The 76ers will play their sixth game against the Eagles in Atlanta. Their season is coming. And it may be the future of the current core.

But more importantly, the legacy is here. Whether we are discussing the advantages of The Process or how we will eventually remember Doc Rivers as the head coach, the status of the Eastern Conference Finals is much more than that.

Also threatened is the mental health of the entire Delaware Valley and anyone who considers themselves a 76ers fan, because after these two losses-and the entire series, for that matter-they are in a vulnerable state. In super-in this case, less than 20% of NBA teams have achieved confidence in their team’s chances of doing something, and you will find the deepest and darkest frustration. Not to mention anger. This is largely related to the expectations of this team, after several years of research on how to win in the playoffs, and by winning the number one in the Eastern Conference with an experienced coach and a better coach Seeds, these expectations are due to the debris around their stars.

Everything is planned for the 76ers. Then Joel Embiid was injured, Ben Simmons once again forgot how to free throws, Tobias Harris disappeared at a critical moment, Danny Green lost in the Eagles series (and other series), The head coach also showed the same injuries. The past team. Although there is evidence that this is where we are headed, many of them are problems that 76ers fans hope will not arise.

If all this sounds a bit pessimistic, especially from someone who tends to be half-full, I’m sorry, but I have decided that I no longer let “expectations” prevail. I no longer let the 76ers deceive me, so I think this time will be different, like a serial liar trying to convince his wife that he is a changed person. In at least one game, I decided to embrace the darkness. In that case, if the 76ers lose their third straight game to the Hawks on Friday night, I won’t be frustrated. This will be what I am looking forward to.

But not only that. For the mental (and in some cases, physical) health of every 76ers fan around the world, the loss of Game 6 by the 76ers is the best result. Oops, this may even be the best result of the team itself.

By the end of this weekend, the Sixers’ season will either officially end or enter the Eastern Conference Finals, although everything you read here is still a very real possibility. There is no middle. The only remaining question is how all this happened, which basically boils down to three situations.

Let’s do a quick thought experiment and draw a logical potential conclusion based on each result. You can decide for yourself which result is the best…

Scene 1: Let’s tear off the band-aid

The 76ers season ends in Atlanta tonight

First of all, State Farm Arena is not an easy place to win. Since Nate McMillan took over (20-3), the Hawks have performed very well there this season, and it is certain that they will participate in the sixth game. The 76ers are currently the three-point favorites of multiple sports betting companies. According to Pickswise, But for this situation, we assume that they lost-they have been favored in every loss this season. If we assume that we lose, then the best way for this to happen is for the Hawks to start off aggressively, jump out early, and then continue to lead in order to win.

The 76ers fans will be able to accept their fate as soon as possible and begin to discuss their personal and offseason plans for the team they are watching.In addition, losing will now be even brighter Ben Simmons problem for the teamThis will also prevent Joel Embiid’s knee from further injury. I am not a doctor, but the number of times he fell and grabbed his knees was not good. The sooner he left, the more time he would have to heal and recover.

However, if Game 6 is played like Game 4 and Game 5, and the 76ers establish a comfortable lead and blow it down again, it will be even more difficult to accept. Although this situation may lead to more offseason changes (should be three consecutive double-digit leads), it will be infuriating, especially if the 76ers perform well in Game 5. If they do, 76ers fans will start talking about returning to the team and winning the series, and then facing the Nets or Bucks in the conference finals—the Philadelphia team tends to have a bit of support in this regard. The spur-only then saw Tre Young and the Hawks for the third time in a week. We are a group of vulnerable people in Philadelphia, and most people are in a more vulnerable situation than usual, so this type of loss may put 76ers fans in trouble.

But even this situation is much better than the 76ers’ other options…

Scene 2: The ultimate heartbreak in Philadelphia

The 76ers won in Atlanta and lost their 7th game at home.

I don’t even touch this. The city has not recovered from the last 7th defeat. You just need to say quadruple doink and…Look and see how this makes you feel? Now imagine that in Philadelphia, when the 76ers are expected to win, it will happen again. What if it fails like the fifth game?

But, believe it or not, for 76ers fans, this still may not be the worst case…

Scenario 3: Everyone’s mental health has been severely and long-term damaged

The 76ers advance to face the Bucks/Nets in the ECF

We have discussed some expectations here, and managing them is one of the keys to happiness. In sports. in life. whenever. If you expect greatness and become mediocre, then you will feel like you are accepting shit. But if you plan to do something stupid, then a dose of the same mediocrity will make you feel like you are a big winner.My mind is so weird

In any case, our last scene was so bad, because Friday night the 76ers won and sent the series back to Philadelphia for Game 7 brought false hopes and higher expectations. Now, imagine that they also won the 7th game and won the series. What do you think is the average expectation of 76ers fans?

What do they get as a reward? Against the Nets or Bucks. What can 76ers fans get? To ensure that there are at least four more games, they will pull out and emphasize every free throw attempt by Simmons or Embiid’s dunk, maybe even as many as seven games. After the impact of this Eagles series on the collective mental health of 76ers fans, do you really want to put up with it again, in a series with higher stakes and stronger opponents? Maybe you will. Philadelphia fans are masochistic.

Do you want to know another weird way of the brain? It’s just that you’re sitting there reading about the potential matchup between the 76ers and the Nets/Bucks, do you already think that the Philadelphia team will get a chance in that series, forget you watched it in the last five games against Atlanta To everything. When we started this story, you might think that the 76ers’ season might end this weekend, and after just a few hundred words, you’re sure they have a path to the Finals. Now imagine, if they really succeeded and beat the Eagles twice, how would you feel?

See, you can use more realistic expectations to express all your thoughts about entering the Eastern Conference Finals. Now you are more aware of the flaws of this 76ers team. Many people turned a blind eye during the regular season because they were able to win despite these problems . But, to be honest, do you really do it? It must not work.

Do you really foresee a game against the Nets or Bucks better than a game against the Eagles? Perhaps in a sense, the 76ers will obviously be defeated in the jump, but it is more likely that you will again think that the 76ers have a chance to break your heart. For these 76ers, participating in the Finals is at least a step in the right direction. They failed to make this round in the most recent playoffs. This may be a bit interesting, but it is difficult to see it end with a series victory.

Embiid’s knee did not improve. Simmons didn’t magically solve any of his problems, especially since the free throws he recently admitted were mental. And their two potential opponents are much better than the Hawks-one of the biggest hopes for 76ers fans entering this series is that their team can quickly complete the work of the Hawks and have enough time in the Bucks The team and the Nets rest in a long series of games. But only one of them has been realized.

Being a sports fan is an emotional roller coaster, especially in the playoffs. Knowing Philadelphia fans, all of these suggestions may turn a deaf ear to those who can only hear about the “76ers.”

Of course, the 76ers can prove me wrong and win the whole damn game. I would like this-it is not only good for business, but also great for me personally, because many of my best friends are hardcore 76ers fans-but for now, I expect 76 The season will be kindly ended in Atlanta on Friday night. Part of the reason is that this is best for everyone involved. Part of the reason is that it is difficult to change our viewing of the past two games. But mainly because of this, I will not be disappointed.

Some links provided in this content are provided by Carefully selected, PhillyVoice.com sports betting partner, independently created by PhillyVoice. 21+ Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin