Deep Sixer

Good win. Carney continues to hit from 3, lou is back to form, JSmith had one of his better games this year. all very encouraging.

Very good win against a motivated Nets team. The Nets match up well with the Sixers (all their skill players are at the same positions as the Sixers' skill players), which is why all four games against them were close this year. The biggest differences between the Sixers and Nets are Dalembert (better than any Nets big man) and the Sixers' deeper bench.

Nice to see Green break out of his slump by aggressively driving; he still needs to avoid taking 3's right now. Dalembert played an excellent game with his 15-13-5, and it seemed most of his blocks were important ones. Nice contributions by everyone off the bench, whose 33-18 margin over the Nets' bench was decisive.
Though Iguodala didn't have a monster offensive game, he played an excellent floor game; the Nets' announcers (esp. Jim Spanarkel, but Marv Albert as well) were effusive in praising him. Once again, Iguodala did a great defensive job on Jefferson, holding him to 1 point in the 2nd half. (Jefferson, by the way, strikes me as a super-soft player. I haven't been impressed at all with him the last two times.)

Not only did the Sixers avoid their first three-game losing streak since the dark days of January, they also avoided losing to a sub-.500 team for the first time since the Minnesota game almost 2 months ago! That's 9 straight wins against sub-.500 teams, a mark of a fundamentally sound and motivated team.

Next up, the back-to-back against the Hawks. The Hawks also match up well with the Sixers, who won't be able to go small against them (Childress absolutely killed the Sixers last time from the guard spot). The Hawks are playing well, but I think the Sixers will be motivated to defeat one of only two East teams they haven't beaten this year.

Marc,
Excellent, concise summary. It was a pivotal win, not critical,but close. And against a wounded neighbor, trying to stay remotely alive at their place.

Again, great TEAM play, especially down the stretch; tremendous versatile, unselfish display by the Andres having trust to juck to open shooters as Lou, Rodney, whoever, when doubled teamed, trapped.

Great inter-team trust has developed. Guess that's a hoops synonym for Chemistry, a special thing.

Props to Mo. Whether he knows it, he deserves much of the credit. Who really cares how he orchestrates it, but the players as a Unit, w kudos as well to BK, have responded without individual agendas. A big vote for staying with the young kids ( forget signing an expensive older FA)- the young kids are the hungriest players. Every which way.

Reggie,AM, and a cheaper Ollie are all the Vets this team needs.

Great job, Marc.

Maybe Lou will evolve as as hybrid combo of half Boobie Gibson and half Monta Ellis?

Maybe he has already begun that evolution. After all, LeBron and Cavs needed every ounce of Boobie to even sniff the Finals last year, and we are all aware of how Monta often is the X factor in many Warrior games.
When an Andre gets trapped, he needs a Boobie, or maybe better, a LOOOOUUUUU......

I know they have "reconciled" many of earlier year issues, but its gotta be weird for Mike Bibby to face a team twice in two nights with his Pop on the Opponents Coaching bench. Ya know?

Its not like the likely, as they have done of late since reconciling, Thurs night prior dinner "reunion" this time can ignore the tension of TWO games in the next two nights, let alone one game, given the Hawks needing, finally, to win to advance to Post Season.

Very odd dynamic, with the two games, so much at stake, and a reconciled Father-Son relationship.

Am that much happier the Sixers beat the Nets to avoid excessive "Must Win" BS.

Few teams match up well vs the Hawks; but the Sixers may have, well, pre-Bibby, the poise edge. A few days and we see

These Hawks games are huge. If the Hawks beat the Raps this week then sweep the Sixers they will be half a game out of the 7th spot. The 8th spot is the only guaranteed exit for the Sixers or any other team- that Boston group is not losing a first round series. So the Sixers have to win. Two wins against the Hawks guarantees them at least the 7th seed and puts them in great position to go higher.

The Hawks will also be another test of the Sixers ability to keep their intensity up. Both teams are coming up right now, playing well- who wants it more? Based on their quotes tonight, I'm not worried about the Sixers.

A general question now--Why is Andre Miller getting absolutely no mention for MVP? He is having the best year of his career and leading a cast of players that was considered the worst in the league by many at the start of the year to a playoff berth. I don't put him above Chris Paul, Kobe, or KG, but he could be in my top five.

Very good bounce-back win!

