7-0@Home but the next 3 on the road

I'm a big believer in the basketball gods. Some heavenly body that watches over the karma of the game. The NBA schedule is one of those domains ruled by the basketball gods. Every team has a brutal schedule. But the brutality isn't measured out the same every nite. The basketball gods see to that. Back to backs ... coast to coast road trips ... Texas two steps ... home and homes ... 3 games in 5 nites. But some nites the schedule favors your team. The Sixers have been making hay at home ... winning 7 straight. I enjoyed watching them handle the Magic on Wednesday nite. You can thumb your nose at the opponents, but you gotta give them credit for taking advantage when the schedule favors them.

I appreciate Marc's comments about the schedule as he covers the team. He notes a rough ride to start their 3 game road trip starting in Golden State tonite. Golden State will be playing its fourth of five straight home games and the Warriors have been off since Tuesday’s 105-99 win over Seattle. Maybe they will be rusty after the layoff?

Playoff Bound

If you hadn't heard the Sixers have reached the 7th seed in the playoff chase. The ideal spot is the 6th seed to avoid Detroit or Boston in the first round. So if you are rooting for a playoff berth you want to see them pass another team.

Baron Davis is the best guard in the nba?

Okay ... were talking about this in the shop the other day.

Question:

Who's the better guard (1) Baron Davis or (2) Steve Nash.

What followed was a series of rhetorical questions like ... what do you mean better point guard or shooting guard? Baron Davis is better than Nash one on one. What do you mean better guard for his team? Baron Davis is a better defender. What do mean his the best guard in the nba ... period.

We all agreed that Davis had the better slam dunks and left it at that.

Bring back the Red, White and Blue

My friend at Sixers 4 Gidos wants to mount a campaign to bring back the old Sixers unis. I like the old red, white and blue. And have no real allegiance to the new olds.

I'd buy a new jersey if they went back to the old uniforms. I need to replace my old AI jersey anyway.

Join Ricky's campaign by commenting on his web site

(BRING THE OLD SIXERS UNIFORMS BACK ! S4G CAMPAIGN - SIGN HERE)

It would be really nice to play the Knicks every nite

I have been out of town this week with no outlet to watch the Sixers. I was forced to eyeball the ticker on ESPN while listening to endless banter on about Shaq and Kobe. The Sixers laid an egg in Minnesota in their first game back from the all-star break. There was no excuse to losing to a lottery bound 10 win team. I'm not sorry I missed the game. I am sorry the feel good five game win streak was over.

But the home win streak remains is tack ... thanks to the Knicks. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I say the 124-84 score. 40 points! Can someone tell me if this game was as enjoyable as it sounds. The Knicks are HORRIBLE! If there is any question about wether the Sixers should tank or play to win ... look at the Knicks. Could you possible be worse than the Knicks? Could there be any sane reason Isiah Thomas still has a job? He must have compromising pictures of the owner in a tutu.

Oh .... Say can you sing?

Here's a Mo Cheeks moment for ya.

tHaddeuS yOunG NbA2k8 Slam

Dre 'Dala Top 100

Yawn ... its All-Star Week-end

Yawn ... it's All-Star Week-end. I'm thinking about spending time watch videos on YouTube this week-end.

Here is one of my favs;

Julius Erving's Mix

Mr. Potato head sparks Sixers to win 5th straight game

The 76ers followed up their improbable Monday nite win over the Mavs with a win over the Memphis Grizzles 102-88. I'm certain they were inspired when Mr. Potato head (Wednesday nite's giveaway) donned the 76ers red, white, and blue. Not buying that? Well Mr. Potato wasn't enough to fill the area either. Nor was the Sixers continuing tribute to the last major league team to win a championship this city. Former Sixer and Grizzles head coach Marc Iavaroni was honored last nite.  "Marc who" was the sentiment from the crowd who applauded politely during the tribute.

Igoudala's shot was working last nite so the Sixers looked good. Iggy shot 3-7 from the 3 point line and finished with 29 points. All starters finished in double figures.

Thaddeus Young continues to impress. 12 points, 8 boards and 3 steals. I'm not sure how it came across on TV, but the steal in the 2nd half was amazing. Young deflected a ball ... managed to control it ... started the fastbreak and went coast to coast for the score. The talent he exhibits for a 19 year old is impressive. There is no doubt he helps make the Sixers better when he is on the floor.

So the Sixers take a 5 game winning streak into the all-star break. They'll go home and kick their feet up for a couple of days. Sorry to upset you fans of tanking the season. As of today ... the Sixers are in the playoffs.

76ers beat the Mavs ... just like I predicted ... sorta

The Sixers were ballin' last nite. Extending their win streak to 4 during this 5 game home stand. I half heartedly expected them to win as I hustled to my seat. The sparse crowd shuffled in. Many in attendance were there to see Dirk Nowitzki, a seven-time all-star. What I did not expect was the way they went about winning.

