It's not over 'til its over

SLAM ONLINE | Philly’s Playoff Run: This ain’t over. There's a reason why they still have to play the games. 'Cause if you just looked at the seeding and crowned the champs ... who would care. What would it mean?

Nice lid Sammy. Looking forward to game 7.

Game 4 was a buzzkill for me

Man was that game last nite a buzzkill or what? We were chillin' at the block party Sunday afternoon. Yea it was a bit cold but after a few Bud's it wasn't so bad, right?

So we roll into the Wac Center for the game. Checkin' out the crowd ... whooping it up, you know how we roll? The Sixers started of well. Iggy was hitting jumpers, the76ers were forcing turn-overs and running the floor. The 76ers were up by 10 at the half. It was almost like they just picked up where they left off on Friday nite, right? Like I was saying to my buddy "Dude this day is totally awesome, right"?

Well something wore off at half time. I'm not making excuses, but the tone of the officiating changed along with the Pistons attitude. Sometimes it happens that way. The Sixers didn't adjust. The Sixers sure benefited from their share of calls in the first half. We all know makeup calls happen. A referee's sense of balance or fairness gets in the way of objectivity.

Well what ever it was. The Sixers suffered as a consequence. Dre Dala had another sub-par game. He started off okay, but he continued to settle for jumpers. And the jumper abandoned him in the 2nd half. I found it odd that Mo keep feeding 'em the ball and he kept trying to win the game on his own. I don't think Mo did enough to change the tempo. Going small made things worse as the Sixers just got pounded on the boards. Going to Reggie Evans had no effect. Honestly, I love Reggie but you gotta recognize when he's not being effective (his +/- was -4).

Anyhow ... I lost a good buzz after half time and I was a bit hung over the AM. Don't worry ... just like Sixers I can bounce back. The series is only 2-2. I gotta another home game Thursday nite!

Weekend Update: 76ers vs Pistons Game 4

Point - Counter Point : And now, "Weekend Update", with the "Weekend Update" news team. Brought to you by Cruelex, the first men's grooming aid that promotes jock itch. Here are co-anchorpersons Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd.

Dan Aykroyd: Good evening. I am Dan Aykroyd.
Jane Curtin: And I'm Jane Curtin.

Our top story tonight: The 76ers vs Pistons Playoff Series - Game 4

Dan: The Pistons are pissed now. They're gonna tear Philly a new one in game 4. No way they come out flat after the spanking they took Friday.
Jane: Dan, you're making me sick.. all this talk about the mighty Pistons is overblown. They are too old and too slow to beat the 76ers. The Sixers have shown they can put a game behind them ... win or lose. The Pistons ... I'm not so sure.
Dan: Jane you ignorant slut. The Pistons are a basketball dynasty. They have been to eastern conference finals for the last 5 years. They have the second best record in the NBA. They are loaded with all-stars. What do the Sixers have. Andre Igoudala ... a superstar wanna be.
Jane: Stop bogarting that pipe you're smoking Dan. Igoudala is a risings star. Sure he hasn't performed well in the 1st 3 games. But he's due. Look for a stellar game from Iggy in game 4. Unlike the Pistons' situation with Mr. Bigshot Billups, the Sixers can play well without their star.
Dan: Jane, you ignorant, misguided slut! Once again, you missed the point entirely. Billups goes through a little slump every year. It's just come a little earlier that usual. It's Flip Sunders fault the Pistons are down 2-1. Joe Dumars handed him a winner and he just hasn't been able to get it done. He knows he's is on the hot seat and he's making the Pistons look bad.

(Jane puts on a fake beard ala Reggie Evans)

Jane: Don't fight the fever Dan. You know Reggie has gotten under their skin. Flip didn't tell his guys to go out there and play lethargic one on one basketball, clank the ball off the rim and commit turn-overs. Its the energy of Evans and Philly's youth. And in Game 4 the Philly fans will give them the jolt they need to overcome what ever the Pistons do.

(Dan puts his head on the desk in despair)

Dan: But you don't understand, Jane. This is the NBA. We've already written the script! (sighs) This can't be happening!

