AI Interview at Game 6

 

The crows was buzzing last nite in anticipation of AI’s return for game 6. Allen was rockin’ Lou William's’ number 23.

No More Bull

You gotta luv it

That was a heck of a weekend for Sixers fans

It was a big weekend for Philly sports fans; Sixers, Flyers, and Phillies were all in action and playing simultaneously at times. I had little time to reflect after attending the Sixers playoff games on Friday and Sunday. I did manage to  squeeze in a little Cinco De Mayo celebration on Saturday.

It’s early for the Phillies. Nobody is jumping off a bridge because they went 1-2 versus the NATs over the week-end. But the Flyers is a different story. At the start of last week there was talk (just talk) of both the Sixers and the Flyers making it to their respective conference finals. Now we’re talking about the Sixers post season continuing longer than the Flyers. What a difference a week makes.

That’s why sports is not played out on paper. Sh*t happens … people get hurt, penalties (rightly/wrongly) get called, mistakes happens, people step up. All of these things happens to Philly sports teams. It’s why we watch. It’s why I wondered done to the WTF despite the haters who where still not convinced the Sixers could hold a 3-1 lead on the Bulls this morning.

… despite the injuries … despite the convincing win in Game 2 … despite the incredibly exciting slugfest Friday nite … there were still haters out there that were convinced the Bulls would be returning to the United Center Tuesday with the series tied.

What’s up with that?

Right now, you don’t watch the Sixers because they are a contender for the NBA title. You watch them to see them make the next steps. To see is them grow. To see if they can win a slugfest and comeback from a fourth quarter deficit. To see BOSS games by Jrue Holiday with the step 3 pointer to gut an opponent. To see the kid ET grow into the role of the GUY. And he was that GUY this week-end. Turner was the  GUY putting up a lot of shots, grab boards and play tenacious D.

And I guess you watch to figure out what the heck is going on with Spencer Hawes. He was Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jeykle and then Superman on Friday. Then clearly amped on Sunday. He was playing at a different speed than everyone else. He was makin’ hilite reel passes that no one was ready for, but still had the sweet stroke going.    Heck he dunked the ball a few times instead of putting it up soft as he is often criticized for. Is he a hero or a head case? Would you sign ‘em again?

Heck, I will be watching Tuesday nite to see yet another growth spurt. Can this Sixers squad win the closeout game? Can they be killa?

How ya like me now?

How ya like me now Sixer nation. It’s been a strange season in many ways. Instead of the rollercoaster ride we’ve seen in recent years, this season was one meteoric rise and one huge fall. The Sixers fan base had to reach hard to get on the bandwagon when it was rising quickly in January. And there were certainly a few ankles broken in March during the skid. But yeah, that a fans prerogative. Everyone from the ownership, the coach, stars player and the water boy share in the praise and the blame .. okay, maybe the water boy doesn’t get much praise.

But I guess it’s the result of this compacted season and the grueling schedule. And it was just as tuff on the nation as the team. Basketball fatigue has certainly set in. Mix in a little Phillies and a little Flyers playoff drama and you can see the attention span of the Philly fan base wonder. Some didn’t even notice the Sixers impressive road finish. Or the melodrama that was the battle to not finish in the 7th playoff spot.

The poor performance on Friday nite against the Bulls had all the experts certain the Sixers where done in the first round. It was just a matter of how many games. And this was in spite of the injury to D. Rose. The TnT clown show was still talking sweep  (I know the TnT broadcast is a waste of any real pro ball fan’s time). Sixer nation felt a little better after the Rose injury. I hate to see anyone go down, but it’s part of the game. There was cautious optimism going in the last nites game.

 

I was nervous as hell. I think all the negativity was creepin in. This had to be the game for the Sixers. A lose would just lead to more pilin’ on the dung heap. No, the Sixers needed to step on the hearts and minds in the United Center. They Sixers had to be killa.

