Showing posts with label Sixers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sixers. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Remembering the Spectrum
By John McMullen, NBA Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - A lot of sportswriters can play the elitist card like a classically trained cellist.
In fact, I personally know a number of scribes that look down upon the fans who read them.
I will admit that I can occasionally fall into the same trap. I mean, it is hard to understand a 40-year-old man who cares more about his favorite sports team than say his family or job.
That said, we all got into this business for one reason. At one time, no matter how much we deny it, every single sportswriter was a fan of some player or team before they embarked on their chosen career path.
For me, that team was the Philadelphia 76ers and the player was Julius "Dr. J." Erving.
I've long since stopped living and dying with the Sixers. Win, lose or draw, I have to write about it anyway, so I spend most of time now rooting for a compelling storyline.
Not on Friday.
The chills came back when Philadelphia's famed Spectrum hosted its final big league game after more than four decades.
Dubbed "America's Showplace" by the Sixers' parent company of Comcast- Spectacor, the Spectrum is a South Philly treasure, limping to the finish line in a sports world dominated by huge buildings with dozens of luxury boxes.
The dingy, old arena is scheduled to be demolished later this year to make way for a new hotel, entertainment and retail complex called "Philly Live."
So, the 76ers paid homage to their past, hosting the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
The game turned out to be an exciting affair but the crowd, the Sixers first sellout of the season, was really there to see Erving and other members of the Sixers' two championship clubs, the 1966-67 group that was once named the NBA's greatest team, and 1982-83 Moses Malone fueled champs.
Legendary public address announcer Dave Zinkoff and saxophonist extrordonaire Grover Washington Jr. have long since passed, but the team brought in reasonable facsimiles. Local comedian and mimic Joe Conklin filled in nicely for "Zink" with a terrific Errrrrrrrrvvvvviiiinnnggggggg and an 11-year-old prodigy blew a tribute to Grover.
"Zink called out to the players every night, all that stuff you always remember," former Sixer Earl Cureton said. "Zink did a great job as an announcer; they got his name hanging from the rafters now because of it. He is probably one of the greatest public address announcers ever in the NBA. It was special. And of course Grover Washington always in those championship series', the way he used to play the national anthem. It gave you chills."
The franchise also brought back the old Spectrum hardwood and a classic old- time organist. The only frills brought across the parking lot from the Wachovia Center were the Sixers' Dancers, the team's mascot, Hip-Hop, and his Hare Raisers, a group of gymnasts that perform during timeouts.
But, the dancers twirled to '80s music like Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, while the Hare Raisers kept a low profile, only coming out to throw t-shirts to the fans in the fourth quarter.
Former players on hand included Malone, Marc Iavaroni, Bobby Jones, Cureton, Clemon Johnson and Reggie Johnson from the '82-83 club and Wali Jones from the '66-67 team.
The only think missing was Hip-Hop's predecessor, the muppet like "Big Shot."
For me, so many indelible Sixers moments, both good and bad, came flooding back when I entered the building.
Dr. J's thunderous "cuff dunk" over Michael Cooper in the 1983 NBA Finals.
Erving notching his 30,000th point while playing in his final regular-season home game, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the only 30,000-point scorers in the history of pro basketball history at the time.
The good Doctor's amazing up, over and around baseline move past Mark Landsberger in the 1980 Finals that is still a staple on YouTube.
"Here I was, trying to win a championship, and my mouth just dropped open," Magic Johnson, then a rookie, recalled of that play. "He actually did that. I thought, 'What should we do? Should we take the ball out or should we ask him to do it again?'"
Or how about the then-20-year-old Johnson taking over for the injured Abdul- Jabbar. and scoring 42 points, pulling down 15 rebounds and dishing seven assists as the Lakers won the NBA title by closing out the Sixers in Game 6 of the '80 Finals.
The Broad Street Bullies were the ones famous for fighting but Game 2 of the 1976-77 NBA Finals featured the Sixers' Darryl Dawkins, who once tore down a backboard at the Spectrum with one of his thunderous dunks, and the Blazers' Maurice Lucas getting into a fist fight.
But, perhaps my favorite moment was delivered by Cureton, a little known reserve center. On May 26, 1983 in Game 2 of the '83 Finals, the Sixers were in a bind when Malone left the game in foul trouble during the third quarter.
Malone's usual replacement, the underrated Clemon Johnson was injured, so Billy Cunningham went to the 6-foot-9 offensively-challenged Cureton, who stunned the Spectrum crowd by depositing a sky-hook over the master himself, Abbul-Jabbar.
To this day, I have never heard an arena explode like that.
"When you are playing the Lakers in the finals, it was huge," Cureton said. "I was getting prepared and getting psyched up, and ready to go in there and play against them.
"That was a little momentum-changer in the game. Moses was in foul trouble and it looked like they were going to take advantage of us because I came in to guard Kareem. But we took advantage of it. I answered the bell and it worked out."
On Sunday, I will be back in the Wachovia Center and while I'll certainly enjoy the wireless Internet, the extra leg room and Dwyane Wade, you can bet I will glance across the parking lot at the ugly duckling that is the Spectrum.
Philly Live indeed.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - A lot of sportswriters can play the elitist card like a classically trained cellist.
