And the hype is back

by jsams on Jan 20, 2009 4:00 AM PST Comment 4 comments

A mire two weeks ago the Sixers were power ranked as low as 26 and as high as 19. They had reached an all-time low. Since then the Sixers have balled they're way to...drumroll please.

Marc Stein, ESPN-10

Elton Brand will soon be rejoining a team that's running again and suddenly winning again ... in a city that's in no mood for another tease after the Eagles fell shy of the Super Bowl. Did someone say pressure?

John Hollinger-6

NBA.com-9

The temperature in Philadelphia hasn't been above 40 degrees lately, but the Sixers have been red hot. They've won seven straight, including consecutive wins over the Hawks, Blazers and Spurs by 15 points or more. And Andre Iguodala is making a late run at All-Star consideration.

So, everyone thinks the Sixers are good again. On average, they're the 8th ranked NBA team in the three power rankings listed above. Everyone's anticipating the return of Elton Brand, believing the Sixers can only get better by adding a post presence and former all-star. All sound familiar?

Flashback to training camp: Where do the Sixers rank in Marc Stein's power rankings? 8. Here's what he had to say back then.

The Sixers were undisputed champs of the offseason, but it's also true that Mr. Brand might lift last season's No. 7s only one spot. Philly can finish anywhere from No. 2 to No. 6, like Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando and Toronto.

Hopefully this time around they can live up to the hype, and are able to adjust to Elton-and vice versa.

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They’re not as ‘bad’ as they were last week or two and they’re not as ‘good’ as they are this week (in terms of rankings)…they’re on a hot streak and that’s going to elevate the rankings.

As of now they are on the same pace they were on last year – 40-42 – that’s not an improvement, and whether or not it’s in the playoffs it’s not a good record – it’s basically the definition of mediocre.

by jemagee on Jan 20, 2009 7:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i'm pretty confident they'll finish over .500 though

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 jsams on Jan 20, 2009 8:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Until Brand is fully back and integrated and I see how the team plays with him, I"m not really confident about anything positive or negative – it’s almost like this was an ‘exhibition’ the past couple weeks since a key piece was missing.

by jemagee on Jan 20, 2009 8:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

6 seems way too high. When hot they might play like a top team, but they need to put on a more sustained run (with Brand) before I consider them top 10.

BTW, they have the 16th best record.

http://www.phillyarena.com : Philly sports forum/blog.

by tk76 on Jan 20, 2009 11:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs