If you asked the Sixers ownership if this was the plan when they hired Doug Collins last June, they'd say absolutely. The truth is, this was the hope. After sinking into the abyss under Eddie Jordan, no one knew for sure what was left on this roster. They made a trade for salary cap purposes which tied Collins hands, but somehow, here we are. A few hours away from a trip to the playoffs against everyone's preseason favorite to win the championship, the Miami Heat. So what now?
Let's start at the end. I have the Sixers splitting the two games in Miami and then splitting the next two in Philly. A back-and-forth series that gets it back to Miami tied 2-2. At that point, I think the Sixers are running on fumes and Miami figures some things out. If you put a gun to my head, I'd take Miami in six games, but if the first four play out how I think they will, Miami is going to have an unbelievable amount of pressure on them. I don't think anyone can confidently say they're going to be able to handle it.
A couple things work in the Sixers favor: (1) All the pressure is on the Heat. Literally, every last iota of pressure, squarely on Miami's shoulders. If they don't win this series, all they'll hear about over the summer is how they're a bunch of chokers. They'll drown in the bad ink. (2) Collins. He's going to out-coach Spoelstra, no doubt in my mind.
The combination of those two things is in play this afternoon, and I think the Sixers take the first game. I think they take the first at home as well. The WFC will be packed, the crowd will be electric and Collins will have them ready after two off days to prepare and practice.
If you look at the series from a higher level, with a focus on the players, the Sixers are really going to need guidance from Iguodala and Brand. They've both been there before, they're the guys who need to be able to keep it together for the young guys when Miami goes on a run. They're the guys who need to keep Jrue focused on the details when things start spinning out of control (and they will.) Jrue is 20-years-old, this is the big time. This is the stage where he'll take that next step, or maybe decide he's going to put in the work to make the leap next year. When it's all over, will Jrue look back and say to himself, "I have to get back here. I have to get better." That's what you have to hope for coming out of these playoffs, whenever they end. In the short term, you hope he can rise to the occasion and take advantage of a favorable matchup.
As for Evan Turner, well, this is his last chance to salvage something of his rookie season and perhaps build some momentum to take into the playoffs. We've seen flashes recently, but they've been mingled with more of the same. If they can't get solid minutes off the bench from him at the two and three, they're going to be at a distinct disadvantage when they go to the bench, and Collins is probably going to have to rely on a seven-man rotation almost exclusively. If he shows up, though, if he can provide rebounding, some defense on Wade and a little bit of scoring punch, he could make a huge, huge difference.
I think I've written about 10,000 words on this series now, and in an hour or so I'll be talking about it with Derek on SixersBeat. That's enough. Let's just sit back, tune in to ABC and watch. That's all that that's left to do.
The tip is at 3:30, your game thread will be up at 2. Tune in to SixersBeat at 1, call in if you have a question/prediction as well.
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Wow man!...tied up 2-2 after 4 games? Wish I felt as confident as you. I just don't see it mainly because the ever so important on-court chemistry just isn't going to be there with Lou having been out and Andre being out the last few and not being himself for a few weeks.
I can't find the confidence with Jrue either. He's still too careless with the ball and just not getting to the line with any regularity. I'm not that worried about Meeks because all shooters go through occasional slumps, I'd say he snaps out of it. Brand doesn't offer much hope with his paltry rebounding numbers of late. And Spencer could be key but why expect that?
Lou's jumper just has to be rusty and his propensity to drive and attack will probably be stunted by his reluctance to push that hammy. Andre could be a jekyl or hyde, depending. Thad will be minimized just simply because of gameplanning to take away his lefty favored drives.
I'd be shocked if they're not swept in 4, and that pessimistic look goes without even mentioning the sometimes suspect refs.
"I just don't see it mainly because the ever so important on-court chemistry just isn't going to be there with Lou having been out and Andre being out the last few and not being himself for a few weeks. "
These guys have played and practiced together for 7 months +. I don't buy that losing those guys for a handful of games would reset their chemistry and everything they worked at all year.
I like the Sixers this afternoon as well, but I think it may be the only game they win. If it DOES turn out to be a 5 game series, I see a close, hard fought 5 game series that we will be able to look back on with at least a modicum of pride.
I hope Brian is right though, with all my heart. 2-2 after 4 would be glorious.
I am a Jrue Holiday fanboy so really hope he reacts well to the spotlight
btw, Igoudala totally hates Philly: link
good column by Smalls
Here is the link
It is some of Smallwood's best work on the Sixers for sure, but I'm not sure I'd call it good.
And Iguodala doesn't hate Philly... he seems to handle stupid people pretty well to me.
He doesn't seem happy here to me
Yeah, I don't understand why he isn't happy about the topic of people walking up to him and cursing.
Seems crazy to me as well. I mean I expect him to at least be somewhat happy, if not smiling ear to ear in happiness.
Owens and Lindros got a free pass ? Is he on crack ?
Brian- I don't know how I remember this, but I remember about 2 minutes after we drafted Turner, you Tweeted something like "The good news is the Sixers now have the only team capable of guarding the big 3." How ironic this matchup is. I'd like to see Jrue on Wade now, however.
Alright.. my stomach is turning... weird watching them on ABC. Let's do this!
Pro Tip, putting white T-shirts over empty seat help makes the crowd look fuller.
17-8 Lead! Sixers minus hawes look great.
Heat running offense through LBJ now?
not the best shot there Jrue.
lol, hawes would never go to the basket. #Dontgot to worryaboutcharges.
MEEEEKS
shit.
Awful play by iggy. EB needs to step up for this team, I dont' trust anyone else to be calm and collected.
Not even close to being set.
I wish you weren't playing Lou.
wow Jrue, wow.
ET and noc were both in there for the Jrue Iso.
Oh, so this isn't the game thread.
Thought it was awfully quiet lol.
Wow. If Thad hits those 2 freebies and Jrue FUCKING FINISHES on the subsequent breakout, it's a whole different sequence of events
The Heat got of course every cal. The FT differential was absurd
Great d on Lebron and Wade
Really take issue with Doug...those funky lineups he left out there for extended periods may have made the difference
Our horrific FG% in the 2nd and 3rd put this one just out of reach
Hope we can replicate the defense on LBJ and Wade...have this awful feeling that this was our best shot but I'm also feeling awfully disappointed right now
brutal loss...we let Chris Bosh beat us
The sixers are one of the worst teams in the NBA at getting to the line and the heat are one of the best. That's just a fact. The FT differential was a problem going into the series.
PISS POOR rebounding however...that's a different issue