Sixers picked to be a cellar dweller ... but I don't care

Yes, the experts are not talking about your Philadelphia 76ers. There will be no games broadcasted nationally. The Celtic three adorned the cover of ESPN the Magazine this week (sh*t eating grins all 3), and Doug Collins professesd his former team just doesn't have enough to make noise this season. The Spurs are the most likely team to win the title.

But I don't care.

Mr Snider admits its a tough sell. I admire his guts. That's a hard thing to do in the sports world of hyperbole. But I don't care.

In truth, its make me happy. I wanted my team to be good. So I tried to believe the lies. I wanted the quick fix. Well they are not telling me those lies anymore. Your favorite basketball team just might sux this year. What do you think about that!

I don't care.

When they do succeed ... it will be because of hard work. It will be genuine. It will be worth it. But it may take a few years.

Call me crazy ... but I don't care.

More reflections on the loss of Eddie Griffin

There was news this week that Eddie Griffin was drunk when he died in a motor vehicle collision with a train. As if to answer a recent comment to this blog about a conspiracy. Earlier in the week Kevin Garnet, a former teammate and friend, professed the goodness of the fallen Philly high school star. But no one has any answer to what lead to his death. No one is talking about how the system failed him. No, conspiracy here, but neglect ... perhaps.

Can't anyone guard Nate Robinson?

To hear it on the radio webcast last nite, Nate Robinson, the diminutive Knicks guard is the second coming of MJ. Why does he seem to light it up against the Sixers? The game started out even. But the Sixers fell behind in the second period and never recovered. Nate Robinson torches them for 20 in a second half in which the Sixers struggled with their shooting percentage. When Iggy shoots 3-13 it seems we are going to struggle to keep up with teams. Reggie Evans was a bright spot, but if he's scoring 20 for us every nite ... we're in for a long season.

Just keep repeating to yourself ... it's only pre-season ... its only pre-season ... it's ...

Sixers finally win one

I never put much stock in the NBA pre-season. But the if there was every a team that needed a pre-season win ... it was the Sixers. Jason Smith got another start at center at against the C's and faired much better in his second start. He finished with 16 points. It doesn't matter the Celtic's did not dress two on its 3 stars (Garnet & Pierce). The young Sixers squad needed a win. Any win. Just to know what it feels like.

Andre Iguodala, is he really the "Man" for theSixers

Don't get me wrong. I love Iggy's game and I think he's a great guy. But I'm not sure he will be the "Man" for the Sixers this year. It's not because he's not capable of puttin' up 20 every nite. He can. Its not because his teammates won't support 'em. They will.

The question in my mind, as the new season bounces upon us, is ... can a leopard change his spots. Dre picked it up at the end of last season. But he was clearly pressing it at times. His turn-overs went way up. So did the number of air balls. Can he be selfish? That seems foreign to the quiet understated guy we have come to know. Will he fore go his penchant for stuffing the stat sheet for points? Maybe ... but I'm not certain that's a sure thing.

But if he does not turn to the dark side ... is that a bad thing? By their own admission this young team expects to struggle. Does its really need anyone to be ... the "Man" . Perhaps the expectation they must defer to another will stifle development. What if sweet Lou scores 20 a nite for a week 'cause "he's feelin' it" that week? What if Korver goes twenty and ten for ten straight games? How about Thadeus scoring 30? What if a different player stepped up every nite to be ... the "Man"?

Okay, I'm getting a little carried away here. Of course Iggy will carry the load this year. But you get my point don't ya?

Meet the Sixers

Ricky was asking me about the "Meet the Sixers" program to air on comast sportsnet. The program airs on 10/12 @11PM, 10/22 @8PM, 10/27 @4PM and 10/30 @9PM. I wouldn't call it "must see TV", but it was nice non threating self promotion event for the Sixers. Here's the readers digest version;

• Hi Andre Iguodala what's it like being the "man" now?
  
• Bob Salmi, Why are you here? You're workn' the TV broadcast with Zoo this year. What?
  
• Hi Jason Smith what's it like to be in the NBA?
  
• Hey Mo, what do ya make of last season 's run? Can you carry that over to this season?
  
• Hey Kyle, what's it like to be the veteran on the team now?
• Yo Billy, What's the future going to be like and ahh nice suit?
• and (we were told to imagine the post production editing of) a word from the Chairman, Mr. Snider
  

At least that's how I remember it. A nice meet and greet session. The jackpot for autograph hounds (Yea, that Thaddeus Young sig could be worth a lot in a few years). The real experience was being part of a live studio audience. Being enthusiastic on cue. Imagining where things will be edited in later. I also gained an appreciation for the work the host Ron Burke does. The entire show was done in one take. No do overs. All of his interview questions are done from memory! No teleprompter. He was well prepared and only needed to scan over a notes card between segments.

The event was at the Consitution center. A place I'm ashamed to say I had never visited before. Some Philly native huh?

So that's my two cents Ricky. I have not seen the show. So my interests are totally self serving. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Basketball is here ... Wahoo!

The wait is over. Basketball is here. Every team starts with a clean slate and confidence is exuding from the Sixers at every glance. Never mind the advances the rest of the Atlantic division has made in the off season. The Sixers have blinders on and are only looking at their record after shedding AI and C.Webb as the true measure of their abilities.

I had the honor of participating in a live audience for the taping of Comcast's "Meet the Sixers" show which begins airing tonite on Comcast Sportsnet. Pretty neat experience. The attitude of the organization is up beat. They are believers that destiny is in their own hands. Jason Smith is an impressive young rookie. He spoke with genuine excitement in his voice and the word from camp this year has been positive. He really seems to be progressing as the player I thought he might be. He's not quite a 7 footer and he's not a center. But I can see him becoming the player he aspires to be ... Dirk Nowitski. Lets all hope he doesn't play as soft on defense as the NBA MVP.

But fate may not be so kind my Sixers this year. I'm afraid they will suffer from Sammy D's injury. That was my initial reaction when I heard about the injury. Mark my words ... Calvin Booth will be the starting center on Halloween. The Sixers could be fast and agile this season, but are truly under sized to compete in the division (forget about the rest of the conference). I am still waiting for the mad doctor King to repent and give up on the wonder child.

But despite all my apprehensions I and ready for basketball. Philly needs the Flyers and Sixers to do well. After the Phillies' tease and the Eagles slow start, this town needs a team that works as hard as they do. Nobody expects them to win it all ... just work hard ... win or lose.

In Sixers have a golden opportunity this season. AI is gone. Like a phoenix they can rise above the ashes and forge a team personality that gets people interested in basketball again.

I'm for one am looking forward to it .. win or lose

Madd Props for the Phils

Havin' given up on baseball too many years ago to count, I don't deserve a seat on the bandwagon. But I have to tip my hat to the Phillies. I didn't think they could it. But they made it to the post season after a 14 year hiatus. Best of luck in the post season.