It all comes down to this.
by jsams on Apr 14, 2009 11:38 PM PDT
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You know the feeling you get in your stomach before the final pre-season game? The one where you've had enough meaningless, poorly-played basketball and are anxious to get the real season underway? That's the same feeling I have going into tonight's match-up against LeBron and the Cavs. It's not the way I want to feel before the final regular season game, buy hey, it is what it is.
On a scale of 1-10, my excitement for this game is about a 2.1, when normally it's an 11. I have to be completely honest, watching the Sixers play their last six games has really worn on me. It's been depressing to watch. I'm more than ready to end this depressing stretch of basketball and for the playoffs to start, where everybody has a clean slate.
Normally heading into the post-season, teams want to be playing their best basketball -- peaking at the right time. Well, the Sixers are doing the complete opposite. An inevitable loss at the hands of King James and the Cavs en route to a 40-1 home record will stretch the Sixers losing streak to seven games. They haven't just lost seven straight games, but have looked as atrocious as a team could possibly look in doing so.
However; in the midst of this seven-game losing streak, there is hope. A lot of the Sixers poor play down the stretch can be credited to their best offensive weapon, Thaddeus Young being sidelined with a bum ankle. The good news is he returned last night and now has one more opportunity to tune-up before the playoffs.
With Thaddeus on the floor the Sixers are a completely different team. Let's not forget, this is the same roster who went into LA and into Portland and handed two of the NBA's best teams rare home court losses. Neither win is remotely possible without Thad. So, with a healthy Thad why can't history repeat itself in the first round?
The Sixers will have their doubters. "Experts" will say they don't have enough shooters. "Experts" will say they don't have a superstar. "Experts" will predict the defending champs stomp them in the first round. My reply to all the "experts": good! Count the Sixers out for the 275th time this season. That's when this team is at their best.
Thaddeus regaining his legs and staying injury-free are the only things I care about in tonight's game. I don't care if we get blown out and highlights of it are shown across ESPN tomorrow morning. I don't care if Cleveland ties an NBA record. I don't care about LeBron's pre-game rituals. If the basketball gods will just allow me to come out feeling 100 percent confident in Thad's ankle and with a relatively healthy basketball team, I'll be thrilled. Other than that, nothing matters until tip-off in game one of round one.
Check out Fear the Sword for the Cavs perspective. And for those of you who are overly-optimistic, the Sixers still have a small chance at the six seed. They would need to beat the Cavs and pray the Bulls lose to the Raptors-- neither of which I see happening.
Tip's at 8 eastern. Be here, or don't. I will forgive you if you decide to rely strictly on my brilliant recap and the box score for this one. Just make sure you're back here this weekend when we all lose our Playoff Game Thread virginity.
Until then...
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Well, unfortunately the bulls are playing the raptors tomorrow and not the heat
which means the sixers are playing the celtics in the playoffs. I hope pierce, allen, and garnett all collide into each other and explode (somehow). That way we have a real chance at getting to the next round.
by jefu on Apr 15, 2009 1:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
jsams,
Thanks for elaborating on your view of the coming playoffs. I confess, being a Celtics fanm, I never knew much about the 76ers. Now that I do, I wish you all the best in the first round and whatever might follow.
Whatever happens, enjoy.
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
by Kiorrik on Apr 15, 2009 4:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Even if it's at the expense of your beloved Celtics?
I respect that.
by jsams on Apr 15, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not excited for this game?
Two words: PLAYOFF HOCKEY! let’s go flyers!!
by alex3540 on Apr 15, 2009 6:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cavs fan here,
The word in Cleveland is that the Cavs will be resting pretty much everyone for the game tonight. No Lebron, no Z, and very limited minutes for Mo, Delonte, Wally, Joe Smith etc. That coupled with the fact that the Sixers have something to play for and Cleveland doesn’t means that I personally would be suprised if Philly didn’t win this game.
I’m kind of bummed about missing our chance for the whole 40-1 home record thing, but I guess you have to prioritize. Anyway, good luck to you guys tonite and in the playoffs
by Rexroth on Apr 15, 2009 6:22 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
espn just confirmed
no LeBron, no Z, no Mo
by umdeagle on Apr 15, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Thaddeus Young is going to make the 6ers good enough to beat the celtics in the first round? now theres some optimism..and what do you expect the ""experts" to predict, a 76ers sweep? heck, theyre counting out the celtics already in the long run as well, and rightly so..
also the ‘experts’ would be right in saying the 6ers dont have a superstar or any shooters…cause they dont
with that said, see you in the playoffs, and good luck…i guess ;-)
by TheAncientRivalry on Apr 15, 2009 6:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, the Sixers with a healthy Thaddeus Young can beat the Celtics in a playoff series. It’s incredibly unlikely, and would probably require a large amount of luck, but it could happen. Without Young, it would be completely hopeless. Who wouldn’t cringe at the thought of Reggie Evans and Sam Dalembert as your starting front court?
by zfg on Apr 15, 2009 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never said we're going to win.
zfg put it best in saying we have a chance with Thad. Without him, we had none. Zero.
by jsams on Apr 15, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shut it down...
