After a week of sitting around and waiting for a first round opponent in the 2021 playoffs, Joel Embiid and the Sixers finally have their match. The Washington Wizards defeated the Indiana Pacers last night 142-115, which locked them in as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and a trip to Philadelphia for game one on Sunday afternoon. With the Wizards comes Russell Westbrook and a long history between him and MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Joel Embiid vs Russell Westbrook (4 minute video from World Wide Wob)

We should also never forget when Joel Embiid responded to an Instagram post by porn star and known Wizards fan Mia Khalifa with this beautiful gem of a comment.

Ben Simmons vs Wizards PxP Justin Kutcher

As if that’s not enough to get you excited for the playoffs this weekend, we can look back to earlier this season, where resident Wizards play-by-pay announcer Justin Kutcher had this to say during a Sixers-Wizards game about Ben Simmons. Keep in mind, Ben Simmons was not even playing in this game.

Simmons fired back after the following game, stating “is what it is” and brushed it off with a jab at Kutcher.

“I see a lot of (expletive) on the internet,” Simmons said. “I scrolled through his Instagram and saw who he was. It is what it is. He’s like a 5-foot-5 commentator for the Wizards. I can’t give it too much attention. … Everyone has their voice and they can say what they want, but it is what it is.”

Simmons also posted a story on his Instagram that featured a picture of Justin Kutcher in a robe with the caption “Another Casual.”

During the regular season, the Sixers were 3-0 against the Washington Wizards and proved to be a matchup nightmare for the team in D.C.. Sixers won their home opener 113-107. The Sixers won 141-136 in game two. Bradley Beal scored 60 points in the Wizards loss. The third game, the Sixers were without Ben Simmons and defeated the Wizards 127-101.

Washington played great down the stretch in the regular season. However, they heavily rely on just two players to define their success in Beal and Westbrook. For an eighth seed that finished the regular season 34-38, the Wizards will certainly have their hands full in the first round against a well rested, healthy Philadelphia 76ers team.

Last night at the end of the Wizards game, fans were chanting “We Want Philly” and the Wizards head coach had this to say in his post game comments:

Scott Brooks on the 76ers: “They put their socks on one sock at a time, just like us — unless they’re doing something tricky, putting two socks on, but I don’t think so.”

Unfortunately for Scott, the Sixers put their socks on and win basketball games and are the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Wizards Center Daniel Gafford may put his socks on the same way as Joel Embiid, but that doesn’t mean he can stop him in the paint.

In all seriousness, the NBA needs a good rivalry and having Russell Westbrook and the lousy Washington Wizards play the Sixers in the first round should be at the very least fun to watch. However, I highly doubt it will be competitive.

Sixers in 4. Five if we’re feeling generous.

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