All during preseason, the 76ers have spoken about the fact that they pride themselves on coming out every night and playing hard, as if this is a secret advantage in the NBA.
It is true that toward the end of last season the Sixers did come to play virtually every night while many other teams packed it in. The Sixers simply outworked their opponents toward the end of last season.
So it is admirable that the Sixers are hanging their hat on their work ethic, but there is one slight problem with this.
During this preseason, the Sixers often didn’t play harder than the opponent.
Maybe it was because it was preseason, but there was only one game where the entire team came to play. That came when the Sixers beat the Boston Celtics, 96-78 at Connnecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena.
The Sixers had been 0-4 at that point and showed a true sense of urgency, especially for a preseason game. Yes, we know that K.G. and Paul Pierce didn’t play for Boston, but the Sixers still played extremely hard and well.
Other than that, it’s hard to say that the Sixers played harder than their opponent during the rest of the preseason.
The point is, that the Sixers will have to take it up a few levels on the work meter if they plan on beating many of the more talented teams on their schedule.
We know that it’s sometimes hard to have that same type of intensity in the preseason, but for a team that has sold itself on hard work, simply didn’t outwork many opponents when the games didn’t count.
The Sixers will have to pick it up significantly work-wise when the season begins Wednesday at Toronto against the Raptors. If not, the results from the preseason will translate into the regular season.
« Winning 30 Could Be A Challenge | Main | No Surprise: Cheeks Names Green Starter »
Sixers Must Back Talk Of Playing Hard
Philly.com discussions are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic.
These boards are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Personal attacks, especially on other board participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Philadelphia Newspapers L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
Author
Marc Narducci is in his 23rd year as a sports reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 2007-2008 season will be his first as the 76ers beat writer. For the past two seasons, Marc had been the backup writer for the Eagles. Over the past few years Marc covered the NBA, NHL and Major League baseball as well as writing on sports media. Prior to covering professional sports, Marc was a long-time high school sportswriter for The Inquirer's South Jersey section.
Search
About
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on October 29, 2007 8:24 PM.
The previous post in this blog was Winning 30 Could Be A Challenge.
The next post in this blog is No Surprise: Cheeks Names Green Starter.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
Movable Type 3.35
Comments (10)
I am reminded of the wisdom of Rasheed Wallace, who responded to every question, "both teams played hard."
The key, then (as you point out), is to play HARDER than your opponent. I think this team is capable of outhustling their opponents, with a few scrappers who can get up and down the floor. However, the motivation will be lacking.
Posted by Jon | October 30, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 10:58
Marc, are the sixers going to bring in C/PF Jackie Butler who was cut on Monday by the Rockets for a look? He would seem like a good pick up if they are able to get him. He is a Larry Brown guy, since LB discovered him with the Knicks and he made the team and got playing as a free agent. He is 6'10, 260 has a nice low post game and can bang. He's not tremendously athletic, but he is better than Booth, Amundson and Shav and he's only 22 years old. Since Hill is hurt, do you think they could bring him and sign him for the opening day roster?
Posted by datruth4life | October 30, 2007 12:55 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 12:55
"My prediction is we are going to make the playoffs."
Good stuff, Samuel. Think big...and play big.
In my crystal ball...
Sixers will shock the NBA world this season. "Play hard" will be redefined by their effort.
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | October 30, 2007 3:25 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 15:25
To Ed Rosenberg;Mighty powerful Sixer kool-aid you're drinking.The Sixers will not only miss the playoffs,they will also struggle to win 25 games.We have a PF in Reggie Evans who has as much offensive game as a dead man.And we have a SG in Willie Green who thinks he's the next Iverson,and thinks an assist is something you do for the elderly.Just face it,lottery,here we come.
Posted by Southwest Philly | October 30, 2007 4:28 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 16:28
"The Sixers will not only miss the playoffs,they will also struggle to win 25 games."
We shall see, Southwest.
The journey begins tomorrow.
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | October 30, 2007 5:18 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 17:18
Not trying to offend anyone,it's just my observation of the 07-08 Sixers.I knew the rebuilding stage after Iverson would be tough,but man,it's worse than I thought.By,the end of the season,Jason Smith will be our PF.And Rodney Carney will take over for Willie Green.I feel bad for Mo Cheeks because he has'nt been given an allotment of talented players to begin with.
Posted by Southwest Philly | October 30, 2007 5:53 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 17:53
I am seeing it differently, Southwest.
I am very excited about the Sixers in this Post-Iverson period. I believe the overall team attitude, as I saw it, during the second half of last season will carry over into this season...regardless of any roster changes.
I very much believe we are in for a surprise.
Posted by Ed Rosenberg | October 30, 2007 6:40 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 18:40
It looks like a long season. If Dalembert had been healthy then at least they could have been competitive. With him out...and i think that he is going to be out for at least the beginning of the season then its going to be tough. On the bright side...we have a good core of 2nd tier players..all we need is one center piece after we get some cap space next summer. But until then its going to be ugly.
Posted by Anonymous | October 30, 2007 9:12 PM
Posted on October 30, 2007 21:12
datruth4life makes a good observation about the availability of Butler but I doubt Billy can do anything. He already signed Booth so this leaves him unable to sign Butler without some trouble.
First, even thought we all know he did, he'd have to admit he made a mistake with Booth. Then he'd have to cut Booth and eat his contract before signing Butler. Not to mention this would probably put the Sixers over the luxury tax threshold and make future moves less likely.
It would be nice to see Billy actually making an attempt to get good players under the radar. While moves like this might get more fans to actually be interested, it's not going to happen. When is the last time Billy made a move you had any confidence it would actually help this year's team?
Posted by rebcalale | October 31, 2007 11:15 AM
Posted on October 31, 2007 11:15
Hey rebcalale,
Instead of cutting Booth (and I'd like to), why not just cut Louis Amundson instead? His contract is not guaranteed nor do I think he is an NBA player.
Give Amundson's salary to Butler, who will still get more than $5 million from the Rockets over the next 2 years.
Butler has proven that he can play in the league. Amundson hasn't.
Posted by datruth4life | October 31, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 15:43