Deep Sixer

You are correct the Sixers are not assured of a playoff spot, and do have a tough schedule ahead.

But the Nets with their loss tonight are now 3 games down on the loss column, and also have a tough schedule ahead of them

Atlanta, on the other hand has the easiest schedule of the 3 teams, and the back to back games with the Sixers April 4 and 5 loom large.

Okay, lets take a look at the schedule. These is how I see the remainder of the season playing out:

Wins- (Mil, Chi, NJ, Atl, Ind, Was, Char)

7 Wins

Losses- (Bos, SA, Det, Cle)

4 loses

Toss-ups- (Bos, Det, Cle, Chi, Atl, Den, Orl, Pho, NJ)

9 toss ups.

I see us taking one game from the Det-Bos series, splitting with Cle, splitting with ATL, splitting with NJ, and taking one from Den/Orl/Pho). So, that leaves us at 10 wins and 8 loses.

40-42...should still be good for the playoffs.

Two things I noticed tonight, and they we're both after the game:

1. Iggy watching the Was/Tor game while giving his post-game interview. Pretty cool feeling to know that these guys know they're in it. Nice to see some scoreboard watching again in Sixers land.

2. What was up with Sammy's post-game interview? After his monster game, you think he would have been a bit happier...

As always, Thoughts???

On NBA League Pass, the Sonics' announcers (the very good pair of Kevin Calabro and Steve Jones) were raving about both Iguodala and Young. Iguodala was the best player on the floor in the 1st and 3rd, and Young was the best player on the floor in the 4th. As many have noted previously, Young has some great moves in and around the basket, especially when he isn't being defended by a physical player.

People can downplay this win because they were playing a bad team, but it's the margin of victory that has been impressive recently. Just a couple games ago, the Pistons were life-and-death with this same Sonics team.

Hollinger at ESPN.com gives the Sixers a 91% chance of making the playoffs now. Not only are they playing well now, but all the teams behind them aren't. The Hawks have lost 12 of 15 (and 4 in a row), the Nets have lost 7 of 10 (and 4 in a row), the Bulls have lost 8 of 12, and the Pacers have lost 8 of 11. Does anyone really think two of those teams will get hot and pass the Sixers? Put another way, the Sixers are now about halfway in-between Toronto at the 5th seed and the Bulls at the 9th seed.

The Sixers need to take care of business in Milwaukee Sunday so that they come into the games against Boston and Detroit next week ready to make a statement. The Sixers have shown they can dominate bad opponents; now they need to show they can beat good ones.

Jason, its nice to have you back. The passing was as good as its been all year!!!

hey suede go to bed you just got your butt wipped in cards

Guys, I only saw the third and fourth quarter tonight, so I didn't see Dalembert get off in the first half. He needed this game because he had been stinking it up for the past few.

One of the most interesting things to come out of this game to me was Dalembert talking about how much his relationship has improved with Mo Cheeks and that he has "begged" the organization to hire a full-time big man coach. I think Stefanski will take care of that concern pretty quickly in the offseason.

Marc, this is for you as well as the board. If you are Stefanski, would you consider Antwan Jamison as the 76ers starting PF next year? He will be 32 years old this offseason, but man, he is still one of the few 20 and 10 guys in the league and doesn't seem like his play is dropping one bit. He'd add leadership, a 3-point threat, and 20 points and 10 rebounds a night and is a legitimate All-Star.

I still like Ronny Turiaf and I'd consider trading our no. 1 pick for Charlie V. of the Bucks or Tyrus Thomas of the Bulls (since he's clearly on the outs with them).

Some of my 3 point threats the team could get for cheap are SG C.J. Miles of the Jazz, PG-SG Roger Mason of the Wizards and Boston Nachbar of the Nets (whose game Stefanski knows inside and out).

What do you guys think?

Interesting that on the same day Dalembert talks about improved relations, his post game comments were regarding him playing angry. I may have missed something but what's up w/Sam? I wish he was angry all the time if he's going to put up numbers like that. He actually looked somewhat aggressive. It did seem as if his teammates we're looking for him more tonight w/all the lobs. Seems like Sam may not have been feeling the love from his teammates lately...Any thoughts?