They came out pushing the ball as they have been in recent games. But the Mavs matched their play with outstanding shooting. The Mavs lead the 1st period 25-23. The up temp game deteriorated a bit and the Sixers fell behind. That meant it was "Miller Time". Andre Miller forced the issue and closed the gap. Miller hit an improbable 3 to close out the half. The Sixers were only down by 3.

In the second half the Sixers displayed the most intense defense this team has ever .... repeat EVER ... played this season. Reggie Evans was doing his thing. Bumpin', pushin' and grabbin'. But other guys stepped up. Guys were closing out on shooters with a vengeance. There were hands in shooters faces. Tipped balls. Players lunging to the floor. This was serious blue color basketball. The kind of ball any Philly fan should be proud of.

In short, they played in awesome game. Now they need beat the Grizzles here on Wednesday to make this game really meaning full. Which brings us back to the argument as to wether they should be trying to win games or tank. I will repeat my thoughts from an earlier comment.

"It's hard not to be in the playoff hunt, because the conference is so loaded with bottom feeders. Which means the 8th seed (and maybe the 7th) could have a losing record. I don't see any point in that. I don't like to say 'tank' games, but I would rather see them win/lose with the young players on the floor. Let the chips fall where they may."

After witnessing last nite's performance. I don't think you could get these guys to tank if you wanted to.

1,000 games ... Are you kidding me?

Last nite's game was the 1,000th regular-season Sixers game announced by Sixers radio play-by-play announcer Tom McGinnis. This is McGinnis' 13th season with the Sixers. Hard to believe it's been that long. I think the last announce was ... ah ... Neil Funk?

Any way kudos to Tom. I have to say he calls an excellent game. I recall the 1st time I heard him. It was amazing! In those days he called the entire game by himself! Not just the play by play. He did color, analyzed the game and sold popcorn at half time.

Sixers race to 3rd straight win

So the Sixers are just gonna keep racing towards the basket until somebody stops them. Nobody has been able to do that in the last 3 games. They had their track shoes on again last nite in their win over the Clippers (101-80). Harvey Pollack is still checking to determine the last time a team has post the same final score (101) in 3 consecutive games and win.

Phil Jasner wrote earlier this week the Sixers recent youth movement and up tempo play is by design. Ed Stefanski's design. Ed wants to evaluate what he's got in preparation for the off-season. Sorry to say you're a little late Ed. I knew the Sixers should have been running from day 1. With no shooters and no low post player ... what else is there?

The article goes on to say he's looking for someone to step up as a 3 point shooter. Save yourself some time Ed. Start looking now. You traded the only legit 3 point shooter. Making it an imperative to replace him in the off season.

In the meantime ... run Sixers run! The consensus is they could go 4-1 on the 5 game home stand. Dallas and Memphis remain. Who knows ... the basketball gods could play a trick on us. Dallas plays the Nets today and travel to Philly for the last game of a 4 game road trip. The Sixers could keep on running and catch them napping. But it would be just our luck they could turn around and lose to the Grizzles.

Nah ... that couldn't happen ... could it?

Dallas on Monday

Home Sweet Home

It seems like some home cooking has been good for the Sixers. We Sixers fans were treated to 2 straight home wins. Of course the opponents had something to do with it also. The Wizards are struggling to toe the line without Agent 0 and dropped their 4th straight game. And the Miami Heat don't command the respect they used to. Add in the fact they where playing their first game without Shaq and you can just about lock in a Sixers W.

You can plainly see D. Wade's frustration from the look on his face. You look at the Heat roster and you don't recognize any of the names. Shawn Marion has gotta help some. But he's no savior. He just not a Eastern conference baller (IMHO) and comes with a lot of bags.

And what about Shaq ... I think its a good deal for him. He doesn't have to fit the Suns up temp style. All he has to do is be ready for the playoffs. He is on the team for one reason and one reason only ... to match up against Tim Duncan.

Talkin' about Shaq ... did you see that  funny story on True Hoops about the Hawks vs Heat game the teams have to replay. It was ruled in error that Shaq fouled out with a minute left. So the have to replay the final minute again! But now Shaq or any of the other player in the trade participate in the re-play, because of the trade.

Go figure.

Anyhow ... the Sixers. Standing at 20-30 the Sixers need to play .500 ball from here on out if the are to best last seasons record. And the best way to do that is win home games like they have done so far this week. The Sixers faithful (that actually attends games) appreciate it also :). Winning win-able games like the last two are perhaps even more important. The schedule gods have sets it up quit nicely for the Sixers ... 3 more games left on this home stand. With tonites home game versus the Clippers. Yes, the 16-30 Clippers ... who have reverted back to their old losing ways.

HOME+CLIPPERS = WIN?

We will see ...

Young bucks stage a huge comeback for the Sixers

I envy the young bucks. They have short term memories and rebound quickly from disappointment. Such was the case last nite in the home game against the Wizards. Just the nite before the Sixers turn out a pathetic performance in Atlanta. After a hot start in the 1st period, which they won 32-14. They Sixers broke down offensively and defensively to drop the game 96-91. Josh Smith simply man handled them. Blocking 9 shots ... dropping 9 dimes ... scoring 19 points and grabbing 6 boards.

