Do We Have Your Attention Now Detoit?

Now this is more like it. The Detroit Free Press rages here:

This was one of the worst playoff games in this Pistons era. I'm not sure I can convey the full misery of it -- the ugly-osity, the horrible-liciousness -- but I will try.

In the first half, the Pistons committed 12 turnovers and scored 40 points.

Then things got bad.

No long commentary today- miles to go before I sleep sort of day planned here in Manhattan.

But I will say that while the Sixers aren’t “great”, if they are allowed to play full court offense, they are obviously darn good. They can defend, have some depth. They lack the singular star who commands the double team in the set offense, but can score anyway and provide opportunities for others. Allow Philadelphia to gloss over that problem, and they’re trouble.

Not Too Good Detroit

In this morning’s New York Post, David Smith from Long Island City writes to the Editor:

I disagree with your claim that all of America welcomes the pope. There are people here who do not believe in him or what he claims to stand for.

Please don't lump everyone in by suggesting all are "looking forward to see him." I definitely was not.

Well, that is the sort of bitterness one can associate with Piston’s fans this morning. Well, probably not. But it was a good win for the Sixers- goes a good way to validating what they and the coach have done since Christmas.

I’m not crazy; I don’t think the Sixers are better than Detroit. But the last ninety-seconds, with the Sixers up 3-4 points, the Sixers forced the “rebounders” off the floor as the Pistons brought in the “shooters”. With Detroit’s big people off the floor (at least on offense), the Sixers were able to force a series of one-shot-and-done possessions in crunch time. Bascially, they were killed all night on the boards except when it mattered most- as the Pistons were forced to disarm.

The NBA is about match-ups and the last two minutes- determing scenarios that you can repeatedly exploit enough to win four times. And the Sixers seem to have, based on yesterday’s outcome, come up with a viable, repeatable scenario to close out games against these characters. Hopefully, with two of the next three at home, they’ll be able to play that scenario again, square this series through four games- and make this a best-of-three: a more miracle conducive experience!

I have less on the Flyers. It was disappointing to let Washington off the mat- except it really more that Washington got itself off the mat the past two tilts by matching the Flyers effort level. It was a road loss- and probably it was too much to expect to run Washington out in four straight games. But the bad loss in Game One makes this a series again. The two remaining games are toss ups- so I like the Flyers simply because they only gotta one flip rather than two. Of course, last week it was three games… trouble is increasing here.

Weclome Home AI

No matter how much I try and fight it- and I do fight it- my favorite Philadelphia player ever is the guard from Georgetown: Allen Iverson.

I know, I know… but what can I say? The guy tried and defined fun to watch. It didn’t end great- but I forgive him. So does John Smallwood- and his article in today’s Philadelphia Daily News makes me glad. It should be good between Sixers fans and AI. My fave parts below:

Iverson was born into the National Basketball Association as a Sixer, and if nothing else was made clear during his emotional homecoming last night it is that he is a Sixer for life.

I know it. You know it. And after last night's emotion-packed event, Iverson knows it.

*********

Earlier, when Iverson had walked out on the court for pregame warmups, the first thing he had done was go to center court and kiss the Sixers logo. But this was different.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome back from Georgetown University, at guard, No. 3, Al-len I-ver-son!!!!" Cord said.

They didn't need the cue; the ovation for Iverson had begun before the boos for Karl subsided.

Iverson, who for a decade had thrilled the same fans with his dynamic play as a Sixer, blew a kiss to one half of the arena and then turned and blew a kiss to the other half.

Then the former Sixers captain, the one who had taken the franchise to six playoff appearances and a trip to the 2001 NBA Finals, gave a captain's salute.

Iverson then three times pounded the huge heart that had captivated this city and followed it by raising his arm to the air. And as the ovation grew louder, the player who was arguably the greatest showman in Philadelphia sports history applied the coup de grace.

He jogged to the left sideline of the court and cupped his left hand to his ear - the trademark expression for his joy of playing basketball for this city, these fans.

The Wachovia Center erupted.....

******

"Philadelphia fans are the best in the sense that they care about their team," Iverson said. "They are diehard fans here. At times it was, 'I love you, A.I.,' but then it was, "We gonna whup your ass.'

"Yes, I respect you, and I love what you did, but I'm still Philly all the way. You've got to respect them for that. You've got to love them for that.

"I know the Philly fans, and they are damn near better than anybody."

We're Coming Orlando!

Marc Stein at ESPN campaigns for the Sixers’ resurgence:

This week's big developments are San Antonio swiping No. 2 from Phoenix and Philadelphia -- yes, Philly -- using a seven-game win streak and widespread struggles for teams in the 12-to-24 range to make an unexpected leap into the top half of the rankings.

Top half? In his actual rankings he goads the Sixers into the play-offs!

Of course, he is about a month behind in his observations of a 76er resurgence. Still, are the Sixers really in the top half of the League now?

This seven game winning streak could be considered a little duplicitous- achieved entirely at home (even bad teams in the NBA win most of their home games) and one trip to a disastrous Indiana situation. But it has two elements of relevance: the sheer length of consistent play and an outright win over Phoenix.

