Good-Bye Lottery, Hello Playoffs: A Lesson in Tanking
by Jordan Sams on Jan 10, 2011 5:00 AM PST
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A month ago Mike discussed the dilemma presented to Sixers fans, and fans of each non-championship-contending NBA team each year. Is it more beneficial to root for losses and a higher draft pick, in hopes that your team lands the next superstar – a necessity for all NBA Champions – or is rooting for wins, a winning environment, and invaluable playoff experience the way to go?
Mike made a convincing case for each, and there is no right or wrong answer, as far as I'm concerned. It has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Last year rooting for losses was acceptable, because Eddie Jordan was such a terrible coach, so by rooting for losses, not only were fans rooting for a chance to draft a superstar, but a sorely needed coaching change as well.
This year, things are different. Doug Collins is obviously a much better coach than Eddie Jordan. He has the young Sixers playing hard, winning games, and many playing the best basketball of their careers. Currently, the Sixers are a playoff team in the top-heavy Eastern Conference, tied with Bucks for the eighth seed and only a half a game back of the seventh seed Pacers.
The Sixers have enough talent, and are coached well enough where it's unrealistic to think they'll finish with a bottom 10 record this season, with or without Andre Iguodala. If you're rooting for losses, you're likely rooting for a pick in the 10-14 range opposed to a playoff birth and the fifteenth or sixteenth pick. Since the logic behind rooting for losses is being in position to draft the next superstar, going out of your way to root against your favorite team for the 10th pick seems silly, especially since the likelihood of drafting a superstar drops considerably after the fifth pick.
(12-man roster made from players drafted after the lottery over the last five seasons (2010 excluded):
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Danny Granger
PF: Paul Millsap
C: Marc Gasol
6th man: Wilson Chandler
Bench: David Lee, Jrue Holiday, Serge Ibaka, Aaron Brooks, DeAndre Jordan, Geroge Hill
12-man roster made of players drafted in the lottery (excluding top 3 picks) over the last five seasons (2010 excluded):
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Brandon Roy
SF: Danilo Gallinari
PF: Kevin Love
C: Joakim Noah
6th man: Stephen Curry
Bench: Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay, Andrew Bynum, Jeff Green, Brook Lopez)
Last year I whole-heartily rooted for losses in beginning in December, and even though I promised myself I wouldn't, when the Sixers started this season 3-13 I struggled to root for wins, especially when Harrison Barnes and Perry Jones were being touted as the next Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady.
After realizing the Sixers were too good to finish with a bottom 10 record, and having watched Harrison Barnes play, I slowly talked myself out of my tanking trance. And my decision – ping pong balls be damned – has been gratified over the past few weeks with Jrue Holiday showing more and more potential at 20 years old, and Evan Turner recording the first 20-point game of his career.
If you're still rooting for the Sixers to lose every game, remind yourself exactly what you're rooting for. Are you rooting for the tenth pick? Are you rooting for the chance to draft a superstar? Or has rooting for losses become an unbreakable habit you've developed over the last calendar-year? How long can this go on? Are you going to root for your favorite team to lose until they wind up with a number one pick? What if one number one pick isn't enough? Last year the Sixers drafted second, and it's yet to pay dividends. If you root for something long enough, it becomes a part of you. The longer you root for the Sixers to lose, the more difficult it will be to root for wins. Then you're screwed. First you become mentally incapable of rooting for the basketball team you love; next thing you know you'll develop an insane alter-ego named Tyler Durden and repeatedly punch yourself in the face.
Rooting for your favorite NBA team to lose is a dangerous ploy. There's a fine line between rooting for your team to lose for the benefit of the future, and developing a subconscious dislike for the team you're supposed to love. I know because a full year of rooting for losses, or at least dabbling in it, began to slowly erode the love I once had for the Sixers. I'd be watching a game, rooting for them to win like a normal sports fan, then the opposing team would take a late lead or go on a 10-0 run, and I'd subconsciously begin rooting for the Sixers to lose. That isn't how fans are supposed to think.
Over the past year rooting for losses has become nearly-impossible to break addiction. I can convince myself all I want that I'm rooting for the Sixers to win again, and that last year was an exception, but like any addict, once I get a taste of losing, I regress.
This will be an ongoing debate amongst Sixers fans, and NBA fans alike for years to come, and since it's heavily affected the way I think about, watch, and write about the Sixers, I've decided to create a mini-manifesto for NBA fans everywhere.
