Liberty Ballers: All Posts by Dave Rueter

NBA Draft: Why the Sixers Should Draft Mason Plumlee or Cody Zeller

2013-06-17T12:50:07Z

Between one of the 4,289 emails Mike has sent in the past month, one of them focused on our new draft feature, "Why the Sixers should draft ________." Mike listed ten or so players, and everyone took one prospect they would tout.

Well, apparently the last one to the dinner table gets stuck with Mason Plumlee and Cody Zeller - two of, if not the two most maligned prospects in the LB Community. Remember, kids. Constantly check your email.

So here we go.

I will now convince you that the Sixers should draft Mason Plumlee.

Mason Plumlee

NO! NO! NO! RT @wheresbenrivera I think the Sixers should draft Mason Plumlee.
— Kenny Brophy (@kjbrophy) June 15, 2013

@wheresbenrivera said no one ever
— Eric Tung (@tungeric) June 15, 2013

@wheresbenrivera no one cares. Fold the laundry.
— MJC (@mjcamps53) June 15, 2013

Moving on.

Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller is tall and white. I think we're all in agreement there.

And unless Larry Bird can somehow reenter the NBA Draft (Bird's back issues are a concern at age 56; but still some nice 2^nd Round value there), just about every white NBA prospect will have to shed the ‘soft' label, and the ‘stiff' label, and the ‘slow' label.

And I'm guilty of it, too.

I'm always expecting the Next Todd Fuller, the mountainous North Carolina St. Center whose foot speed rivaled that of a glacier.

"You white? Then you Ben Affleck." - Role Models

You big? You white? Then you're Todd Fuller.

During the NBA Draft Combine, Zeller finished first in the lane agility drill and the standing vertical leap (34.5 inches). He ran the fastest three quarter sprint of any big man, and recorded just a 4.5% body fat. 4.5%.

Mocks: Sixers Going Big

He's the Anti-Kwame. The only two people I know with lower body fat are the venerable Jordan Sams and the late, great Ravishing Rick Rude. Zeller's gonna eat a salad, and then beat his man down the court. He's a big who can run the floor. A big, who can help us shed this plodding, slow-paced half court offense that we've hung our mediocre hats on for the past two seasons. (The Sixers finished 20th in pace this season. Finished 24th last year).

I don't know what these combine tests mean. That's Derek's department. I'm just a guy who has a bunch of Pawn Stars episodes on DVR. But I do know that Zeller Brothers are like computers. Each one is better than the last.

Was it a fluke? Is Zeller really just a workout warrior? Or is Cody Zeller more athletic than his skin color suggests he should be?

Per Draft Express :

Zeller's stock took a bit of a hit this season, to the point that he is no longer a lock to get drafted in the top five as he was projected to start the year. He'll need to have a good showing during the pre-draft process, particularly in matchups with other players at his position, but it's difficult to see him falling too far in the draft considering he's an athletic 7-footer with tremendous scoring instincts. Barring injury, it's safe to say Zeller will be in the NBA for a long time.

This last line seems to be the consensus of most draft experts. Zeller could carve a niche in this league as a solid rotational player for years to come. And with the 11^th pick in a really weak draft, what else can you ask for? Greedy little fellas, you are. Is Bill Russell available at #11? Is Steven Adams, and his 7 points and 6 boards per game, actually Ralph Sampson in disguise?

People want the home run pick. Swing for the fences. A bunch of Ryan Howards swinging at breaking balls low and away. And I hear ya. The Sixers need a superstar. I get that. But he's not here. Not at #11.

Not in this year's draft.

By most accounts, Cody Zeller had a down sophomore campaign compared to his freshman season. And while his FG% decreased slightly, his rebounding percentage, a question mark of his game, improved. Before the season, he was considered a top-5 pick. Now, some teams' fans won't go anywhere near him. Cody Zeller is now an undervalued asset, a terrific buy-low candidate.

His demise has been greatly exaggerated.

Remember This Guy: Vernon Maxwell

2013-05-27T13:49:06Z

I played some quizzo last week with Mike and Tanner. Now, apparently, Mike's too good for the East Coast. He views our Philadelphian quirks and appreciation for Miller High Life tall boys with a Left Coast disdain.

