15 result(s) displayed (526 - 540 of 2517):
Game ones are about advanced scouting, players acclimating themselves to the heightened pressure of the playoff environment and prodding your opponent to see what works and what doesn't. Game twos are all about adjustments. Both teams learned a lot in game one, tonight we're going to see if they found anything they can exploit.
|
Throughout the week, basketball writers from the major sites have a number of chats and run rumor columns. Every once in a while, they actually talk about the Sixers. In this column, GoSixers has aggregated the relevant stuff from the chats. You'll see stuff in here that will make you scratch your head, but keep in mind, these guys are experts.
|
|
Latest comment: from Online Therapy
love it. that is all....
|
We've had some time to digest game one, and a couple of things stuck in my mind. Let's take a closer look at a few surprises from game one, and talk about how the Sixers need to adjust and maybe what they can take advantage of.
|
Taking game one in Miami would've been unbelievable. Ideal, even. It didn't happen, but perhaps something more important did. No one knew if the Sixers who went on that tremendous run could suddenly reappear for the playoffs. Well, they did, in a big way.
|
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?
|
The playoffs, much more than the regular season, are about matchups, adjustments and strategy. Seven game series take on the form of a chess match played between the coaches. The series is usually decided by the talent on the floor, undoubtedly, but coaching can swing a game or two in either direction. Doug Collins is the ace up the Sixers sleeve.
|
There is one notable positive about playing the Heat in the first round: They're one of the few teams not headed for the lottery with possibly less talent at the center position than the Sixers. The odds of Spencer Hawes having a decent game are probably higher than Dampier, Joel Anthony and Zydrunas Ilgauskus catching lightning in a bottle, not that they're all that high for Hawes.
|
|
Latest comment: from das411
...but what if Spencer actually starts knocking down a three pointer or two?...
|
Elton Brand vs. Chris Bosh may just be the defining matchup of this series. It could easily swing either way, unfortunately for the Sixers, they can't settle for a wash at PF, they need a big. Luckily for the Sixers, Brand has big time help coming from the bench at PF.
|
|
Latest comment: from Rich
Nah, not that far back. This game for one was on ABC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbftEdSpsnE...
|
It's kind of tough when you go to breakdown the matchups and you realize your best player is pretty much going to be functioning in a damage control capacity in a playoff series, but that's where we stand at small forward. Oh, and he's also going to be taking on the toughest cover in the league with a bum wheel. Andre Iguodala vs. LeBron James, how will it play out?
|
|
Latest comment: from Joe Huber
t you mean like the 2001 Finals where 3 fouls were called on the 76ers in the first 30 seconds of the game?...
|
Let's take a break from the positional breakdowns for a couple of hours and take a look back at a key facet of the Sixers regular season, clutch performance. Throughout the year, Statman has been tracking how the Sixers perform at the end of close games, it's time to take a look at the numbers and see if we can't figure out what the Sixers should do if they're lucky enough to get into a couple of games that go down to the wire against Miami.
|
Our first preview post focused on the importance of exploiting a mismatch at the PG position. Now we're going to have to take a look at mitigating damage from a colossal mismatch at shooting guard. Jodie Meeks vs. Dwyane Wade.
|
|
Latest comment: from mymanjrue
but i like your name even better. the sherrif!i think rodney buford led the league in ozs of weed per season...
|
David vs. Goliath. I'm sure that's the last time you'll hear that phrase in relation to this series. This post will kick off our preview series. We'll go position-by-position, then talk about the head coach before my prediction lands some time on Saturday morning in advance of game one. Keep reading for the PG battle.
|
There's absolutely no reason to be up in arms about tonight's loss the Detroit Pistons. The game was meaningless, and Doug Collins pretty much treated as such. There was very little to be gained from this game heading in, and he probably came out with more than he thought he'd get.
|