Announcer: This portion of "Weekend Update" has been brought to you by David Stern and the NBA, where expanding basketball to ever nook and cranny of the globe is our passion. See Kevin Durant coming to the Okie City CopyCats and our new alliance with the Cartoon Network, the NFL Draft, and Fear.not.net.

76ers White the Pistons off the court

The 76ers are not a fluke. You hear that all you player haters out there. This playoff series is for real. Again most prognosticators were ready to for the Pistons to pat the young Sixers on the head and send them to bed. Particularly after the thumping in game 2. Not so fast.

This is Philly baby. I have not been to such a fantastic playoff game since ... ah ... since 2001. The white T-shirt clad fans where ravenous during the introductions. The game started fast. A 'Dre Dala dish to Young who hits a sweet jumper. A 'Dre steal on the other end and you knew that game was on! The energy in the building was incredible. There was a constant buzz. Cheers for every Sixers move. Jeers for every Pistons advance. And then there was Reggie Evans.

Reggie, Reggie, Reggie!

Evans had the crowd whipped into a frenzy. It feed off his energy. The Sixers feed of his energy. The Pistons battled to a 20-20 tie in the 1st period, but they did so with incredible shooting. The Sixers lead by a mire 4 points at the half ( 44-40). But I have never seen a game played at such a fast pace for so few points scored. It felt like the Sixers had scored 60. The Sixers were playing their game. They Sixers were imposing their will. The pistons turn-overs were ticking up at a paced that was unheard of.

Rip Hamilton was all the Pistons had. You could see he was determined not to lose this game. His shooting was extraordinary. His cuts through the lane were crisp. He was bodied up on defense and playing with attitude. The Sixers managed to use that aggression against him. As his fouls mounted up the Pistons play went down.

Philly just took over the game in the second half. They just keep punching Detroit in the face. There was a 30 second time-out for an injury twice! McDyess suffered a broken nose. Young left the game with a bloody nose. The Sixers were deflecting balls all over the place. Their shell shocked opponent did not score for half the 3rd period! The Sixers just floored it and pulled away to a 15 point lead. Rodney Carney opened the 4th with a 3 pointer and the Pistons were done.

I can't wait for the game on Sunday! My body was still tingling when I woke up in the AM from the energy jolt of the game last nite. There's nothing like a playoff block party in the spring time. I think I'll get there early.

So the 76ers got thumped in Game 2 ... now what?

Indeed ... now what do we expect from the 76ers. Game 2 didn't go as well as I would like. I don't have a problem losing. I don't have a problem with being thumped. The Pistons threw everything they had at them. The series is still 1-1.

But I was disappointed they could not match their energy. I'm really disappointed in Iggy's play so far in the series. It's just the kind of thing to give the player haters something to use against him and try to negate the great season his has had.

The worst thing I saw in this game was how the Sixers let the Pistons bully them around with cheap shots.You can't let them get away with that or the referees will let them continue to do it. Somebody from Detroit should have been thumped. Perhaps Louis Amundson should have been put in earlier.

Anyhow ... its still 1-1. The strategy doesn't change much in game 3. Just a few tweaks. It looks like Detroit is trying to trap Lou Williams coming up the floor and they have put in a set play against the Sixers trap. But that didn't really change the outcome. The Sixers just need to play their game.

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Notes: Fast Eddie Rendell is everywhere. A state republican complained today that Ed Rendell wasn't spending enuff time on his day job (as Governor) ... with all his stumpin for Hillary and broadcasting with Comcast. Now he's signed a proclamation renaming the SureKill expressway from I-76 to the I-76ers throughout the playoffs.

I'm wondering ... does he get paid for that?

76ers should keep their foot on the gas in Detroit

On the morning after the Sixers win in Detroit, Bill Lyon wrote a Philadelphia Inquirer article in which he waxed poetically, as only Bill can. He describes the game using the metaphor of the old man trying to teach his young buck how to drive. The young bucks (Sixers) put the peddle to the metal, despite of the objections of the old man (Pistons) to win the game.

Now the Pistons are mad. Mostly at themselves for such uncharacteristic play. Head coach Flip Saunders has gotten angry. He wants to play game 2 as if it were an elimination game. He will likely lean on his veterans harder for game 2. Undoubtedly the veterans will respond. That's just fine with me. I want the Pistons to have to work as hard as possible to win game 2.

The Sixers should keep the pressure on. They should keep their foot on the gas. Push the ball. It has become their identity. Game 1 showed they can do what they were told could not be done ... run in the playoffs ... in Detroit. It was the difference in the game. It put Detroit on their heels. Those shots aren't so easy when you're under pressure ... to get back on defense. It's the Sixers edge. They should use more of the roster. Give Carney and Smith more minutes. I thought Smith gave them great minutes on Sunday. They should force the Pistons veterans to work as hard as possible. So what if they don't win game 2. It will set them up for game 3 ... at home ... where they should continue to force the pace. To quote GM Ed Stefanski "We're playing with house money". What is the worst that could happen. We play game 3 at home with the series tied 1-1.

Come on Sixers ... keep your foot on the gas!

Maybe now they will remember the name

Maybe after this game, a Sixers 90-86 win, broadcaster Reggie Miller will learn how to say Ig-ou-dala. For the better part of the game he referred to Andre Igoudala simply as AI. AI? But it became clear as the Sixers stepped it up in the 4th period. He could pronounce Iggy's name!

One thing for sure ... the national broadcast team knows how to say Reggie Evans. Reggie was just being Reggie ... hitting the boards, talking smack, baiting players into charges. But when he starts making free throws and turn around jumpers ... watch out!

Another thing they will learn, if they have not already, is the Sixers are not a fluke. The game was not over when the Sixers were down 13 at the half. "Comeback" is their middle name. The Sixers youth don't know they are supposed to quit.

For you nay sayers out there ... "The Pistons did not lose this game the Sixers beat them" (Flip Saunders). This series will not be a walk over.

It's is not over be any means. Now its time for adjustments. Detroit will certainly play Wednesday nite like a must win game. But the young bucks have their sea legs now. And they got what they came for ... at least a split. I hope they can stay hungry.

Looking for the76ers to steal one in Detroit

I know the drill. The 76ers are the underdog. Their brilliant run has tailed off course in the last 10 games. The Pistons have been to the conference finals for the last 5 years. They're on the road against a teams whose strength (defense) matches up well against the 76ers strength (fastbreaks). The 76ers lack playoff experience. Their style of play isn't well suited for the playoffs ... yada ... yada ..yada.

I say it all amounts to the perfect storm to steal one in Detroit. When you don't own the home court advantage. That's the first order of business. Steal one of the first two games. And what better game to do it than the first. Outside of the Philly faithful, Nobody is giving the 76ers a shot. That's not surprising. Nobody outside the Philly faithful has actually every watched them play. Today will be their 1st nationally televised game this season.

No disrespect to the Pistons. They are a good team. They have continued to play at a high level for a long time. But its gotta end sooner of later, right? It is no secret that Pistons head coach, Flip Sanders is on the hot seat. He was handed the reigns to a perennial conference favorite and was expected to win championships. To date he has won zero. What's his records in the playoffs (37-44). He couldn't win a playoff series with Kevin Gannett!

Most of the Pistons starters have already drank from the cup of championship victory. Perhaps the drive isn't there anymore. Perhaps their age is catching up with them.

Perhaps the 76ers can steal one in Detroit.

Count another Sixers fan in favor of saving the SuperSonics and moving a team to Oklahoma City

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to Jon's comments at Passion and Pride about stopping the Sonics move to OK City.

I was approached earlier this week, as many in the NBA blogger community have, about joining the protest against this injustice. The good folks at http://sonicscentral.com/blog/ have been leading a valiant charge and I commend their efforts.