I learned that Mike started drinking scotch, Tanner recently bought a motorcycle, and I'm currently waist-high in a khakis phase. Things have changed. And amidst a lengthy discussion about Delmon Young and tales of romance on the west coast, I was asked to write about Vernon Maxwell. Tanner, the Teller to Mike's Penn, nodded in agreement.

"I need at least three months," I told them.

You have until Memorial Day.

"Nobody likes a dictator."

How can you give me just a couple of days? It's like asking David McCullough to cover John Adams' life in just fifty pages. Vernon, like the 2^nd President of the United States, deserves so much more. I wasn't offended by Mike's deadline as a writer, but as a Maxwell fan.

So here goes nothing.

Name: Vernon Maxwell

Nickname: "Mad Max"

College: Florida

Sixers Tenure: 1995-1996; 2000

Semi-Believable Dialogue from 1995:

"Don't sleep on the Sixers this season, Ed."

Couldn't agree more. ‘Spoon is primed for a break-out campaign. ‘Stack already looks like a seasoned vet."

"And if Mad Max gets hot, Ed ..."

They say Vernon Maxwell never saw a shot he didn't like. They say Vernon Maxwell's range began once he stepped into the gym.

Legend has it that Vernon Maxwell pulled up for a jumper as soon he touched down at Philly International Airport back in ‘95. The fact that his shot rolled meekly down I-95 was beside the point. Maxwell played with an admirable and blatant disregard for shot selection and efficiency. He was a cavalier - not in the Cleveland sense - but in the vigilant sense. Shoot first; ask questions later, Mad Max.

Vern made you a believer. A dreamer. Area boys and girls from as far north as Easton could be seen practicing off-balance 18 footers on their driveways and Nerf nets.

My 11 year old self shot fadeaways in the kitchen while mother searched on the spice rack for the paprika. It was a tricky shot, sure, and certainly inefficient. The low ceiling and the unforgiving Nerf rim only compounded its difficulty. Should I have worked the shot clock, perhaps tried to get something moving towards the living room?

Maybe. But in 1995, the only thing I needed was a chip and a jump shot. Just like my Uncle Vern taught me.

Mad Max captured the imagination of this city. Six years old Mike Levin infamously wrote him a letter ; a letter in which he adorably asked for Mookie Blaylock's head on a stick. And while the request from Little Levin was a bit dark, violent even; you knew you could count on Vernon to give it the ‘ol college try.

I was scared when Vernon Maxwell was on my team. But I was even more terrified of playing against him. He earned the reputation of being a loose cannon, a ticking time bomb, or any other explosive used to describe the late Brian Pillman. His Wikipedia page includes a section entitled, "Behavioral Incidents," which has recently omitted the alleged rumor of Maxwell knowingly giving a woman herpes. (Along with Chase Utley's Baseball-Reference page, I have Vernon Maxwell's wiki article saved under My Favorites. It's really not a big deal).

Vernon joined John Lucas and the Sixers for the '95-'96 season. It was poorly constructed roster, an island of misfit toys that had as much chemistry as a Roger Lodge-narrated blind date.

"So, do you want to go in the hot tub?

No.

"Do you want to go in the hot tub now?"

No.

By spring, the Sixers were buried in the Eastern Conference's mother's basement. Lucas ran the offense through ‘Spoon, Maxwell and Rex Walters, since Jerry Stackhouse was properly locked in the closet of a Hampton Inn. Each contested nineteen footer was one small step for Rex's confidence, and one giant leap for the Tanking Movement^TM. With our sacrifice to Lucy complete, Sixers fans turned their sights towards the draft, the '96 Summer Olympics, WCW's Bash at the Beach.

Watch out for this Dominique Moceanu. Kid has electric stuff on the floor exercise.

"No argument here, Ed. And speaking of young cruiserweights, what about that Dean Malenko? Sure knows a lot of holds."