In fact, I personally know a number of scribes that look down upon the fans who read them.
I will admit that I can occasionally fall into the same trap. I mean, it is hard to understand a 40-year-old man who cares more about his favorite sports team than say his family or job.
That said, we all got into this business for one reason. At one time, no matter how much we deny it, every single sportswriter was a fan of some player or team before they embarked on their chosen career path.
For me, that team was the Philadelphia 76ers and the player was Julius "Dr. J." Erving.
I've long since stopped living and dying with the Sixers. Win, lose or draw, I have to write about it anyway, so I spend most of time now rooting for a compelling storyline.
Not on Friday.
The chills came back when Philadelphia's famed Spectrum hosted its final big league game after more than four decades.
Dubbed "America's Showplace" by the Sixers' parent company of Comcast- Spectacor, the Spectrum is a South Philly treasure, limping to the finish line in a sports world dominated by huge buildings with dozens of luxury boxes.
The dingy, old arena is scheduled to be demolished later this year to make way for a new hotel, entertainment and retail complex called "Philly Live."
So, the 76ers paid homage to their past, hosting the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
The game turned out to be an exciting affair but the crowd, the Sixers first sellout of the season, was really there to see Erving and other members of the Sixers' two championship clubs, the 1966-67 group that was once named the NBA's greatest team, and 1982-83 Moses Malone fueled champs.
Legendary public address announcer Dave Zinkoff and saxophonist extrordonaire Grover Washington Jr. have long since passed, but the team brought in reasonable facsimiles. Local comedian and mimic Joe Conklin filled in nicely for "Zink" with a terrific Errrrrrrrrvvvvviiiinnnggggggg and an 11-year-old prodigy blew a tribute to Grover.
"Zink called out to the players every night, all that stuff you always remember," former Sixer Earl Cureton said. "Zink did a great job as an announcer; they got his name hanging from the rafters now because of it. He is probably one of the greatest public address announcers ever in the NBA. It was special. And of course Grover Washington always in those championship series', the way he used to play the national anthem. It gave you chills."
The franchise also brought back the old Spectrum hardwood and a classic old- time organist. The only frills brought across the parking lot from the Wachovia Center were the Sixers' Dancers, the team's mascot, Hip-Hop, and his Hare Raisers, a group of gymnasts that perform during timeouts.
But, the dancers twirled to '80s music like Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, while the Hare Raisers kept a low profile, only coming out to throw t-shirts to the fans in the fourth quarter.
Former players on hand included Malone, Marc Iavaroni, Bobby Jones, Cureton, Clemon Johnson and Reggie Johnson from the '82-83 club and Wali Jones from the '66-67 team.
The only think missing was Hip-Hop's predecessor, the muppet like "Big Shot."
For me, so many indelible Sixers moments, both good and bad, came flooding back when I entered the building.
Dr. J's thunderous "cuff dunk" over Michael Cooper in the 1983 NBA Finals.
Erving notching his 30,000th point while playing in his final regular-season home game, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the only 30,000-point scorers in the history of pro basketball history at the time.
The good Doctor's amazing up, over and around baseline move past Mark Landsberger in the 1980 Finals that is still a staple on YouTube.
"Here I was, trying to win a championship, and my mouth just dropped open," Magic Johnson, then a rookie, recalled of that play. "He actually did that. I thought, 'What should we do? Should we take the ball out or should we ask him to do it again?'"
Or how about the then-20-year-old Johnson taking over for the injured Abdul- Jabbar. and scoring 42 points, pulling down 15 rebounds and dishing seven assists as the Lakers won the NBA title by closing out the Sixers in Game 6 of the '80 Finals.
The Broad Street Bullies were the ones famous for fighting but Game 2 of the 1976-77 NBA Finals featured the Sixers' Darryl Dawkins, who once tore down a backboard at the Spectrum with one of his thunderous dunks, and the Blazers' Maurice Lucas getting into a fist fight.
But, perhaps my favorite moment was delivered by Cureton, a little known reserve center. On May 26, 1983 in Game 2 of the '83 Finals, the Sixers were in a bind when Malone left the game in foul trouble during the third quarter.
Malone's usual replacement, the underrated Clemon Johnson was injured, so Billy Cunningham went to the 6-foot-9 offensively-challenged Cureton, who stunned the Spectrum crowd by depositing a sky-hook over the master himself, Abbul-Jabbar.
To this day, I have never heard an arena explode like that.
"When you are playing the Lakers in the finals, it was huge," Cureton said. "I was getting prepared and getting psyched up, and ready to go in there and play against them.
"That was a little momentum-changer in the game. Moses was in foul trouble and it looked like they were going to take advantage of us because I came in to guard Kareem. But we took advantage of it. I answered the bell and it worked out."
On Sunday, I will be back in the Wachovia Center and while I'll certainly enjoy the wireless Internet, the extra leg room and Dwyane Wade, you can bet I will glance across the parking lot at the ugly duckling that is the Spectrum.
Philly Live indeed.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Re-Branding Gone Wrong
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The strange saga of Philadelphia 76ers power forward Elton Brand is over, at least for this season.
Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski officially announced that Brand would miss the rest of the 2008-09 season before the team's game with Indiana on Thursday.