I know the outrage I felt when there was even a hint that the Sixers might be moved elsewhere. Contrary to what owners think sports franchises really belong to the fans. Ultimately we pay the bills. It's usually because you're doing a crappy job if the franchise isn't generating enough revenue. After all its the Philadelphia 76ers not the Comcast Spectacor 76ers or the Jaye-Z Nets. A team is nothing without their fans, whether they are in the arena ($) or watching on TV ($$) or buying fan merchandise ($$$).

You have to give Ed Snider and Comcast Spectacor some credit for building their our venue, because they viewed it as a business investment. Instead of holding a city like Seattle hostage because they don't have an area with lucrative luxury boxes. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. But hasn't Seattle just gone through this with the Seahawks and the Mariners? Downtown Seattle has two huge retractable dome stadiums built with tax payers money. How much can you expect them to put up with. The Sonics have a great history in Seattle. How can the NBA condone kicking them to the curb, because they have a new owner with an agenda. Shouldn't that be considered when they make the sale (or perhaps it has been done behind closed doors)?

I can see where Oklahoma City is coming from. What they did for the Hornets is commendable. A major pro sports franchise to a place like OK city is a badge of honor. It means they have arrived. It means they are a real metropolitan area. But not at another city's expense if they are doing their best to support the team. Do you know why OK city is attractive to a new owner? 'Cause they are so jazzed about the badge of honor they don't care what the team does. They don't care if the ownership does a crappy job. There's no accountability for the owner. The city will just throw money at them. It's a license to steal.

But if not the Sonics then how do you reward Oklahoma City? It's no secret Dave Stern has an expansionist agenda (He's thinking mostly about Europe). But I just can't see adding a new franchise anytime soon. Let's face facts. The talent pool in the NBA is diluted already. Another franchise would send the level of play down the tubes. Moving the Grizzles seems like the most viable option. They couldn't make it work in Vancouver and are struggling in Memphis. They don't have the roots that any other NBA team has. They'd sure have to change the name though. Oklahoma City Cowboys ... Rattlers ... Ranchers ... I dunno?

But back to the point ...

I implore sports fans everywhere to send an e-mail to the NBA to save the Sonics in Seattle (click here). If we keep letting this continue ... Your sports franchise could be next!

What was up with that @@#%/!@#* Call!

That game was over ... The ref waived his arms and the the game was over.  How in the heck can you go back to a replay to determine if they called a foul. On the post game show they defended the ref for making a foul call with 0.2 second left on the clock. I don't care! You don't make that kind of frickin' call at the end of a game.

That was to most bush league thing I have ever witnessed!

I could not stop screaming at my television set! Mo Cheeks and the Sixers took the high road. The refs made a call and they move on. The 76ers lose 91-90 to the LeBrons and are now locked into the 7th playoff seed and a match-up with the Detroit Pistons.

Sigh ...

Despite the call the Sixers played a good game. Did you see that roof rattling slam by Lebron James (sure you did)? I had began to think the Sixers had lost their mojo when they were down by 11 in the 4th period. But the young bucks sparked off another of those incredible runs. Sweet Lou was sensational. He scored 21 points on 9-11 shooting. Thaddeus Young scored 11 points and 3 steals. Including a nice steal off of James to coast in for the score. He also had 4 boards in some critical situations. Not bad.

So bring on the Pistons. I'm not going to pretend it won't be a struggle. But at least the Sixers know its possible. You can't win if you do believe you can win.

Wizards rescued by Agent Zero

Gilbert Arenas aka Agent 0 wrestled a win away from the Sixers at the Verizon Center. It seemed like he  outscored the entire Sixers squad in the fourth period to win the game. He made some flat out crazy mad shots at times. The Sixers forgot how to play in the 4th period. It was their worst quarter. They seemed to have taken their foot off the gas after storming back in the 3rd period. Sure you have to give credit to Arenas, but I didn't see him block any shots.

The Sixers have lost two straight and won only one game since they clinched a play-off berth. It's like they think the hard part is over ... they made the play-offs. Wait'til they find out the hard part is yet to come.

The Return of the Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight!