Vernon Maxwell played out the string for us. While we were busy discussing the intentions of The Outsiders and slapping the Texas Cloverleaf on our younger siblings, Mad Max had gone rogue. Without the supervision from us Sixers fans (attendance was sparse in those years), Maxwell compiled a string of mind-bogglingly incredible and selfish performances. We were powerless to stop him. Derrick Alston, too, was powerless to stop him.

The year was 1996.

The Sixers were playing New Jersey on a damp and unseasonably warm April night. Mad Max lit up the Nets to the tune of 41 points on 17-33 shooting. Vernon shot 17 threes, and recorded just one assist. That's a 17:1 three pointers attempted to assist ratio. Even Roy, LB's own Roy Burton, has played games of NBA Jam that have featured a more balanced scoring attack.

Vernon Maxwell was Brett Favre before Brett Favre was Brett Favre. He was a gun slinger. A maverick. A cavalier. A Sixer.

The next shot was always his best shot.

If Mad Max gets hot ...

Toot It or Boot It: Damien Wilkins

2013-04-29T13:00:11Z

Before we tackle the Damien Wilkins Conundrum, let's go to Mo ... for the official results.

Previous Toots: Dorell Wright, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner

Previous Boots: Nick Young, Royal Ivey, Lavoy Allen

Damien Wilkins squelched the Tanking Movement.

He was a wet blanket that smothered our lottery hopes and dreams with the methodical destruction of a pro wrestling squash match. Damien Wilkins was, well, Damien Wilkins, and we Sixers fans were Bob Jones, a 6'2" 245 lb. wrestler with generic black tights and boots who was billed from Des Moines, Iowa.

After a soul-crushing 3/4th of a season transpired, we became infatuated with a girl named Lucy - a mysterious little vixen who lived on the other side of the tanking tracks. Now, our mothers always warned us about girls like Lucy:

"Look what she did in 1993, sweetie. Or 2010."

Others, too.

lol RT @jrfingercsn: @michael_levin loser.
— Michael Levin (@Michael_Levin) March 22, 2013

But we adored Lucy and everything she represented. She hung out with the cool kids, sure - Nerlens, and Ben, and Victor, and Otto - but it was more than that. She was more than just the popular girl. Lucy took us to a world far from here. When you're in love you're in love you're in love, and we wanted Lucy.

But Damien Wilkins didn't approve. He told us that we were in over our heads; that we could never land a girl, or an octopus, that pretty.

Set your sights lower, he told us. Temper your expectations.

"But Dam-"

"How about Mason?" he asked. "Mason's more your speed."

We resisted. But the force was strong with this one.

Damien Wilkins helped navigate his team through the season-end struggles of a young point guard, a porous front court, and a lame duck coach. The Sixers won countles s meaningless games, and each and every headline in my jaded, distorted mind read, "~~Parker Lewis~~ Damien Wilkins Can't Lose."

My two biggest fears in this world are snakes and giving Damien Wilkins a four-year contract.

It's not a rational fear, I admit. Giving four years to a player in their 30s is a move reserved only for the Phillies nowadays.

"Get it done, Rube! The window is closing!"

But I don't think people have anything against Damien Wilkins. I certainly don't. I like Damien. I've gotten over the fact that he sabotaged the tanking effort. And besides, I don't think Lucy's heart was really in it. She was just not that into us, et al.

Damien Wilkins shouldn't be lambasted for playing above his head this season. Pro athletes don't care about your fantasy teams, and they certainly don't care about your tanking aspirations. Wilkins' job is to try and extend his NBA career as long as possible, and I imagine he did that. He most likely played himself into another year or two in the league.

He started 21 games for the Sixers, the most in his career since the '09-'10 season. He averaged just 6.4 per game, but it was a loud 6.4. Each and every precious ping-pong ball the Sixers clung to was seemingly exchanged for a Damien Wilkins' made basket in April. In hindsight, it was a short-sighted exchange. Offering your 1952 Topps Satchel Paige for a Jose Canseco rookie card in the spring of '88.

The Sixers will seemingly, hopefully, be entering a full-fledged rebuilding effort. It's gonna take time. Rome wasn't built in a day. And it wasn't built on a Damien Wilkins' mid-range jumper.

