Six wins, four losses. Can't say I saw that coming in games 41-50, not even close. As this strange and disappointing season unfolds, educated guesses seem to resemble the noun a whole lot more than the adjective. Anyway, after the jump we'll take a quick look back and a long look forward.
Before we look forward, let's take a look back. Here are the advanced stats for the past 20 games. At the bottom you'll see the season totals as well as the numbers for the past 10 games.
Two things jump out at me right away when I look at the previous 10 games (6 wins, 4 losses). First, the Sixers played three outstanding defensive games. Not just good by their standards, but great by anyone's standards. In fact, only the Indiana and Lakers losses were poor defensive games. If you're looking for a statistical reason for the improved play, I'd look at opponent's eFG (down 2.6% from the season average) and defensive rebounding (up 4.1%). The defensive rebounding especially has been stellar. 75% is good, they were at 77.2%.
If you were one of the two people who voted 6-4 in the poll leading into these past ten games, congrats. 83% of voters, myself included, had them finishing below .500.
And finally, let's take a look at games 51-60 on the schedule.
vs. MIN (2/9) - This is one of two gimmes on the schedule. Of course, Minnesota has already beaten the Sixers this season, but I'll go with a win.
@ TOR (2/10) - The big momentum test. I'd love to call this one a win, but the Sixers are traveling on the back end of a b-to-b, while Toronto will be well rested waiting for them. Toronto is also 5 games over .500 and seems like a lock for the playoffs after a slow start. Loss.
vs. MIA (2/16) - Coming out of the break I see them opening up flat against a disinterested Miami team. Loss.
vs. SA (2/19) - San Antonio will be in the middle of their rodeo trip. The Sixers always play well against the Spurs. This is the day after the trade deadline, so assuming no deals are made, I'm calling this a win.
@ CHI (2/20) - Both teams will travel to Chicago for the back end of b-to-b's. I think the Bulls have enough to defend their home court. Loss.
@ GSW (2/23) - Has to be a win, just has to be. Win.
@ PHO (2/24) - FU game for Iguodala if he's traded to Phoenix. We're assuming he hasn't been traded for the purposes of these predictions, though, and I don't like the Suns on the 2nd night of a b-to-b. Win.
@ LAL (2/26) - Loss.
vs ORL (3/1) - Loss.
@ ATL (3/3) - Loss.
So there you have it, 4-6 by my calculations. Vote below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
After winning 6 straight the Sixers choose to stand pat at the trade deadline. Truly playing inspired basketball for the first time this season they go on to win 5 more games before lossing three in a row that started with a loss in LA on the tail end of a west coast swing.
(7-3)
They did the same thing last season, fooling that goofball Stefanski with a hollow winning streak that made him think it was wise not to deal Miller away even though he had no plans of resigning him in the off season. Stefanski is a fools fool.
Jordan was asked if Iverson starts when he comes back. "That's a topic we have to discuss," Jordan said.
Later, Jordan said, "That's for discussion when he comes. We're going to talk about that as a staff. We've had some of those discussions. We'll cross that bridge when we cross that bridge."
I think it's over for the little big guy.
Hope his kid's alright. I'm glad he was able to stop through and drop some gems on the kids. Glad Thad and Jrue got a chance to be around him.
Now, time for the playoff push!
Sorry guys I enjoy winning too much. I can't condone losing especially when at the end it's going to come down to winning(the lottery) to make a change anyways.
I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the economics of the blow it up option.
Say they can move Iggy and Brand for expirings. Then they move Sam for an expiring. What does that mean for the cap this summer and next summer?
When do we become major free agency players again?
If we can move all three of those contracts, we would have to do it. Nuclear is the only way to go. And we would end up with a couple top 5 picks. We are already bad. I could handle being awful for the rest of this year and next year, assuming Jrue, Thad, Speights get 38 minutes a night. Add two top 5 picks to that core, plus a big free agent?? I think you have to roll the dice on that. Otherwise, we will keep winning enough this year to probably make the playoffs. We will end up with Eddie Jordan again and the 8th seed again.
