 Time To Prove Something
Well rested, at home, coming off an embarrassing loss. No excuses this time. The Philadelphia 76ers are going to need to make a statement at some point. They're going to need to forget about all the lip service, all the "work in progress" garbage and come to the gym ready to play tonight. It's time that this team shows us they're better than they were last year. It's time they proved to us that they didn't waste almost $200M on Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams this summer.
I'm sick of the excuses, I'm sick of hearing them and I'm sick of writing them. Orlando is a good team, not a great team. If the Sixers truly did take that next step, they need to beat teams like Orlando, especially at home, especially when it isn't the second night of a back-to-back. This game will be on ESPN, all eyes will be on this 7-7 Sixers team, it's about time they showed us what they're capable of. They have stumbled through what was really an easy part of their schedule. The only top-flight team they faced was the Jazz, and they were walking wounded at the time. Take a look at this upcoming schedule:
Now is usually when I'd go into the keys to the game against the Magic, but tonight I'm going to forget that. There's only one thing this team needs to focus on, and only one goal they need to achieve, no matter how they accomplish it. Score more points than the Orlando Magic. One final note: I've read everywhere, and even talked myself, about how this team can't handle the pick and roll, and how outside shooters are eating them alive, but he fact of the matter is, the defense has been there all year long. We're 14 games in and only 2 opponents have topped 100 points. That's solid defense in this league. Two games ago the Sixers held the Warriors to 81 points, 24 below their season average. That's something to hang your hat on (and the Warriors weren't depleted in that game, they were missing Al Harrington who's been a no-show all season.) Yes, I'd like to see the Sixers do a better job against the pick-and-roll, yes I'd like to see them close out on shooters more quickly, but you know what, it's not critical. If they go the entire season only allowing 93 points per game they'll be just fine. The problems are on the offensive side of the ball and that's what they need to get squared away before everyone starts pointing fingers at the defense. Tip is at 7:30, the game is on ESPN. Last Time: Magic 98, Sixers 88 
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So I looked at the Sixers in terms of Win Score relative to last year.
Here is how it looks thusfar...
Name --- 0809 --- 0708
Iguodala --- 8.95 --- 9.32
Miller --- 6.23 --- 7.84
Brand --- 9.78 --- 14.16(06-07)
Speights --- 12.16 --- 6.81(JSmith)
Dalembert --- 13.91 --- 13.91
Young --- 7.73 --- 11.10
Green --- 5.40 --- 3.22
Williams --- -2.07(yes, negative) --- 5.52
Evans --- 11.62 --- 12.00
Ivey --- 4.98 --- 2.30(from Mil)
Rush --- 7.83 --- 4.66(from Ind)
Here is the average win score by position... (basically bigs have a higher one)
PG - 6.3
SG - 6.1
SF - 7.3
PF - 10.3
C - 10.8
So Thaddeus was an average PF pretty much and is an average SF.(for now) Iguodala is better with respect to his position than he was last year, despite his shooting woes. Miller is still an average PG. Brand has been below average for his position by a little. Sammy has been the same as last year, and has been our best player. (Brand should be our best, but isn't doing what he typically does) Speights is much better than Smith was and ever will be.(Brand wasn't needed?) Willie is playing out of his mind, but still is below average. Lou Williams is destroying the team right now.
I still like the Brand signing, but his numbers need to improve.
I love this kid Curry:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283302166
Granted it seems obvious to pass when you're double teamed, but for a potential scoring champ to not care at all if he's held scoreless as long as the team wins, would Kobe or AI do that, especially at 20 years old? I remember when his dad was on the raptors -- seemed like when he played the sixers he wouldn't miss a shot.
Tonight's ESPN game is the 2nd sixers game I'll have seen this year (both against orlando). Is there a good place to view or listen to online NBA games (I don't think my cable provider in Wisconsin has an NBA package).
Rough road coming up for the sixers. I WANT to root for this team...they are my second favorite sports team in general(behind the eagles)
The similarities are frightneing...
Like the Eagles---they play pretty good defense and have all kinds of issues on offense.
Like the eagles...they have big money players that are woefully underperforming. (Mcnabb, Westbrook, Iguodola, Brand)
And like the Eagles one of their top players is a few bad plays away from having the home crowd turning on them (Mcnabb, Iguodola)
My gut says this is a 1-5 span for the sixers.
I would love it if it didnt turn out that way..but the sixers havent shown me anything to make me believe otherwise. Sadly...if not for some lucky shots by Andre Miller (3 pointers from a career 20 percent shooter)this team could be 5 and 8.
Defense does indeed win championships...but you need to have some guys who can score in the clutch consistently when everything breaks down. Sixers do not have that...
All of you will get a good look at some teams that DO have that and see that is what sets them apart. Take a look at Terkoglu/Howard, Pierce/allen/garnett, Gordon/Rose, Kobe and Iverson/Hamilton/wallace over the next week and you will see what the sixers are missing.
Brian I guess the 25 game evaluation is coming up soon...
Looking at the Sixers next 11 games...I see them going 4-7 which would then give them a record of
11-14.
I think if thats your record after 25 games you need to start thinking about who you can trade to make this team better and also start questioning Mo Cheeks as a coach(there are reasons why Portland didnt want to keep him). Its a lot harder to over-achieve when no one expects it vs when teams actually gear up to play you.
Brand played well tonight...Unfortunately the Sixers arent even good enough to beat a short handed Orlando team. I look for them to get blown out friday and then struggle at home against chicago.