LeBron James Vogue Cover Criticized For "Perpetuating Racial Stereotypes"

LeBron James Vogue Cover Criticized For "Perpetuating Racial Stereotypes" This one made me LOL. LeBron doing the grape routine on the cover of Vogue. Just an example of how wacky this world can be if viewed from a PC lens. Jimminy Crickets he's standing next to Gisele! A beautiful Brazilian super model. Who in heck is looking at LeBron?

The funniest thing about the article was the quote from LeBron ... 'Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way'. Huh? Criticized in a good way?

Shaq Attack @ the Wac

It had been a week since the Sixers last lost a game. So I guess they were  due for a clunker. Many thought they we ripe for a letdown against the Bulls Wednesday. But they manhandled Chicago easily 121-99.

But the Suns were a bit more motivated after the loss to Philly at home and losing the first two games of their current 4 game road trip. Toss in a Sixers 0-13 shooting to start the game and that's all she wrote. Shaq had an impressive nite. But they never had a chance after the slow start.

What's next on the schedule ... hmm ... LeBron James and four other guys on Sunday. The Cavs will be in the tail end of a back to back after a Saturday nite joust in Detroit. The 76ers get a day of rest and a chance to steal one on Sunday.

Chris Webber is no longer the biggest thief in the NBA

Chris Webber has finally stop stealing money (retired). Some how in his bizarro world he has come to the conclusion he can no longer play. Actually what he said in a press conference was "rehabbing is hard" and he really didn't feel like doing it just to sit on the bench and cheer on Baron Davis and company. That tells you all you need to know about C.Webb.

Can you believe the talking heads were speculating whether Webber would make it to the Hall of Fame! Sure his career stats are good ... almost a double double for a career, but jeez there has gotta be more to the HOF than stats! 

76ers Beat Boston in Boston ... no I'm not kiddin'

The 76ers beat Boston in Boston ... no I'm not kiddin' you. There is no longer any reason to doubt this team. There is no longer any reason to question 'Dre 'Dala's status as the man. He took over the 4th period of an NBA game against a team with the league's best record. There is no longer any reason not to watch what the Sixers are doing to the NBA.

Some might have passed on the game last nite. After all they where in Boston ... the #1 team in the league ... the Sixers are 0-3 against them this year ... what the heck I'll catch it on sports center. WRONG! You have to watch what these guys are doing to truly comprehend just how fantastic they are playing. They were slugging it out with the C's the entire game. The bench forged ahead to take the lead in the 2nd period. But in the 4th the C's jumped out to an 11 point lead (69-80). Then Iggy turned it on and the Sixers scored 19 straight points to seize the win. Iguodala scored 10 points in a row to finish off that crucial run. With some serious steals and dunks. He answered Paul Pierce's trash talking with his game. The steal he deflected of the ref was sweet. The steal where he deflected it twice was sweet. The Sixers extended their defense and Sam I am played Garnet straight up. Thaddeus Young played huge minutes and continues to grow as a NBA player. Young and Williams were a +12  +/- deferential last nite. I can't say enough about how fantastic that game was.

RU watching this Philly fans? RU you ready for the NBA play offs? Yea ... I see ya breaking your ankles to jump on the bandwagon. Welcome to the show! 

Notes:
Boston has a stamina problem ... did you hear K.G. plays only 34 minutes. That means he takes a quarter off each game. The Sixers' intensity had him gassed. Coming into the season their bench play was a question mark. Doc Rivers seems to be tinkering with ways to give the vets a break during the game. Sam Cassell is not the answer. He's crafty, but just not fast enough for guards like Lou Williams. Fortunately for the C's they won't play back to back games like last nite in the play offs. But they are by no means a stone cold lock for the title. Yea I said it you stink'n Celtics fans. If they don't start tanking some games they might not make it out of the east.

Iggy leads 76ers over da nets

Andre Igoudala is "the man" for the 76ers. Exhibit A - last nite's 91-87 victory over the NJ Nets. He scored 9 points in the 3rd period when to keep the 76ers close as they fell behind. He scored 18 of his 28 points in the 2nd half. He shutdown the Nets leading scorer, Richard Jefferson, who managed only 11 points on 3-15 shooting. AND ... he made his free throws at the end of the game when it counted. In a post game interview Iggy said "I'm trying to make all the mistakes. So the other guys can just play". What else do you need from your team's leader?