The Sixers' prized free agent acquisition has been scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery next Monday to repair a torn labrum.
"Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates," Stefanski said. "He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return; however, the scope of the injury would not allow it."
This marks the second straight year that Brand will miss nearly all of the season, as he played in only eight games last year for the Los Angeles Clippers due to a serious Achilles injury.
Stefanski downplayed the idea of his marquee acquisition, who originally dislocated the shoulder on December 17 when he hit the floor hard after being upended by Milwaukee's Luc Mbah a Moute, being injury prone.
"I have heard people say that," Stefanski said, "but I don't see it. "I am prejudice obviously, but anybody was going to get hurt on that play."
Brand returned from the injury and looked sharp when scoring 12 points in a win over the Houston Rockets last week, but it was a mirage. He was awful as the Sixers collapsed down the stretch against New Jersey and went scoreless on Tuesday while wearing a brace against Boston.
At halftime of the Celtics game the scope of Brand's injury began to emerge when he told the training staff that his shoulder had stiffened up, but could play if necessary. Coach Tony DiLeo went the cautious route and decided to use both Reggie Evans and rookie Marreese Speights instead.
On Wednesday, Brand missed practice and the Sixers said he underwent an MRI, which showed that the injury was healing properly. The team even issued an injury update saying Brand was day-to-day but "expected to play vs. the Pacers."
Fast forward to Thursday and it was learned that the MRI was viewed only by a technician and Brand had yet to see his doctor. Meanwhile, his agent, David Falk, arrived in Philadelphia.
The MRI results were then viewed by both Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy and Dr. Craig Morgan of the Morgan-Kalman Clinic in Wilmington, DE, where Brand will have his surgery.
The doctors concluded that the initial tear of the labrum was unstable and had considerably decreased Brand's range of motion.
"It was progressing well for a normal person that has to go to work like you and me," Stefanski said. "Not for an NBA player."
Stefanski called the first six weeks of Brand's treatment "conservative."
"We went with the conservative approach that could get him back without surgery," Stefanski said. "I feel sorry for Elton. He worked extremely hard to rehab this thing. It didn't hurt anything. If he underwent surgery when he was originally hurt, he would have missed the rest of the season."
Brand signed a lucrative five-year, $80 million deal in the offseason to join the Sixers and has largely been a disappointment, as Philadelphia has posted only a 23-24 record amid large expectations.
Since returning from his 16-game absence, Brand has been pedestrian, averaging just 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18 minutes during six games..
So where does Brand's absence leave the Sixers?
"We will look at all available options," Stefanski said. "But I don't see anyone that can fit in like Marreese (Speights) or Reggie (Evans). We are fortunate. We knew what we had in Reggie and Speights is a very good player with a huge upside. This is a terrific opportunity for guys to step up."
Asked if he still expected his team to make the playoffs, Stefanski was glib, but honest.
"I put that on Tony (DiLeo)," Stefanski said. "But, we better. I think we are a playoff team even without Elton. Everyone has injuries. Andre (Iguodala) is playing at a very high level. It's his team and he has taken on the responsibility."
Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski officially announced that Brand would miss the rest of the 2008-09 season before the team's game with Indiana on Thursday.
The Sixers' prized free agent acquisition has been scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery next Monday to repair a torn labrum.
"Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates," Stefanski said. "He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return; however, the scope of the injury would not allow it."
This marks the second straight year that Brand will miss nearly all of the season, as he played in only eight games last year for the Los Angeles Clippers due to a serious Achilles injury.
 |
"I have heard people say that," Stefanski said, "but I don't see it. "I am prejudice obviously, but anybody was going to get hurt on that play."
Brand returned from the injury and looked sharp when scoring 12 points in a win over the Houston Rockets last week, but it was a mirage. He was awful as the Sixers collapsed down the stretch against New Jersey and went scoreless on Tuesday while wearing a brace against Boston.
At halftime of the Celtics game the scope of Brand's injury began to emerge when he told the training staff that his shoulder had stiffened up, but could play if necessary. Coach Tony DiLeo went the cautious route and decided to use both Reggie Evans and rookie Marreese Speights instead.
On Wednesday, Brand missed practice and the Sixers said he underwent an MRI, which showed that the injury was healing properly. The team even issued an injury update saying Brand was day-to-day but "expected to play vs. the Pacers."
Fast forward to Thursday and it was learned that the MRI was viewed only by a technician and Brand had yet to see his doctor. Meanwhile, his agent, David Falk, arrived in Philadelphia.
The MRI results were then viewed by both Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy and Dr. Craig Morgan of the Morgan-Kalman Clinic in Wilmington, DE, where Brand will have his surgery.
The doctors concluded that the initial tear of the labrum was unstable and had considerably decreased Brand's range of motion.
"It was progressing well for a normal person that has to go to work like you and me," Stefanski said. "Not for an NBA player."
Stefanski called the first six weeks of Brand's treatment "conservative."
"We went with the conservative approach that could get him back without surgery," Stefanski said. "I feel sorry for Elton. He worked extremely hard to rehab this thing. It didn't hurt anything. If he underwent surgery when he was originally hurt, he would have missed the rest of the season."