Big Ed, if you are going to blow it up. Blow it to high heaven. If you are going to move Iggy, Brand has to come with. Not Sammy. I think you could move Sammy on his own. Crazy huh.
btw--i am going to the game tomorrow. We gotta get some depressed fan gear so we can spot one another. I'm the guy in 112 screaming at Eddie Jordan the whole game while my wife hides her face in embarrassment.
Not Sammy. I think you could move Sammy on his own.
The sixers have reportedly been shoping Sam Dalembert for close to a year now, upon Sam's own request, and he's still here.
I'm not sure why people think GM's are going to forget the past several years because of a couple good weeks/month...plus rightly or wrongly it's a 'bad contract' around the league.
f the sixers could have moved sam on his own - they probably would have long ago
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19-0!
The Sixers are so good they will break the laws of physics and get 9 extra wins. BY THE POWER OF EDDIE JORDAN! THEY HAVE THE POWEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!
After winning 6 straight the Sixers choose to stand pat at the trade deadline. Truly playing inspired basketball for the first time this season they go on to win 5 more games before lossing three in a row that started with a loss in LA on the tail end of a west coast swing.
(7-3)
They did the same thing last season, fooling that goofball Stefanski with a hollow winning streak that made him think it was wise not to deal Miller away even though he had no plans of resigning him in the off season. Stefanski is a fools fool.
I voted 6-4 last time. I just did it again. We are in the midst of the annual mid to late season Sixers run.
Jordan was asked if Iverson starts when he comes back. "That's a topic we have to discuss," Jordan said.
Later, Jordan said, "That's for discussion when he comes. We're going to talk about that as a staff. We've had some of those discussions. We'll cross that bridge when we cross that bridge."
Iverson is again listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday vs. Minnesota (wasn't at Monday's practice).
http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/blogs/intell_blogs/tom_moore.html
I think it's over for the little big guy.
Hope his kid's alright. I'm glad he was able to stop through and drop some gems on the kids. Glad Thad and Jrue got a chance to be around him.
Now, time for the playoff push!
Sorry guys I enjoy winning too much. I can't condone losing especially when at the end it's going to come down to winning(the lottery) to make a change anyways.
Oops, I almost forgot: Lou Williams missed Monday's practice with a sinus infection.
Brian,
I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the economics of the blow it up option.
Say they can move Iggy and Brand for expirings. Then they move Sam for an expiring. What does that mean for the cap this summer and next summer?
When do we become major free agency players again?
If we can move all three of those contracts, we would have to do it. Nuclear is the only way to go. And we would end up with a couple top 5 picks. We are already bad. I could handle being awful for the rest of this year and next year, assuming Jrue, Thad, Speights get 38 minutes a night. Add two top 5 picks to that core, plus a big free agent?? I think you have to roll the dice on that. Otherwise, we will keep winning enough this year to probably make the playoffs. We will end up with Eddie Jordan again and the 8th seed again.
Big Ed, if you are going to blow it up. Blow it to high heaven. If you are going to move Iggy, Brand has to come with. Not Sammy. I think you could move Sammy on his own. Crazy huh.
btw--i am going to the game tomorrow. We gotta get some depressed fan gear so we can spot one another. I'm the guy in 112 screaming at Eddie Jordan the whole game while my wife hides her face in embarrassment.
Not Sammy. I think you could move Sammy on his own.
The sixers have reportedly been shoping Sam Dalembert for close to a year now, upon Sam's own request, and he's still here.
I'm not sure why people think GM's are going to forget the past several years because of a couple good weeks/month...plus rightly or wrongly it's a 'bad contract' around the league.
f the sixers could have moved sam on his own - they probably would have long ago
This is worth a quick post. Check back in 20 minutes.