Deep Sixer

Marc,
You are a real good man, thats the most important thing I shall say here.

Nothing is in the bag for either the Sixers, or a host of teams in either the East or West, just yet.

EVERY TEAM will have a clunker game or two, its just the way of the NBA, whether it be partly a function of the schedule, health status, whatever. So, I wish the readers, and occassionally even yourself, lol, though you are fighting off the "worry" gene of Philly, lol, as best you can, would ease off overananalysis of each game.

The Sixers merely need to continue their unique, for such a young team, ability to shrug off a game that they agree was subpar, and bounce back, mentally. And, they have done this for a sustained period now.

Its hard not to give King credit for assembling the right "character" guys, who have that something upstairs that seems to minimize all the mental, hangover destructive thoughts.

And Cheeks, as many have stated, and his staff, have instilled Mo's very mindset, that made him the unselfish star that made him a Philly icon.

Its too early to judge whether ES has really had an effect on Cheeks, perhaps he merely had to whisper in his ear to do whatever he felt was right, intra game, as a former fan, ES, he gave Mo a needed "just do it your way, forget any ramifications, etc" that freed Mo up to execute the various 5 somes that, unorthodox in the East, Mo had seen in PORT as knowledge he was itching to employ. But Mo has been innovative, and successful with his periodic unconventional lineups. That is to be applauded, as its been commonly implemented in the more innovative West, that Cheeks observed.

While we cannot expect this team, any team, not to have its hiccups along the way, as long as they can maintain good health, what we most ought root for are each remaining 4 game stretch that they maintain their fight to leave it out on the Court. Many games will come down to a few calls or plays execution, and as long as they continue this terrific chemistry and mental approach to overcome inevitable hurdles, then thats the most important thing.

If they lose a few, but regroup and regroup, thats fine. EEven the Spurs have dropped 4 straight; it would be hard to envision that in their next game, those losses affect them.
That is key. That ability, as they have shown an ability to rebound, at a minimum, and better, will lead them to the next level. Likely the postseason.

That alone is quite a surprise, yet thankfully, it appears the grit of these players wont tolerate less, at a minimum. Props to these predominanyly young, and very coachable kids, and the grey beard, kidding, Senor Miller, for leading the pack.

Marc,

Just curious. As our key reporter in the locker room, whether you get insight on the following topic.

Iguodala this year has this year, often at extremes, perhaps at a dtriment, yet maybe by design, and as do many other NBA players, displayed for him a demonstrable "anger" on the Court. Although, my gut says ES recently suggested, whispered in his ear, more frequent "smiles" mixed in would not hurt.

At times I wondered whether his, to me, excessive, especially for him, "scowl?" was having a adverse effect on peridic whistles that he was not getting, as he did last year. Other times, I wonder, as many of his peers employ the same, that, in a partic game, that ( example-was there any question his block of T Parker was both clean and remarkable yet whistled as a SF) THAT he, and his peers, are essentially taught, convinced, to dispute, relatively speaking.

Some Coaches put that onus on themselves to vocally dispute whistles that are "questionable". Mo is a rather reticent guy, which has its benefits, that way.

Any feel from you on that whole dynamic?
I have sensed a slightly mellower Iggy of late, re whistles; yet he, and again, as many in the Leaque, feel its their "job" one of team leaders, to "react" to any whistle that they deem is worthy of explanation.
That includes Deron, CP3, and Kobe, and all players perceived on any team that is a designated "vocal" member of a team victim of such a whistle, either against themselves or a teammate.

Curious whether you have insight on the psychology of this aspect of every game.

Iggy is still so under appreciated nationally, it seems clearer each game that in retrospect, he has been, behind Dwight Howard, the next most valuable player drafted in the 2004 Draft. Certainly, evolving into the most complete player in that entire Draft. King deserves credit, yet its arguable that he did nothing more than have him fall in his lap.

Tremendous upside and growth that is only now beginning to emerge, to boot.

And dang it, he shudda been ours, the local dude he is, from Springfield.