Brand signed a lucrative five-year, $80 million deal in the offseason to join the Sixers and has largely been a disappointment, as Philadelphia has posted only a 23-24 record amid large expectations.
Since returning from his 16-game absence, Brand has been pedestrian, averaging just 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18 minutes during six games..
So where does Brand's absence leave the Sixers?
"We will look at all available options," Stefanski said. "But I don't see anyone that can fit in like Marreese (Speights) or Reggie (Evans). We are fortunate. We knew what we had in Reggie and Speights is a very good player with a huge upside. This is a terrific opportunity for guys to step up."
Asked if he still expected his team to make the playoffs, Stefanski was glib, but honest.
"I put that on Tony (DiLeo)," Stefanski said. "But, we better. I think we are a playoff team even without Elton. Everyone has injuries. Andre (Iguodala) is playing at a very high level. It's his team and he has taken on the responsibility."
Brand has surgery
Brand suffered a dislocated right shoulder against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 17, 2008. He will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 season.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Williams feeling sweet again under DiLeo
Like him or not, understand Philadelphia 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski isn't a stupid guy.
Stefanski pulled the trigger on Mo Cheeks after two consecutive games with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, knowing hand-picked interim coach Tony DiLeo would have a chance to kick-start things with a pair of contests against the hapless Wizards and a game each with Milwaukee and Indiana, the latter a bad team made even worse by the flu-bug.
Sure enough, DiLeo's bottom line looks good (3-1), but in reality the Sixers have looked anything but impressive in close wins over the Bucks and Wizards, along with an embarrassing loss to the short-handed Pacers on Saturday.
The first true test for DiLeo will be the road trip that kicks off Tuesday night in Boston against the 26-2 Celtics. The Sixers must also face Denver, Utah, the LA Clippers, Dallas and San Antonio in a trek that resembles the Bataan Death March.
A 2-4 mark on that road swing would be cause for celebration. Anything better should get the Sixers' new coach an extension.
I'm expecting the worst for DiLeo -- 1-5 or 0-6. After all, the 76ers' problems run far deeper than the coach.
That said, DiLeo has already been a positive influence on at least one player -- Lou Williams.
After a breakout season in 2007-08, Williams inked a five-year extension worth just over $27 million during the offseason, but struggled badly under Cheeks, netting just 10.1 points over 22 games.
In the four games since DiLeo took the helm, Williams is averaging over 20 points a game. "Sweet Lou" scored 25 points last Wednesday against Milwaukee, matching his previous career-high, and bested that in Washington two days later with 26. He then netted 17 against the Pacers and scored the go-ahead basket in the final minute before T.J. Ford sent the locals home in a bad mood with a game-winning jumper with under five seconds to go.
Asked to explain his sudden resurgence, Williams was blunt.
"Guys are playing a little bit more free under Tony," Williams said. "That's just the style of coach he is. He rolls the balls out and tells us to go out and play."
Hardly a stern taskmaster with most, Cheeks was the exact opposite with the talented Williams. Mo rode just one player under his reign, and it was his 22- year old young star.
The reasons were obvious. A prototypical undersized point guard in his day, Cheeks was intent on turning Lou into the same type of player. But Cheeks' vision was fundamentally flawed.
A natural scorer, Williams will never be the pass-first, quarterback type. In fact, the former Georgia High School standout is the best pure scorer Cheeks had.
Maybe if Mo realized that, he would still be roaming the sidelines of the Wachovia Center with public address announcer Matt Cord yelling out more of his signature Looooooooouuuuuus.
Instead, Cheeks is spending his time playing pickup ball in Philly and no doubt distributing the ball -- to a scorer.
A novel concept.
Stefanski pulled the trigger on Mo Cheeks after two consecutive games with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, knowing hand-picked interim coach Tony DiLeo would have a chance to kick-start things with a pair of contests against the hapless Wizards and a game each with Milwaukee and Indiana, the latter a bad team made even worse by the flu-bug.
Sure enough, DiLeo's bottom line looks good (3-1), but in reality the Sixers have looked anything but impressive in close wins over the Bucks and Wizards, along with an embarrassing loss to the short-handed Pacers on Saturday.
The first true test for DiLeo will be the road trip that kicks off Tuesday night in Boston against the 26-2 Celtics. The Sixers must also face Denver, Utah, the LA Clippers, Dallas and San Antonio in a trek that resembles the Bataan Death March.
 |
I'm expecting the worst for DiLeo -- 1-5 or 0-6. After all, the 76ers' problems run far deeper than the coach.
That said, DiLeo has already been a positive influence on at least one player -- Lou Williams.
After a breakout season in 2007-08, Williams inked a five-year extension worth just over $27 million during the offseason, but struggled badly under Cheeks, netting just 10.1 points over 22 games.
In the four games since DiLeo took the helm, Williams is averaging over 20 points a game. "Sweet Lou" scored 25 points last Wednesday against Milwaukee, matching his previous career-high, and bested that in Washington two days later with 26. He then netted 17 against the Pacers and scored the go-ahead basket in the final minute before T.J. Ford sent the locals home in a bad mood with a game-winning jumper with under five seconds to go.
Asked to explain his sudden resurgence, Williams was blunt.
