The most recent NBA Title Odds are below. What do they mean for the Sixers? Let's examine.
Eastern Conference as of July 8th, 2019
| Seed | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | 4-1 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | 7-1 |
| 3 | Boston | 20-1 |
| 4 | Brooklyn | 30-1 |
| 5 | Indiana | 40-1 |
| 6 | Toronto | 80-1 |
| 7 | Miami | 80-1 |
| 8 | Orlando | 100-1 |
First thoughts: Sounds about right for the top three teams. I expect Miami will do better than the 7th.
Western Conference as of July 8th, 2019
| Seed | Teams | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LA Clippers | 3-1 |
| 2 | LA Lakers | 6-1 |
| 3 | Golden State | 10-1 |
| 4 | Houston | 10-1 |
| 5 | Utah | 12-1 |
| 6 | Denver | 14-1 |
| 7 | Portland | 25-1 |
| 8 | Dallas | 40-1 |
First thoughts: Once again I agree for the most part on the seeding based on the Title odds. I think Portland may do better than the 7th seed, and I cold see them jump past Denver and Utah. I'm excited to see the new-look Mavericks as well.
My Thoughts
First, let's acknowledge the obvious; the West is still so much better than the East. If we were to follow the idea of making the Playoffs the top 16 teams instead of 8 from each Conference, then the Playoffs would consists of 9 of the 16 spots. Based on Title Odds, the West would occupy the #1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13 and 14th seeds.
Second, The East has three teams with 20-1 odds or better. The West has six. I think that's interesting. Anyways, as a Sixers fan, this table worries me. The Sixers have 7-1 odds to win the NBA Title right now, but the Playoff road they would theoretically face is daunting.
Round 1: versus Miami
Why does this worry me? Because we just traded Jimmy Butler to the Heat. Say what you will about Jimmy Buckets, but he carried us through the Playoffs when Benny 9-points couldn't and when Joel Embiid failed to. He was the alpha on a team loaded with potential alphas. Now, he will be the alpha on an alpha-less team. he will be the guy much like he was in Chicago. I understand the rest of the team is pretty awful; Dion Waiters, Bam Adebayo etc. but they have some sneaky talent in Kelly Olynyk, James Johnson and Goran Dragic.
Yes we beat them 4-1 in the 2017 Playoffs, but that doesn't mean much especially if Miami goes and gets Russell Westbrook and/or Kevin Love (a long shot, but one that has been rumored.) If Miami lands one, both or neither I would be concerned regardless.
Round 2: Versus Boston (if Boston beats Toronto)
Dreaded Boston. Even sans the defector Al Horford this team can still give us issues. Since the 2017 Playoffs (in which we lost 4-1 to them) we have gone a combined 3-1 against them. Including the 2017 season and Playoffs, we are a combined 3-10. Keep in mind that the Celtics were without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward! They have always had our number whether they had their superstars playing or not. Now, the reigns go to Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum with Hayward alongside them. That's still pretty scary even though Scary Terry is gone. Marcus Smart remains, as does Marcus Morris. I'm not concerned as much with Enes Kanter at center, but nothing can be ruled out with Brad Stevens at the helm.
Now I hear the comments already; Kemba is a ball-dominant guard who never passes blah blah blah. Yes he is/was. Why? Because he was stuck in Charlotte his whole career with a bag of balls and the shadow of Michael Jordan looming over him. He has never had true help so of course he had to do everything himself. More so, he gave Philly nightmares last season. We won all four match-ups against the Hornets, but Walker had a field day each time.
- Game 1: Philly wins 105-103. Kemba: 37 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
- Game 2: Philly wins 133-132 on overtime. Kemba: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists
- Game 3: Philly wins 122-119 in overtime on a Jimmy Butler buzzer-beater. Kemba: 60 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Game 4: Philly wins 118-114. Kemba: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Walker may not be as scary as Kyrie (but it's close stat-wise) but I'd still be concerned. If Philly can manage to beat both Miami and Boston, then it would be on to - in theory - Milwaukee. The ones team in the East with better odds to win the Title, and the one team I think we match up pretty well against.
Eastern Conference Finals: Against Milwaukee
Long story short, I think the Sixers match up pretty well against the Bucks. We saw this last year the power that is Giannis, but we also saw his lack of experience - and supporting cast - in the East Finals against the Kawhi-led Raptors. Will he gain experience? Will his teammates step up? I don't know, but I think the Sixers have the size, strength and athleticism to force the Bucks to rely more on their surrounding players.
NBA Finals: ?????
I have no idea who we could face if we were to make it to the NBA Finals - for the first time since 2001 mind you - but I don't thin kit would matter. We couldn't compete with the Clippers or the Lakers.
Stay tuned for my next post on the updated betting odds!