The Process has been delayed. Stymied.
Halted.
The talented, callow Sixers gave away a second consecutive playoff game, 101-98, and, with it, a series. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
This one won’t either.
Not with these kids.
Not with this coach.
Not against a toughened, disciplined, well-coached team like the Boston Celtics.
They’re just not ready. It’s just that simple.
The Sixers haven’t sniffed the playoffs since 2012. The Celtics went to the Eastern Conference finals last season. At this point in the teams’ respective developments, the Celtics are too savvy, too deep and too well-run for the Sixers to beat.