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What if Ben Simmons doesn’t make it past the dunk and the Hawks in the 2021 NBA playoffs? Open three doors for 76ers


June 20, 2021. It’s a day 76ers fans won’t soon forget.

At the end of the fourth half of Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, Sixers star Ben Simmons let the ball go handball in a game against Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari. Simmons backed Gallinari down toward the rock, turned away from him toward the baseline, and found himself standing directly in front of the perimeter. With only Trae Young (6-1, 164 pounds) in the general vicinity of Simmons (6-11, 240 pounds), it looks like Simmons has two easy points – and perhaps a one-off chance if Young swipes ball.

And after that…

Sorry. Simmons sent a surprise pass to Matisse Thybulle, who was fouled and ended with one of two free throws. Instead of forcing the game to be less than 4 minutes away from the regulations, Philadelphia went back to defend point by point. Atlanta never lost its lead after that possession, eventually winning 103-96 on aggregate and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.

“I mean, I’ll be honest,” Embiid said after the loss. “I think the turning point was when we – I don’t know how – but I think the turning point was just we had an opener, and we took a free throw. And we missed the ball. left, and then they came down and scored.”

Simmons’ pass was not only the turning point in Game 7 but also the turning point in his relationship with the 76ers organization. Post-Game Reviews from Embiid and Doc Rivers, who stated that he did not know if Simmons could be a single point defender for the championship team, could not be dismissed by outside noises from fans and analysts. This is the team’s best player and head coach speaking in record.

Rumors and commercial speculation continued to follow Simmons all summer. And yet, since the beginning of December, he’s still a member of the Sixers – something like that. He’s currently not playing despite being on the roster, which has made the situation even more confusing.

But what if Simmons had simply dribbled and avoided that infamous moment? What would that alternate timeline look like? Open the three magic doors and find out.

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Door #1: Ben Simmons dunks, but the 76ers still lose

Sorry Philly loyalists, but your team is still down in this situation.

On possession before Simmons played the key, Hawks guard Kevin Huerter made the leap to give Atlanta an 88-86 lead. The Hawks had a 59.7% probability of winning at the time, according to ESPN, and it only edged down during the period when they took the 76ers 15-10 lead in the final three minutes. Game 7 wasn’t just about a dunk that didn’t happen.

However, there is a big difference here. By removing the pass to Thybulle, the 76ers also removed comments from Embiid and Rivers. They made more general statements about the tough loss, and they even praised Simmons for his belligerence during that match.

Simmons wouldn’t be suddenly thrilled to be back. Don’t go that far. But is he on better terms with the organization? Are communication channels more open?

Hey, the actual season couldn’t be much worse, so, uh, maybe! (Also, Adele Reject Rich Paul. Damn it, man.)

(Beautiful pictures)

Door #2: Ben Simmons dunks, and the 76ers come forward

In this timeline, Simmons explodes with a trick and incites his team to action. The Sixers proceeded to beat their own 15-10 after the end of the game, and they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals to face the Bucks.

Unfortunately for Philadelphia, the journey doesn’t stop there. Giannis Antetokounmpo is too much for Embiid, and Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are a bit underwhelming Simmons. Despite the disappointing ending, it was easier to lose to the eventual champions than to lose to the Hawks.

Everyone in the 76ers organization remains pleased with the season as a whole, and Rivers and his players enter the 2021-22 campaign motivated to prove they can knock the Bucks off the throne. (Adele and Paul are dating, and things are going well!)

Door #3: Ben Simmons dunks, and the 76ers win it all

Remember this is a thinking exercise and this is the best case scenario for Simmons and the 76ers. It sounds completely unrealistic, but allow your imagination to take over.

Simmons cushions the ball down to Young, finishing after a weak foul. He then damaged the free throw, electrifying the Wells Fargo Center crowd. This is a new turning point. This is Simmons’ version LeBron James’ Game 6 explodes against the Celtics in 2012. He was finally ready to throw the story of his late-game struggles in the trash and burn it.

A new and improved Simmons and MVP-caliber Embiid maneuvered the Bucks in five games, and they head into the 2021 NBA Finals against the Suns as title-winning favorites. Embiid dominates Deandre Ayton in paint, and Simmons suffocates Chris Paul and Devin Booker in the perimeter. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry escape a few shots in time, and the 76ers are your NBA champions. (Caught in excitement, Adele and Paul get married in Las Vegas!)

OK, that probably has no chance of happening, but it’s nice to dream, isn’t it? If nothing else, it’s a break from the reality the Sixers currently live in.





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