3 realistic goals for Philadelphia 76ers in 2021 NBA Playoffs

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Prove Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can thrive together

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been dogged by fit questions for as long as they’ve been teammates. Simmons’ past struggles in the playoffs led many to wonder whether the Sixers could win a championship with him and Embiid as their two best players.

Head coach Doc Rivers wasn’t among them.

“I have no doubt they can [win together],” Rivers said heading into the season. “… I think we have to change the narrative—they haven’t won yet, not that they can’t win. The ‘can’t’ should be taken out. But there’s a lot of combinations of players around the league that haven’t won yet. And [Embiid and Simmons are] just two other ones. ”

The Sixers had a net rating of plus-16.0 with Embiid and Simmons on the floor this season, according to Cleaning the Glass, whereas they were only a plus-1.8 with those two last year. Adding Seth Curry and Danny Green to the starting lineup gave the two All-Stars more room to operate offensively, and both players improved facets of their game that made them more compatible with one another.

But until they lead the Sixers on a deep playoff run, skeptics will continue to wonder whether there’s a ceiling on the Simmons-Embiid core.