One can see how SAM"S teamates feel about him and his role on the team.

Knowing he was UPSET, they went out of there way to keep him involved on the offensive end. IGUODALA in particular gave up baskets to lob to Sam...says alot about DALA and the TEAM

SAM'S aggressiveness in going HARD the rim is welcome anytime!

Overall, a VERY IMPRESSIVE win, for as Marc points out, they are pounding teams they should beat.

More importantly, the Sixers are showing they understand that the way to get a run going is to AMP UP THE DEFENSE which forces missed shots and turnovers leading to RUNNING BASKETS.

Well done by all!

17,762 fans showed up last night, that's 3,000 more than the Orlando Magic game and I believe last nights turn out was the biggest this year for the Sixers. Things are coming around winning is contagious. Let's continue to eat this elephant one bite at a time and also nurture our baby so that it can grow up big and strong so maybe one day we can talk dynasty and not just a one year winner.

Peace out!

Wow...That was a fun game to watch. Sammy "went off" like I haven't seen in a long while.

His post game comments were fascinating. He DOES show a pulse! I had no idea he was having issues with his minutes??? Did any of you posters know he wanted more minutes? Cheeks seemed totally blind-sided by Sammy's demeanor after the game?!? Weird.

Maybe it's not the minutes.......maybe he was reading the newspaper on-line and stumbled onto this (Marc's) blog. After 5 minutes of reading about himself in our not so subtle descriptive terms he went out and tore up the supersonics. ok maybe I just day-dreampt that.

But, When he plays that "give me the damn ball" style I think he is a perfect match for our up-tempo style of play. Even if he cannot play effectively with his back to the basket!

You know Sammy does have a PC. I really do imagine that he reads this blog, and some of the comments finally got him mad. But, there must be more to it. He makes dumb mistakes and some coaches must be talking to him to get improvement. Sammy has a thin skin and gets confused. I do not feel sorry for him. He gets paid enough to try hard and have games like last night. He should just enjoy it and do it again and again. Lose the attitude, it will hurt the team and get in the way.

I think your onto something there, I mean these guys are human just like us and they read news papers and mag's. I remember one week about three months ago many bloggers were talking about Iggy complaining to the ref's to much, guess what, other than that T he got the other night he has not been crying to the ref's like he use to.

I didn't see the game but I caught the tickertape on Sport Center. I would dare say that there are 2 or 3 other teams in the whole league with as strong an upside as these sixers. One team that I would compare them to is Portland. They are playing well and hard with what they have. When bigger pieces to the puzzle come they could make a quantam leap to the next tier. There are so many things that are going well now that I thinks it's fair to say, (baring an injury or two) if they don't make the playoffs this team has under achieved.
How's that for pressure?

Thoughts?

Maybe Sammy has been reading this Blog and not feeling the love!

gba, Ray:

I was wondering the same thing - does he read this blog? Why does Sammy get upset now?

In any case, I hope he proves me wrong more often. Of all the players on this team, he's the least afraid to show any personality. I don't mind him stirring up a little controversy, I wish I knew more about the inner workings of this team...

Marc,

How close are you to these guys? Do you get anything from them besides sound bites? I haven't enjoyed a Sixers team this much since 2000-2001 pre-Mutombo trade. Have you read ":07 Seconds or Less", the book about the Phoenix Suns? Can you give us a little reporting like that? You know, I had to learn from ESPN's TrueHoop that Andre Iguodala likes to eat at the Cheesecake Factory, couldn't you have reported that first? How about all the stories about Korver's charity coming AFTER he was traded - did you know about that BEFORE he was traded?

Even Sammy - I don't know if he's still into it, but a friend once told me she had played paintball one day, and ran into Sammy and his buddies and got to take pictures with the Sensation. Maybe next time, you can go with him, tell us what it's like to hang out with the guy?

One more thing - could you have a chat with Stephen A. Smith soon about how good the Sixers are? At the Chicago/Boston game halftime show, all he could say about the Sixers was, "The Nets and the Sixers, they are what they are..." and he had a lot more to say abut Chicago. Could you talk to David Aldridge, too, let him know what's up with this team, I thought the guy worked for the PHILADELPHIA Inquirer - he should know how good this team is. Don't go around saying you're an NBA analyst and not know what's going on in Philly.