So take care, Damien. May I suggest Brooklyn? Ask for Billy.

Tell 'em the Sixers sent you.

Poll

Toot or Boot?

Toot It

52 votes

Boot It

126 votes

178 votes | Poll has closed

The Sixers and Their Coaches in the Last Decade: It's Not You. It's Me.

2013-04-22T13:00:08Z

Doug Collins resigned the other day.

Staring in the face of another season with this ragtag roster, Doug threw his hands up to the basketball heavens and pleaded, "No mas!" According to reports, Collins has known for a few months that he would quit at season's end. And I imagine it was a sudden revelation, too, like the moment you discover that you're just too old to shop at Urban Outfitters.

Collins becomes another coach in a little black book of coaches that the Sixers have dated and subsequently broke-up with since the Larry Brown Era (LBE). It's a promiscuous little organization, these Sixers, who have floozed their way through coaches like a college kid in Cancun.

The Sixers have dumped coaches (Eddie Jordan, Jim O'Brien). They've been dumped (Larry Brown, Doug Collins). And, in true Sixers fashion, they've remained friends with benefits with another.

"You're back together with Tony?"

Nah, we're just hangin' out.

Before we send the Sixers off to get tested (play safe, y'all), let's look back at the Sixers' coaches since the Larry Brown Era and ask, to quote Noel Gallagher, "Where did it all go wrong?"

Randy Ayers (2003-2004)

Time As Head Coach: Less than one season

Record: 21-31

Last Game: A 99-87 loss to New Jersey

Ayers lasted 52 games here as head coach. An assistant under Larry Brown, Ayers was appointed to the position after Brown left the Sixers for greener pastures. Brown had/has the tendency of leaving franchises with middling and aging rosters - the coaching equivalent of borrowing someone's car and returning it with the gas tank on E.

"The gas light just went on when I pulled into the driveway. I swear. I'll be in Detroit if you need me."

Brown, Iverson, and co. did will the Sixers to Eastern Conference Semis the year before, so a 21-31 record is certainly not what the Sixers brass envisioned when Randy took over. The Ayers Era was riddled with drama and cattiness. Iverson said the team lacked heart. Glenn Robinson griped about playing time, and Kenny Thomas openly complained about not getting another fifteen years added to his existing 23-year contract.

What would've Eddie Jordan done differently?

I'd run the Princeton offense, baby. Where is the movement? The screens? The '03-'04 Sixers just stood around with their hands in their pockets and stared at each other. Is this a junior high dance? Hey oh! I'd a played that Willie Green cat, and run him off some picks. You can't spell ‘Princeton' without ‘ton,' and we would've scored by the bushel, baby! Bada bing, bada boom! EJ out.

Chris Ford (2004)

Time As Head Coach: Less than one season

Record: 12-18

Last Game: A 95-89 loss at Orlando

Despite taking over a Sixers team that was ten games under .500, Chris Ford found himself just a 1 ½ games behind Boston for the final playoff spot. Sounds familiar, huh? Wash, Rinse. I'd like you to meet, Repeat.

Chris Ford was a former NBA coach, most notably leading the Celtics to some pretty decent seasons in the 1990s. But an aging Larry Bird and Kevin McHale weren't walking through that - etc, etc, etc. The '03-'04 Sixers outfit was broken. All the Marc Jackson hard fouls in the world couldn't save this season, but, god love ‘em, Marc tried.

Ford was just a place holder. A thick mustachioed placeholder, but a placeholder nonetheless. The Sixers recorded just a .400 winning percentage under his tutelage.

What would've Doug Moe done differently?

Listen here. I would've done two things.

First off, get rid of all the forwards and centers. Don't need ‘em. Don't like ‘em. Never cared for ‘em. They're just weighing you down, like bulky car keys in the pocket of cargo shorts. Here's the line-up I would have used:

G: Eric Snow

G Allen Iverson

G: Willie Green

G: Aaron McKie

G: John Salmons

Ain't she a beaut? Now push the tempo. Push the basketball. Never bring a tortoise to a greyhound race.

I'd also watch more film. It's all about the film. You got to dedicate yourself to more film study. In fact, I got a few recommendations for you.