But, Paxson only drafts from teams whose players that played in prior year Final 4, risk averse GM. Turkey!

I think the sixers are just a reflection of there coach...

Well, i can't claim unwavering confidence over the whole year. I loved the potential in this group, but i didn't think it'd all come together so soon. I started to believe after Phoenix - adjusting to Shaq or no, they're good team, and we came back from a tough loss to take care of business. Then Boston played us so intensely you would have thought it was a playoff game. I figured there was no shame in loosing to Boston, and the way they came out bringing the physicality against us was a sign of real respect. Then, after they pulled out the Detroit, Chicogo, and SA wins, it's hard to argue that you're looking at a fluke.

They are still an inexperienced team, so you're not to be blamed for doubting a second 3-1 week against an arguably similar schedule, Marc. Not that its outside the realm of possibility, but if we do pull out 3-1 against Denver, Orlando, Jerz, and Boston, I'd be blown away. Thats two straight weeks of serious quality wins...and at that point i think the maturity question would be answered.

Also, up until the sequence of games i talked about, would have agreed with you that playoffs are still uncertain. But now, I'm going to have to say that I'll be disappointed if they miss the post season. They've got a tight schedule coming up, but they've built a nice little cushion, too. and more importantly, they're winning games based on solid efforts throughout the game and strong team play, as opposed to riding one or two guys on a hot streak. maybe im going to far out on a limb, but i feel like situations like ours feed on their own momentum and get better.

Yeah, Paxson has no vision, as if he is SO insecure, but his deathwish was his inexplicable signing of Ben Wallace. Now, he has Gooden and Hughes, who may be the lowest tier "BB IQ" guys in the League in a last ditch attempt to salvage his job.

Bulls literally self-destructed after that NBen Wallace signing. Along with Ty Chandler escape. And, they had every dang Knicks pick too.

It took Bulls 2 years to discover that Sefelosha was their best Guard, too.

Paxson made a great trade with Knicks; how could he have messed it up so bad. Thomas? total headcase. L Aldridge? Class act, coachable, and a stud to be.

Paxson has to get booted.

KM,

As long as they are healthy, I agree. As Sean Ellioy is saying, as I speak, its harder to build chemistry, than assemble "talent". More, he says, Chemistry, once developed, is very difficult to disrupt".

That last line makes mucho sense.

Meant, Sean Elliot

Logic tends to have no place in how an NBA game plays out.
Yet, I think, at least 3 of the upcoming Sixer home ganes is against teams that play DET in DET, the nite before.

That aint all bad!

And DEN is one of em. And the Nuggs, like the Jazz, kinda prefer, and are much more successful, with that altitude. As thrir record suggests.

Problem for DEN cs UTAH is the latter has exhauted most road games, DEN has exhausted most of home games.

Mike - I'm enjoying the conversation that you're having with yourself.

In terms of the Sixers, I think it'd be pretty disappointing if they didn't make the playoffs, considering their outstanding run over the past 6 weeks. I'm just enjoying the ride and hope to see the continual growth of both the individual players and team as a whole. Go Sixers!!

When the season is over (hopefully not till June), then we'll deal with the potential offseason moves that need to be made. Until then, let's enjoy the rest of this year and hope that it turns into something special. Who knows what can happen...would anyone have predicted this six weeks ago?

Dean,

Dunno about moves you refer to. Guess your imagining things. Whatever dude. No big deal.

Dean,

Who predicted it? Well. if you check, Iguodala set it, during Duke preseason, as what he considered a realistic goal.

To which, the local media and fans laughed at him, and then, his Owner concluded, perhaps media influenced, to lowball his value.

So, I guess he has a few misgivings about the entire "Concept" of returning to a fanbase and Media that wreaks of pessimism and lacks any foresight. Just a theory.

As I see it, this team's only priority, whenever the season ends, is to keep its roster intact. Unfortunately, that will cost them much more than had they been managed peoperly last summer,

Agree- enjoy them while they are still here. They are beyond fun, they are incredibly mature for their youth.

Bruce - I didn't mean the players when I asked if anyone imagined this run...I meant the fans.