"Guys are playing a little bit more free under Tony," Williams said. "That's just the style of coach he is. He rolls the balls out and tells us to go out and play."
Hardly a stern taskmaster with most, Cheeks was the exact opposite with the talented Williams. Mo rode just one player under his reign, and it was his 22- year old young star.
The reasons were obvious. A prototypical undersized point guard in his day, Cheeks was intent on turning Lou into the same type of player. But Cheeks' vision was fundamentally flawed.
A natural scorer, Williams will never be the pass-first, quarterback type. In fact, the former Georgia High School standout is the best pure scorer Cheeks had.
Maybe if Mo realized that, he would still be roaming the sidelines of the Wachovia Center with public address announcer Matt Cord yelling out more of his signature Looooooooouuuuuus.
Instead, Cheeks is spending his time playing pickup ball in Philly and no doubt distributing the ball -- to a scorer.
A novel concept.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cheeks was his own worst enemy
There's a few rules out there we all have to follow.
You know, real common sense stuff.
Don't spit in the wind...don't tug on Superman's cape...or in the case of
Maurice Cheeks, how about don't emasculate your boss.
I'm not saying Ed Stefanski doesn't deserve it. It's just a bad business
decision.
Mo Cheeks isn't exactly a type-A personality . In fact he might be the last
person you would peg as passive aggressive. In fact, Cheeks might be the nicest guy in Philadelphia sports judging by how quickly the locals jumped on their swords to defend him despite an embarrassing coaching performance this season.
If you listen to Mo's apologists, all the Sixers problems laid at the feet of
someone else, be it Stefanski, Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala or Samuel
Dalembert.
I, for one, am not buying it.
There's no question we all over-evaluated the talent Stefanski put together. Elton Brand looks like the proverbial square peg being forced into the round hole. Andre Iguodala should be embarrassed that his talent level translates to so little on the floor. Samuel Dalembert may be the first player in the history of the NBA, whose basketball IQ shrinks every time he hits the floor and Lou Williams looks like the stereotypical prima donna who mailed it in when he got the big contract.
Mo could have used all that as an excuse if he actually used the players
assembled by Stefanski the way his GM envisioned.
Instead, Cheeks played hard-head, coaching with little imagination or vision and stayed status-quo no matter how badly his "guys" performed.
The coach clearly didn't believe Brand was cut out for the running game and he
stopped pushing the ball like the team did last year when they overachieved.
Meanwhile, a few more minutes for Donyell Marshall or Kareem Rush when
Iguodala and Willie Green were throwing up brick after brick in the half court set would have went a long way.
If we all saw Brand look bad running up and down the floor, Marshall looking
his age and Rush looking like he should be playing in Turkey, Cheeks would
have indicted Stefanski and put this team's faults on the shoulders of the GM.
Instead, Stefanski's vision is the unknown.
And the unknown is a hell of a lot better than 9-14.
You know, real common sense stuff.
Don't spit in the wind...don't tug on Superman's cape...or in the case of
Maurice Cheeks, how about don't emasculate your boss.
I'm not saying Ed Stefanski doesn't deserve it. It's just a bad business
decision.
Mo Cheeks isn't exactly a type-A personality . In fact he might be the last
person you would peg as passive aggressive. In fact, Cheeks might be the nicest guy in Philadelphia sports judging by how quickly the locals jumped on their swords to defend him despite an embarrassing coaching performance this season.
If you listen to Mo's apologists, all the Sixers problems laid at the feet of
someone else, be it Stefanski, Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala or Samuel
Dalembert.
I, for one, am not buying it.
There's no question we all over-evaluated the talent Stefanski put together. Elton Brand looks like the proverbial square peg being forced into the round hole. Andre Iguodala should be embarrassed that his talent level translates to so little on the floor. Samuel Dalembert may be the first player in the history of the NBA, whose basketball IQ shrinks every time he hits the floor and Lou Williams looks like the stereotypical prima donna who mailed it in when he got the big contract.
Mo could have used all that as an excuse if he actually used the players
assembled by Stefanski the way his GM envisioned.
Instead, Cheeks played hard-head, coaching with little imagination or vision and stayed status-quo no matter how badly his "guys" performed.
The coach clearly didn't believe Brand was cut out for the running game and he
stopped pushing the ball like the team did last year when they overachieved.
Meanwhile, a few more minutes for Donyell Marshall or Kareem Rush when
Iguodala and Willie Green were throwing up brick after brick in the half court set would have went a long way.
If we all saw Brand look bad running up and down the floor, Marshall looking
his age and Rush looking like he should be playing in Turkey, Cheeks would
have indicted Stefanski and put this team's faults on the shoulders of the GM.
Instead, Stefanski's vision is the unknown.
And the unknown is a hell of a lot better than 9-14.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Iguodala flailing in Philly
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Early returns are not necessarily a harbinger of the future.
If they were, John Kerry would have been running for reelection on Tuesday and John McCain would have cried uncle two months ago.
So, we all went through the motions, while McCain hoped every single poll in the civilized world got it wrong.
"It ain't over til it's over," isn't just a rallying cry.
Just ask the Atlanta Hawks, who stormed back from a 23-point deficit to stun the Philadelphia 76ers in Atlanta last week.
