.. Time Reveals all things

If I hadn't been so busy I might feel ashamed of abandoning my blog for so long. But as Lennon said "Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans".

That's not to say I haven't been watchin the Sixers play lately. I just found little time to comment. I have been watchin the team's reaction since they came down from the high of the 7 game win streak a couple of weeks ago.

They would play Hawks, the Bulls, the Jazz, the Rockets, the Pistons and oh a trip to Miami after a tilt with the Bobcats. Not many easy games there. A record of 2-5 or 5-2 over that stretch would be revealing.

So what'd they do? They went 3-4. Unrevealing? Perhaps. One loss was to an amped up Hawks team when the Sixers could not match their energy. Another loss was a franchise low 124-74 drubbing by the Rockets. They sprinkled in a few unlikely victories over the Jazz (excellent play against Boozer) and the big 19 point comeback win over the Heat ... on the road ... on the second of a back to back. So they revealed they are an average team (which is above average in the East). Probably good enough to contend for the playoffs had they been given a full season. Worth watchin' anyway.

The playoff picture demystified. We can put the "P" word to bed. A glance at the conference standing reveals all.

Atlantic
 Toronto (3)   40-32
 New Jersey(8) 33-39
 New York      31-41
 Philadelphia  29-43
 Boston        22-50
Central
 Detroit(1x)   46-26
 Cleveland (2x)43-29
 Chicago (5x)  43-30
 Indiana       31-41
 Milwaukee     25-46
Southeast
 Miami(4)      39-33
 Washington (6)38-33
 Orlando(7)    34-39
 Charlotte     28-45
 Atlanta       27-46

At 29-43 the 76ers have 10 games left they trail the Nets (in the 8th slot) by 4. They also trail the Knicks and the Pacers by 2. Sure they play both teams but they won't catch the Nets. I know colossal collapses are their forte, but lets keep it real.

Last year they finished 38-44. Not much chance of them goin' 10-0 to beat last years record. So we are not statistically better than last years squad. But their state of mind is better. And they have a shot at winning the 34 games Jon calculated ( aah predicted). I guess that's somethin' yet to be revealed.

Bickerstaff won't return as coach

Bickerstaff won't return as coach of the Bobcats. Duh! What's taken them so long? Bernie is a nice guy, but he's no a winner. The Bobcats are loaded with young talent, have the smallest pay roll in the league and can't win. Its gotta be the GM/Coach. The Bobcats are a prime example why losing to get good draft picks is a prayer not a plan. Part owner Micheal Jordon says ... bye, bye Bernie.

In another NBA news wire story ... The Timberwolves have given Roman Catholic grad Eddie Griffin the boot. Here's hoping the kid gets some help. His career has been filled with nothing but trouble. Misconduct ... substance abuse ... domestic violence. I fell of my seat when I heard about the "inattentive driving after hitting a parked car" incident. (If you don't know you better asked somebody). I was amazed the T-wolves kept him after that.

This is the flip side of High School stars jumping to the NBA without college. There are few guarantees in life. The chance to get an education was one Eddie passed up. Now what does he have to fall back on?

Sixers tumble in attempt to extend streak to 8

It was the kind of game only a mother could love. The Sixers stumble against Atlanta last nite. I can;t say I was surprised. They can;t win them all. But the Hawks pounded them on the offensive glass (17 O Boards) and out rebounded the 76ers 47-33. How responsibility is that? Mo had shorten his bench in the last few games. I hope he realizes that now. I think he may have been romanced by the streak and the "p" word a bit. Sweet Lou got minutes after sittin' the last few games. 20 minutes total because of extended garbage time. I think he had been getting 12 minutes per game He made good of the time in front of his home town crowd with a career high 13 points. Rod Carney was showing some hops last nite (15 ts). It looks like he's ready to assume Willie Green's spot in the starting line-up. Willie is spent. No way you can win games with him trying to shoot out of a slump. Carney's gotta be the starter tonite.

Teh76ers are 1 game down in the two week span of 7 games. The gave away one of the winnable ones. The Bulls are next. The 2nd of a back to back game. The Sixers are at the disadvantage this time. Lets see how far they have progressed.

Iggy +25 = 76ers Win / Pacers

The 76ers win again in Indiana | Andre Igoudala
lead all scorers with 25 points and the 76ers win their 7th straight game. Impressive. I was curious to see how they would respond on the road after much success at home. Mo says he has not only worked to teach them to play in the NBA, but to WIN in the NBA. Those lessons were on display last nite. The Sixers comeback from a halftime deficit to take control in the 3rd period. They played lock down defense when they needed it and salted away the game at the end.