That said, the primary goal this season has to be inking Iguodala to a long-term deal whatever the cost. He's improved every season and is showing maturity wildly beyond his 24 years of age. I want him here no matter what it takes; while Andre Miller has been the floor general of this team, Andre Iguodala is its heart and soul. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, which is refreshing for a team's best player. And, you can see that he expects nothing short of perfection from himself and others around him. That is why he needs to be the focal point of this team for the foreseeable future.

Go Sixers!!

The two Andres bring the best out of each other, and that is a testament to each, given the number of elite players A Miller has played with. And each enjoys teaching/assisting all the others who they realize are just as important as a Team.

It is odd how the media and/or management seems to avoid addressing how important Iguodala's fire, and even at 24, his leadership skills impact on his teammates. A little media recognition of that aspect of his personna would appear obvious as even more important than his improved "jump shot", and all the on-court play he has dramatically worked on, will always work on, but he has always been a kid who takes greater pride on the leadership, and off court stuff, to his credit.

If he is to re-sign here, watch how he first wants to see the franchise first properly secure Lou first. Even as noted by another, if at a cost to some of what could have been his.

Its a little distressing that the Philly fans not only diss him for declining a prior offer from dumby Snider, but worse, seem to have not any idea as to his community work, his mentoring of his teammates, even at 24, all of which is completely unmentioned by the Philly media.
Almost to such an extreme that you have to wonder as if, in response to his unsigned status, Snider virtually issued a gag order re him.

Marc has at least pierced that veil, somewhat. But its clear that somehow that negotiation ended abruptly and less than professionally, and that alone is disturbing. Especially because Iguodala amongst players league wide is well known as one of the young, classiest acts, character wise.

There is little doubt that part of the reason Stefanski was brought in was to undo whatever damage that Snider/King, and it may have been all Snider, did to the psyche not only to Iguodala, but by extension, Lou, Miller, and the entire roster who all started the year in an apparent funk. King seems to have in many ways been merely a Scapegoat, but chances are better with a Luuko/Stefanski team than Snider to persuade the two to wanna stay in Philly.

You just cant invest sums on players who wanna be elsewhere. ES, as a fresh party, at least can present, and surely already has, a more appealing approach to undo the damage, whatever extra his, rather SNIDERS, cost. Perhaps.

Its a rough City and you cannot unring the Bell. And that Bell rang out so as to clearly point to Iguodala as the bad guy, as the Philly fans and media have all year piled on. And they were ALL wrong.

Fortunately, Iguodala, I think, does not have the Joe Johnson need to say no, not here. I am out. He is above that. Yet, the Philly fans may wanna show a little love, as the local media might wanna do.
Johnson never had to endure such a negative fanbase or media in Phoenix, as Iguodala has to ignore in Philly.

Who knows what he really meant when he spouted out on Nov 1- "Well, it appears now I will be audutioning for 29 teams". That to many who know him indicated an uncharacteristic Andre, who to them displayed a guy who had been double-crossed, or believed he had experienced bad faith, something he had been taught was not a professional aspect of any business.

Thats how highly regarded his peers hold him. Yet, the Philly papers, media, through a bogus leak thru King to Miller aired on TV, apparently disregarded the agreed terms of their entire negotiation, and went below the belt.

ES will try and keep him, sure, and the winning certainly helps. But it assures nothing.

Meantime, the team is a gem to watch grow, for the balance of this year, for sure.

Marc, to his credit, has been the lone media member in Philly to give Iguodala at least some of his due, though Marc too, seems to miss the boat re his contract value by tens of millions. So, still, Marc has at least appreciated his efforts and is aware of how coveted he is. For that, Marc is the lone wolf to even make a mention of Andre I importance, regardless of his lack of adressing the obvious fear to raise the obvious negotiation screw up by the Ownership side.

Meanwhile the Tom Moore's write as if angry and shocked at Iguodala's stupidity, as he implies, in total ignorance (or at Sixer management direction)so as to virtually disrespect Iguodala's refusal to accept, along with the "bad advice", lol, an offer about which he knew NOTHING about, displaying full market ignorance in the process.