Boston, Detroit, rest of NBA:

Go ahead, keep underestimating us, keep thinking of us as an automatic out in the playoffs, the Sixers would love to make you guys look stupid...

All:

I was listening to a podcast by Bill Simmons and Ric Bucher, on ESPN, and I thought of one really good reason to keep Iggy: if LeBron James is gonna stay in the East, and if we're gonna keep running into the guy into the playoffs, then I think we'd need Iggy just to take the guy. The two were discussing how even Brandon Roy wasn't able to do squat against King James at the end of the game - with Iggy's amazing athletic ability - doesn't he give us the best shot at the end of games against James? Who else in the NBA can come close to LeBron's physical prowess in being able to stay with him, and smart enough to use that physical ability?

This longtime fan is enjoying the Sixers road back to respectability. It's been a longtime coming and yet they still have so far to go.

Does anyone know what the post Iverson Sixers record is? It has to be near or even slightly above .500. With the continued growth of Iggy, Young, Smith, et all, along with signing a bonafide power forward, hopefully this time next year the Sixers will have continued their climb back to respectability.

I know Dalembert's on his game when he imitates Grampa Amos McCoy* (Walter Brennan) and shuffles upcourt after a dunk with elbows raised, a hitch in his giddyup and a grimace on his face. As the TV show's theme song pointed about Amos, Sam, more often than not on the court, "roars like a lion but he's gentle as a lamb." Hope Sam stays grumpy.

* Above pop cultural reference is offered to aged Sixers fans; posting will bear limited sense to those born after 1960 (google "Real McCoys")

Great point sixerguy...andre can guard king james like no other...he is extremely valuable for that alone, not to mention he always d's up kobe real good too. Is there any chance kobe may want to come home after next season to join this bunch now that they are looking better every day? How ill would that be if was mixed in here with this uptempo running game?

I am surprised no one has talked about Chris Wilcox. He was basically the only offense the Sonics had once Willie Green wasn't guarding Durant.

Granted the Sixers killed the Sonics in the paint which doesn't bode well for the mans defense but he was tearing it up on the block. Pair him with Sammy and on most nights we would have a major advantage. The Sixers blew the game wide open when he wasn't in the game then the Sonics coach put him back in the game when it was already over.

I think he has one more year on his contract and think he's paid like 8 million a year. I say trade Jason Smith and R Carney then eat the rest of his money. Then pick up a vet shooting guard with 3 point range.

PG Miller/Lou Wil
SG Iggy/Willie Green/Free Agent
SF Thad/Draft Pick/Or Free Agent
PF Wilcox/Reggie Evans
C Sammy/C booth(hope fully we can upgrade from booth)

That team looks good to me

Marc

I have been watching the sixers very close all year I, maybe have missed 2 games on TV all season. These young men have grown up incredibly fast.Mo needs to be considered coach of the year just because at 1 time we were,I believe some 12 games below 500.Marc,the talent level on this young team seems to be some of the best in the NBA if not the best overall.What do you think? When you see A.I,T.Young,L.Williams,S.Dalembert,W. Green,R. Carney,J.Smith and lets Please not forget to mention Andre Miller and Reggie Evans who really make things go for the young athletic guys.Marc if this team had or can get a power forward next year,I hope people around the NBA realize the sky's the limit for this team as long as we resign A.I this off season which I cant imagine the sixers wouldnt do.Who do you believe the sixers will try and get to fill the scoring void at Power forward we have. Reggie is a great rebounder but we know in reality he is a 18 to 22 min. a game guy who gives you great energy when he's in there.Go sixers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Missed the second half, but just caught that article today about sammy. He did seem pissed in the 1st half, and hell if i was him and didn't have a full time big man coach i'd be upset too. How much you want to bet team Canada had one for him? And if he does happen to be reading, KEEP IT UP BUDDY, STAY PISSED. 100% better player last night than he has been lately. If he brings that mean with him every night, I'm happy to keep him here indefinitely.