Great to see Mo's emotion...he knew how importnt it was to his team's psyche.

Andre Miller is a REAL PRO...a pleasure to watch how he orchestrates things. One example, his recognition that Jefferson was guarding SAM, then trusting SAM enough to go up and get the ball...smart play and boosts SAM confidence.

Jumpin, sure you still don't like SAM's game, but you have to give him some respect when he plays as he did last night don't you?

Mike, good posts...re veterans, I would add Calvin Booth...he is cheap, a pro attitude, can block a shot, hit a shot...he and Ollie are PERFECT VETS to have on the bench again next year at the right price.

Loved the game last night - nice to see all of the young guys on the court in the 4th. Sammy played well - I will admit it - even though he seemed out of position a great deal in the 1st half. I expect him to take advantage of guys like Josh Boone, but I will not criticize him today - he played well overall.

I want more Carney and Lou will!

John, Sam ran another 'Josh Boone Special' for eager shoppers; I guess you bought it. I look forward to a duplication of his baseline 'hike' to Miller against Cavs. (That was an all-timer.)

It seems Sammy is looking less and less for the ball on offense, a good thing. Our half court game is improving and at times we are playing 3 on 5 with Reggie and Sam out there together.Think about that for a minute!!!! What an effect a low post threat and a 3pt. shooting 2 or 3 will have if added over the summer. Love how A.Miller takes advantage of his strength down on the block, something that will come in handy come playoff time. Wonder how much better we would be offensively with Thad and Jason at the 3 and 4 for longer stretches, Thad looks real comfortable on the low block [B.King like?]

theres no way Andre Miller lets this team lose. I think the Sixers are smarter and they know how to close out games.

once again, DEFEND THE 3.

Good to see the Sixers close out a team in the fourth quarter, rather than being closed out like in Cleveland.

The ability to execute in the half-court and make shots at the end of the game is what determines who wins and looses 90% of the time. The rest of the time one of the teams is so far ahead that it doesn't matter if they score or not.

Agaist Cleveland the Sixers couldn't make a shot at the end of the game. It took consecutive misses by the Sixers and successive good shots from the Cavaliers to enable them to win.

That game bothered me, since a defeat of the Cavaliers would have put us on path to take the fourth spot away from them. In addition, during the win streak the thing that impressed me was how tough the Sixers were at the end, closing out Detroit and beating Boston.

So, it was good to see the Sixers win a close one by playing well at the end of the game. There is nothing to stop this team from going deep into the playoffs if they are able to play successfully in the last few minutes. The confidence to know they can get open looks and put them down when the pressure is on is all they need.

Suede, I like the Thad/Jason combo too. They both do the little things and for the most part can hit their shots. Liked it even better when igoudala was out there with them for a few minutes. Seems like someone sat Jason down and had a little chat with him too...when he came in for the first time last night i swear he was imbued with the spirit of reggie evans, running around trapping like crazy, getting in dudes faces. It was nice to see some agression out of him.

KM:

There was a great camera shot of Smith going back to the bench after his first run, sitting down next to Miller, who immediately begins talking to him, with Smith nodding.

There was another great camera shot of Dre, on the bench being seriously pumped up after one of Carney's 4th quarter 3 balls.

The other day, I said how I didn't like that in a close 4th quarter Mo went to the isolation play with Dre against the Cavs. Today, we continued to do what we normally do, the 2 Andre's look to set up themselves for a good shot or set up their teammates. Carney and Lou made that strategy look good.

Suede,

You stole my 3 on 5 comment from a week ago, but I will let it slide. This is why Sam has to develop some moves - he is eating up too much cap room at $10M for us to keep the young guys and add a legit PF (unless it is in the draft). This is why I like Love and White (especially White), but Sam has to be accountable on the offensive end as well.

Also, you have to like the way Carney has been playing lately. He has a lot of confidence and looks like he did in the summer league last summer - now, I am anxious for the playoffs.

The Other Craig,

Agreed on Miller - I don't think he should win neccessarily, but he has to get some mentions.

Hugh:

If Sammy can get 15 points the way he did last night (5/8 FG, 5/6 FT), and only has 1 TO, who cares if he has moves or not. Especially when he continues to play D, rebound and block shots like he has been.

At this point his contract is what it is. He's been overpaid for years, but when he has games like last night, he's worth it.