The rest of the Philly media is so mum on the topic that it is almost as if by instruction. That includes the two clowns who broadcast the games.

Hey Marc,

If you repeatedly find that your instincts are incorrect, as in perpetually pessimistic when reality dictates otherwise, and you are unable to alter your instincts, then that means one of two things:

-You are a hopeless Negadelphian, unable to adjust your thought processes; or worse,

- You are displaying a pattern that is essentially defined as that of insanity. lol?.Yup, that is the essence of insane tendencies. The insane are those who repeat and repeat, in behavior, what they are to have expected after a certain repetition to have learned otherwise after duration of time and repeat experience, as if unlearned. At least you are repeating mere thoughts, though if you are writing repeated, incorrect insights, perhaps you are actually lingering between Negadelphia and the dreaded land of Insanity.

As a good journalist, if you cannot alter your mindset as the surroundings change ( ie, the Team you cover has improved rather noticeably) then, ought you not seek professional help, with all due respect?
Its a big Club. Yet, at some point, maybe its time to check yourself.

Or, relocate. Might just be Philly. lol

haha

Sounds just like Marc needs to speak more often with Allison! If that fails then yeah, agree above. lol

Suede,

What are your thoughts on Chris Wilcox of the Sonics at PF for the team next year?

Marc likes him and thinks he'd be a good fit. Tom Moore of Phillyburbs.com, the best beat writer covering the 76ers for years, told me today that he also thinks Chris Wilcox would be a good fit and might be Stefanski's man.

I haven't followed his game that closely, but I do know that Wilcox is athletic and likes to dunk a lot. I also don't know if he has any range outside of 5 feet.

The only way that I think Stefanski can get him is to trade a no. 1 (either this year's, next year's or the Utah pick) to get him. He's clearly not in the future plans for the Sonics since Jeff Green and Durant will be the starting PF and SF for this team going forward (Sorry, Coach Carlesimo, Durant is not a 2).

One good thing is that Wilcox is in the final year of his contract ($6.75M), so he's going to leave everything on the line and should be dialed in from day one to get that payday.

Also, with him and Miller both in the last years of their contracts, we are talking about having $18M coming off the cap with Miller, Wilcox and Booth's deals expiring.

This is just a preliminary estimate, but with those 3 expiring deals, the 76ers could have about $16M to $18M in cap room going into the summer of 2009 (I included Iggy making $12.5M and Lou Will $4M in that estimate), plus their 2 no. 1 picks.

A lot of hypotheticals, but just something to think about.

I'm still in favor of Charlie V. and Turiaf as a combo, but a lot of you guys are a lot smarter than I am.

Anyone with an in-depth scouting report on Wilcox's game and what type of fit he'd be with the 76ers, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Be blessed everyone.

I just want to say that if I were there tonight, I would be giving Allen Iverson a huge and long standing O before the game. No one gave more effort during games than him. He was always interesting, exciting, fun, and I enjoyed rooting for him as he grew up in public, if you will. Of course, I have feelings otherwise when I remember him choosing to not play in games and practices. Regardless, since he is an ex-Sixer, I would want to thank him before the game, and then, during the game, I would be rooting for him to get smoked every single time. A win over the old AI and the Nugs would be a nice validation and ego boost for the new AI and crew. But it would be more symbolic than anything else. This team has turned a corner it never did during the waning Iverson years. It is beating the best teams in the league on the road. We have a team concept we never really had during the Iverson era. It is damn fun being a 76ers fan.

For all his faults, practice!!, defense,etc., A.I. was a warrior and gave his all on the court. I hope he gets a 5 min. standing ooooo tonight.Datruelife, the timing of his contract alone makes him intriguing. Watched Houston/ Boston game last night, D.Collins kept bringing up Scola!s energy and how it is affecting McGrady,Austin, etc.. Well we are a team of energy guys and I wonder if guys you would normaly have issues with, Wilcox, Villanuava,Randolph, about playing hard would really be an issue with the type of guys we have here.