Smith pushed Thaddeus Young around the floor and exposed  him in one on one situations. He was quickly saddled with foul trouble. Young, who started the game, eventually fouled out. But he managed 11 points and 6 boards. Priority #1 in the off season for Young is to add some bulk.

The hang over from the nite before continued for 3 quarters. The Sixers just cannot score in the half court. Down 12 entering the fourth with the young bucks on the floor (Williams, Carney, and Young) the Sixers pressed the Wizards. They had some success with the press earlier, but went away from it. The Wizards went into brain lock. The Sixers began picking off passes and converting them into dunks. Rod Carney had some roof rattling dunks. The Wizards' shot went cold and the Sixers began to run the floor off the rebound. The result was a 13 point period for Washington and a Sixers comeback victory (101-96).

You have to be impressed with Thaddeus Young so far. He manages to score without plays being run for him. He rebounds and he defends. Sure he's getting pushed around some, but he forgets about negative plays immediately. As often the case with young bucks he's fearless. He does not know he shouldn't be challenging Josh Smith (So Smith smacks his shot down). 

Just look at the point differential (a new plus/minus statistic that looks at the point differential when players are both in and out of the game) if you need anymore evidence about Young. In the Hawks loss he was +4. Last nite he was +8 and just missed a double double with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

It's great to see the young bucks play!

Congrats to the G-MEN

Congratulations to the New York Football Giants. Their 17-14 win over the Pats was the most enjoyable SB I've watched in years. As a devout Philly fan I consider the Giants our mortal enemy. But The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I hate the Pats ... their smugness ... the media hype about the greatest team of all time ... ha!

However, consummate Eagles fans will consider this a bad thing. The Eagles brain trust can use the G-Men's victory as a sign they are not far from a return to the SB ... they just need to tweak things instead of blowing the team up.

Sixers have no cure for the Magic

The Sixers played an incredibly interesting game despite the 108-106 loss to the Magic last nite. I thought it would cool down after a 33-33 1st period. But both teams kept sluggin it out. The Sixers kept pace even when Iggy was saddled with early foul trouble. All 5 startes from both teams scored in double figures. And the Sixers did a great job of frustrating Dwight Howard. Boy is that guy buffed or what? He and Sammy are the same height, but Sammy looks like a toothpick next to 'em.

It's kinda funny ... I was one of the few who took in Wednesday's team record setting blow-out (112-69) of the Milwaukee Bucks and it was not nearly as entertaining. But it did remind me of the old days of run and shoot basketball ... ABA style. The Sixers athleticism serves them well when they push the ball. That's the style of play I expected to see more of this season. Their half-court offense has no punch. The back door stuff they run looks good early in the game. But everybody is looking for it at crunch time.

They have yet to develop that unstoppable play. Like the monster pick and roll the Magic run with Howard and the sharp shooters at the 3 point line. Or that go to post up player that can back someone down into the paint.

Some of that has to be coaching. I am not one of those that advocates Cheeks immediate dismissal, but X's and O's is a weakness. Stan Van Gundy has made a huge difference with the Magic this year. I would have never guessed anyone could have gotten' the consistent play he has out of Hedo Turkoglu. He has instilled a killer mentality out of a traditional soft European player.

Cheeks is doing a good job with the young players. I like that he's starting the rookies. I like how he's pushing sweet Lou to learn the point. But a trademark of the really great coaches is what their team does after a time-out. Do they score or get the stop? The Sixers had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds. What happen ... they didn't even get a shot off.

'nuff said.

BTW

Reggie Evans was a beast in Wednesday nites game. As if he took his benching (Jason Smith started) personally and extracted his pound of flesh from the Bucks. For the record, I like to see him come off the bench. That's another good move by Mo.

Does the Pau Gasol trade make the Lakers contenders in the West?

Some teams have all the luck. The Lakers' blockbuster trade for Pau Gasol was a no brainer. Any trade in which you rid yourself of Kwamie Brown is a good one! Oh and you get an all star player to boot!

But I don't think the trade drastically changes the balance of power in the western conference. Yes, I think Gasol is a great player ... Yes I know any team would kill to have two all stars .... yea I know what a relief it is to Kobe ... blah ... blah ... blah

Gasol is not in impact player. He cannot defend Stodimire or Nowitzki, or Duncan. We don't even know if he can learn the famed triangle offense!

Memphis could not build a team around him. It looks like they are going to totally rebuild. Tanking like they did last year didn't help. So they're going the fire sale route. Shedding contracts and grabbing for draft picks. They have a long road to travel.

In the nice things happen to nice people department - I could not believe that Sixers assistant coach Aaron McKie was part of the Gasol trade. McKie has retired and started his coaching career as we always knew he would. Then he gets a license to steal money. He is signed by the Lakers the night before and traded to Memphis. Who is expected to release him. Just to make the dollars even out. But Aaron gets paid! His contract is guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

How lucky can you be? Just because he's a nice guy and well liked by the Lakers organization. Any doubt he will be behind the Sixers bench by the end of next week?