(7)6 overreactions to the Philadelphia 76ers’ blowout win over the Magic

When five Philadelphia 76ers overreactions just aren’t enough.

When the Philadelphia 76ers lead a team like the Orlando Magic at halftime by a score of 75-40, you know you are in for a special performance.

When the Sixers then build on that lead to have 98 at the end of the third, and a full-on bench-clearing fourth quarter typically reserved for preseason games, you know that the team is blowing out 2020 with a bang.

And when the Sixers knock out the Magic 116-92 based on dominant performances by pretty much every player on the team, you know we in sports media need to do something a little different than your typical post-game reaction piece.

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No, to celebrate such a spectacular performance by the boys in red, white, and blue, sometimes you need to drop six overreactions to one of the most fun – and final – Sixers games you’ll see all year.

Are a series of satirical segments on your 76ers sitting bellow? Rack it up ‘Sixers Piano Girl‘ because you’d best believe it.

Goodbye forever 2020, see you tomorrow, 2021.

1. The Philadelphia 76ers are the best team in the NBA.

This one doesn’t even need an explanation. When they are firing on all cylinders, the Sixers have size, speed, shooting, scoring, and a bench loaded with sixth men. While they’ve only played one game against a legit playoff contender in their final home win against Toronto, I think this reaction is the very definition of an overreaction.

2. Joel Embiid has become so dominant, they are double-teaming him when he doesn’t even have the ball.

This one isn’t an overreaction so much as it is an empirical fact. Magic head coach Steve Clifford was so afraid of Embiid crushing the spirit of ex-Sixer Nikola Vucevic that he sicked two guys on ‘The Process’ even when he was 20 feet away from the basket without the ball.

It didn’t matter though, because Embiid still put up 21-9 in 27 minutes of action.

3. The Sixers’ 3 point woes are finally behind them.

The Sixers had a super 3 party against the Orlando Magic. Ben Simmons hit a 3. Dwight Howard hit a 3. Matisse Thybulle hit two 3. As a team, the Sixers outshot the Magic from beyond the arc 15-7 and hit a season-high 45.5 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Epic stuff.

4. Matisse Thybue is fixed.

Speaking of Thybulle, this was the game he needed (thanks Chris). He scored nine points in 18 minutes of action thanks to his aforementioned two 3s and filled out his stat sheet with four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. If he keeps playing like that, Furkan Korkmaz will have to fight tooth and nail for his backup small forward spot.

5.  Tyrese Maxey is like a more likable Markelle Fultz.

This one isn’t an overreaction so much as a longstanding theory I’ve had since watching the 20-year-old Dallas native debut. Maxey is younger, significantly cheaper for the next few seasons, and just as unlikely to attempt a 3. The Sixers are in good hands with Maxey moving forward, especially if Ronnie 2K can fix his speed in ’21.

6. Tobias Harris is finally fixed too.

It’s only appropriate that in a game where Thybulle went off for his best performance of the season, his Sixers big bro, Tobias Harris, would have a game of his own in his return to Orlando.

While our poll voters on Twitter somehow are split over who they’d rather have, Aaron Gordon versus Harris – probably because of the former’s dunking prowess – on New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t even close. Tobi looked like a star for the second game in a row, and if he can keep that up, he’ll be the perfect trade fodder to acquire James Harden (again, satire).

~ FIN.

So, what’d you think? Personally, I think this sort of ‘stream of consciousness’ musing is best served for a once a year special occasion but hey, who knows, if the Sixers have 100 at the end of the third against the Charlotte Hornets, maybe we’ll have to bring this one back for double the fun.

Either way, have a fun and happy New Year’s Eve and as always, go Philadelphia 76ers!