From the start I could see that were ready to handle the storm. The Bulls came out with a flood of emotion as expected. But the play of Turner and Holiday held serve. If it were not for that strange stretch at the end of the half where John Lucas III and Noah where channeling Michael Jordon (I don’t know how else to explain it), the Sixers looked good.  The Sixers were down by eight at the half and the Bulls had scored on an amazing number of jumpers from guys not named Hamilton, Deng or Korver. This trend could not continue.

And it did not. The Bulls fell to earth in the 3rd and  the Sixers were .. well they were killa. Outscoring the Bulls 36-14 … killa.

Holiday was amazing. 26 Points, 6 assists and the really amazing part … 0 turnovers. Turner was equally impressive. He was constantly putting pressure on their defense. Turner was the guy that came down the floor and scored to stop any momentum the Bulls mounted. Turner was the guy that scored to pile on the points when the Sixers where streaking. Turner silenced the boo birds at the United Center, zipped their lips and sent ‘em home.  Killa

Sweet win (there will be no asterisk next to it in the win column)

@SixersCEOAdam IS IT JANUARY AGAIN? @Sixers beat Bulls by 17

enough said

Dr. J’s Amazing Dunk

Great Expectations

So both Dwight Howard and Courtney Lee are out for this evenings game. Both ‘cause of Dwight Howard elbows. I really don’t want to discuss whether the suspension was warranted or not. This can be a cursing or a blessing.

Many might say it’s all good right? Two Magic starters and leading scorers for the series are out for game 6. It's a home game! The Sixers have it in the bag.

But I look at it as a curse. There is no pressure on the Magic. They are under manned. They can just let it all hang out. On the other hand … there are great expectations for the Sixers. They are the home team. They are expected to beat the short handed Magic. They are supposed to advance further in the playoffs than last year.

I’m just having flashbacks to the end of the season. When the Sixers were supposed to be in the running for the 4th seed, but they fell flat with a long losing streak. Then I had visions of the last game of the season. When the Sixers were expected to beat the Cleveland scrubs and struggled until the 4th period. They had to win that one in overtime.

It’s sad to say but only a thrashing by the Sixers will satisfy their critics. But I’ll just settle for a win … any win.

Well that was ugly

They Sixers fall to the Magic in Game 5, 91-78. A game in which they lost all 4 quarters. A game that was pretty ugly in a number of respects.

Least of all was the wicked elbows Howard was dishing out. I’m not sure what to say about the elbow he threw at Sammy in the 1st quarter, but the one he clocked his own teammate (Courtney Lee) with was brutal. Howard knocked him out and had no idea what he had done.

Scary talent is one thing. Scary like somebody could get hurt is another. The loss of Lee could really cost the Magic. It was clear that JJ Redic and Michael Petrus where out of their element as backups.

But Howard was the difference last nite. It was about him on defense. He made the Sixers timid. May the elbows where not a mistake.

Anyway you might count the Sixers out in game 6. But the attrition the Magic has suffered may change the outcome. The Sixers need to get back on that horse and find another win in this series.

That one got away from us

I’m not buying into to the storyline that the Sixers have over achieved or the Magic have stumbled. That was a hell of a game yesterday. This is a hell of a series.

Even that spastic 2nd period where neither team could score was something to see. Both teams where knocking the snot out of each other and the refs were letting them play. I liked our chances when the half ended with a 36-36 tie. The Sixers were out shooting the Magic from the 3 point line and banging the boards like crazy. When you shoot as poorly as the Sixers often do you gotta find extra possessions and they did … on the boards and off turnovers.

You had to expect a big push from Orlando in the 3rd and boy did they come out smokin’. But had they (the Sixers) made a few bunnies it would not have been so bad.

I was really proud of the crowd. There was a lot of energy in the house. The rally towels were waving … the chants for “defense” and “Lets Go” when it was obvious the Sixers needed a play. We thought we could win the game with sheer will.

