One Thousand and Forty-Five: He Doesn’t Look Very Powerful (3/5)

How many years have the Philadelphia 76ers been bad? Maybe even Philadelphia fans themselves can’t remember it clearly.

The shortened season of 11-12 was the last time the 76ers reached the playoffs. At the time, they were ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 35-31 record, but had done nothing in the playoffs.

Since then, the 76ers have embarked on a road of destruction without any lower limit.

In the 12-13 season, the 76ers had 34 wins and 48 losses, ranking ninth in the Eastern Conference.

In the 13-14 season, the 76ers "progressed" significantly. They only won 19 wins in the whole season, second to last in the league!

In the 14-15 season, the 76ers reached a new high. They only won 18 games in the whole season and still had no hope.

Last season, through the unremitting efforts of the 76ers, they finally won the last place in the league!

The operation of winning only 10 games in the whole season made the fans feel numb.

In the ancient 72-73 season, the 76ers had the worst record in history of 9 wins and 73 losses. The 76ers last season told the whole world that no one else could even think about this record, it was all taken by the 76ers!

For four whole seasons, the 76ers didn't know what victory was. It can be said that they messed up endlessly and even lost to the point where even the team culture was affected!

Of course, the 76ers' games have also become a cancer for attendance.

Even if super popular teams like the Grizzlies and Warriors play against the 76ers, no fans want to watch it.

Because you don't have to look at it to know that the 76ers will definitely be beaten until their butts bloom.

Therefore, even the league can't stand the 76ers' bad behavior.

But this year, with the emergence of Joel Embiid, everything has changed.

Embiid's story of still being able to perform like a superstar after being retired for two consecutive seasons has made him and the entire 76ers attract much attention.

It’s been a long, long time since Philadelphia fans got excited about a 76ers player.

The emergence of Embiid allowed them to see the dawn of revival on the long road to failure.

Although they have been bad for so many years, the 76ers' draft path is actually very unsatisfactory.

In 2013, they selected McAway, but it turned out that McAway was just a flash in the pan and reached the peak of his debut.

In 2015, the 76ers drafted Jahlil Okafor, who was compared to Towns. The big man who averaged 17.5 points per game in his rookie season once brought hope to the Phillies.

As everyone knows, this is another shooting star that reaches its peak right after debut.

The 76ers won the Nth James Ben Simmons in this year's draft. As a result, Simmons, like Embiid, was reimbursed for the season without playing a single game...

In other words, after so many years of poor performance, the 76ers have not received any reward at all.

Until this season, Embiid made Philadelphia fans believe that the darkness would eventually pass.

Although the 76ers still have a poor record of 4 wins and 10 losses, they have won 3 of the last 4 games!

It seems that after a period of adaptation, Embiid has begun to lead the team to win.

Especially in the last game, facing the Heat led by Whiteside, Embiid scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks, leading the team to put out the Heat.

This game proved that even if Embiid faces the league's top center, he will not fall behind at all!

And this also makes fans believe that the 76ers can really win. They have momentum now and they have unlimited potential.

Maybe the 76ers still may not make it to the playoffs this season.

Not to mention a championship.

But at least they can win some games!

Philadelphia fans have been holding it in for too long, and the 76ers have been holding it in for too long. Now as long as there is any chance of victory, they will not let it go!

Therefore, when the game between the Grizzlies and the Hornets ended and the league suspended Gasol for five games, the whole of Philadelphia cheered!

Although Gasol is not that star-studded, the whole world knows how strong the Spaniard is. He is definitely the kind of player whose strength is greater than his reputation.

When Whiteside was with the Grizzlies, he could only be used as a substitute.

Especially after developing three-pointers this year, Gasol has become an all-rounder who can combine offense and defense.

If Embiid confronts Gasol, it may be really difficult.

But now, Embiid's biggest obstacle is gone! Gasol was suspended, which paved the way for Embiid's battle to become famous.

The Lakers' Ingram and D'Angelo Russell both overturned the Warriors. Of the two games the Warriors lost this season, one of them was to the Lakers.

In this case, Embiid might also be able to upset the Grizzlies!

This is the NBA, and everything is possible here!

"Joel, you must not take it lightly! Prepare for the game and be in your best condition!" The morning before the game started, Mbah a Moute called Embiid specifically.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If Embiid can really beat the Grizzlies and lead the team to three consecutive victories, then Mbah a Moute won't have to worry about Embiid at all.

Fans don't care if the Grizzlies' main center is absent. As long as they can win, no one will care about such details!

"Don't worry, brother, I'm well prepared! Besides, without the Spaniard, I probably won't face a strong opponent. The Grizzlies won't let Link play the fifth position just for me. Ha ha ha ha."

Embiid is very confident. In the last game against Whiteside, he did not fall behind at all, which made Embiid's confidence soar.

Playing Gasol, he didn't think he would lose. Since Gasol is not here, Embiid feels that he can definitely win!

"Yes, it is precisely because Gasol is not here that you need to seize the opportunity!"

"I will, bro!"

"I believe you, Joel."

After hanging up the phone, Mbah a Moute hurriedly checked the Grizzlies player list.

Although the Clippers have played against the Grizzlies twice this season, they lost both times. But Mbah a Moute really can't figure out who the Grizzlies' backup center is.

After looking at the list, I remembered that the Grizzlies' second center is Nikola Jokic, who defeated the Dream Team's interior line in the Olympics this summer.

But for now, Jokic's performance this season is very mediocre. It wasn't a bad game, but it didn't have any bright spots. This has led to Jokic's highlight performance in the Olympics being forgotten by fans for a long time.

It is not easy for him to survive as a second-round pick. Compared with a genius like Embiid, he is not at the same level at all!

Moreover, a bulky guy like Jokic with a round head and a round head... doesn't look very powerful...

Mbah a Moute has also become more confident. The little guy he discovered will finally be famous around the world tomorrow!

※※※

The league's heavy punishment on Gasol made Link very unhappy.

But there is no way, who makes the grizzly bear the thorn in Mr. Joke’s side? After finally seizing the opportunity, the joke must be played well.

Not only Gasol was punished, but Link was also fined by the league for bluntly "greeting" Batum at the press conference after the game.

But in Joger's words, "You are lucky that you were not suspended along with it. Just fine the fine and don't let this matter continue to affect the team. "

The alliance has made a decision, and Link can't change anything, he can only accept it.

Moreover, the league directly suspended Batum for 8 games for provoking trouble, and he was the most severely punished. The result of this treatment can be regarded as making Link feel a little more balanced.

However, the media will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to hype Gasol's suspension.

Most media believe that Gasol's suspension is likely to break the Grizzlies' undefeated streak.

With Embiid and the 76ers on the right track, everyone is even more looking forward to the game on the 23rd.

The day before the game started, when Link was interviewed by reporters in training, someone asked him a question, "Joel Embiid has performed very well this season. He has become the most potential center player in the league. In Without Gasol, Embiid will definitely make things very difficult for you."

Link looked at the camera confused and asked, "Why do we find it difficult?"

"Um...did you forget? Gasol was suspended for five games. In the next game against the 76ers, your starting center will not be able to play."

"Of course I haven't forgotten it, but so what? Our backup center is also very good. I would say he is the most promising center in the league."

Link tilted his head, and then pointed at the round-headed Jokic who didn't look very powerful.

It has only been a few months since Jokic destroyed the inside line of the Dream Team, and no one has mentioned it yet.

I really don’t know who is forgetful.