I am usually not for shutting down a season while it’s still in progress, especially not for a playoff-bound team, but let’s be real here. Every time I saw Thaddeus last night, I got REAL nervous. He looked ginger. I don’t want him to hurt himself again. Is there a way to forfeit the post-season?
by Three on Apr 15, 2009 7:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Thaddeus is the only starter I want to see get extended minutes.
Much rather him go full-force in a meaningless regular season game than in game 1 of the playoffs.
I’d like to see the Andres get extended rest though, especially Iguodala. He needs it.
by jsams on Apr 15, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah the cavs are going to rest folk
the sixers lost to the celtics without garnett or allen – i have no faith that this team can beat the freaking clippers right now
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Apr 15, 2009 8:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
I am not going to be able to make the game tonight for two reasons A) I don’t feel like finding a stream or watching NBA Gametime B) The Flyers start the playoffs tonight against the Penguins and I should be getting my new jersey in time for it and if I don’t I will be pissed!
by The Legend on Apr 15, 2009 8:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hate to ruin the surprise but the flyers will lose in the playoffs and the GM will blame the goalie
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Apr 15, 2009 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Flyers might lose but it won’t be the goalie’s fault entirely—gotta have tight D in front of him to win games. Osgood isn’t Brodeur but the Wings win because of the defense.
The Flyers are as good of a team as the Pens—even better on paper in terms of depth—but they don’t play the games on paper and if the team from the past few weeks shows up, it could be a short series. The Pens are playing better hockey right now, but in the NHL, unlike the NBA, it doesn’t always matter.
That said, I say the Sixers win tonight. I saw a lot of positives in last night’s game. A better coach would have called much better plays at the end of the game to give them team more of a chance to win it. Yes, the D is lacking right now, but we know (and have seen) them play better. But I don’t want him playing the Andres 40 minutes tonight so that they have nothing left for the playoffs…
by doubleh on Apr 15, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was actually just making a joke – i don’t follow hockey at all – but every year bobby clarke seemed to blame the goalie
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Apr 15, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah...
We are winning it all this year now that we are healthy this time.
by The Legend on Apr 15, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Uh huh
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Apr 15, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're not winning it all
We just don’t have the defense right now and I see a goalie that lacks confidence (even though we know how well he can play in the playoffs). The Flyers are too inconsistent to win the whole thing, but they certainly can play well enough to knock the Pens out—which, at this point, I would be satisfied with.
Then, in the off season, I’d like a new HC and some new defensive players.
Sort of like what I would like for the Sixers…plus a pure shooter in the draft if possible. Preferably someone who can also hit the three who isn’t 50 years old.
by doubleh on Apr 15, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know we probably won’t win it all. I am just a homer. I will be really really really p*ssed though if we get knocked out of the first round by the Pens again. If we make it passed them and don’t win the cup I will just be p*ssed because that’s just how I am.
by The Legend on Apr 15, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just read on ESPN
That the Cavs are sitting Lebron, Mo, Big Z, Wallace, and Smith. If we lose tonight we should just give up our playoff spot.
by The Legend on Apr 15, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure it's worth it to go all out for a win.
Do you still should we should give up our playoff spot if the Andres only play 25-30 minutes and Thad is still getting his legs back?
by jsams on Apr 15, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Andres playing 25-30 minutes is enough to win tonight but if we don’t I wouldn’t give up the playoff spot. I am not sure though they will get that much rest unless Dileo knows we have the game since he wants a win BAD heading into the playoffs or at least that what he is making it sound like.
by The Legend on Apr 15, 2009 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
By the way – the way this team has played in its last six (if it’s the wrong its – tough – i hate its) – i’d play this as a normal game and play the guys their normal minutes – they’ve been AWFUL – they have lost six straight – sure it’s a ‘modified’ win if the cavs 3 guys don’t play but a wins a win at this point and I’d rather them go into the playoffs with a win than 7 straight losses…i mean that would be sad.
Play em like it’s a normal game – need the win
"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."
Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.
by jemagee on Apr 15, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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