Yup, this one got away. It was a Philly kind of ball game that we often find away to win. You can’t explain it, but you can’t deny it either.

I feel bad for Thaddeus. He was the target for the Magic’s game winning shot. It was obvious that his ankle was bothering him out there. I’m not sure when it happened, but he took quite a few tumbles in the second half. He was trotting back on defense with a limp. I was thinking we need to take ‘em out, but then he hit some very timely shots. So it’s hard to second guess the coaching staff.

All I know is this was different than last year’s Game 4. This series ain’t over yet. But surely this was a big fish that got away.

Game 4: A different Animal

 

“Hold on to your Butts”

I’m not sure what to expect today. Every game is a different animal. By the fourth game you kinda know what your opponent is capable of. But there are many things  that make up a game … the officiating, fouls, injuries, etc. For the Sixers you’d like to see someone get the hot hand.

Well I’m on my way to see what happens … The helmet is on … the chin strap's buckled …

Maybe We all should be annoyed

I’m not sure if its just me, but Bob Ford’s condescending articles about the Sixers is getting annoying. Before the series started he all but said the Sixers would get spanked in this series. This is a cynical voice of the untrained observer from afar.

Look … I know the Sixers are probably not going to win a title this year. But there’s no reason to look down on them because they won’t. I know that basketball is 3rd or 4th in the pecking order in this town. But I  get really annoyed when the media just phones it in … the Sixers stink, they always stink the … the Sixers don’t have one of the NBA’s media darlings so it’s easy to assume they don’t have a shot.

That’s the problem I have with the NBA. It’s just not that easy to be a champion. When 16 teams entered this season’s playoffs only 3 teams have a legitimate shot to win (at least according to conventional wisdom). If you are not a fan of the Lakers, Cavs or Celtics you are a smuck, right? At least that’s the kind of reporting I am reading.

If a team could rise from last to first in a single season (like the NFL) the NBA would have more diehard fans. Instead it’s about stars. Those individuals that are the best of the best. You can’t possible win if you don’t have one or two stars right?

I was ashamed of the size of the crowd Friday nite. It was a playoff game on a Friday nite! The home team has a legitimate chance to win! You can’t sell out the arena. I was wondering how the commissioner David Stern say it? Did we confirm the notion that Philly is a small market and a team that’s going no where.

You know what? I’m tired of apologizing for being a Sixers fan. I think I have the right to be annoyed when some one tells me there’s no point to being a fan. It’s not easy to win a championship. They are not going to get there over nite. All you can ask is that your team improves every year. And the Sixers in the post Billy King era have done so.

So yes … I would be happy to see the Sixers make it to the second round of the playoffs. That would be progress. I think they have a chance to do so. Game 4 will be a true indicator. I’m going down to Wack Center to witness it …

… I hope others join me.

Thaddeus to the rescue

So we are on the Sixers end of the court with 7 somethin’ seconds left in the game. The crowd was manic … the roller coaster of emotions was draining. In the 3rd period we’re up by 17 and the next thing you know it’s a 2 point game. I tried to calm my self … we had only lost the 3 quarter by 8 … we know they were gonna make a run. We just need to respond.

None of that helped. The doom and gloom and …. here we go agaiin started to creep into our consciousness. Orlando’s 3’s started falling. Somehow superman kept making free throws. But we channeled those emotions into cheering louder.

 

When Miller inbounded the ball to Thaddeus we were all on our feet. He dribbles into traffic. From our angle it looked like he was clobbered by the Magic and walked with the ball (later we learned the ball was knocked to the floor), and then there was that flash. That turn around move that has become a signature move for Thaddeus. It is so quick that the ball has left his hands before you realize what is happening.

He scored! I couldn’t believe it. That game was  over. Thaddeus had a sub-par nite, but when it counted … instincts took over. He hit his 1st playoff game winner.

I’m still riding the high … trying to come down to earth. As hard as this game was the next will be even harder. It occurred to me that we had been here before also. Up 2-1 only to be crushed in the second half of game 4. Dare I say tomorrow will be different?