Rule # 1: If you're rooting for your team to lose, do not watch the games live.
Instead, check the box score and recap afterwards. TiVo'ing games (already knowing the outcome) works under this rule, because you won't be rooting at all, just enjoying the game. This prevents you from developing a subconscious rooting interest against your team, and makes it much easier to root for your team to win when you see fit. This is the most important rule, and never to be broken.
Rule # 2: Do not root for your team to lose until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs ...
This rule prevents you from unnecessarily rooting against your team for an entire season, or even half a season. The longer your team is mathematically alive, the less chance they have to win the lottery, anyway.
Rule # 3: ... unless your team has an undeniably terrible coach ramming your team further into the ground with each game.
This rule pertains to the 2009-10 Sixers. During these circumstances you're rooting for the coach to be fired more than anything, and each win increases said coach's chances of returning for another season.
Unfortunately, it'll take time to re-build my rooting interests, but a wise man once said, "Only after disaster can we be resurrected," and nothing will resurrect my rooting interests faster than a playoff birth.
With that said, I hear-by declare #missionBJ over (sorry if you bought a shirt), and invite everyone to jump on the bandwagon for a playoff run.
Go Sixers!
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Yup.
I find this team, even though they are sometimes horrifically frustrating, fun to watch and likable, even with their quirks (one halfway-decent frontcourt player, Turner’s growing pains, Lou Williams, etc.). I’ve found it impossible to root against them. It’s sort of like rooting against my son’s T-ball team so they can draft the testosteronic freak who’s like five feet tall for next year. :)
Five feet tall!?!
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 10, 2011 8:04 AM PST up reply actions
Last Year I would either cheer for them winning or scream John Wall when things went South. This year I haven’t been able to root so vehemently against the team, though I have been rooting for a trade.
The real fan...
Winning and changing both the mind set and rebuilding a franchise to a elite/respectable level is the most important thing the 76ers should be doing right now. Free agents do not want to come to a average or sub .500 team. Draft choices are important, however that is no sure thing. we got Jrue Holiday as the 17th pick which was a steal, and we got ET #2 and the jury is still out with Evan. Certainly not a sure thing at #2. Its important for a franchise to be the best they can be. I think Collins is moving this organization in this direction. The team plays hard and is improving every game. The believe in themselves and feel they can win every game. I love watching this team. although I like watching them last year, It at times was a difficult watch.
The Sixers have enough talent, and are coached well enough where it’s unrealistic to think they’ll finish with a bottom 10 record this season, with or without Andre Iguodala.
I was thinking about this myself although I don’t think he gets traded now. When he does get back though I hope they let it still be Jrue’s team and have AI9 play the role that everybody thinks he would on another team.
I want them to win, but not at the expense of not truly finding out if Evan Turner is a great or even good player in this league. Collins should do everything he can to win, but if certain players aren’t going to be here when we may actually be able to compete for something in a few years, they shouldn’t be playing now.
I agree, I can’t root for them to lose. With a home heavy schedule for the remainder of the year, it would take a ton of injuries for the team to enter in top 7 in the lottery talks. Heck, I think they have a fairly good shot (>60%) of making the playoffs, much less having a meaningful lottery pick.
I’m even teetering on the “see what it takes to grab Tayshaun Prince and Marcus Camby and make a run” side of things.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
I agree with this line of thought completely.
At the beginning of the season I was all for trying to get a top 5 pick but as the season has gone on the team has played better than I anticipated and at this point, rooting for loses to get a top pick is an exercise in futility. Part of that is because the team is better than expected, and part of that is the East being so terrible.
For me, the only real compelling thing I am looking forward to seeing play out is what happens with Igoudala. I honestly think this team can make the playoffs without him. I also think that with, or without him they won’t advance past the first round. It seems to me that guys like Turner, and even Young to an extent play better without Igoudala on the floor. I think that has nothing to do with Igoudala or his style of play but rather how those other guys are used by Collins because Igoudala is there.
It might be crazy, and totally off base but I think moving Igoudala is the best thing for the present and the future. But that all depends on the return.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
I’m even teetering on the "see what it takes to grab Tayshaun Prince and Marcus Camby and make a run" side of things.
My god.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 10, 2011 9:27 AM PST up reply actions
What’s the huge downside, exactly?
I’m not talking about giving up cornerstones.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jan 10, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
I’m not talking about giving up Iggy or Jrue or Turner. Everything else I view as expendable. The first round pick this year is going to be mid first round, particularly if you acquire one or both of Prince/Camby, it could be in the low 20’s. Neither have long term contracts, Prince expiring this year, Camby next. For “assets” like our first this year, Lou, Thad, Speights, and taking on an extra year of salary, I don’t view the risk as that great.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jan 10, 2011 12:36 PM PST up reply actions
Giving up any assets for an opportunity to win 1 or 2 extra games in the first round doesn’t excite me.
by Jordan Sams on Jan 10, 2011 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
I think getting prince and/or camby may get more than 1 or 2 first round wins.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jan 10, 2011 3:49 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t think 6th seed is out of the question.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jan 10, 2011 11:03 PM PST up reply actions
Camby yes, Prince no. I don’t want any more people taking minutes from Turner.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 11, 2011 6:35 AM PST up reply actions
I’d be trying to move Lou and Kapono, and I’d staple Nocioni to the bench while reducing Meeks’ minutes in a bench role he’s more suited to.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jan 11, 2011 9:19 AM PST up reply actions
You’re talking about a team that’s 7 games under .500 making the playoffs like it’s a good thing.
And the rules are only good for psychologically weak people who get their emotions confused.
I am not a blind fan, but a realistic one. The Sixers are entertainment and it is the way they play and approach the game that determines my pleasure. A Championship is the goal, and the steps that the team takes now will determine how fast they get there.
Right now, we’re a sub .500 team and the only reason we’re in the playoffs is because the Eastern Conference is filled with teams that suck. Keep in mind that even against such a sorry group we have a losing record. This is not a team that can win in the playoffs and rooting for an early exit is an exercise in futility which will last season after season, as they have enough talent to get into the playoffs, but not win a championship and are therefore in cap hell, destined to make the playoffs to be fodder for better teams and never accumulating the talent needed to really win.
Last season the Sixers didn’t have the worst record or even close, but we got lucky in the lottery. We blew our chance on the wrong pick, so I’m a little reluctant to go this route, but we have no other choice to turn this team into a winner.
We still don’t know the team’s potential since playing without Speights getting 35 min. game is like playing with one hand tied behind your back. Collins is the one that’s interfering with the development of the team, we may as well use him as we did Eddie Jordan and look to drop him.
Collins has cost us games all season with his poor decision making. It took him forever to find a semi-successful rotation, and many of the early losses can be attributed to his fumbling.
This is what you want me to root for, a poorly assembled team that doesn’t even explore it’s potential, gives a free ride to a coach simply because he’s better than EJ, and can’t even play .500 ball? What are you, some kind of whack-job!?!?!
Look it’s easy, you hope that the team will win, but understand that losses are your friend and in the team’s best long-term interests. So when they blow a game to a team they should beat like the Pistons you thank the basketball gods, correctly criticize the dopey coach and push for the changes you think will help the team.
If the Sixers start playing .600 ball then you start taking them seriously, not when they’re only playing .400! Schmuck!
I’d pay good money to meet Ricko in person. I think it’s time.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 10, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions
Its not fair to disregard what he says simply because of his name
Theres some parts to his statements that I dont agree with (ie Speights), but Mo has been playing better lately (SSS I know), and he does have some pretty good points other than that. Such as…
- I think hes right in saying we overrate Collins simply because he isnt Jordon (kinda like how a lot of people liked Obama in the beginning simply because he wasnt Bush).
- This team has no hope of winning a championship
- The team has a HORRIBLY assembled roster, and we realistically wont a championship until thats fixed
- Even if we do make the playoffs, it will only be becasue the bottom of the East is garbage. Just because the Sixers will likely be in the playoffs, doesnt mean theyre deserving of it.
Hes right, we should still be rooting for loses because we gain nothing from winning. If the WFC was filling up with people and the Sixers were becoming more popular because of the recent ‘success’, then I would be fine with the winning at the expense of a slightly worse draft pick. Unfortunatly (at least from what Ive seen, and I could be wrong), that isnt the case, so this team is really only hurting itself by winning.
by philiafan14364 on Jan 10, 2011 2:30 PM PST up reply actions
It’s not about his name. It’s about the following two statements.