Sammy also had an impressive game last nite - swatting shots like flys. Slammin' Sammy owned the painted area. He registered 5 blocks and altered many others. He also yanked 18 rebounds ... yes 18. Franken-Sammy was no where to be seen last nite.

This game had the familiar ring of the last home tilt against the Nets. Vince Carter put the team on his back to lead the Nets and benefited from a number of questionable calls to push his team ahead of the of the 76ers. But this game ended differently ... with a 76ers win. It was a sure sign that this team is not a fluke. Bouncing back 1 nite after a dismal performance in the magic kingdom was key. The Nets performance was also a key to where they are heading ....

Video Recap

Can Dr. J save the Nets?

I found it near blasphemy to see the Nets ticket renewal promotion this week. Featuring Dr. J week. Showing those old highlights of the doctor in a Nets uniform. Season ticket renewals bag you an autographed jersey. Can this really work? Can anything resurrect north jersey's interest in the Nets? Their web site is pushing Devon Harris jerseys for crying out load. I'm gonna give the north jersey fans a bit more credit. They can't be buying this. The Nets have been mediocre for some time now. They missed to chance to get anything of value for Vince Carter. Now they are rebuilding ... finally. Lets get rid of Jason Kidd for ... aah ... Devon Haris and what's behind door number 3. Nets fans should be insulted. Why would you be a Nets fan in north jersey when you know Jay-Z is moving the team to Brooklyn?

I got a slogan for ya ... at least we're better than the Knicks! That should pack 'em in.

Sixers luck runs out in the Magic Kingdom

Well you didn't really think they were gonna win them all did ya? On Friday the Sixers played their fourth and last game against the Orlando Magic. They finished 1-3 against them. I hope we don't see them again this season. The depressed fan has come to that realization. He doesn't want to see the Magic in the play-offs. The Sixers just don't match up to them very well. Their extended inside-out game of launching the 3 ball (14-23 3PM-A) and feeding Howard inside exposes the Sixers weaknesses. Add a poor start to the mix and you see the result ... a 113-95 drubbing in Orlando.

But the Sixers are fortunate. Today is another day. Another game day. Another game they must win. It's the New Jersey Nets on Sci-Fi nite at the Wachovia center (who came up with that one).

The 76ers have another chance to even their record at .500. The Nets (29-40) fell into ninth place by losing 125-114 to Denver on Friday night. Every game counts when you're in the playoff hunt. But they must continue to beat the lower echelon teams if they are going to get invited to the post season dance.

I'm looking for the Sixers to bounce back 2nite.

LoVe-FeSt at the Wac Center (Part.2)

More on Wednesdays nites love-fest. Here's an all-access video of AI's return. It has the feel of a prize fight.

I've heard some criticism that the Sixers should have had a formal celebration for AI's return. I think they played it right. Those type of things are appropriate for the retirement tour. But not in this situation .... lets keep it real.

Love-fest at the Wac Center

Yes, there was much love going on at the Wac center last nite. Everybody was on their best behavior. AI was saying all the right things. Showing his love for the fans. Publicly showing Mo Cheeks some love. He even had specially made shoes (with "THXPHILA") for the event. The fans showed their appreciation with an extended standing ovation. The sell out crowd had plenty to ooh and aah about as they cheered (a few jeered) each time he touched the ball. But they cheered the loudest for a Sixers victory. That was the consensus of the crowd "love ya Allen but I want the 76ers to win". As it should be. And the Sixers did not disappoint. Winning a thriller 115-113. You could tell how much this game meant to the Sixers when Igoudala threw the ball in to the air as he came to the revelation that the game was in hand. You could tell from his play that the game really meant something to the birthday boy ... Andre Miller ... who was the star of the game with 32 points and 12 assists. The game was totally entertaining from start to finish. As I said ... there was much love in the house.

Since the trade, Denver has deteriorated into A.I. and the Nuggettes. He takes the majority of the shots, overplays on defense and hopes somebody will bail him out. I didn't see anything that resembled defense out there last night. Which is why he (AI) for all his maturity has not come any closer to a championship than he did in 2001 . Denver will struggle to make the playoffs and serve as first round cannon fodder because they play no defense.

This game has been circled on the calendar for a long time. I asked myself back then which of the following will be true;

On March, 19 2008:
A. AI will get a standing O from the Sixers faithful
Check

B. AI will be on the injured list
Quit the opposite. The little warrior continues to play with abandon.

C. The Sixers will be 10 games under .500
Not so grasshopper. The Denver win raised their record to .500

D. Billy King will still be the Sixers GM (sigh)
:)

So 2-2.

BTW,

Did you see that crazy assist by Iggy to win that game ... back to the basket, falling down ....

Mo Talk

I know everybody wants to talk about AI and how big the Nuggets game has become. But after reading Sixers talk on the net this week-end I found myself reflecting about Mo Cheeks. Suddenly people are talking about the Sixers and giving high praise to Mo. As the old saying goes ... your are never as bad as you look and you are never as good as you look. So Mo was never as bad a coach as the Sixers poor start would indicate nor is he as great a coach as he appears to be at the moment. The truth is somewhere in between. But the thing I am certain of is that he the right coach right now. Ed Stefanski seems to believe this as much as anybody. Despite the 1 year extension he may still dump Mo at seasons end. The extension was necessary if he wanted the see the players respond (nothing is less motivating than a lame duck coach). So Cheeks is the right coach to teach this young squad how to win in the NBA. Is he the right coach teach them how to win a championship?

I could not help but laugh as I recognized my friends in Jeff Glauser's open letter to Mo in the Phanatic Magazine. In "Dear Coach Cheeks I'm Sorry" Jeff reflects on the years Cheeks played for this storied franchise and the quiet role he played on the '82 championship team. How his quiet manner sometimes tricks you into believing that maybe he wasn't that good of a player ... maybe he's not that good of a coach. But now Jeff has renewed faith since the team is winning. Fickle?

Perhaps not ... Mo has a way of letting you believe whatever it is you wish. He was that good in '82. So good you hardly noticed. The highest praise for a guard. Its hard for people to comprehend how unselfish Mo is. This week-end I came across a story from a Chicago beat writer expressing that same sentiment about Cheeks (76ers coach Cheeks still handling out assists). In the story he describes in great detail one of my favorite Mo Cheeks moments. You remember the one were Mo comes to the aid of a young girl singing the national anthem to start Game 3 of the 2003 playoff series between the Portland and Dallas.

My favorites Mo Cheeks moment ... watching him dribble out the clock as the Sixers clinched the '82 title. He races down the lane and dunks the ball as time runs out.

I remember thinking ... "I never say him dunk before". Now we are all wondering ... "just how good is he"?

It's Miller time! Sixers Beat the Spurs

Yes, it's been a tough week for the Sixers. A look down the schedule revealed 5 games in 7 days. Not 5 scrubs games either; they faced the Buck, Celtics, Pistons, Bulls, and Spurs! 3 of 5 games on the road. 2 back to backs. Many thought ... 2-3 would be a good week and you better beat the Bucks to start in order to have a shot 2 wins. So what did they do ... they went 4-1 including a Sixers 103-96 win over the Spurs. The Sixers never trailed in the second half. If did not watch the Sixers this week you missed the most impressive week of hoops they have played yet this season. They are one game below .500 at 33-34 and have a solid seventh seed position in the playoffs with a 4 game lead over the 8th spot. They now have an identity ... this is Sixers basketball!

Andre Miller with an aching back was the star of the game. Miller's line was simply superb ... 32 points (season high), 5 rebs and 2 steals. He just knows how to give this team what its needs ... when it needs it.

Andre Igoudala keeps showing us that he's got skills! The jumper he made with Bruce Bowens in his jock was clutch! He's scary when that rainbow jumper is falling. Teams have been packing it in to stop the drive. Now the jumper is a wide open shot and he's just draining it.

Franken-Sammy was on his meds tonite and manned up on Tim Duncan. Dalembert puts up a double double (10 & 10). I'm gonna give'em his props for a heads up game and leave it at that.

I don't want to hear any crap about the Sixers being lucky; the Spurs were a tired club, the Spurs lost to Detroit last nite, the Spurs have lost 4 in their last 5. Everybody has a tough schedule. I already mentioned the road the Sixers had to go this week. This was a quality win against the world champions.

Now it's Miller time for Dos Andre's and the squad .... sit back and crack open a cold one ... until Wednesday when you know who comes to down.

The Temple Owls are going to the dance

Congratulations to Fran Dunphy and the Temple Owls. Temple overcame a second half deficit to beat St. Joe's in Atlantic City for the Atlantic 10 championship (Temple 69, St. Joe's 64).

The championship comes just two years removed from the retirement of the legend John Chaney. Many expected it to take a number of years before Fran would bring winning basketball to Temple. Chaney casts a huge shadow and despite his coaching record Fran was considered a question mark becuase of the low stature of the Ivy league competition he faced for most of his career. The Owls looked like they were going nowhere this season. But Fran turned it around and now they are going to the dance.

Comeback in Chicago

There was much talk before the game about not letting down against the Bulls after the emotional win in Detroit. The players insisted there would be no letdown. So they struggled for 3 quarters on the road in Chicago. Only an exceptional nite at the charity strip (40-for-44) for the worst free throw shooting team in the NBA and an true blue nite from Andre Igoudala (25 pts) keep them in the game. They trailed by 16 after three periods.

But this team has brought it every nite this season and tonite was no different. Fueled by the bench ... the Sixers out scored the Bulls 40-20 in the 4th period. Over taking them for the 110-106 win.

Rod Carney has stepped up for the second straight game going 3-3 from the 3 point line, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the fourth. Iggy did a masterful job leading the Sixers through out the game. Particularly when he kept the 3-party going that Rod started during the decisive run. He continues to set the tone for this lunch pail team.

Speaking of working hard; Kevin Ollie lead the play off the bench. He gave the Sixers steady guard play, gets a big rebound when they needed it, and played tough "D". Jason Smith also had some good minutes. Heck everybody contributed to the win.

They can all take a break ... for just a little while ... the Spurs come to the Wac Center tomorrow nite.

Notes:

Interesting enough Bulls reserve Thabo Sefolosha also had an impressive game ... scoring 20 points. You remember Thabo don't you? He's the guy from Switzerland drafted by Sixers 2 years ago then traded for Rodney Carney. Who knew they had basketball courts in Switzerland.

Down and Dirty in Detroit

The Sixers beat the Pistons at their own game ... down and dirty. They executed in the half court. They defended well when they had to. They won a game in which they scored less than 100 points (only the 3rd time this season). They out rebounded Detroit (39-32, 14 O boards).They forced turnovers (Detroit had 14 - 3 over their average) AND they held on when they had the lead at the end of the game. Result: Sixers 83 Pistons 82.

Rod Carney was the man tonite (16 points on 7-10 shooting, 2-3 from the 3 point line). He was victimized a few times on the defense but he made up for it on the final play of the game when he closed out on Billups to force a tough final shot. Looks like he may get more minutes if Green is out for an extended period. The other benefactor of Green's minutes also got extended playing time, but for a different reason. Sweet Lou closed out the game when Andre Miller left the game after aggravating his sore back. Suddenly the Sixers depth is being tested. Which makes this win that much more important.

On another note ... He's Back! Franken-Sammy has returned. Dalembert served up more than his share of errant passes, missed defensive assignments and dumb fouls. Sammy played 41:50 minutes. Result: 6 points and 7 boards. Yea ... lets give Sammy more minutes.

Oh Yes, Iggy had a dependable 22 ... you gotta give him his props.

He coming ...

Weighed, Measured, and found wanting

There was a lot of buzz about Monday nites Sixers games versus the C's. The Sixers are playing better these days ... beating up on opponents in the lower third tier. Monday nite was a chance to see how they measured up to the upper tier. It was the Wac center's 1st sell out this season (many of them walk ups). How would the home team fair? Well they were ... weighed, measured, and found wanting. The Sixers fought back after a slow start (0-15), but Kevin Garnett and company turned up the defense in the 3rd period and the Sixers never seriously threaten for the rest of the game.

The result;

Celtics 100, 76ers 86

Sammy needs to keep his mouth shut. After all the crazy comments Sammy has been making over the week-end. Like the insanity of complaining about minutes, when he has been averaging 33 minutes a game ( the most he has every played). While the team is on a win streak no less. I've often commented about his lack of B-ball IQ ... now his real IQ is in question. Well Sammy was ... weighed, measured and found wanting against Kevin Garnett and the gang. Managing only 2 points ... 2! He did pull down 10 rebounds, but there were lotsa rebounds to be had. No one on the home team shot well. Losing Willie Green to a back injury didn't help. Does this mean more minutes for Lou Williams or Rod Carney?

No time to pout over the C's game. They Sixers play the Pistons Wednesday.