Game 3 Prep

Getting my game face on for game 3 2 nite.

It’s a nice spring day. The Sixers are home and the fan base is ready to give them the extra lift to take another game from the Magic.

What was the worst that could happen?

I had mixed feeling as I watched the Sixers struggle to comeback, yet one more time, against the Magic last nite. There was a part of me that said … What the heck. We already gotta split. So what if we lose this one.

Then there was the part of me that was saying … COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT! We can beat the Magic. We can show all the naysayers that we belong. The pace of the game was to our liking. If it wasn't for all those freakin’ turnovers and offensive rebounds! We kept them in the game. Sure the Magic had a little to do with it, but it was really more about what the Sixers did or didn’t do.

Again the naysayers were prognosticating that the Sixers had woken a sleeping giant. That the Magic would come out and give them a good pasting. But I knew better than that. The Sixers aren’t the kinda team that gets blown out. My boys bring it every nite. Win or lose … it’s not because they didn’t give you effort.

Now that I think about it. The reason they lose is never quite the same. It could be like last nite … TO’s and O boards. Then the next nite it could be shooting, or 3 point defense, or  free throws. But when they win it’s always about defense and getting up and down the floor.

I’m getting really juiced up about the game tomorrow. Block party here we come!

Where Will Amazing Happen

The NBA has produced a "Where Will Amazing Happen" video for each playoff team this year (the Spurs have 2 actually). Most are mad plays from last years playoffs. The Sixers video is a wicked dunk on the Piston from last year. Check it out.

Same Dunk different camera angle

Sixers storm back for a 4th Qtr Win

It’s playoff time baby … time for the Sixers to shock the world. They repeat last year’s feat of stealing game 1 on the road. If you tuned in to watch the 2nd or 3rd periods you may have turned off the TV.

The played really well in the 1st period to lead 27-25. But the ghost came back to smother them offensively and they scored only 19 points in each of the 2nd and 3rd periods. As they entered the final period … down by 14 … I’m wondering to myself how are they going to out score Orlando by 14.

Answer … 76ers basketball. They dug in and turned up the defense and ran the floor. Donyell Marshall came in to add the firepower needed to close the gap with 11 fourth period points. Then Iggy showed a national TV audience that he can be the man. After missing two freebies with the Sixers down 95-96 it looked like Andre may have been the goat. But he came back and hit the game winner … a very tough shot I might add.

For Orlando, Howard was a monster in the game with (31 points and 16 rebounds) and the rookie Courtney Lee had a phenomenal debut (18 points). But Lee disappeared in the money period as did the rest of the Magic. They lacked playoff intensity. Something the Sixers may have picked up form the playoffs last year.

But we have been here before. Winning the opening game. As the cliché goes … a playoffs series doesn't start until someone loses at home. Well … we got a series. There will be a lot of adjustments made between tonight and next Wednesday’s game.

Now the Sixers need to get greedy.

41-41 is like kissing your sister

The Sixers regular season record 41-41 is like kissing your sister. Yes, it was a kiss … from a girl that wasn’t your mother. But dude … that was your sister. Nothing to brag about. It won’t make you the envy of your peers.

At 41 and 41 the Sixers are not a losing team any more. They are not the last team in the playoffs in basketballs weakest conference. No, they are not losers …. But dude … they are not really winners either. Nothing to brag about. It won’t make you the envy for your peers.

Now we are in the playoffs … the second season. Hey don’t knock it. Half the league cannot say that much. The Sixers were fortunate to pull out a game against the Cavs 2nd unit and the Bulls inexplicably lost … at home … to a Raptor team with nothing to gain. So they match up against the Magic instead of the C’s in the playoffs. Or I should say they don’t match up against them. Both teams accentuate the Sixers weaknesses … defending the 3 …. shooting the 3 …. half court offense.