This team's ability to score in the half court is noticeably better than the latter stages of the Allen Iverson era. I was really impressed with how they kept the Nets at bay in the fourth. Good teams win close games and this team has been good the last several weeks.

Andre Miller. What else can anyone say? I noticed Devin Harris, a player I like, had four turnovers and had to do his damage by shooting from distance and driving from the break. I do think the Nets made a good trade. But it so clear how Miller does so many little things well, the post-ups, the clever pass, the timely jump shot. And only one turnover and smart play to keep the Sixers turnovers down. What a luxury.

This team's bench is undoubtedly the X factor that makes them a winning team. While I like the starters, nothing about them would scare a solid team from the west. However, when you have guys like Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Rodney Carney coming off the bench, there's very little drop-off in quality and they can got out and punish the other teams' second units.

This is going to be an exciting offseason. Quality veterans are going to WANT to play on this team and we have the cap room to re-sign out quality players. So this team is going to have even more depth next year, it'll be interesting to see what kind of a run they can go on.

Morty - Saw that bit with miller giving smith some what-for on the bench too. I think he was pretty pissed that smith got called for a 3 second violation when Miller had his man isolated and ripe for the posting...Always interesting to watch those learning moments.

Also, always interesting to see what the other team's papers are saying about the game - from today's NYT: "Nets could not stop Louis Williams, whose 7 points during a 1:12 stretch made the difference." they also describe us as "The playoff-bound 76ers". nice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/sports/basketball/02sixers.html?ref=sports

I will let Sam off of the hook today, but he is not out of my dog-house.

Hugh:

Fair enough.

KM:

It seems to me that people overlook and/or discount the fact that this is essentially Lou's rookie year. He has a bright future. The thing I like most about him is that, for the most part, his movements seem slow and deliberate while actually being quite fast. Obviously there are a lot of improvements he needs to make, but he seems smart enough and unselfish enough to make them.

Marc,
Big win last night. With the score tied at halftime, it was up to Coach Cheeks to stress the importance of the second half and the team responded. The Sixers are in line for some awards. Coach of the Year = Cheeks. Most Improved= Louis Williams. Comeback Player of the Year= Andre Miller. All Rookie Team=Thadeus Young. This team is the story of the year in the Eastern Conference.
Jason- Los Angeles

So if Indiana loses tonight does that mathematically clinch it? Do the Sixers hold the tiebreaker with them too?

Lincoln (NE) Log item, Sports, 4/2: Philadelphia, not a cornucopia of talent in recent years, has harvested a truckload of late-season wins to have nearly cobbled out a playoff berth. The team has taken to threshing opponents with the same high speed exactitude of grain farmer Del Bagem. Latest wind-burned victim: New Jersey. Standing tallest on the 76ers' plain is Sam Dalembert, a 6' 11' stalk of a man from Haiti and Canada and New Jersey (How'd that happen?), who swats opponents' shots from the weakside like Grandmother Wentworth with July kitchen flies, stunning his adversaries into submission with fitful dances of happiness. All that being said, optimistic skies appear at this point in the City Of Brotherly Shoves, as far as the eye can see. 'Warm pie on the window sill' just about sums it up.

I think Lou's biggest adjustment was adjusting the speed of his game, and deciding whether or not he was a passer or shooter in situations. At least he has a good head on his shoulders, and with guys like Kevin Ollie(who I still wouldn't mind giving him a roster spot for next year) helping him out, he'll be alright.

He's definitely the Monta Ellis of this team. I'd like to see Lou win 6th man of the year in 2009.

btw, anyone read David Aldridge article re: ES/Mo? Mo was always hesitant to play young guys because he thought it would be better for them to watch vets play from the bench. Something he learned from Larry Brown??

What if Mo played Thad like Larry played Darko!?!?!?

Anyone in here liking Stephen Curry for this team? I don't, because we have other needs, but the kid's shooting touch is incredible, he was just fantastic in the tournament. I'd be surprised if he doesn't become a great scorer in this league. I keep trying to think of reasons why we should draft him, but with Rodney and Lou, I don't think we need more shooting, and that if we do take a guard with the pick, it should be a potential Andre Miller replacement, someone with the potential to be a great point guard.

What's going to happen to Rodney Carney and LouWill? Will they be forever coming off the bench? What are their upsides? Has Lou hit his ceiling?

