Deep Sixer

Thanks for the response Marc, your a fair man. I just pray that Willie isn't on the team next season, and if he is I would like him to be the 5th guard.

"Changing the lineup at this point to put Thaddeus Young at the three, isn’t something we would advocate."
Oh no that would never work would it Mark? Throwing out an unexpected lineup (that would be more effective) has never been shown to work in the playoffs in the past (cough Warriors cough). Sure the warriors didn't throw something new out in the playoffs, but they didn't try to match up with the Mavs and they went for their best lineup (even if they were all midgets comparatively).
I do agree with you sentiments that who starts isn't as important as who finishes, but how many times this year have the Sixers had to come back from a deficit that the starters made?
Lets face it, Willie is only useful for instant offense off the bench; and he even sucks at that often.
The Sixers definitely have a chance to win this series if you ask me though, that is why the games are played. If they had zero chance to win, then why is this series even being played? Would you put your salary on the line in a bet to say that the Pistons will win? The warriors showed last year that despite what the media might say, a team always has a chance to beat another. So as a true fan I say Sixers in 7; if supporters of a team have no faith then who will??

That shit wasn't anonymous, it was from me.

sfw, you made me wanna look at Boozer closer, which I will tonight (9:30pm). I'm gonna try to follow the Jazz, to see how Korver performs in the playoffs. Why DID Boozer drop in the draft (2002, 2nd round, 6th pick)? I just read on ESPN that people didn't think he was strong or quick enough to be a big man in the NBA, which DOES sound like what people are saying about Kevin Love.

Morty, you noticed those pick and rolls with Jason and LouWill, huh? I can't recall the Sixers doing the pick and roll better than that all year. Just not part of the offense, I guess. I hope it's something we see a lot more of next year, if Stefansky doesn't trade half the team away.

Marc,

I love your blog, but today you are just dead wrong. It's not who finishes that matters, it is how you match up during the game. Starting Willie gives us mismatches at TWO positions, SG and SF. It will be hard enough to beat Detroit without giving them 2 players, Hamilton and Prince, who can score at will against their defenders (apologies to Iggy, but he can't cover Prince near the basket.)

If you consider the last couple seasons, last year when we played Detroit, they would just toy with the Sixers. I remember the Pistons players smiling and laughing and acting like, " We can just turn it on at will for a few minutes and blow these guys away." While our losses this year were close, it still seemed like the Pistons felt they were in control. But , when miracle of miracles, Willie was injured and Mo was forced to play a bigger lineup, everything changed. We completely shut down Hamilton and Prince in the first half (combined, they were something like 4-16 for 8 points). Prince heated up a little in the 2nd half, when Mo took Thad off him, but the point remains that WE CAN match up with them. (I feel like Obama, yes we can :)) It is just so obvious that if we eliminate the height disadvantage at the 2 and 3, we have a puncher's chance in this series.

Have a good flight. Go Sixers!

Marc

I am so glad to here we have some really inteligent sixer fans that say lets put Willie on the bench amen! Marc everyone needs to wake up and understand when you have a player like Willie G. that goes 1 for 6 or 2 for 9 in the first half of a game that one player alone can put you down by 6 to 12 points by himself not to mention he cant guard my little Yorkie dog!
Marc now you add the fact that we get another couple of player's shooting cold and now your down by 14 to 20 points by half time or the 3rd Quarter! This team has to stop digging these big holes for themselves or they will never win consistantly!
This has to be addressed now if this team is to win, start now the blank with next year! We are expected to lose this series anyway so try something different now for the playoffs like Mo Cheeks did when he inserted T. Young in the line up later in the year he did that just out of the blue.So lets try thsi we have absoulutely nothing to lose!

Pistons in 5 if we dont try something new!
aaron!

Marc, I respect your response, This first day of the playoffs was great. Denver reminds me of New York, they have alot of talent but unable to put it all together on a consistant basis. I think they needed someone like Jason Kid more than Dallas. Finally your right Marc I'm probably 99% wrong on this one but you know what, you only live once right?

Peace

More encouraging stuff:

1. Unlike Orlando last year and Milwaukee in 2006, who were Detroit's first round matchups, we were able to beat Detroit twice in the regular season; Detroit swept Orlando in the season series, and Milwaukee managed just one win against them in 2005-2006.

2. Detroit's Pace is 89.9, last in the league, and according to the Sixers' Won-Lost Profile, they have a 54% winning percentage against the bottom 10 teams in Pace. I thought of this because people are saying that the Sixers can't win if you slow the game down, but their record shows otherwise - slowing the game down actually gives the Sixers a 50-50 shot of winning. They DID go 2-2 against the Pistons, right?

3. If you turn #2 around, it doesn't matter what Pace you play at, Detroit can beat you. But their lowest winning % is against the top ten teams in pace. So what people are saying here is true, the Sixers have to push the ball, it increases their odds of success. The secret may lie in how Chicago has beaten them 3 times this year, and Sacramento twice; wanna look into that next...

