 The Second Ten Prior to the season I said we'd break the season down into 10-game segments. Predict the results of the upcoming 10, dissect the results of the previous 10. After the jump we'll take a look at where we've been and where we could be going. Make sure you vote in the poll as well.
I had the Sixers pegged at a .500 record after the first ten games, with wins over New Jersey, New York, Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago. As fate would have it, I was one game off in on the record, but still managed to pick three individual games incorrectly.  I never expected the Sixers to play this poorly, especially on the defensive end. I figured the PO would be pretty ugly in its infancy, but I don't know how anyone could've predicted the defensive collapse we've witnessed. Of the ten games, I'd say the Sixers played one complete game (against the Bucks) and put together at least one solid quarter in all the other games. Their offensive rating is actually down from last season, although their eFG is up (.485 to .501). The offensive production has fallen off mostly because their offensive rebounding rate is way down (.313 to .248). They're also turning the ball over more. On the defensive end, the eFG has risen by 2.4%, turnovers forced are the same, defensive rebounding is actually better and they aren't getting hurt at the line as much as last season. It's the eFG, which is heavily weighted by the three-point efficiency of the opponents. They also probably aren't fouling as much because so many shots are uncontested. There aren't too many positives to be found after roughly and eighth of the season has gone by. Here's some data pulled from the rotations chart. Best/Worst By Position (basically, this is the highest and lowest +/- for any player who has played the position, while at that position. So Sam's number will be the combined +/- of every lineup where he was at the five, and so on)
Anyway, just a quick look at one of the splits, available from the rotations chart. Doesn't really mean a whole lot at this point, good or bad. Now that we've looked back, let's take a look at the next ten games on the schedule:
Three more back-to-backs crammed into the next two weeks, including trips to Cleveland (they are also on the back-end of a b-to-b for this game) and Boston (Boston has 2 off days heading into this game. Sounds fair.) on the ass end of the first two, then a Texas two-step for the third. This does not look pretty. They do have four games against sub-.500 teams (two vs. Charlotte, one @ Washington and one vs. Memphis). I have no idea where to begin to make predictions, nor do I have any idea how the Sixers measure up to these teams. If we're basing it on their performance over the first 10 games, 2-8 is probably realistic. If we're basing it on what we've seen over the past two seasons, I think maybe you can pump that number up to 4-6, with them dropping one of the games against the sub-par teams and picking up an improbable win against one of the better teams. I just don't see how you can climb out on that limb right now, though. I think I'm going to split the difference and predict 3-7. I may have been more bullish (or foolish) if Speights was in the lineup, but I just think his absence will be felt and I'm not 100% confident his lost minutes will be given to Elton Brand. I have the Sixers winning the next two against Charlotte and Memphis, then picking up another win on the day after Thanksgiving at home against Atlanta. They play Atlanta well and I'm hoping they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder after a tough road trip. If they pick up a fourth win, it could be either @ Washington (2-7), @ Charlotte (3-6) or against one of the legit teams. Nothing would shock me with this team right now. They may catch fire on jumpers at the right time and shock someone. Vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments: Also, check out the field trip update, there are still openings. 
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4-6 worked for me last time, so I'm sticking with it :)
The team played worse than I expected the 1st 10, but the opposition was more crippled than I would have guessed. But the last few games the team has shown some good signs, and teams tend to step up the first few games after they lose a player. They play enough bad teams to win 4 games, but 3 wins would not surprise me either.
So what's your feeling if they're 8-12 after this next stretch, and their 4 wins come against CHA, CHA, MEM and WASH? 20 games in, with wins over the bottom feeders only (still don't believe in MIL, by the way)
I guess its more how they are playing then what there record is. The 4-6 record against so many crippled teams (and barely winning) was a disappointment.
I expect them to have a bad record the 1st 1/2 of the season. I also expected them to then finish strong- but that implied that EJ can coach them up in his system. That's a big if.
I voted 4-6 without looking at the schedule, they'll win probably both charlotte and memphis games and probably one game they shouldn't is how i see it.
Anything from 2-8 to 5-5 wouldn't surprise me
after looking at the schedule it seems like 2-8 or 3-7 is most likely. they always have problems with charlotte, so they're not going to win both of those games.
And Charlotte just 'upgraded' by obtaining steven jackson
yea i was going to sell my tickets for wednesday, but i'm kind of interested to see how capt jack fits in there
Will the trade be completed that fast?
His agent said he expects Jackson to be in uniform for the Bobcats tonight against Orlando.
That's pretty impressive, can't remember the last time a trade moved so fast, with physicals and such, unless both teams are so desperate (and stupid) they'll wave the physicals?
It would completely shock me if they beat Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Cleveland or the Spurs (granted two of there big three play).
I have them 3-7 with a good chance at 2-8 now that Stephen Jackson is in the mix in Charlotte.
My head says 3-7, my (way too hopeful)heart says 5-5. Let's go with 4-6. If they can't defend Charlotte, it could be 1-9 for all I know. The Bobcats are playing historically bad offensively right now.
Wow, the Willie thing threw me totally off guard. The question is, "Where does Willie do more damage, at the 1 or 2?" Conventional wisdom says the 2, because that would make it a smaller lineup. The stats don't though. Or is it the one, where he (gulp) handles the ball sometimes.
My take - I predicted 4-6 in the first ten but missed on some wins and losses.
CHA - L, LB will go with his usual sag defense and force us to win by making jumpers.
MEM - L, They always seem to bring it against us. I wavered on this one as this may be the only win they get in these next ten.
@CLE - L, Blowout city.
@WSH - L, EJ's former troops will want to show they can carry on without him.
@BOS - L, Think they may be competitive in this one but come up short.
ATL - L, Two guards who can actually shoot spells doom here.
@SA - L, Pop will sag back too on defense and Parker will abuse Lou and whoever else they throw at him.
@DAL - L, Weary legs, too much firepower from the Mavs.
@OKC - L, Too many memories from the stinker they laid here last year to have them winning this one.
@CHA - W, They have to win one, right? If not MEM then it will come here.
Whew....I think I predicted them to be 5-13 at the end of November on here when the schedule came out. So, I guess I am still on the same wavelength as back then even with Speights' injury. When that schedule came out, I knew it was a daunting one with all the newness around the team in various areas.