dramatic fashion, winning the game in overtime by six. This game was defined by the guards on both teams, with Brunson scoring 40 and Maxey scoring 46 in a game where no other player on either side would score 20. Embiid would have a poor game, his body betraying him like it has been doing for years by this point. And that’s exactly why despite some fans feeling a spark of hope for Philly to somehow overcome a 3–1 deficit I frankly had no hope in them. Call me a hater, but I’ve seen this story unfold enough times to give this team the benefit of the doubt.
Which brought us to the swansong in game 6. Despite Joel giving a valiant effort, scoring 39 points and pulling down 13 rebounds, as well as going a perfect 13/13 from the freethrow line, the Sixers would once again lose to a mere three points. Being blown out stings because there is no doubt who the better team was, at least on that night. But to lose by one or two possessions? Those are the games that keep you up at night. With how many of those games Philadelphia has been on the losing end on, I’m surprised the whole organization doesn’t suffer from insomnia.
I gave up on Philadelphia years ago. To be fair, I never had much hope for them to begin with but I did see their potential. But you can only hold out hope on the promise of potential left unrealized for so long. Since 2019, it’s felt like every year Philadelphia has been inches away from finally reaching the promised land. And yet every year, they come up short. It’s maddening, disheartening, soul-crushing, and ultimately desensitizing. And that’s the stage I feel the majority of the league’s fans are at regarding the Philadelphia 76ers, including their own fans. They don’t feel heartbreak anymore, they just feel nothing. Resigned to the same fate that they’ve been suffering for years while the Knicks’ playoff campaign continues.