We blew our chance on the wrong pick
We still don’t know the team’s potential since playing without Speights getting 35 min. game is like playing with one hand tied behind your back. Collins is the one that’s interfering with the development of the team
He needs to stop with both of these.
Fine, but 4 > 2 and you flatly disregard all of his points, even the valid ones, which makes me think it probably was about the name.
by philiafan14364 on Jan 10, 2011 3:37 PM PST up reply actions
Hopefully someone reads this....lol
1. I think hes right in saying we overrate Collins simply because he isnt Jordon (kinda like how a lot of people liked Obama in the beginning simply because he wasnt Bush).
I think we rate Collins exactly how he should be rated. We knew what his strengths were coming in and seeing his effect on the players gets us excited. He-who-shall-not-be-named isn’t the only coach we are comparing him too. The recent history of 76er coaches hasn’t been too pretty.
This team has no hope of winning a championship
Anything is possible? No, but seriously, I think we are all aware of that. Here’s my take on it. We have a ridiculously young team/core. So what if we don’t dive deeper into the playoffs than the first round? The point is to cause some noise, gain some playoff experience, and bring our team a little to the national spotlight. The lottery is a crapshoot. More losses just guarantees a slightly higher probability of gaining a top pick. At the pace we are going, we aren’t going to be the worst team in the league and even if we “root” for losses, it’s not like the team is going to suddenly take a few steps back and start tanking games. Might as well enjoy the ride! We know what the team is capable of, and with that in mind there should be no disappointment if and when they do lose.
The team has a HORRIBLY assembled roster, and we realistically wont a championship until thats fixed
There is only so much one can do mid season to fix that. Our only major trade chip is Andre Iguodala. I don’t want to argue for or against trading him because that’s another debate. I’ve always pointed out since I’ve joined LB that a lot of times you can tell that this roster doesn’t gel. I’m happy to say that it is slowly changing and it is obvious by the way we are running our half-court game on both sides of the ball. It isn’t always pretty and the lack of a serious front court really stifles a lot of what we are trying to do. However, I think we’ve taken a step forward and are putting together a core of players to build upon.
Also, this is why Collins has a hard time with decision making on court. You see flashes from the young guys but outside of Jrue, who else has been consistent? I don’t think Collins is lighting the world on fire but he’s doing well with the hand he’s dealt. Yes, he’s lost some games for us but his overall effect on the team outweighs the negatives, IMO.
Even if we do make the playoffs, it will only be becasue the bottom of the East is garbage. Just because the Sixers will likely be in the playoffs, doesnt mean theyre deserving of it.
We’ll see what the rest of the season brings us. The post season is another beast of its own. I said it before, post season experience is a good thing, no matter what the outcome of our time is there.
Finally, a point on RickoT. He’s a fellow fan and a fellow Liberty Baller so I am not trying to rip on him hard. However, though he is very firm on his thoughts, his points sometimes conflicts. His dislike of Turner and his love of Speights is one of the biggest and most obvious examples of it. In addition, I can’t recall a time where Speights wasn’t a focal point of his argument. I don’t mind that but I don’t blame other people for disregarding his points given his man-crush (and I don’t mean to offend here).
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
by soman319 on Jan 10, 2011 6:33 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
In response to your points...
- I guess I could see the argument, but dont agree with it, so agree to disagree I guess.
- I dont know. I think the Sixers making the playoffs as the 8th seed only to get obliterated by the Heat/Celtics would really just cause people to say “why the hell are they (the Sixers) allowed in the playoffs at all?” Might just end up giving the Sixers negative attention.
- I think everyone knows this roster has issues, which was what Ricko was saying. Nothing to really debate here. It is a true point and one that should not be met with a comment like “can someone provide me with a stop sign please”
- maybe…
by philiafan14364 on Jan 10, 2011 8:36 PM PST up reply actions
We’ve hung pretty tough with the Celtics and the Heat haven’t completely blown us out. I know that we don’t have a championship caliber team here but like I said, we can make some noise. I’d be happy with taking a game or two and I think that this team is capable of that.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
Oh and.
1. Not to poke at RickoT again, but it could be that some of his distaste of Collins stems from his lack of use of Speights? (No offense RickoT, I’m just making an observation.)
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
I read all of this just because it was soman. Well said, friend.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 11, 2011 6:37 AM PST up reply actions
Just as an FYi, the Comment guidelines state no politics so take your cute obama/bush comment elsewhere.