And that brings me full circle to Andre Iguodala, the Sixers' "star" swingman who inked a six-year $80 million dollar extension in the offseason.
A.I. version 2.0 had his coming out party last season, his first free of the "selfish" Allen Iverson. And give Iggy credit, he looked a lot more comfortable being "the guy" who never shied away from a big shot in a big situation.
The Sixers surprised everyone by finishing 40-42, making the playoffs and taking the mighty Detroit Pistons to six games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
Of course at the end of the day, 40-42 is what it is...mediocrity.
Sixers basketball chief Ed Stefanski knew Iguodala was best-suited as a complimentary piece, a player that should pattern his game after Scottie Pippen -- stuff the stat sheet and help your team win a different way every night.
Stefanski got his primary option during the offseason in Elton Brand and the former Duke product has been as advertised, averaging a double-double, 16.4 ppg and 11.8 rpg, through five contests.
The problem in Philadelphia has been Iguodala, who can't seem to accept his reduced role, at least if the early returns can be trusted.
When Iverson was in Philly, everyone was quick to write off Iguodala's faults. After all, the enigmatic Iverson needed the ball and ignored his teammates. So, when Iguodala went in his funks, the Sixers conveniently blamed it on a player they wanted to go.
What's the excuse now?
Brand is the most unselfish star in the NBA this side of Kevin Garnett. Iguodala gets plenty of touches but seems to sulk on the floor.
Through five games, the former Arizona star is shooting a woeful 38.8 percent from the floor and averaging just 10.0 points a game -- fifth on the team He's also turning the ball over at an alarming rate for a team that leads the NBA in flubs.
Things hit rock bottom in South Beach on Wednesday when the Sixers were routed by a poor Miami team, 106-83, to fall to 2-3 on the season.
Heat superstar Dwyane Wade piled up 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks with Iguodala as his primary defender. The offensive end of the floor was even worse for Iggy, as he was limited to two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
It's conceivable that Iguodala's start is an anomaly and he flips the switch, finally accepting his role and flourishing.
Of course, the last time I looked Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday.
Moral of the story?
Sometimes the early returns are spot-on.
If they were, John Kerry would have been running for reelection on Tuesday and John McCain would have cried uncle two months ago.
So, we all went through the motions, while McCain hoped every single poll in the civilized world got it wrong.
"It ain't over til it's over," isn't just a rallying cry.
Just ask the Atlanta Hawks, who stormed back from a 23-point deficit to stun the Philadelphia 76ers in Atlanta last week.
And that brings me full circle to Andre Iguodala, the Sixers' "star" swingman who inked a six-year $80 million dollar extension in the offseason.
A.I. version 2.0 had his coming out party last season, his first free of the "selfish" Allen Iverson. And give Iggy credit, he looked a lot more comfortable being "the guy" who never shied away from a big shot in a big situation.
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Of course at the end of the day, 40-42 is what it is...mediocrity.
Sixers basketball chief Ed Stefanski knew Iguodala was best-suited as a complimentary piece, a player that should pattern his game after Scottie Pippen -- stuff the stat sheet and help your team win a different way every night.
Stefanski got his primary option during the offseason in Elton Brand and the former Duke product has been as advertised, averaging a double-double, 16.4 ppg and 11.8 rpg, through five contests.
The problem in Philadelphia has been Iguodala, who can't seem to accept his reduced role, at least if the early returns can be trusted.
When Iverson was in Philly, everyone was quick to write off Iguodala's faults. After all, the enigmatic Iverson needed the ball and ignored his teammates. So, when Iguodala went in his funks, the Sixers conveniently blamed it on a player they wanted to go.
What's the excuse now?
Brand is the most unselfish star in the NBA this side of Kevin Garnett. Iguodala gets plenty of touches but seems to sulk on the floor.
Through five games, the former Arizona star is shooting a woeful 38.8 percent from the floor and averaging just 10.0 points a game -- fifth on the team He's also turning the ball over at an alarming rate for a team that leads the NBA in flubs.
Things hit rock bottom in South Beach on Wednesday when the Sixers were routed by a poor Miami team, 106-83, to fall to 2-3 on the season.
Heat superstar Dwyane Wade piled up 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks with Iguodala as his primary defender. The offensive end of the floor was even worse for Iggy, as he was limited to two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
It's conceivable that Iguodala's start is an anomaly and he flips the switch, finally accepting his role and flourishing.
Of course, the last time I looked Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday.
Moral of the story?
Sometimes the early returns are spot-on.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Same old Sixers
No one noticed. After all, there was some pretty big things going on across the street. But, the Philadelphia 76ers opened up their 2008-09 season Wednesday.
And it wasn't just any opener. Two of the most improved teams in the Eastern Conference (supposedly) met when Toronto came to town and faced off with the revamped Sixers.
To accommodate the fans, the Sixers moved up the starting time of the game by an hour, so that everyone could get somewhere to watch the Phils clinch the World Series.
The Sixers were of course the last Philadelphia team to win a title when Cheeks teamed with Julius Erving and Moses Malone to form one of the greatest teams in NBA history during the 1982-83 season.
