A Mad Men guide to the 2018-19 NBA Season
“Even though success is a reality, its effects are temporary. You get hungry even though you’ve just eaten. You’re on top and you don’t have enough. You’re happy because you’re successful… For now. But what is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more happiness. I won’t settle for 50% of anything; I want 100%. You’re not happy with anything. You don’t want most of it; you want all of it.” — Philadelphia 76ers
KD and Russ. Kobe and Shaq. Shaq and Penny. KG and Steph. LJ and Zo.
We have more than enough evidence to know that when you have two alpha dogs on the same team, at some point, one of them will get tired of sharing the spotlight. When and on whose part that angst first starts to bubble up is uncertain, as is how it manifests itself. But it will come, and history shows us that it usually happens sooner rather than later.
The greatest dynasties have had a clear pecking order — someone willing to subvert their ego for the betterment of the team. Talent-wise, the Philadelphia 76ers have what it takes to dominate the NBA for the next decade. Even after the disastrous pre-draft trade from a year ago, they are well positioned to wreak havoc on the rest of the league. Pick either one of their young stars and the ceiling you’re talking about is “best player in the NBA.”
Therein lies the issue.
To his credit, Joel Embiid has already tried his best to get out ahead of the problem. It was an admirable attempt. But despite the effort, he is now, and will be for the foreseeable future, the face of his franchise — the one Sixers fans have embraced ever since he dubbed himself “The Process,” and whose adoration only increases with each additional social media barb.
Next. Meet the 2018 NBA 25-under-25. dark
His counterpart, Ben Simmons? Sure, he might be the type to put his head down, do his job, and not mind missing out on the lion’s share of the spotlight. If he is that person, he has a funny way of showing it, at least thus far.
For now, all is well in the City of Brotherly Love. A Finals run in 2019 wouldn’t surprise anyone. Sam Hinkie’s dream has come true. No one is worrying about it turning into a nightmare.
Not yet, at least.