Lucky for me, that comment was about history not politcs. Just because the two people being compared are politicians doesnt make it a political comment. Do you mean to tell me that comments like “holy crap this game is closer than the 1960 presidential election!” are also not allowed? Seems like a stretch…
by philiafan14364 on Jan 10, 2011 8:30 PM PST up reply actions
I’ll allow it.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / SBN Philly / Twitter
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jan 11, 2011 6:38 AM PST up reply actions
I am not a blind fan, but a realistic one
What Jordan said was completely realistic. We are not getting a top 5 pick so why root for losses? I’d rather be in the playoffs then have a pick in the 10-14 range.
Which pick did the Sixers have last season, 7th or so. They got lucky and ended up with the #2 pick. It happens, and it’s a better chance for the Sixers to acquire the talent they need. Aside from the Turner pick the team has done a pretty good job drafting, and it’s abundantly clear we need a Center.
IF they had even a sliver of a chance, I’d want them to scratch and claw for every game, but this team isn’t close. Playoff teams have wining records. Sub .500 teams belong in the lottery. Teams with flaws in their roster like no top 10 or better Center need one to compete.
Know yourself and know your enemy. That is the key to success in battle. A realistic fan knows we can’t win. I’m not rooting for loses, I’m rooting for good play, but I know that the more losses the team has, the better.
Ideally, this team figures out Speights is a NBA quality power forward and the team misses the playoffs gets a better pick via the lottery than they deserve and draft a big man or package a trade. Because of the new agreement coming into play, there’s no way to do anything about that now, other than lose. I’m not worried since I know Doug will continue to find ways to blow games. He doesn’t respond when the other team finds a weakness, like the Pistons going back to Prince time and time again because he owns Nocioni. He likes to run his players into the ground and can’t tell when the momentum has shifted. And he refuses to try to play big under almost every circumstance.
Aside from the Turner pick the team has done a pretty good job drafting,
So you have completely written off Turner after almost half a season and yet you hold onto the belief that Speights is great after 2.5 seasons in which his best box score numbers were 8 and 4. I say box score because the advanced stats suggest he is a little better than that, but not much.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
I haven’t written off Turner, but he hasn’t done much to encourage me, or really any of you! I’m a little disappointed in Speights, but I don’t know how much of that is his fault and how much is Collins. Put it this way, Turner is getting more minutes on the floor, even though the team more often than not needed another big man. That pretty much points the fat finger at Collins!
I don’t disagree that Speights should get more time than he is. However I think Turner needs to get the minutes, if for any other reason than so he can prove that he either is the guy or he isn’t.
I don’t disagree that Collins rotations are iffy, they certainly are, especially at the end of games.
Collins can and has made this team better, he will make them a playoff team. But he is not a championship coach.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Speights wasn’t good under Maurice Cheeks, Tony DiLeo, Eddie Jordan, or Doug Collins. He has a reportedly poor work ethic and has shown little-to-no basketball IQ on the court. I can’t see why you could ever blame Collins for his poor performance.
When you misspeak like this it drives me a little crazy. His rookie year, he led big men in PER. He’s had double-double games whenever he’s gotten the minutes. I could accept him playing behind Dalembert, but not Hawes. Your characterization is completly incorrect!
Do some research for yourself and realize that Speights has put up excellent numbers when he’s had the opportunity. recognize that Speights major problem this season is a lack of PT. You can’t say a player sucks when he rebounds at the rate he does and is able to shoot and knock-down shots.
Every player makes mistakes and perhaps he makes more than he should, but he also produces and improves the Sixers offensive flow dramatically. The team scores more easily when he is in the game and he works well with Lou and Jrue. Who can run a pick and roll on this team, a tandem with a big and a small? Speights is one part of that equation, and the best candidate on the team.
I’m sick of arguing about this, as though any of our opinions are going to change Collins thinking. There is no doubt in my mind that the team would win more games if Speights played more. Therefore there is also no doubt that Collins is not a great coach, because he sure isn’t getting as much out of this group as possible.
We are not even to the All Star break left there is plenty of time for them to get .500 or better. I know before they got up to #2 last year they were supposed to pick 7th but teams that are supposed to pick 10-14 never move up in the lottery. Also Jrue was the 17th pick Jonny Flynn was the 5th who would you rather have?
