15 result(s) displayed (16 - 30 of 58):
This win had it all. By that, I mean it was both meaningless and hollow. A preseason game against a glorified Summer League roster which featured a 26-point swing en route to an eventual 11-point win. Doug Collins lost his cool on the bench, Marreese Speights and Nate Robinson swapped techs, Jrue Holiday fouled out, Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala disappeared and the starting bigs played the smallest game you could ever imagine. Your Philadelphia 76ers, folks.
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Extreme athleticism can beat elite size in the NBA. It's happened many times before, it's even happened in the playoffs. Typically, however, the smaller, quicker team uses their athletic advantage to spread the floor, create creases and then hit open threes. The Sixers simply don't have the shooters to make a system like that work against the Celtics tonight. Odds are, they're going to lose, and they're going to lose badly...again. But it's the preseason and as we've been reminded on a daily basis, wins and losses don't matter. What does matter is the process of this Sixers team figuring out how to use their strengths to attack superior teams, and force adjustments on their part.
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Thankfully, I was unable to watch the Sixers' third preseason loss. I'm not sure exactly how a team can cough up a 7-point lead in 15 seconds, but I'd venture a guess Andres Nocioni's epic toughness (pictured above as he fights his teammate for a rebound), grizzled veteran-ness and non-existent defense played a large part. Wins and losses in the preseason don't mean much to me, though, so I'd like to talk about how the game started, rather than how it was blown.
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Latest comment: from Tray
I thought Howard looked fairly smooth himself in that clip....
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The Sixers 93-65 loss to the Celtics last night was quite possibly the worst game of basketball I've ever seen. Granted, it was a preseason game, with a new coach, new players and the Sixers were without Iguodala and Brand. Still, every Sixer who took the court should be ashamed. As a fan, I don't see how you can't be worried.
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Latest comment: from Charlie H
I know I do....
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With so many unknowns on the eve of the opener, I'm going to take a safer route in making my predictions now that I've witnessed the preseason in all its glory. After the jump, I'll take a look at the first 10 games and we'll go from there.
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I put together a worksheet with the Sixers individual stats from the preseason, take a gander but keep a couple things in mind. (1) The Sixers played an exceptionally easy preseason schedule. (2) They were learning new offensive and defensive systems on the go. (3) Coach Jordan spent the better part of the last three games working different rotations.
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This one was not pretty. From the time I took my seat until the time I left, the Nets dominated this game. Unfortunate for what was a decent preseason run to end on such a low note, but at least the game didn't count. A few notes and observations after the jump.
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Latest comment: from Brian
Dalembert and Dampier at least play. Eddy Curry?...
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It turns out Antawn Jamison partially dislocated his shoulder earlier this preseason. It was originally called a sprain. The team has adjusted their time for his return from "missing the rest of the preseason" to "3 to 5 weeks." My prediction: He'll come back, re-injure the shoulder and then be gone for the season when he opts for the surgery. Dislocated shoulders and basketball simply don't mix. If you don't believe me, ask Jameer Nelson, Dwyane Wade or Elton Brand. The last two attempted a comeback without the surgery and it didn't end well.
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The Sixers will tip off their final preseason game in about four hours, at St. John's University, against the Nets. Reports earlier this week pegged this as the date for Rodney Carney's return from a hamstring injury, Christmas and Bowman have both been released, meaning this will probably be our first look at the actual roster in game action. As far as I can tell, the game won't be aired anywhere, but fear not. I'll be there in person and I'll have a full report later tonight.
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Latest comment: from Rob_STC
Yeah Jordan would love some A.D. He had him in Washington....
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If anyone is in the New York area and interested in making the trek out to Queens, I have an extra ticket for tomorrow night's Sixers/Nets game. A free chance to check out the last preseason game. E-mail me as soon as possible if you're interested. Also, still spots available in our fantasy hoops league, drop me a line if you're up for that as well.
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In what was little more than a formality, the Sixers exercised their 4th-year options on Thad Young and Jason Smith, and their 3rd-year option on Marreese Speights today. Effectively, locking them down for next season. This news isn't really news, there was never a doubt concerning Thad and Speights, probably not for Smith either. This does raise a question about what happens next summer, though. We'll dive into it after the jump.(Also, info on a fantasy hoops league)
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The Sixers released Dionte Christmas and Brandon Bowman earlier today, thinning their roster to 13, two below the max allowed by the league. This seemed to be the plan all along, Christmas, who played his college career at Temple, was a longshot at best to make the squad. Call it a numbers game or point at the economy, either way, the Sixers will have two free roster spots. Let's hope aren't forced to use them at some point.
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