Thaddeus Young leads a balanced Sixers attack over the Bucks

Yes, the rookie must have been working on his offense during last week's time off. He lead the Sixers in scoring with 22 points in their 117-96 win over the Bucks in a Sunday afternoon matinée. In all the Sixers had 7 players who scored in double digits.

But Young's points looked extremely easy. Particularly for a rookie. Burying the open outside jumper ... sweet moves in the paint ... a nice assist to Sammy in traffic ... and a 3 point field goal with the 24 second clock running out. You can't help but salivate over this kids potential once he figures the game out.

Next up is a home battle with the C's. That's a tall order for any team, but the Sixers played them well last time ... and they are on a 8 game home win streak :)

Happy B-Day Harvey Pollack

Happy Birthday to the legendary sports statistician Harvey Pollack a.k.a "Super Stat"! The only original employee of the NBA still working! The creator of the term "Triple Double" and many other stats we use regularly in the NBA. He was the first to keep stats for minutes played, blocked shots, offensive and defensive rebounds, steals and turnovers. Harvey is one of the few who can prove he say Wilt score 100 points on March 2, 1962 (he keep the stats). Harvey is celebrating his 86th birthday.

He is a true representative of Philly basketball .... Born in Camden .... Temple Grad ...Philadelphia Bulletin news veteran.

Harvey is also the world record holder for the # of consecutive days of wearing a different T-shirt (un-confirmed).

HAPPY B-DAY STAT!

Now do you believe the Sixers are playoff bound?

The Sixers are repeating last years pattern of playing markedly better in the later half of the season. After playing at a high level to beat the Phoenix Suns (on the road) they avoided a let down against the Clippers and blew them out. They came home from a successful road trip 2-1 and after a 3 day layoff the Sixers Blow Out the Sonics. What more could you ask for? Slamming Sammy really had it going last nite. Dalembeast posted a double double (22 & 13) and had the highest +/- rating of any NBA player last nite (+34).

Some people are deriding them for their sub .500 record or lack of stars.

But hot is hot ... they have won 7 of their last 10 ... they have an 8 game home win streak ... they have a winning record at home ... they are only 4 games below .500 ... Andre Miller was the player of the week in March (twice) ... you got to give them some credit. No one expected them to be on par with Detroit or Boston this year, but you don't want them to be a door mat. If they are going to turn it around you want to see them do it with young players and you want them to have a taste for winning. The Sixers were projected to be dead last in the division this year. A playoff spot has to be considered an achievement (even if it comes with a losing record).

Sometimes Philly fans can't handle the truth ...

You want the Sixers to go to the Play offs ...

You need the Sixers to go to the play offs!

Without playoffs aspirations support for the Sixers will continue to wane. No one will really scrutinize what Ed does in the off season. More Season ticket holders will be lost. No one will come to the games next year ... and that's a shame. Because they are really playing some entertaining basketball. Philly style ... blue collar style basketball. And they come to play every nite.

When are more Philly fans going to believe?

Suns win goes for nothing if the Sixers don't beat the clippers

Yes, that Suns game Saturday nite was really something. The Sixers went toe to toe with Steve Nash, Shaq & company and beat them at their own game. Dre Dala had a off the hook shooting nite and the Sixers ability to hold on for the win was an amazing sign of maturity. It was the kind of game many would expect them to fail. They have proved they are not about chasing ping pong balls and that they can be entertaining.

But they still need to be validated as a contender. Tonite is one of those opportunities for validation. They must beat a lesser team (the Clipper are 19-39, L5) after the emotional win in Phoenix. Maybe someone will notice them if they go 2-1 on this road trip .... well maybe not.

Why doesn't Wilt Chamberlain have a postage Stamp?

Why doesn't Wilt Chamberlain have a postage Stamp? Chamberlain deserves postal stamp. Fitting conversation on the 47 anniversary of Wilt's 100 point game. A feat I will dare say will never be surpassed. There are other black sports heroes that have had their own stamp Jackie Robinson (1982), Jesse Owens (1990), Satchel Paige (2000), and Wilma Rudolph (2004). Why not Wilt?







Think about some the people of less stature that has a stamp;

• 
• Raoul Wallenberg (1997)



• Duke Kahanamoku (2002)



• Rocky?



• Gerald Ford (2007) ... Okay he was president once.

Chamberlain should be on the list. What do you think? Can't we call a congressman or something. Maybe we could get Arlen Spector on the case when he's done with NFL spy gate.