On April 11, Beijing time, the NBA multi-group playoff showdown was released, and the 76ers' first-round opponent was the Raptors. The duel sparked discussion among TNT commentators, with Barkley and Ernie Johnson saying the series would be exciting, and O'Neal didn't think so, as the former Lakers star champion supported the 76ers to sweep the Raptors 4-0 in the first round.
Ernie: "The 76ers' showdown with the Raptors has a lot to watch, and these 2 teams definitely have a dozen!" ”
Buckley: "Yes, I think so too. ”
O'Neill: "These two teams don't have to fight at all!" ”
Ernie: "Why?" Didn't you watch the Raptors play this season? ”
O'Neill: "Remember what I said, the Raptors will be swept by the 76ers, you can take notes!" ”
It's not uncommon for O'Neal, Ernie and Barkley to fight each other, but they are all debating from their own point of view, and O'Neal is very optimistic about the 76ers this time, which is closely related to the 76ers' high configuration. The 76ers have Embiid and Harden, and Embiid has locked up the NBA's leading scorer this season, the first international player in NBA history to be crowned a leading scorer. With the aura of the scoring champion, O'Neal naturally praised Embiid, who is also a center.
O'Neill also has a delicate relationship with Embiid, because since O'Neal won the scoring championship in the 99-00 season, Embiid is the first center in nearly 22 years to win the leading scorer, which is equivalent to a kind of inheritance. O'Neal is bullish on the 76ers sweeping the Raptors in the first round, and Embiid's outstanding performance occupies most of the factor. Embiid has averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game this season, which is an impeccable performance, and he can definitely create enough trouble for the Raptors.
Another factor that is very important is that Embiid has Harden as a super scorer around him. Harden joined the 76ers in the mid-to-late season, contributing 21 points, 7.1 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game for the 76ers. Although Harden's shooting in recent stages is somewhat inaccurate, no opponent still dares to let Harden shoot. With Harden's containment, Embiid played more successfully on the inside, and the 76ers' combat power reached its peak, and the Raptors really had a hard time stopping the 76ers.
Now O'Neal has high hopes for the 76ers, believing that the 76ers swept the Raptors 4-0 in the first round. Ernie really took the notebook to write down O'Neill's words, and if the 76ers can't finally sweep the Raptors, O'Neal will inevitably be ridiculed by Ernie and Barkley. To fulfill O'Neal's wishes, Embiid and Harden must work hard to prove to everyone that O'Neill is right. Embiid and Harden have not won a championship, and this season is the best chance, depending on whether they can seize it!