Deep Sixer

I hate Orlando.

I hate Orlando too. I can't not root for Jameer and I like Dwight Howard but that is where it ends.

Sixers really made me look bad with that lose...
http://reclinergm.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/76ers-lay-an-egg-in-orlando-make-me-look-bad/

Suede,

How about calling our bench Red Bull? With R. Evans, Lou Will, Carney, and Jason Williams, you know at least that you are going to get energy if nothing else.

Another reason why that moniker might fit is that there is a lot of Bull----- at the end of our bench with Lou Amundson and Calvin Booth.

This team was pretty much spent from the opening tip. The Magic jumped on them and it was game over by the second quarter.

The clock struck 12 on the play of Dalembert and Carney tonight. Both seemed to revert back to earlier this season. I will give Carney this though, if he can hone in on his shooting and develop his dribble, midrange game and use of his left hand to finish, he could be a dangerous scorer because the dude has no conscious. He'll keep jacking no matter what.

Dalembert picked up like 3 fouls in about a minute. I think if Cheeks would have left him in, he would have fouled out in another 30 seconds or so.

A couple of positives. Did any of you see Thad drive and try to finish a few times with his right hand? You can tell the kid is working on his game. He's going to be a load for any 3 in the league in about 3 years.

The first time this year Shav actually got some playing time and showed something. I have no problem with bringing Shav back if he is healthy next year as a 14th or 15th man, just because you can never have enough young bigs.

I think the team can upgrade over Kevin Ollie by getting a backup one with more range, like a Roger Mason or Chris Duhon.

Oh well. Let's start another streak by beating Jersey.

Weren't guys like Iguodala and Carney drafted to be shutdown perimeter defenders? Why do we always get nailed from downtown from every team we seem to face? Drake could probably take this team.

Marc,

Team wasn't there tonight...due for a lapse.

Makes tonight a BIG game, and Sixers have been great on 2nd night of back-to-backs.

Lets see how they respond tonight...I think they'll WIN.

They were hot from three but wish we would identify the shooters and stop helping and switching so much.Iggy, Thad, and Rodney should be able to stay with Lewis, Turkeglu, and whatever 2 guard is on the floor. A lock down point[ Weaver, from Wash.St.] and a physical 4 that can bang with Howard and allow Sam to roam would be 2 welcome additions on the defensive side of the ball.Looks like Toronto is the team we will pass, Wash. is playing better ball.Go Sixers!!!

I hate this team. They've enjoyed a surprising win streak, I guess by playing well together and by, in my estimation, playing above themselves. But Sammy sucks for 60 million. He's a 15-20 minute man who turns the ball over, is a nightmare to watch offensively, and whose stats place him near the bottom of this list at his position in the league. He looks positively stupid against better match-ups. AI is *NOT,* say it with me now, *"NOT"* a #2 guy on ANY good team. He's a third best player on a decent team or a fourth best player on a better team. He's a blue-collar Philly attraction because he can play some defense, works hard, and generally contributes in all categories. But he does NOT excel in any one aspect of the game. And his stats are at least partially explained away by where he's playing (the east) and the team on which he's playing (Sixers). He is NOT Josh Howard, who has slightly better stats while at the same time playing against forwards out west and being the third or fourth option on his team. So when contract day arrives, start by showing AI Howard's contract and then start working backward. If it doesn't satisfy, wish him well, please! Andre Miller. What's to say there except that he's a wonderful point guard that keeps this team respectable. He's a consummate professional, so he always plays hard, but I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if he's motivated to play extra hard so that other teams ask for him. Everyone else on this team is WITHOUT question destined to forever be average players who have streaks of impressive play but who will ultimately be journeymen without one dominant talent that makes them worth keeping for long. Or, to put it another way, many of the players in this supposed "core" will forever be trade bait, or trade pieces, on whatever team they belong to (a-la Larry Hughes, Jermaine Jones, Speedy Claxton, Kevin Ollie, etc.). I'm glad they're winning (mostly, because it makes some of this team look attractive to other teams) and I'm glad people at this blog enjoy the flashes of respectability. But make no mistake about it: this is not a team that has the makings of a contender. Not even close! They have nothing that resembles the roster of a championship team. What's more depressing still is that there are no healthy upper-tier free agents available this year. What's more, nobody who's a stud would even want to come and play in Philly because we're so damned mediocre. NO three-point threats, average defense, NO post-up threats, NO night-in, night-out go-to guys, and a hard-working but middle-of-the-pack coach. Sorry, but this team is a tease. To be competitive, you need STARS, KILLERS, CONSISTENT players. Miller's consistent, but he's also at the tail-end of his career. Everyone else is either too inconsistent, overpaid, demanding more $ than they're worth, or some combination of these things--none of which constitutes qualities that a sober analyst of the game would expect to see in a "core" from which to build.

MArc, agree totally with the emotionally spent point.
Tonight is another challenge. The Nets were in a tough game last night. Because of the route we are well rested. Should play out in our favor. We must be setting a record for our winning percentage in the 2nd game of back to backs.

Eric Gordon's been horrible for the past month or so, I wonder how far he drops. With his potential, I don't think so, but he's been taking bad shot after bad shot. It looks like he's the next Jamal Crawford.

Blake Griffin looked good against St. Joe's. He'd be a great pickup if he was still around when the Sixers picked, but apparently a lot of teams like him and he says he's going back for his sophomore season. I'd take him over Kevin Love at this point, though it's hard letting Kevin Love's outside shot go.

Pat Calathes can pass, but he couldn't get his shot off against an athletic swingman. If the Sixers got him, I think Mo would use him the way he used Korver, at PF, I think that would work out better. Mo likes to mix and match, if he doesn't like Thad or Reggie for a certain matchup, Calathes could be used there. With more strength, Calathes could be the next Turkoglu.

I read that Portland has 3 second round picks this year (New York, Memphis, Indiana) - maybe get all of them for the Utah pick (1st round, 2009)? Suede, I know that'd make your head explode thinking about all the possible players we could take with those picks. KM, that gives us a shot at DJ White; Suede, Kyle Weaver would also be there. If our GM is at good scouting as advertised, maybe we get 3 steals in the 2nd round?

I wasn't for getting Antawn Jamison at first, but given a lot of factors, I see that as the big free agent move the Sixers do: Brand and Josh Smith are harder to get. Jamison is making $17M this year, but is he worth $17M for the next 3 years? If I were Washington, I'd do something else with that money instead of giving it all to Jamison. The Sixers swoop in there with their cap space and take Jamison away? If the Jamison deal is only 3~4 years long, we'll know by then if Jason or a young big we take in the draft this year is ready to take over the PF spot. We'll have the cap room for Thad at that point, too.

And if Washington keeps Jamison, do they have enough cap room for Arenas? Arenas a Sixer?

I love how Carney's become more decisive with his offense. He gets the ball, and within a second, knows exactly what he's gonna do with it (a la Willie Green). However, for a tremendous athlete, he's not great at finishing drives, and his handle isn't great. It looks like he's gonna be a jumpshooter for the rest of his career, which I don't mind as long as he's good at it, and he keeps using his athleticism for defense and rebounds.

Hobbes, you know nothing about basketball. Nothing. And, the worst part is that you think you do!

Igoudala is a star in the NBA, and may develop into a first option- he has all the necessary skills.

I thought the Sixers preparation for this game was lacking, and without knowing more about the internal workings of the Sixers, I would blame the coaching staff.

Orlando was a big game, because they are a an Elite team in the East (by conventional standards) and the last time they met, the Sixers beat them, and that bothered Orlando psychologically.

Had the Sixers been able to beat them last night, they would have set them up to be defeated in the playoffs. Jameer Nelson said as much after the game.

You don't switch-help on a team like Orlando, that runs a Mickey-Mouse offense. They space people out along the three-point line, because they lack the talent to play any other way.

Since you can't switch, and stay with your man, individual matchups are important. Andre Miller should never end up guarding Tukogolu!

Why does Mo Cheeks insist on trying to play a 3 on a 4? IT DOESN'T WORK, MO! I would rather see Shavlik Randolph out there trying to defend Turkogolu, then see Reggie Evans get beat off the dribble.

Without an effective defense, the Sixers had no chance, since they can't shoot well enough to stay with Orlando's shooters, at least the way that Cheeks has run the offense.

There was no attempt to match what Orlando was doing, and no attempt to adjust our offense to stay with them. The Sixers shot 44.2% from the field- against a team that doesn't play defense!

Finally, did anyone notice the incredible bias the refs showed towards Orlando? There was a stretch in the game where the refs took the ball away from the Sixers 7 times in a row. Calling offense fouls on Sixers driving, when the Orlando players were still moving. Calling defensive fouls on the Sixers when they got in the way of the magic. Calling a block a goaltend, when it was clearly not. Calling the ball out on the Sixers when it was out on the Magic.

It's hard enough to get back in a game when the other team is playing well, it is impossible when the refs stop you from scoring! The Sixers didn't get calls from the refs on offense at all, Iggy was fouled a number of times and there was never a whistle, but when Turkogolu went barreling through the lane he got fouls called on the Sixers every time.

I hope we don't see Rush, Brown & Brothers as refs again. They are either blind, incompetent or both.

I like our chances in New Jersey because the last two games were both losses but we didn't lose by more than 5 either game. The one thing that worries me is that Iguodala was in foul trouble in both games and with Vince Carter and RJ playing some of their best basketball, it seems like a recipe of him fouling out late in the game when he's our best player. I'm thinking that we'll have to start either Young or Carney because I don't see Green doing a good defensive job on either of them due to the size difference alone. The other matchup that can be troublesome is the Andre Miller - Devin Harris one. Unfortunately, the only one that will stop D Harris from having a big game is himself due to his quickness and above average skill level. I hope Sammy shows up to tonight's game cuz we sure as hell could use him...

Sixerzguy - first impression re swapping picks w/ Portland - its an interesting idea. I think for cap purposes 3 second round picks (depending on how early or deep in the second round) is a better risk/reward calculation than one late 1st rounder with lots of restrictions. 3 chances to strike it rich with the second rounders, and no obligation to sign any of them if its a bust.