Now I have some concern about the 76ers new found success. I am reminded of the rock climber looking down the hill. Patting himself on the back and exalting "Look how far I have come". Failing to realize that a glance up the hill reveals they are only a third of the way to the top. Don't get me wrong. I am happy with thier success, but I need to keep it real.

Iggy has answered many questions, but many questions remain for this team. As witnessed last nite. Willie Green is not the dependable second scorer every team needs. I still say his defense is suspect. Korver can be shutdown when a team focuses on him with a taller, faster and/or more physical defender. Hunter's offense is one dimensional, he can't shoot free throws and rebounding eludes him. Sammy ... Sammy I am still not convinced about the wunderkind. I keep hearing his recent play is why he was given such a big contract. The intensity has improved, but the B-Ball IQ has not. I can't help but think we can do better. Miller is solid but not a 40 minute guy. The point guard position drops off considerable when he's not in the game. Kevin Ollie ... he's okay, he's got heart, but he's not the future. Sweet Lou has grown on me, but is still learning. Carney can play but is not yet a threat. There is still much work to be down.

The Sixers have had the luxury of a home schedule during this resurrection. Just returns for enduring their first 22- 33 games on the road. But they have been playin' the weaker teams. They have been playing teams on the second of back-to-back games. At the end of road trips. With star players injured. No, all their success is not due to the grace of the basketball gods. But it don't hurt.

The next two weeks will be revealing. It will show us if the 'P' word should be spoken above a whisper. It will enlighten us to weather this young squad is ready to handle "Man Business" (as David Aldridge so aptly put it this week). Their opponents will be playoff teams. After the Hawks, they play the Bulls, the Jazz, the Rockets, the Pistons and oh a trip to Miami after a tilt with the Bobcats. Not many easy games there. Will they go 2-5 or 5-2?

76ers Rout Lakers for 6th Straight Win

76ers Rout Lakers for 6th Straight Win | The Sixers 1st sellout of the season. 20,577 fans. Hey it was the Lakers game. What'd you expect? For as long as I can remember its has been THE 'must see' game of the season. Kobe Bryant's return to Philly just spices it up a little. The conflicted mix of fans of which some come to cheer the Upper Merion native and others come to jeer the self-centered, wife cheatin', dirty playin', stinkin', jerk. But for many its the "Lakers Game". The 76ers opponent in the their last two finals appearances. Its the Hollywood "Show time" attitude that rubs this blue collar town the wrong way. There's only one home game a year. The place will be rockin'.

The 76ers were the hot team comin' in. Winning 5 straight. Chillin' on this 6 game home stand. Lookin' for the sweep. A goal that Iggy said they would shoot for, but 4-2 was more realistic. But the nay sayers chimed in ... Its the Lakers ... Kobe will be smoking hot after his second suspension this season. Indeed that appeared to be the case. Kobe and the Lakers got off to a great start and led at half-time 57-51.

Call me crazy, but the game was never in doubt. Yea Kobe started off hot, but the Sixers where really focused on him. The Laker have been awash in injuries to key players. The Sixers were certainly the more talented than this band of misfits . The Laker were playin' over their heads in the final game of a four game road trip. The lead could not last.

The Sixers took charge in the 3rd period. Iggy was AMAZING! I'm not sure which move I liked better; (1) the behind the back reverse dunk in front on a defender or (2) the behind that back pass to Sammy on a drive to the basket. He drove to the basket hard and often. But you never know if its gonna be the pull-up jumper, the deft pass or the acrobatic finish at the rim. It makes him impossible to defend and incredible to watch. The box score line reads 45 minutes, 31 points, 3-3 from 3 point range, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Now the hype is more about the playoffs than the number one pick. The 'P' word is just that ... hype. The Sixers are on the road tonite against the Pacers for a reality check. But as luck would have it, Jermaine O'neal is out for this game. Win or lose ... the Sixers are worth watching these days.

Triple Double Man lifts Sixers to Fifth Straight

Sixers Win Fifth Straight thanks to the triple double man. The game was kind of subdued to be honest. Almost like it was scripted. Everyone expected them to win. The Sonics had played the nite before. Winning a game they probably should not have. The Knicks Marbury missed a game deciding free throw in the final seconds.

As planned, the Sixers jumped out on the Sonics early. Paced by Steven Hunter who scored 11 of his 13 points in the 1st period. They led 33-23 after 1 period. The Sixers played the front runner for the remainder of the game. But losing every quarter thereafter. So they never pulled away and it was rarely close enough to be exciting. I pretty much sat on my hands most of the game like the rest of the sparse Wednesday nite crowd.