Things haven’t exactly gone smoothly for Philly's basketball team since then and the last time the franchise felt this optimistic entering a season, Hall of Fame power forward Charles Barkley was throwing his weight around the basket.
'The Round Mound of Rebound' last played with the Sixers during the 1992-93 season and the team hasn't had a real inside presence since.
Enter Elton Brand. Brand was pedestrian in the opener but still recorded a double-double and he will be as advertised.
The rest of the team? Unfortunately, it's the same old Sixers. They can't shoot the three and they don't defend it.
The Raptors abused the Sixers from beyond the arc in an alarmingly easy victory and the two shooters Ed Stefanski brought in -- Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall -- spent most of the night watching things from the $1,000 dollar seats.
Cheeks' rotation was certainly a head-scratcher and Willie Green continues to pile up undeserved minutes.
It's not time to panic in Philly but I would enjoy that Phillies championship. The Sixers won't be adding to it.
And it wasn't just any opener. Two of the most improved teams in the Eastern Conference (supposedly) met when Toronto came to town and faced off with the revamped Sixers.
To accommodate the fans, the Sixers moved up the starting time of the game by an hour, so that everyone could get somewhere to watch the Phils clinch the World Series.
The Sixers were of course the last Philadelphia team to win a title when Cheeks teamed with Julius Erving and Moses Malone to form one of the greatest teams in NBA history during the 1982-83 season.
Things haven’t exactly gone smoothly for Philly's basketball team since then and the last time the franchise felt this optimistic entering a season, Hall of Fame power forward Charles Barkley was throwing his weight around the basket.
'The Round Mound of Rebound' last played with the Sixers during the 1992-93 season and the team hasn't had a real inside presence since.
Enter Elton Brand. Brand was pedestrian in the opener but still recorded a double-double and he will be as advertised.
The rest of the team? Unfortunately, it's the same old Sixers. They can't shoot the three and they don't defend it.
The Raptors abused the Sixers from beyond the arc in an alarmingly easy victory and the two shooters Ed Stefanski brought in -- Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall -- spent most of the night watching things from the $1,000 dollar seats.
Cheeks' rotation was certainly a head-scratcher and Willie Green continues to pile up undeserved minutes.
It's not time to panic in Philly but I would enjoy that Phillies championship. The Sixers won't be adding to it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sixers move up home opener due to World Series
The Philadelphia 76ers today officially moved the start time of their home opener against the Toronto Raptors at the Wachovia Center on Wednesday, October 29 to 6:00 p.m. (from the scheduled 7:00 p.m. time) in anticipation of a World Series game being played at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 29.
"We moved the start time of our home opener to 6:00 p.m. to allow our fans an opportunity to attend our game and to be able to see the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series," said Lara Price, Senior Vice President of Business Operations.
"We moved the start time of our home opener to 6:00 p.m. to allow our fans an opportunity to attend our game and to be able to see the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series," said Lara Price, Senior Vice President of Business Operations.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sixers waive Reiner
Reiner (6-11, 245) attended the
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Ramblings from the Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, PA (The Sports Network) - The Sixers and Cavs got together in a preseason contest from the Wachovia Center on Tuesday.
Here's some observations from press row. Samuel Dalembert gets the night off and a blast from the past, Theo Ratliff got the start at center for the Sixers.
No surprise that LeBron had his way with Andre Iguodala and the Sixers early.
Meanwhile, ex-St. Joe's star Delonte West returned to Philly with the Cavs. West sat out 12 days earlier in the preseason with some personal problems that included depression and anger issues.
Elton Brand, who has been exceptional for most of the preseason, really struggled with Ben Wallace and was just 1-of-8 in the first half from the floor. He did pull down nine rebounds, however. Brand is not the kind of player who goes into a funk in other areas when his shot is not falling.
Most of the Sixers offense is coming from the bench in the first half. Willie Green and Lou Williams both had nine points to lead Philly, while rookie Marreese Speights continues to impress with seven points and four rebounds in about eight minutes of action in the first half.
LeBron's new playmate, former Bucks point guard Mo Williams, was spectacular in the opening half, compiling 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and two assists.
In the battle for the Cavs shooting guard spot, Sasha Pavlovic got the start but Wally Szczerbiak played almost twice as many minutes after Sasha got in foul trouble.
Sixers were the worst three-point shooting team in basketball last season and brought in Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall to rectify that. Rush was 0-fo-1 from long range in the first half and Marshall didn't get off the bench. Meanwhile, the Cavs hit six of their first seven from long range.
Philly dominated the third quarter as Iguodala rebounded and started to get a hot hand as did Andre Miller and Brand. E.B. had 12 points and 11 boards through three. Can you say Comeback Player of the Year?
As for LeBron -- How about 20, 8 and 4 through three.
Sixers couldn't buy a bucket down the stretch and the Cavs pulled away with James sitting safely on the bench. Daniel Gibson was the star of the game, netting 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long range. The Cavs were plus-17 in Gibson's 28 minutes on the floor.
The 76ers still can't shot, 0-for-9 from long range and outscored 24-0 from beyond the arc.
Former Sixers great Bobby Jones, one of the greatest defensive players on all-time, was on hand.