Honestly, I don't think it takes much guts to predict a Sixers win. It's an easy play. The odds are against us for good reason. So if they lose you can still claim you believed in the team when everyone else picked against them. We all want them to win, but the truth, I suspect, is that not even Zeru truly believes they will win. If he had to bet $$ on it, I guarantee his $$ would not be on the Sixers.

There's alot going on in Philly sports right now. The Sixers are flying underneath the radar a bit. Hopefully they can take game one tomorrow and steal some of the spotlight!

The people have spoken Marc, we all want Willie G gone asap. The smart thing to do would be to let Thad play 36-40 minutes for the series.

Hugh and Derrick

When I say I believe the Sixers can and will most likely beat Detroit it isnt some fanatical patriotic plea. I actually believe that the Sixers Cause serious matchup problems for detroit. This is no long the Ben Wallace Pistons..And thats where most of you become delusional. Some of you just say the word Pistons and start feeling pain which is understandable but this my friends is not muscle memory. Larry Brown is no longer coaching a defensive juggernaut. Ben Wallace is not entering the building trust me those days are gone. Flip Saunders doesnt even like defense he believes the repetitive nature of his halfcourt offense can overcome all things..The players themselves rely on each other to keep their defense half decent because Flip doesnt care. Individually with the exception of Prince and Wallace Detroit is suspect. Billups is a revolving door on D that relys on hacking you and hopes the refs dont call it. Thats the sum of his D. Rip's D consist of pulling on your jersey...

...he is always on skates. McDyess is solid but he is a hack too. You can get him out of position with pump fakes and he likes to smack arms when he is in the post. The Pistons are living off a reputation that isnt even them anymore. Wallace used to erase all of their mistakes( Ben that is) now they are just average. Rasheed isnt a great side defender or half the rebounder Ben was. Rasheed can shut down his man while Ben shut down the middle PERIOD. Thats just not the case anymore. We shouldnt have much trouble getting the type of shots we want in the halfcourt. That have court offense they like plays into our hands of jumping the passing lanes for easy breakaways. Flip's stubborness will be the Pistons undoing. Their spacing isnt that good in the halfcourt were they like to make alot of flat side to side passes. Even with a center like Rasheed who can drain it from halfcourt they still dont space well enough to beat us. I agree with Sixerguy Flip is semi retarded. What they do plays into our hands...

...and I really believe Saunders will refuse to adjust. Obviously I'm not the only one that sees this. But by no means am I saying they are going to win just to garner attention or for the sake of rebelling against the norm. Gentlemen...this series is going to be funny and enjoyable for us. So enjoy it. Besides Cleveland this was our MOST favorable matchup.

SFW

You make valid points once again about Detroit being well rested but I believe this series will be just as much about strategy as it is stamina and athletism and I believe Flip Saunders to be Andy Reid stubborn when it comes to his system and we know the pitfalls of that. 4-2 Sixers. If I were a betting man I'd take the Sixers as if I were doing a office pool for march madness. But I'm a little more educated on the teams. But we shall see..

Saunders might even get fired after this series...

Marc

I dont agree with you but I would love to prove you wrong just like in this case you'd like to be wrong. But I really think we are thee better team style vs style. If this Orlando I wouldnt be as bold but...I really think we have the advantage. I've been saying the same thing for weeks now..I wanted Detroit. And this gives us a chance to force ourselves into the limelight. I'm really going to enjoy this series.And if I'm wrong...I'm still very happy with everything we have done but I am not in a position that requires me to concede so...Lets see what we have...

It's time to beat the Bad boys!

I try to be optomistic, but after watching the western conference teams yesterday, we are at least 2 good players away from a title. Boy, if Thad could become a Ginobli type player ?

I'll probably be villified for this but one of the reasons that we can beat Detroit will be Willie Green. Oh boy. Did I actually say that? Yup! Now , realize, that I really don't like Willie but if you go back and look, he usually plays real well in Detroit. So, I propose that you give him his minutes when we play there and sit him when we are at home. That's one of the ways the 6ers can come out of this with a series win. Then trade him next year. As fast as you can!

Watched the Utah-Houston, Suns-Spurs games yesterday. Watching Amare/Duncan/Scola/Boozer, I can see why Billy King took Jason Smith. In the new NBA, you need PFs who have a certain level of agility, and Jason Smith has that. Can he build on it, that's the question. The next steps are learning to rebound and to shoot with one hand.

I'm so excited for tonight - feels like its been 18 months in the making!

I'm so excited to watch Sammy play 'Sheed b/c I saw, with my own two eyes, Sammy stop KG, Sheed, and Duncan in the same two week period. He can do it! I'm excited to watch Iggy but very worried about his leg.

I'm interested to see if Billups can stay with Lou consistently...we can exploit that.

The 76ers should focus on Game 1 because the Pistons might be over confident and hit some slow patchs. Game 2 will be tough to win b/c we're going to show our hand tonight.

I think the thing I feel the best about is that we're moving forward, regardless of how, from the Iverson Era. How could you not love to watch Allen play, but he's not a championship player in the NBA ... he's 6 feet tall and a defensive liability in the playoffs. This team is getting built to go deep for many years - with no holes.

Go Sixers!

