At their core, the Sixers are a young team. Superficially, you'd think that quick turnarounds would be beneficial to them, considering their opponents are typically older. In this case however, the extra days off will be an advantage for the Sixers.
Andre Miller (32) played the last 10-15 games of the season running on fumes and logging heavy minutes. In game 1 he played 39. Theo Ratliff (35), played 24 minutes. No way he could log those minutes if they were playing a back-to-back and they're going to need heavy minutes from him. Donyell Marshall (35), basically ran the entire fourth quarter without a significant rest. The off days should make him available for even more minutes in game 2.
While the core of the team is young, the Sixers absolutely need big contributions from these guys to pull off the series upset. This ridiculous playoff schedule will make heavy minutes for these vets possible and I think that outweighs the extra days for Hedo and Lewis to recover from their injuries.
I disagree with you. I think the extra day will help their 2 ailing players more than us, IMO. But, as the series goes on, I do believe it will help us more so due to the 1 day rest thereafter. Good for our "older guys" but does not help ailing people much.
I tend to disagree as well. For one we have some older guys yes, but Marshall only played 11 minutes and is the most well-rested player (that plays) we have at this point in the season. I am sure his individual prep has gotten him ready for increased minutes in the playoffs. He just has an "always ready" mentality. Sam only played 17 minutes so he should be fresh as long as his shoulder is okay.
As far as the Magic though we are talking about two critical players on their team that are hurt. And the type of injuries they have plays a part as well. Knee tendinitis and recovering ankle injury I'd like to get them right back on the court with little rest and treatment as possible. Rather not let any soreness subside much.
Besides that we just beat them with a nice game plan. I'd prefer them to have less time to regroup strategically and put Van Gundy right back in the coaching box (hot seat) having to deal with less prep time and more immediate pressure.
I agree with Dean here. Lewis has been playing with that tendonitis before it went public when they rested him down the stretch. I think the extra days help Hedo substantially with his ankle though. I don't expect him to be as gimpy offensively, and defensively he seemed kind of happy-footed, retreating and such, instead of getting a good plant on that foot with better control of his lateral movement.
Tendinitis isn't something that's going to get better w/ 3 days of rest. I'm not sure Hedo's ankle played any role at all in his play. For my money, the Sixers need a full-speed Andre Miller to have any shot in this series or any other. With a short turnaround time, he wouldn't be full speed. Not after that regular season.
A great win by the sixers...yes shocking to probably everyone. I picked them not to win another game and they happily shocked me. I hope Dileo continues to go to Donyell...he IS our Robert Horry.
Robert Horry... another player who typical interpretations of statistics don't do justice. Career PER of 13.4. Donyell comes in at 16.7 for his career.(about what Lou got this year. LOL) Yes, I'm cherry picking a bit.
I tend to prefer these interpretations...
92 draft
94 draft
Horry v. Marshall
Not sure what my point was. I guess that Marshall had a great career.