Havent seen too many mock draft boards yet, but if DJ White is looking like round 2 I'd jump at the chance to grab him. Some may not agree, but to me he's the best player on his team. As you mention, I've also got some issues with e. gordon's shot selection. He's got some game for sure, and I'm not trying to say he doesn't but - for the sake of argument - which sixer does he resemble most? Im talking position, build, and shot selection/shooting percentages...

Hugh is back! I must say that I have been impressed as of late with this team, but I do agree with the Hobbes post in that there is no consistency outside of Miller. Iguoadala has impressed me and has shown a great deal of improvement, but I don't think he is quite there yet. True go-to guys have to get it done night in and night out, which Iggy doesn't do. He is not a stud, he is a 2nd or 3rd guy. It is not his fault and it is not a commitment/effort deal, it is just how his game is. He is a little of everything, but it would be a mistake to give him a ton of money this off-season. The part of his game that I think would make him deadly would be his low post game. He is so much bigger and stronger than most guards in this league. Putting him on the block and letting him back down and create from there would increase his value a ton.

I do think that they are sneaking up on teams as of late - teams are taking them lightly and they are playing better than they were earlier in the year. I am not trying to downplay their wins over Detroit or San Antonio -- I just think that teams seem to be underestimating them lately. Now that they are in, they are in line for a DJ White and that should be their target as I said months ago. He is the fit - and we won't have to spend a ton on Brand or Smith.

Yeah, Rick, my mistake. This team is wonderful. The .500 win percentage in the cut-throat Eastern conference speaks volumes about the quality of this team.

Rick:

I'm with you on the over switching. Overall, they have been playing good D so I haven't mentioned it, but it really does seem like they switch at the drop of a hat, when it's not necessary.

I also agree that the Sixers were not getting much help from the refs. But they just could not buy a basket in the 1st half.

sixerz, I think when we get closer to the draft some of the frauds being projected as first round picks will be realistically projected and drafted in the 2nd round or undrafted.

If DJ White measures out at over 6'9" in sneakers, He'll be a first round pick. If he's under 6'8" forget about it. I agree about Gordon. He is a top 5 pick. I'm with you on Griffin too but both he and Love have some historical injury concerns. He's more athletic than Love but unrefined. I think Calathes needs 2 years in Europe to get stronger and refine his position whatever it is.

Don't think I'd want more than 2 picks in this draft. I'd prefer moving up to get the player I want. I disagree with Ed's statement about the same player being available at 12 as 16.

Igoudala is a star in the NBA, so is LOU and THAD they just need time developed. Hobbe sixers have stars, you are just looking through the wrong glasses, just like the rest of the Nba league. SIXERS just beat championship teams, this core should still be in college. WHAT!!!!!

Kevin, "This core should still be in college." Truer words were never spoken. The question is, if relocated accordingly, would "this core" advance beyond the NCAA regionals? Not guaranteed, based on their court decision-making.

The abilty to shift gears in a basketball game, and adjust to what an opponent is showing is a clear Sixer weakness, individually and team-wise. Take last night for instance - please! [In homage to the late Rodney Dangerfield]

Suede,

The matchup problems with Orlando begin with Sam's inability to guard Dwight Howard. Howard gets any position down low on Sam that he wants and Sam can't do anything about it.

Evans gives Howard trouble because he can fight Howard for that position. Even Booth does a better job fighting Howard for position than Sam.

That 4 that could start and be a good defensive addition to this team is Ronny Turiaf. There's no way he'd be the 20 and 10 guy this team would like to have there, but Sam would welcome high with open arms.

I think there are plenty of backup point guard options for the 76ers who can hit a shot. They definitely need someone who can hit a three. Roger Mason, Chris Duhon, Tyrone Lue just to name a few.

Is anyone curious that Isaiah said that he's going to cut the minutes of Zach Randolph so that he can get a look at some of the younger Knicks? I know there are many who here who wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole, but there aren't many 4's out there that will be available who has averaged 24 and 10 for a season and still hasn't hit their prime yet.

Any thoughts?

i agree with hobbes, when drunk the sixers look on course to win a championslip. i`m so drunk my typing slurs. blahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

abbiamo vinto contro nj 91-87!!! dai philadelphia by italia

A win is a win is a win. This one bigger than most. I can't remember the last time we beat this team. I know it wasn't this year. ATL won so a loss would have been ginormous. For a team as young as the 6ers it would have been easy to lose their swagger and the funk could have last for a few games, but once again we win the second half of the back-to-back. That says a lot about the heart of the players and the preperation by Mo and the staff.
How many out there were ready to jump off the bandwagon? Thank God the players weren't.
Happy Easter 6er fans. For the rest, yeah you too. Even if you don't celebrate Easter you can celebrate this win.
GO SIXERS.
Barton

Carney throws up a couple of bad shots, while giving good effort on defense, and gets yanked. Green can!t stop me!!, yet tonight after missing about 5 shots in a row he is still in the game; we are so much better with Iggy, Carney, Thad and L.Will. at the 2 and 3 positions on defense, Mo, cut Willies minutes till he becomes a better defender, seems L.Will. has improved at it. Just an opinion.