It's an understatement to say that the 76ers performance last nite was disappointing. It was all that and more. They couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a bazooka. I thought we were done with the gang that couldn't shoot straight. It's one thing to say the Pacers defended well ... but they didn't. The Pacers sux. The Sixers missed shot after shot ... wide open shots ... bunnies.

They couldn't hold on to the ball either. Fumbling and bumbling through-out the game. It's not much of a surprise to see Sammy or Reggie having a problem holding on to the ball. But even Andre Miller got into the act.

I can't bring myself to peek at the box score on this one. Let's just chalk it up to bad karma. It was in the air. The arena was sparse for a Friday nite. Afterwards, we mixed with the Phantoms crowd from game at the Spectrum. They were equally silent after a lackluster loss to the Hershey Bears. We crossed the street to McFadden's just in time to watch the Flyers blow a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period. They lose to the Caps! Like I said ... there was something in the air.

"But look Rando ... the Phils won" ... great ... just what I wanted to hear. Another reason to hate baseball.

The 76ers hit 40

With their 101-9s4 win over the Pistons last nite the 76ers hit 40 win for the season. They have already surpassed my pre-season hopes to equal last season's 35 wins. Its all about reaching the next level now. And the Sixers seeding in the playoffs will have a lot to do with that. David Aldridge wrote another one of his sappy articles in the inquirer about the injustice of Flip Saunders resting his starters against the Sixers last nite. David threw in a few quotes from Pistons fans who were disappointed. There were the usual faithful fans from Coatsville in attendance to see Rip Hamilton. But hey, Rip's been hurt for a few weeks now. There is no way any coach would have let him play unless they were in a struggle for the last playoff spot. So there is no cause for a complaint there. Who cares about friggin' Pistons fans anyhow. This is Philly. I agree with Brian (The Pistons Don't Care), but we do!

I was one of those fans who dared go to a Sixers game in the first half of the season. And frankly, I don't care who I see the Sixers beat now. Nobody was giving back refunds then. I want to see a good show and that's what I got.  The Sixers were in control the entire game ... with or without the Pistons starters. So what if Juan Dixon is so short that I could slap back some of his shots (as easily as Sammy did repeatedly). I want to see the Sixers jailbreak. I want to see Iggy spread his wings for that hellish dunk. I want to see them climb the playoff seeding ladder. I want to see them finish the season with a better than .500 record.

Bring on the Pacers Friday. I hope they are officially eliminated and we spank them too! It won't bother me one bit.

Sixers suffer a Hangover against the Hawks

"Come on Sixers! I could be watchin' the Final Four right now" someone shouted over my shoulder last nite. The crowd seemed desperate for something to cheer about. But the Sixers could not oblige. It truly appeared as if they did take a sip of champagne the previous nite to celebrate their 1st playoff berth in 3 years. The Sixers fell to 39-38 after a lackluster 92-85 loss to the Hawks.

Of course the result was not totally unexpected. Despite of the Sixers resiliency these last two months. The hardest thing to do in the NBA is beat the same team in back to back games. Most often the teams spilt. Still I would have liked to have seen a more spirited effort. The Sixers are not the kind of team that can just turn it on in the 4th quarter to win a game. I hope they learned that last nite. I could have stayed at home for that lesson.

Unfortunately the Final Four was not much more exciting than watching the Sixers sleep walk thru a game ... that's unless you are a Memphis or Kansas fan.

Spring time is Playoff time in Philly again

Yes it's spring time again in Philly and that equates to playoff time once again. There is a bit to talk about besides the Phillies slow start or the NFL draft. The Flyers and Sixers are in the playoffs. Ed Snider and Peter Luukko must be grinning from ear to ear. The Wachovia center will be busy this spring.

They Flyers were all but left for dead just a short time ago. But they have come together and made the play-offs. Granted that is not such a considerable feat in the NHL, but it's better than the alternative we had around here last spring.

