Best game of the year

by Jordan Sams on Jan 11, 2009 3:00 PM PST in Recaps Comment 20 comments

Ladies and Gentlemen, I just witnessed the best Sixers game I've watched all season. They went into Atlanta, which isn't an easy place to win these days, and out-played and out-hustled the Hawks en route to a 15-point victory. This was our first blowout win without Elton Brand and it was just magical to watch. Great win, plus entertaining basketball equals a very happy Sixers blogger.

Here are a couple quotes from the open thread I want to address.

I think this is the best game they played in the 4 game win streak – stronger win – don’t feel ‘lucky’ to have won it – and on the road with a sunday start early--jemagee

I love the lucky comment. I can't emphasize enough how bad the Sixers looked like they wanted to win this game. The Hawks didn't lose this game, the Sixers won. Unlike their last game against Atlanta, they started strong and finished even stronger, out-scoring the Hawks 26-16 in the fourth quarter. This reminded me of all the great wins they had down the stretch last year, with a shot of Marreese Speights.

we need to put this game away

i haven’t seen it done all year--tsteidel

Well, now you have.

Key Stats:

-55% from the field

-9-15 from downtown!

-86% from the line

-+15 on the boards and +6 on the offensive glass

-19 turnovers was the only flaw, but it happens sometimes when you run like the Sixers.

Great Performances:

-Speights is a monster. He's one of the most exciting players when he's in the game. He had 12 points, 8 boards and a couple monster dunks.

-Iguodala was on fire from downtown. He had 27 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds.

-Thad

-Miller

-Everyone else except...

OK Performances:

-Lou-Will was just OK, going 4-13 from the floor.

Bad Performances:

-Willie Green is always bad.

-Samuel Dalembert. Don't look at the numbers. Just trust me.

Next up: Wednesday we get the Blazers in Philly. I'm extremely stoked for this game. More on that later. For now, celebrate the fourth win in a row, and the best win of the season.

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9-15 from downtown!

I guess you have to look at that as good news, but for a team that’s averaging 30.5% from the 3pt line i don’t think you can honestly expect the sixers to repeat (or really even come close to repeating) that kind of success.

by phils11 on Jan 11, 2009 2:18 PM PST reply actions

they were good today and seem to be improving

Pimpin' ain't easy and neither is being a Sixers fan. I manage to do both. Join me at Liberty Ballers, the SBNation 76ers blog. Don't make fun of the name either. It has nothing to do with the New York Liberty of the WNBA.

by Jordan Sams on Jan 11, 2009 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I cant really say too much about it because i only got to see parts of the game, and again you have to be happy with the success, but i’m still a little worried about how if you adjust them to shooting closer to their season average from 3pts they make 5/15 instead of 9/15 and it’s no longer as decisive of a win.

by phils11 on Jan 11, 2009 2:32 PM PST up reply actions

yeah, but same thing can be said if you have less turnovers too.

and i don’t think they take is many threes if their not feeling it. Iggy was clearly “on” tonight

by Jordan Sams on Jan 11, 2009 2:45 PM PST up reply actions

i think the highlight of this game is that we got 323 comments on the open thread

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on Jan 11, 2009 3:34 PM PST reply actions

nearly a career high

by Jordan Sams on Jan 11, 2009 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

haha

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on Jan 11, 2009 4:25 PM PST up reply actions

yea who knew we would reach 300 comments in an open thread before a sixers player would reach 30 points…

http://www.libertyballers.com/

by Remis on Jan 11, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions

hahaha

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Jan 14, 2009 9:41 AM PST up reply actions

wow

I completely was unaware the hawks were 22-13 and 4th in the east going into the game today.. makes the road win even better

by phils11 on Jan 11, 2009 5:07 PM PST reply actions

yeah

i wouldn’t normally get excited with a win over the hawks. different circumstances this year.

by Jordan Sams on Jan 11, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions

Thad?

No love for thad in the “great performances” category? Ouch— 22 points and 9 boards on 9-15 shooting including 3-4 from beyond. 4 O-boards also. He looked smooth out there, especially his jumper. That’s gotta be enough for at least a mention.

by Michael Levin on Jan 12, 2009 8:03 AM PST reply actions

I put "everyone else except..."

which includes Thad, but you’re absolutely right, he deserves a spot.

by Jordan Sams on Jan 12, 2009 8:07 AM PST up reply actions

fixed

by Jordan Sams on Jan 12, 2009 8:08 AM PST up reply actions

Wednesdays game is a big test I think…I don’t think they can win – but i’d like to see it close and hard fought – good rebounding and cut down on the turnovers

by jemagee on Jan 12, 2009 9:59 AM PST reply actions