Joe Mazzulla's words reveal a shared narrative of resilience. Discover how both the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers battled adversity, defying expectations to reach the postseason.
Joe Mazzulla's comments about the 76ers said more than just what Boston expects from an opponent.
When he called Philly a "great team" and pointed to "all the injuries that they've had," he was describing the season both teams have gone through, one defined by injuries and a questionable future, the other by proving that they could still win despite them.
Philadelphia entered the year with little stability. Before the season, Embiid had only managed to play in the pre-season finale, and George didn't return from injury until November. Injuries had already derailed the previous campaign and led to a 24-58 finish. That sort of context normally results in a year where a team will blow it up and seek a new direction, not make the playoffs.
Tyrese Maxey carried a heavier offensive load, V.J. Edgecombe performed well as a rookie, and the supporting cast played well, and Philadelphia was able to fight their way into the postseason despite everything.
Bostson's version of the same story was different, but the theme was similar. The Celtics entered the year expected to take a gap year after Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury and offseason roster turnover. Instead, Jaylen Brown became a 30-point-per-game scorer, players such as Jordan Walsh and Sam Hauser became impact players, and the team stayed near the top of the East with a 56-26 record.
That is what makes Mazzulla's point so interesting. This series is not just about roster talent or seeding. It is about two teams that spent much of the year defying the expectations placed on them. Philadelphia were counted out every week due to questions about their health and roster construction. Boston had to answer questions about whether their title window had shut due to Tatum's injury. Both teams found ways to pick themselves back up.
For the Sixers, that means the story surrounding this series is far bigger than the matchup. They did not just survive the injuries and tread water; they used the season to show their core is still viable and does not need to be rebuilt. For Boston, in a year where expectations were as low as they could be, they still managed to regroup and be one of the best teams in the sport, even without their superstar player.
Mazzulla's quote about the 76ers and how tough they are is accurate for both teams, as each side has overcome trials and tribulations to be able to play postseason basketball.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.