All these home games have certainly helped. And much like the Philadelphia Eagles fueled their late season run by finally being able to exploit the growing maturity and better health of their young roster, the Sixers are cashing a lot of similar drafts. Cheeks has also really shortened the rotation- only Korver and Smith really play now off the bench. You can’t play a whole season like that. But you can for two months or so- provided your rotation is generally healthy and the guys being asked to play 40 plus minutes night after night are pretty young: Iguodala and Dalembert. I suppose veteran Andre Miller is being asked to dig deep too- as Kevin Ollie has essentially disappeared- but the guy is both a warrior and a vet who knows when to use and save his legs.

For at least a little while, shortening the bench, a healthy top seven, and putting the pedal to the mat in terms of playing time has solved the Sixers chronic lack of quality NBA depth problem. Again, I don’t think this is a sustainable approach for a whole season- but for now, add some home games- and it is no surprise the Sixers have this surge. And yes, in a weak Eastern Conference, any team that plays well night after night within its capacity is a play-off style unit.

This week will go a long way to determining whether the play-offs are even a possiblity. It won't take much for the Sixers to lose touch being four back with about twenty to play- and a slate of @ Atlanta, Chicago and Utah- could undo a lot of good work real quick.

Renaissance?

Both the Tulane Green Wave and the Philadelphia 76ers basketball efforts have been pretty darned encouraging as of late, no? One could almost believe things are on the upswing.

Sixers first. Their win over Phoenix was classy, and their run of .500 plus ball is now at 19 games. With another 20 or so to play, many at home, they are a real threat to extend this run of winning basketball to the entire second half of the season. Again, I’m of the school of I’d rather see them play well then play as if to try and win the draft lottery. Isn’t this better, more hopeful, more indicative of being close to 45 wins and some degree of relevance by even next year?

And wow!, they are really putting a cramp on their chances of winning the lottery too. It is one thing to pass Boston and lose a ping pong ball or two. But now they seem real likely to overhaul a bunch of clubs. Milwaukee, Atlanta and Charlotte are all within two games- and another cluster of three teams two games from that. Even the Knicks seem reach-able: five games up but looking square at an injury to a pretty key piece. See, winning is more fun too.

I’m not sure if you started the season today, the Sixers would make the play-offs. The Nets and Toronto are still better than them- and that is just the lame Atlantic. But they now might be a legit .500- with coming reinforcements (three first round draft picks) & a better draft position than their second half record would indicate.

Speaking of better than average, the Tulane Green Wave season has been upgraded from "have they lost sixteen yet?" to a “little curious”. Their only chance for post-season play, due to their utterly unreal weak out of conference schedule, is to win the C-USA tournament outright. But they have fifteen wins, with at least two more get-able games out there. Of course, they could lose to UAB too- and a first round tournament game is always chancy. Bottom line: get two wins here at the end- and their RPI is nearer to 100 than it has been in a long time.

I almost kind of hope they don’t get the tie-breaker for fourth place (and thus a first round bye)- get another game against a weak conference sister: a #5 vs. #12 seed style game, another chance for another resume enhancing “W”. But seventeen wins, in Dickerson’s second year, a year after the hurricane leveled the place, is certainly ahead of schedule.

Add that to yet another win over LSU baseball up there in Baton Rouge- and it has been an encouraging week.

Semi-Somnolent

The 76ers have looked only semi-somnolent lately (the Flyers are in a coma)- winning six of ten, despite only being favored in a pair. It is evidence that they have not packed it in. Sure, Philadelphia is still a long way from good, but they might be closer to .500 than we think- particularly with three first round draft picks on tap, which ought to address their crippling lack of depth if nothing else. In fact, with a healthy club, playing a lot of home games here on out, that seems engaged, I bet they play within a couple games of .500 from January 19 forward.

Here on “Frank Helps You Think It Out” is one scribe who loves Andre Miller. It is amazing how far a competent NBA point guard goes toward making the coach a genius. A month ago Mo Cheeks had a team that couldn’t run a set play, control tempo, get a decent possession under time pressure or develop young players. Now they are probably a plus at all four things. In a month.

I can’t say how much it matters that Andre Miller decided to come in here with a good attitude. Boy, did that trade Miller for more future pieces talk come to an abrupt halt on what? This is the NBA- where competent players in ball distribution roles with team first attitudes are darned hard to find.

It is amazing how Igoudala and Dalembert have progressed offensively now that someone gives them ball consistently where they can do something with it- that caters to their game, gives them shots- rather than having to hustle for odd looks at inconsistent times. It seems to have paid off on Dalembert’s defense as well. Frankly, he looks more confident, more engaged- almost hopeful.

The fact that Kyle Korver lags his companions is continuing proof that he is just not a good NBA player. I don’t care how many articles the Sixers ply about his improving defense- he can’t defend a legit scorer at all, he is not out there to defend so who cares if he improves marginally, the Sixers can’t hide him from scorers on the wings fast enough and bottom line: he is here to make jump shots. He hasn’t been doing that lately, and he’s not improving. One of those three picks this summer better be a shooter- because the Sixers don’t have an NBA one.