To hear the Sixers clinched a playoff spot for the 1st time in 3 years is a surprise to no one by now. Their resurgence started two months ago. So by now the ficklest of fans had come to know that this was not the Sixers of old. They have burst out of the mold of a struggling young team overshadowed by the incompetence of the Billy King era. BTW, it looks like King is going to New York.

By now you know the 76ers are not a squad that gets spanked by the upper echelon teams and plays down to the level of lower echelon teams. You know they can play defense. You know they can comeback from a deficit. You know they can finish a game in the 4th period. You know they have a go to guy.

His name is Andre Igoudala (Iggy for short). After finishing the 3rd with a 3 pointer to retake the lead for the 76ers, Iggy took the reigns last nite to denominate the 4th period against the Hawks. Playing with 5 fouls, he scored the Sixers last 10 points. He left no doubt the Sixers were going to the playoffs when he grabbed a rebound, sprinted down the court, dribbled the ball behind his back then to the rim for the coast to coast score. He had the look of "the man" ... that guy ... that go to guy. And the 76ers did not disappoint. They pulled away for the 109-104 win over the Hawks.

The Hawks had won five straight (6 at home) and had befuddled the 76ers so far this season. They were playing for a playoff spot also. This game meant something to them. So the win was no small feat.

But we know the score. We just made the playoffs in the eastern conference where it is still possible for 3 of 8 teams to qualify for the post season with a losing record. We know the western conference will likely have a team with 50 wins that will not make it to the post season dance. We know this team probably can't beat Boston or Detroit in a 7 game series or make it to the finals. We know they are a bit undersized ... that we are last in making 3's ... that we are last in defending 3's ... that we are last in free throw shooting. We know there is still work to be done.

But you go to start somewhere. The76ers have improved year over year. Something you could not say in the last few years of the Iverson era. So spring ball in Philly is the right direction and that's certainly something to talk about.

Notes:

I could not help watching the Hawks Josh Smith play and dream of what it would be be like to see him in a Sixers uniform. The kids got mad skills. I'd be willing to throw a bit of cash his way. Sure he's a restricted free agent and the Hawks will likely match any offer. But you never know if you don't give it a shot. He has to be frustrated with how his talent is being wasted in Atlanta.

Sixers Widget

Two is the Magic Number

After Lou Williams lifted the 76ers past Nets last nite. Their magic number is two. That's any combination of 76ers wins or Pacers losses will put the 76ers in the playoffs. With baseball wheeling around the corner and the 76ers losing two straight, I heard a few Philly fans looking over the side of the bandwagon for a soft place to land. The Suns game was a dud ... no doubt. But the Cavaliers game Sunday was a competitive game that someone had to lose. LeBron had a poor game the nite before in Detroit and he wasn't going down like that again. Especially at home. So you can't get down on them for losing a game when they had a shot at the end to win.



Now all the NBA talking heads are talking about the 76ers. But if you listen closely you will realize they know nothing about this team. Their 1st playoff game in years will be their first game on national television this season. So the "mainstream" media is playing catch-up. That means you'll start hearing about Iggy the rising star or Andre Miller the wily old vet having the best season of his career. Much of the news will be recycled like Dave Aldridge's piece today about Ed Stefanski's directive to Mo to "play the young guys". Honestly Dave ... how did you get your job back at the Inquirer with such soft reporting. What next? An all access look at Andre Igoudala's shoe collection?

The truth is the 76ers success has come out of now where ... and ... everywhere or at least from every spot on the roster. Its a team effort. Last nite its was Sweet Lou at the end of the game that put them head. Some nites its the dos Andres. Sometimes its Reggie Evans doing the dirty work or Rod Carney hitting the treys. And you have to give Slammin Sammy some props. But some nites its team defense like the wins over the Spurs and Celtics. In the Bulls comeback win it was free throws. It all comes down to good team play. The talking heads want to talk about the stars. Its the hangover from the Jordan days when an individual could carry the nations interest. But its has always been teams that win games. Even Jordan new that.

Wow ... the C's just beat the Pacers 92-77. The magic number is one. If they beat the Hawks Friday nite they are in the playoffs. Got your tickets yet?