Here's some observations from press row. Samuel Dalembert gets the night off and a blast from the past, Theo Ratliff got the start at center for the Sixers.
No surprise that LeBron had his way with Andre Iguodala and the Sixers early.
Meanwhile, ex-St. Joe's star Delonte West returned to Philly with the Cavs. West sat out 12 days earlier in the preseason with some personal problems that included depression and anger issues.
Elton Brand, who has been exceptional for most of the preseason, really struggled with Ben Wallace and was just 1-of-8 in the first half from the floor. He did pull down nine rebounds, however. Brand is not the kind of player who goes into a funk in other areas when his shot is not falling.
Most of the Sixers offense is coming from the bench in the first half. Willie Green and Lou Williams both had nine points to lead Philly, while rookie Marreese Speights continues to impress with seven points and four rebounds in about eight minutes of action in the first half.
LeBron's new playmate, former Bucks point guard Mo Williams, was spectacular in the opening half, compiling 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and two assists.
In the battle for the Cavs shooting guard spot, Sasha Pavlovic got the start but Wally Szczerbiak played almost twice as many minutes after Sasha got in foul trouble.
Sixers were the worst three-point shooting team in basketball last season and brought in Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall to rectify that. Rush was 0-fo-1 from long range in the first half and Marshall didn't get off the bench. Meanwhile, the Cavs hit six of their first seven from long range.
Philly dominated the third quarter as Iguodala rebounded and started to get a hot hand as did Andre Miller and Brand. E.B. had 12 points and 11 boards through three. Can you say Comeback Player of the Year?
As for LeBron -- How about 20, 8 and 4 through three.
Sixers couldn't buy a bucket down the stretch and the Cavs pulled away with James sitting safely on the bench. Daniel Gibson was the star of the game, netting 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long range. The Cavs were plus-17 in Gibson's 28 minutes on the floor.
The 76ers still can't shot, 0-for-9 from long range and outscored 24-0 from beyond the arc.
Former Sixers great Bobby Jones, one of the greatest defensive players on all-time, was on hand.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Roster moves galore
Lots of roster moves today...
The Spurs waived forward Charles Gaines, who averaged 3.3 points in four preseason games for San Antonio.
The Bulls waived forward Elton Brown and guard Darius Washington. Brown (6-9, 250) appeared in two preseason games and averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 8.0 mpg.
Washington (6-2, 195) saw action in two preseason games and averaged 8.0 ppg in 13.0 mpg.
The Bucks requested waivers on guards Ron Howard and Kevin Kruger.
In three preseason games, Howard, 25, posted averages of 2.0 points and 1.0 assist per game.
Kruger, 25, played in two games and averaged 4.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound per game.
The Mavericks requested waivers on forward Charles Rhodes.
Rhodes (6-8, 245) was signed by the Mavericks as a rookie free agent after
he went undrafted out of Mississippi State in the 2008 NBA Draft. He saw
action in 5 preseason games and averaged 1.0 point and 2.4 rebounds in 6.0
minutes per game.
The Sixers waived Antywane Robinson. He appeared in three preseason games, playing a total of 15 minutes.
Robinson (6-8, 220) played all four seasons at Temple University, earning Atlantic-10 All-Conference Second Team honors his senior season. In 116 career games played for the Owls, he had 85 steals to 54 turnovers. He has yet to appear in a regular season game since going undrafted in 2006, but played preseason games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2007. After being waived by the Hawks, Robinson joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the D-League before playing overseas for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez of the French League.
The Spurs waived forward Charles Gaines, who averaged 3.3 points in four preseason games for San Antonio.
The Bulls waived forward Elton Brown and guard Darius Washington. Brown (6-9, 250) appeared in two preseason games and averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 8.0 mpg.
Washington (6-2, 195) saw action in two preseason games and averaged 8.0 ppg in 13.0 mpg.
The Bucks requested waivers on guards Ron Howard and Kevin Kruger.
In three preseason games, Howard, 25, posted averages of 2.0 points and 1.0 assist per game.
Kruger, 25, played in two games and averaged 4.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound per game.
The Mavericks requested waivers on forward Charles Rhodes.
Rhodes (6-8, 245) was signed by the Mavericks as a rookie free agent after
he went undrafted out of Mississippi State in the 2008 NBA Draft. He saw
action in 5 preseason games and averaged 1.0 point and 2.4 rebounds in 6.0
minutes per game.
The Sixers waived Antywane Robinson. He appeared in three preseason games, playing a total of 15 minutes.
Robinson (6-8, 220) played all four seasons at Temple University, earning Atlantic-10 All-Conference Second Team honors his senior season. In 116 career games played for the Owls, he had 85 steals to 54 turnovers. He has yet to appear in a regular season game since going undrafted in 2006, but played preseason games for the Atlanta Hawks in 2007. After being waived by the Hawks, Robinson joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the D-League before playing overseas for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez of the French League.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sixers pick up options on Young, Smith
Young (6-8, 220) was selected with the 12th overall pick by
Smith (7-0, 240) was originally selected by Miami with the 20th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft before the Sixers acquired him in exchange for the rights to Daequan Cook (21st overall pick), a future second round pick and cash considerations. In 76 games with one start last season, Smith averaged 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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