I’m having a hard time convincing my friends to go to next week. One and done is the prognosis. The late season swoon has killed any momentum the fan base had. Nobody saves their worst for last. The 6 game slide was not just a matter of missing Thaddeus Young or late season fatigue.

To coin the often quoted sports cliché … you are what your record is. 41-41. The middle of the pack. Not half bad, but not so great either. To be a real contender they need to improve by 15 games. That’s a lot of games in the NBA. If they where more fortunate this season … if they won more of those close games … it would still not amount to 15 more wins. Just keepin’ real.

But would you rather they not make they playoffs? Yes, I would rather them make greater strides this season. A 1 game improvement in the regular season and a 1 slot improvement in the playoffs is not a GREAT stride, but it’s still a step in the right direction. Forget about the would of … could of … should of! It’s the second season!
 
No one expected them to raise an eyebrow versus Detroit last year. They still have a chance to improve their stature this season. I don’t know if they can beat the Magic … but I expect the Sixers to gain greater respect than they have been given.

Yeah … I said it. But you gotta watch to see if I’m right.

Rooting for a Lakers loss in the finals

If you ask any Sixers fan who they want to win this year's NBA final their answer would be something like ... do I have to pick a winner ... can it be a tie ... or shoot me now (my favorite). For a Sixers fan it's bad karma to root for the C's. Likewise, if there was every a west coast team a Sixers fan would love to hate it would be the Lakers. For the Kobe haters out there it would be a double bonus.

It's a choice between two evils. I have found comfort in taking the perspective of "Which team would I like to see lose". And the answer to that my friends is the LaLa Lakers. Phil Jackson is a fraud and I hope he gets as much credit for losing this won as he has gotten for winning those other titles. Somebody's gotta lose ... why not the Lakers.

Somebody posted this little gem on myspace. Anything that pokes fun at the Lakers is alright in my book. Hilarious!

I think Dynasties Sux

Okay ... It's been awhile. I have gotten over the downer that seems inevitable when your team gets booted from the play-offs. I can look back now and marvel at a great Sixers season. Any time you over-achieve it makes it a good year. And despite this blank blog I do continue to watch the play-offs. Just to see how far the Sixers have yet to go and to dream of what could have been.

Snoosfest: The games have not been so remarkable this year. But for the Hornets run their have been few surprises. Unless you are a Cetics or Lakers fan the game has not been so compelling that you have to watch. The sports media hype what to talk about the glory days. The epic battles of the two dynasties that square off in this years finals. Roll out the cliches ....

Make me gag: I feel like I wanna puke every time I hear how many titles Phil Jackson has won ... how Jordon-like Kobe is ... how this may be the last chance for Garnett, Allen, and Pierce ... how this is the most miraculous single season turn around in history. yada, yada, yada ...

That's why I think dynasties Sux.

The NBA is touting re-runs as their great achievement. Every year there are a few new teams that make the play-offs and a few others that drop out. But in the end we are always watching the same teams ... Pistons, Spurs, Suns, Dallas always seem to be there. There hasn't been a truly new team to win it all since the Miami Heat. Tell me how am I to be excited about watching the same teams every year. It may be okay for the media (they don't have to learn anything new). But there's nothing fresh about a C's vs Lakers final. Most of the new audience has not a clue about the history. Maybe that's a shame, but its the truth.

When does my team get a shot? The NFL has progressed to the point that there are only a handful of teams that truly don't have a shot each year. The opposite is true of the NBA. Why should I watch if my team doesn't have a shot? Are you rigging the game? Is the difference in talent that great? If so why would you have more teams? Why do you think we would watch?

A dynasty means there is no hope for you or your team. Become a lemming and cheer for them. Buy their cool stuff and oh yea ... don't forget your local team. Every Globtrotters team needs their Generals. Just keep filling the fat pockets of our owners. You are not worthy of a Dynasty ... there can be only one.

That's why Dynasties Sux!

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.