Rule number one is intriguing because I’ve been on the “rooting for losses no matter what” train for a year and a half now, and it is SO sickening to root for the sixers to lose only to see them win, so it’s time to rethink my stance on this team. That list is also interesting, definitely some talent in players taken outside the lottery, and we as fans should feel at least semi confident in that Snider tends to draft well in the late lottery. Case and point, Thad and Lou are steals at their draft position, as well as Jrue.
Serious comment
I haven’t been this excited about a Sixers team in awhile
Writer for SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game
Twitter: @soundofphilly
I agree.
They are more exciting and they play hard every game. Doesn’t always translate into wins but at least they are putting forth the effort, they don’t seem completely lost like they did last year.
BOILER UP!! 2010-2011
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Sixers could be as far as the Eastern Conference finals if Collins improve on late game rotations, and if the players change their mindset with the lead late. Sixers were contending in the end vs. LA, Miami, and Boston. It’s a shame they can’t close it out. Hey it’s the Eastern Conference, Sixers shouldn’t be sweating making it in.
Success will be the best revenge
by secondroundpick on Jan 10, 2011 3:03 PM PST reply actions
No effin’ way! You are absolutely fooling yourself, extrapolating mid-season games to the Sixers chances in the conference finals. Boston, Orlando and Miami are so much better than us that it is impossible for us to compete. We can’t rebound with them, we can’t stop them from scoring inside and we can’t get a bucket against them. When they really try, we have no shot.
The Sixers are a .400 team, even if Collins did everything right we wouldn’t be much more than a .600 team. Good enough to be in the playoffs this season, but with no chance to win or grow organically into a championship team.
The better pick is more help to the team in the future. For now, simply keep developing the players we have, and blow a lot of games at the end, in order to stay in the lottery. It will be hard for us to miss the playoffs since so many other teams are bad, but this is the best path for the team.
I agree with you that we are not going to the eastern conference finals. That is pretty ridiculous. But Collins is not going to intentionally blow games if that’s what your implying nor will any coach because they are paid to win games. If we can only get Igoudola traded in the near future we will have a lot of development going on with your backcourt and maybe even your boy Mo Speights will get some more time with our terrible front court.
Yeah I’m goin for wins. This team is fun to watch, were playing good basketball and we have young guys developing. Hopefully soon we can get rid of Dre and get some more pics plus a mediocre big or two to help out. We just don’t suck enough this year to have a chance at the top pick so what’s the point. Like Jordan said it’s going to go down to missing the playoffs and having a chance at 10-14 pick or making the playoffs and getiing like15-16. I don’t think it matters much this draft doesn’t even seem that deep.
Nice to finally read. I have actually not read much of this blog with all this draft talk. If we are rooting for the 76ers to win, I am all in.
I love the stop sign above, btw!
Draft talk and rooting for wins aren’t mutually exclusive. I’ll always talk draft, all year, in every sport.
by Jordan Sams on Jan 10, 2011 8:34 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
hockey?
"I make love to pressure." - Stephen Jackson
"My passion is more passionate than ever." - Greg Paulus
by joe_digiacomo on Jan 10, 2011 11:30 PM PST up reply actions
A little recognition from NBA Awards Watch (espn.NBA.com)
Most Improved Player Of The Year Watch
5. Jrue Holiday, Sixers: Philly has been playing better ball lately, and it starts and stops with the play of the Sixers’ young point guard. – he’s behind Love, Felton, Beasley, and Eric Gordon
Sixth Man Of The Year Watch
5. Thaddeus Young, Sixers: Even though he is inconsistent, on most nights he provides a much-needed spark to the Sixers. He is averaging 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest. -behind Crawford, Terry, Davis, and Barbosa.
I’d be all for making improvements like the ones D-Bods said above, our lower level young players: Lou, Speights, the pick. Don’t figure to be that much better than they are: Bench guys.
Marcus Camby would be a welcome addition, on the court. He has Dalembert-itis though(extremely arrogant, as is most of that Nuggets franchise). I would however like to if possible make improvements to this roster while remaining young/in-prime.
How about the Clippers’s Chris Kaman? More of an offensive 5 than a defensive 5, but Kaman-Brand have been very successful together in the past. And Jrue’s such a high level PG right now that I dare say anything can happen. Especially with a co-existing Turner-Meeks.
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