Derrick - thanks for posting the exact same thing I said in the last blog. We are on the sane page.

Zeru,

I agree on Flip Saunders. I never understood that hiring. He does not fit that team at all - but despite all of that - the Pistons are one of the best teams in the league. The Sixers can play Detroit tough, but if Detroit doesn't underestimate the Sixers - they will have no problem. All they really have to do is make them shoot jump shots - clog the lane and not let Miller and Iggy penetrate. It will take a really good game plan to beat these guys - maybe Mo has something up his sleeve we'll see.

I am looking forward to seeing Lou, Iggy and Thad in this series.

How has it become common wisdom that the Sixers don't match-up well with Detroit? I don't know where that opinion came from, but it is not supported by the facts.

The Sixer won their last 2 games against the Pistons and both games were played at the Pistons' agonizingly slow pace.

You can argue that they weren't very concerned in the 2nd game resting a starter, but when they won by a point a few weeks earlier in Detroit, you could see the Pistons were unhappy with the result.

Marc, as a basketball student, you should know that line-up changes can work both ways- sometimes better and sometimes worse, however this line-up was already used successfully against Detroit, so it is abundantly clear that it should be used unless Detroit can find an answer.

The Pistons secret is that all 5 players can score and shoot, and the Pistons rely on exploiting match ups where they have an advantage. They usually have an advantage since there are few players physically capable of guarding Prince. The Sixers don't have that problem, because Thad Young also can play small forward and match him step for step.

In the game the Sixers won, on March 12, the Sixers line-up was Dalembert, Evans, Young, Igoudala and Miller. And that was an ideal line-up to match with the Pistons. Incidentally, they could also start Jason Smith instead of Evans and still get the same results, with slightly more scoring punch.

The real problem for the Pistons is that they are old, they've been going back to the playoffs with essentially the same team for Seven years. They rely on defense, which means expending energy, and against a young, athletic team like the Sixers they cannot sustain that level of energy.

The Sixers on the other hand, are young and athletic, they can keep up the defensive pressure, and the Pistons don't have match-ups to exploit.

Wallace is a better than Dalembert, but he plays outside and without Ben Wallace they don't have the rebounding and defensive capacity they once did. In that game the Sixers outrebounded Detroit by 7 boards.

Hamilton and Billups usually dominate the games, but when they are matched up with Miller and Igoudala, they cannot defend them, and expend too much energy on defence. Billups is overwhelmed by Igoudala's size and quickness, and Hamilton cannot handle Miller in the post or prevent him from passing. By the way, this line-up that worked was an accident, since Willie Green was injured. I would suggest that the Sixer start as they did and bring Willie in off the bench, where his offensive game would be more beneficial.

The only concern I have going in is that the Sixers limped into the playoffs at 3-7. They can beat Detroit when they play at their best, but can they call up that best now?

I am a dyed in the wool pistons fan, but I found most comments on here to be interesting and thoughtful. To make it simple I do look for Detroit to come out of this the winner, but I do expect Philly to make it interesting as usual. That said, "let's play ball!."

Hugh:

Too funny. I promise that I hadn't seen your post on the previous blog, but yes, we said exactly the same thing. You are right on the money!

Now, let's bring on the series! I'm thrilled to be seeing Sixers and Flyers playoff games.

Marc, have to respectfully disagree with you that the starters are not so important. I think its crucial to establish a pace early with Detroit, and as larry points out if we spot them two mismatches for the first 8-10 min, we're digging ourselves an unnecessary hole AND letting the Detroit establish their scoring groove relatively uncontested. I think its a serious mistake.

Also, I believe i posted yesterday or so that im pretty satisfied with Mo's endgame lineups (at least since Korver has been gone). Cant speak for anyone else, but in the absence of criticism, have to believe that most others are satisfied as well - probably why you get the impression that people are "hung up" on starters - because thats what is perceived as the problem area. I agree with your sentiment that endgame lineups are very important, but again have to respectfully disagree that they are so important as to make starting lineups inconsequential.

Finally, as to your point that you think a lineup shift is better done after a full training camp, i can appreciate that logic. However, the counterpoints are:
-This lineup shift has been done against detroit and proven successful, so its not as if we're completely pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
-You predict a sixers defeat with the usual suspects anyway, so why not give the other lineup a shot?
-These have been proclaimed by the GM a 4 of the likely starters next year anyway, so why not get them some playoff experience? even if they do loose, the learning experience will surely not be a waste...

Derrick,

I was just breaking your stones. I just thought it was funny. Lets go Sixers/Flyers.

Marc,
It is ok to duck every now and then in blogsville, every good writer does, and it means people are reading your words. As for the game today, the Sixers have got to take the ball to the rim, initiate contact, and knock down their free throws. They have to really simplify their game and let their superior athletic ability take over, and disrupt the Pistons half-court game at all costs. The Sixers have got to dictate tempo, and not turn the ball over. The X factor in this series for the Sixers is Rodney Carney.
Jason-Los Angeles

Orlando looks unstoppable...they cant miss... I saw ronnie sykley come off the bench and hit a 3