Boy, oh boy, things are going well these days with the Sixers.

I hope these guys keep moving forward with their collective vision for themselves which we are starting to get a glimpse into as we enter the stretch. If so, then, as I am seeing it, the future is looking very good...and, perhaps, the future is now.

Go, Sixers!

Keep working hard and do so...together. See it...do it!

I hope that Sammy has been reading the comments here and that this motivated him.

In truth, Sammy scores when the team is looking for him, and they SHOULD be looking for him. A lob to Sam is a great play- demoralizing to the other team, energizing to the Sixers and keeps Sam agressive on both ends and working to get open on offense.

I thought that Moses was their Big Man coach. The Sixers team has to be considered dysfuctional if they don't have someone to work with Sam and the other bigs every day.

Sam- the most important thing for you to work on is your ball-handling in the low post. If the team thought they could pass the ball to you and you would get a shot or a foul or be able to pass the ball back without loosing it, they would pass it to you more.

See if you can find archived video of Kevin McHale and Kareem Abdul Jabbar in the post. Try to mimic their moves, when you can do them as proficiently, you will be worth every penny their paying you, and the fans will adore you.

The team continues to take care of business, and showing a good deal of enthusiasm and professionalism. I also was very impressed to see in the post game interview, how Andre Igoudala was watching another game on TV. When asked about the upcoming game with the Bucks, he started talking like a coach - as though he studies other teams their players and tendencies and pays attention to what is happening.

There are some very good players on this team that have to be kept. Igoudala is one of them. Maybe other scouts don't think he's a player you can build around, but I disagree.

When he has to, Andre can get a bucket as well as any superstar in the league. But he is less selfish and more about winning than those players who put up 30 a night. He fills the stat sheet with assists, rebounds, steals and blocks as well as points. And he is a very good one-on-one defender.

Unlike Allen Iverson who is a pretty self-absorbed player, Igoudala is a true team player- which makes it much easier to match him with other talents.

Both Iggy and Thad Young can be effective without the ball in the hands. They are basketball players and so is Williams and Miller. It really has become enjoyable to watch these guys, they're starting to play at a very high level.

Couple other observations about that game...

Wow, Thaddeus can play. That kid arguably had a better stat line than Igoudala...Tied in points, Thad had 7 more boards, 2 more steals, 1 less turnover, and only three less assists than dre...in three less minutes. Not to start some sort of horse race between the two, its just nice to see Thad measure up well against Dre. They can be a pretty sweat pair here for a good while to come.

Was that Reggie Evans i saw with soft hands around the basket in the 1st quarter? actually getting an and 1 or two? Good job, big fella. Call me crazy, but i think he just seem more deliberate and smooth going to the basket than earlier this year. Credit the coaching? (sorry sammy, couldn't help that one. just playin with ya)

Nice to see Mr. Smith put up a few points again. I saw him hit a nice jumper and get that and 1 dunk off dre's assist in the first and it looks like he kept it up after i went out too. Good on ya, mate. Nice job on the block, steal, and assists too, but I'd like to see more than 1 board out of a seven footer...

And what's up with only 18 minutes for Lou? I did see him make a few pretty bad passes in the 1st quarter, guess Mo decided to teach him a lesson?

let's hold on a bit, guys. Before we buy finals tickets for next year's Sixers championships, let's try and curb enthusiasm to focus a little on how/who we can improve enough to be looking toward the championship season. On the other hand, I am thrilled to have seen Sam Dalembert play with a little emotion. To hear him say that he wants to be taken more seriously, that's what I want too!! He wants to be a joker and have fun? Play with emotion on the court, then jest all you want.

If Sammy's reading:
Thank you Sammy for playing one game like you wanted the ball. You helped make the game worth watching. If you play with that kind of attitude every game, I can see you being among the top 3-4 players at your position. Many of us really want to cheer you on. We love tough players in this town that don't back down. Thanks again for your on court aggressiveness.

if Sam reads this blog, big pat on the back to the Sammy Haters. Next time, time your Sammy-hating when we face an above .500 team so we have a better chance to win!

p.s. I also would have loved to know where Andre Iguodala goes out to eat.