MDP Live - Former NBA basketball player Kendrick Perkins believes that the Philadelphia 76ers will be the dark horse in the title race in the 2021-2022 season this time. Doc Rivers' team has a fairly solid and even strength.
At first, the Philadelphia 76ers were not seeded enough to talk much this season. How not, they have a complex problem with Ben Simmons, who was previously the team's mainstay playmaker. Because Simmons stopped playing, Doc Rivers as head coach finally put Tyrese Maxey as a starter. Who would have thought, the change would bring the 76ers to a better direction. Maxey's performance itself received direct praise from Kendrick Perkins.
"Philadelphia have a squad that is not very well looked after but is good. Tyrese Maxey is a young player with star caliber. I like the construction of this team," said Perkins.
Until the beginning of February this time, the 76ers were in third place in the East Conference standings with a record of 31 wins in 50 matches. Their record is indeed less impressive than the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. However, the 76ers continued to show significant performance improvements. Not to mention, Joel Embiid's performance as their mainstay player has been fierce lately.
It will be interesting to watch how the 76ers will perform, especially when they enter the playoffs later. One thing they have to avoid is the storm of injuries and COVID-19. The 76ers' journey in recent years in the playoffs has always been interrupted by the x-factor. Last season, Embiid had problems with his knee so that he appeared less than optimal. Simmons who was the main playmaker at that time also lost his confidence and his free throw accuracy was destroyed.
