Sixers Attempting To Do What Hasn't Been Done For 18 Years

It's been nearly two decades since the Philadelphia 76ers made it any farther than they are right now into the NBA playoffs. With their series with the Toronto Raptors tied at 3 games apiece, they stand one win away from advancing.

Since the last great Sixers team, led by Allen Iverson, charged into the NBA Finals in 2001, the Sixers have never returned to the Eastern Conference Finals. Remember that guy?

They've been where they are now, in the semifinals, three other times since: 2003, 2012, and, of course, 2018.

All three of those trips were ill-fated. The Detroit Pistons beat the Sixers 4-2 in 2003. Then came the Boston Celtics, taking a 4-3 series in 2012 and a 4-1 series last spring.

If you see a sign or a glimmer of fate in that recent string of abortive playoff runs, then you should also see something in their last semifinals victory in 2001. That series also went to seven games. The opponent? The Toronto Raptors.

When the Sixers take on the Raptors in Toronto Sunday night, it will be Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, and Ben Simmons instead of Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo. And instead of Vince Carter, they'll be facing Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry. And like that Iverson-led squad 18 years ago, Sunday's game will be the greatest and most meaningful test this Process-era team has ever faced.

It doesn't matter that it's just one game, or that a single game, no matter when it's played, is no more indicative of long term success than any other single game. By virtue of even making this far, the Sixers have already proved they're as good as the Raptors. But if they lose, none of that will matter, head coach Brett Brown might be fired, general manger Elton Brand will be heavily scrutinized for the Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris trades, and the plan for 2019-20 might be completely re-evaluated. It's not fair, but you're looking for justice, you've come to the wrong place.

A win, however, breaks the Sixers through to the rarified air of 2001. As it so happens, 2001 was also 18 years after the team's previous Finals appearance, in 1983. That was 36 years ago, and it's the last time Philly won it all.