Like I said it was scripted ... kind of like a mediocre movie. You think you may have seen it before, but you're watchin' anyway. The Sonics seemed to be just playing their part. At the most critical time of the game,with the scored tied at 89 in the final seconds, Ray Allen misses a free throw! He's an 88% career free throw shooter. Allowing the Sixers to go for the win but settle for overtime took all the drama out of Joe Smith's bucket.

The basketball gods took back the game he gave the Sonics the nite before. Sixers Win!

Billy King is the 3rd Best GM in Professional Sports

No. 3 ... according to Forbes, Billy King. I will take the high road on this one. No Comment. However I will repost a headline from this summer's Daily News.

That's four straight at home for the 76ers

That's four straight at home for the 76ers. I was at the game tonite and I have to admit that its great to watch team basketball again. I know they just gave up more ping pong balls, but when you're at the game you don't really care. The Nets jumped out to an early 17 point lead, but the Sixers bench brought them back in a big way. K squared has been steady. Joe Smith has given whatever was needed ... shooting, defense, rebounding. Sweet Lou Williams continues contribute. Just great team play. Don't get me wrong no one's confusing them with the Dallas Mavericks, but its a better brand of basketball than we've seen in awhile.

The Nets continue the jekyl and hide routine that has become their trademark. They faded in a loss to Boston last nite in overtime. And they faded again tonite after a quick start. Settling for jump shots as tired teams do. Once the Sixers stopped turning the ball over they were done. Outside of Jason Kidd they had no energy. They really miss the often injured Jefferson.

It's not hard to believe they are only 7 games better than the 76ers.

Vegas in NBA for Rap Bad

I just turned the title backwards because David Aldridge in his Inquirer NBA beat article Bad rap for NBA in Vegas has it backwards. David has turned in another one of his NBA lapdog articles. This kind milk toast writing does not distinguish him from others in the NBA media. The gist of his article was that the big stink Jason Whitlock raised about the All-Star Game in Vegas was overstated. Because nobody got shot and nothin' got burned down. Trying to make the distinction that the All-Star game did not attract the criminal element, just the thug element. And the shame was on the media for avoiding straight talk about race. Yes the 'thug' element is a code for black youths. And there should be a dialog about the duality of gangsta rap being viewed as the only avenue for black youths who can't play ball. There is no doubt there is some mutual attraction. Rappers want to be Ballers and Ballers want to be Rappers. Exhibit A. Jay-Z owner of the Nets. Exhibit B. Ron Artest's ill-fated rap album (or AI's for that matter).

But that's not what this dialog is about. The point is this ... Would you take your 10 year old to the All-Star game? Not that nobody got shot. The crowds of loiterers accompanying the All-Star game and the dilemma for local police is legendary. But goes unspoken by the media. Like all major sports the NBA is concerned about image. A job they do well. Perhaps too well. The media coverage of the NBA is too self-serving. Witness the shameless tom foolery that is the TV coverage on TNT. With their sideline coverage of who is invited to Tony Parker's wedding. Slam magazine was writing about the wild parties, sleep deprivation and how one writer was so dialed in to gambling at the MGM grand that he didn't know there was a shooting in the lobby.

The media is too close to the players and management to be objective. Call it the embedded journalist syndrome. Indeed it is the fact that NBA fans are closer to the players than in any other sport that makes basketball so alluring. David Aldridge and many of his peers are intoxicated (I can't condemn everyone). They are under a spell. Stores like this one bare witness to this.

Sixers hit the trey

That's 3 in a row.The Sixers finally equal the mark that started the season. Who would 've thunk it would be March before they won 3 straight again. The Grizzled are an awful road team so you had to give the Sixers the edge going in. The 76ers have now won 21. Still trailing 3 other teams with 22 wins. But they could easily win 30 if they continue at this pace. They Sixers only won 38 last year. Think about that. This squad could finish within 10 games of the much ballyhooed dynamic duo of Iverson and Webber. Iverson's Nuggets are treading water around the .500 line (sound familiar). We could be one player away from mediocre.

In other news today is the anniversary of Wilt's 100 point nite. Think of it ... Korver & Igoudala score 27 apiece tonite in overtime and Wilt scored twice as many points. It was a nite when more people will say they where at the game than the arena seats. Its only fitting that a legendary game like that was called on radio by the venerable Bill Campbell. One of my favorite andedotes about that nite was that Wilt got a ride home from members of the Knicks, the team they beat that nite. Wilt was living in New York city at the time.