Butter Beane, thats some old school sports writing right there. cool stuff...

"...but with Rodney and Lou, I don't think we need more shooting, and that if we do take a guard with the pick, it should be a potential Andre Miller replacement, someone with the potential to be a great point guard."

No doubt Rodney and Lou are making progress with their outside shooting, but neither is a natural who can be counted on, night in and night out, to knock down the open jumper. I actually see shooting guard as our second biggest need in the offseason (behind power forward, of course). If Iggy moves to the 2 spot (to make room for Thad at the 3), I'd like to have a deadeye shooter coming in off the bench to back him up. Lou is a combo guard. Rodney is a slasher and a solid defender. Willie Green is, well, Willie Green. Each has his own skills, but none represents the deadly marksman I'd love to find for this team. Stephen Curry could be that guy.

It doesn't matter because Curry is not coming out anyway. Curry is much like his Dad - he is deadly and can get a shot off in the blink of an eye - who doesn't want that type of player? He is too small and a little one dimensional right now to be a top 10 pick - maybe next year.

BTW - I tolf my friends and brother about Curry before the season and I am now getting calls left and right about it - Hugh knows all!

Hugh, you're right, shoot. He says he's not ready. He sure looked ready to me.

But, uh, Space Donkey makes a good point (what kind of sentence is that). That dead-eye shooter coming off the bench would have been a great reason to take him.

*LOL*

Yeah, you're right about him not coming out... saw it on ESPN yesterday, if I remember correctly. Of course, my point remains the same. I'd love a true shooter on this team... somebody like Boobie Gibson, for example.

Plus, it's going to be quite interesting to see how much money other teams will be offering LouWill in the offseason. He's a restricted free agent, so we can match any offer... but with the rather pressing need for a power forward, it's hard to imagine Ed giving up a ton of money for him. If other GMs are putting 4 or 5 mil on the table, it's pretty likely Ed will have to pass.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

GM Ed Stefanski will be interviewed by Mike Missanelli on radio ESPN 950 AM at some point today during Missanelli's new 3-6 or 7 time slot. But first up...John Kruk.

I have been saying all year long that a SG with a reliably above average 3 ball, who can play strong D, is our second need after PF. However, Carney's recent progress has made me reconsider. With his off the charts athleticism and potential 40% 3 point shooting (what he did in March), maybe he is that guy.

SD:

First of all, thanks for changing to an acronym. Secondly, there is no way I'd let Lou get away for 4-5 mil. I doubt ES will either. Our available cap space is independent of signing him.

I'd say lou Could be worth 4-5m...in fact he could wind up being that 40% 3pt shooter. Dont look now, but he's at 37.5 on the year - his first real year of work. Thats only .6% less than a certain departed sixer this year...

Not to say we couldn't use another shooter, anyway, but lou is good player already and still has upside.

We can't afford to let our young talent (Lou) get away even if it means overpaying slightly. The whole point of the youth movement is to develop young talent for the long haul. If we develop these guys and then lose them after they become productive, then what is the point?? Lou Williams has really shown me something this year that he can be a very special player. We can't afford to lose him or Iguodala if we want to get to the next level.

KM:

Right. 37.5% is not too shabby, especially for a 21 year old getting his first extended playing time in the league.

Jumpin,

You're tough and consistent...some might say stubborn to a fault re SAM.

He changes games with his defense...Nets coach latest to say that.

Re the Josh Boone thing, what about Kristic...did you forget about him?

I understand your points re SAM, but he is working hard, improving, and an integral part of the Sixers defensive package...those are the facts.

Some Sixer love from nba.com:

http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5700002064

I guess ya gotta root for Hawks to beat the Raptors tonite, tho its a win-win either way, too.

Hard to fully convince myself either way. Wanna see the Hawks sweat, but wanna see the Raps crumble. Anybody got a clearer view? lol

H Bugh, sorry for stealing your line; watching Sammy lately on offense is reminding me of another player that rarely had a play run for him but just scored off of offensive rebounds, what Sammy has been doing lately. His name was Paul Silas.Silas always had scorers around him and just did the dirty work, maybe Sam could do the same. I think L.Will. gets 4 to 6 mill. per but like Morty said it doesn!t matter because he is part of our team now and it won!t affect the cap. Brand is back this week and so is Oneal, options,options,options!!!