Air Up There: A wonderful little flick starring Kevin Bacon as a college basketball coach recruiting ‘the next big thing' in Africa. Throughout his journey, Bacon begins to realize what really matters in life. Dougy Moe gives it 3 out of 4 stars.

Coach Carter : Samuel L. Jackson was terrific as Coach Carter, a basketball coach who touched his students' lives ON and OFF the court. A story of determination and team work. Dougy Moe gives it 3 ½ out of 4 stars.

Air Bud: A coming of age story about a boy and his basketball-playing dog. The characters would melt the coldest of hearts. Dougy Moe gives it 4 out of 4 stars.

Jim O'Brien (2004-2005)

Time As Head Coach: 1 season

Record: 43-39

Last Game: An 88-78 loss to Detroit in the first round of the playoffs

Like Ford, Jim O'Brien also came over from the Boston Celtics. O'Brien was the head coach of the C's during that horrific Celtics/Sixers series in 2002, which saw Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce knock down roughly 613 three pointers in five games.

A quick aside.

I attended Game 3 with my buddy. The Sixers won that day to extend the series, but that didn't stop ‘Toine from shoulder shimmying around the court like it was Studio 54. I vowed to my friend between bites of nachos that I would go down there and stop Walker myself. And I would have, too, if it wasn't for those pesky ushers.

Graded on results alone, O'Brien was fired unjustly; and his departure certainly came under scrutiny. The Sixers enjoyed a ten win improvement under O'Brien from the previous season, but it was ultimately creative differences between O'Brien and Billy King that led to his firing. From a May 24^th, 2005 article by Joe Juliano from the Philadelphia Inquirer:

But in evaluating the season, King said he didn't think the Sixers were heading in the right direction. He had a problem with the team's style of play, which included reliance on the three-point basket and a defense that protected the paint but had trouble getting out on perimeter shooters.

O'Brien also had a notable falling out with Chris Webber, who hopped his way from Sacramento to Philadelphia on one leg. The commute took about seven months. From a USA Today article by the AP in 2008:

O'Brien, now in his first year coaching Indiana, was fired after only one season in Philadelphia. Webber played 21 games for the Sixers that year, but rarely hid his distaste about playing for O'Brien. The pair clashed almost from the beginning, and Webber called the final 21 games "timeout times 50," a reference to his infamous gaffe at Michigan in the 1993 national championship game.

"He said, 'Coach, I don't do the low-post thing anymore,"' O'Brien recalled. "We just made a major trade to bring in this 6-11 guy and he said, 'No.' I said, 'Yes, you do."'

O'Brien was informed of his firing shortly after the first round playoff loss.

What would've Doug Collins done differently?

I'll tell you what I would've done. For starters, I would've told my team to step inside the three point line. What is this, Mardi Gras?

Secondly, I would've opened up the lines of communication. There was obviously some discord here between the players and the coach. How about a late night text, Jim? It doesn't have to be fancy - just something small. Let the team know you're thinking of ‘em. Try this.

"Hey C-Webb. How wuz the hop in? :) lol What r ur thoughts on playing in the low-post?"

And who is this Samuel Dalembert guy? Why was he on the court? He was 23 in 2005. Talk to me in eight years when he has a little experience under his belt.

Mo Cheeks (2005-2008)

Time As Head Coach: 3 plus seasons

Record: 122-147

Last Game: An 88-72 loss to the Cavs

Maurice "Mo" Cheeks is our most tenured coach on this list. Mo was hired instantly after the O'Brien firing under the time-tested, "Philadelphia Guy Comes Home" narrative. A narrative, I might add, that has spawned many sequels:

Welcome Home, Stefanski (It's a Philly Thing!)

Homeward Bound: Welcome to the Doug House

Perhaps Cheeks' most notable season at the helm was the 2006-2007 season, which featured the trading of Allen Iverson and, later, the most egregious example of playing for Pride in the last 500 years. The Sixers courageously went 31-2 in their last 33 games and played themselves right out of the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes. I've seen Satan. I've looked into his eyes, and thy name is ‘Andre.'

But, surprisingly, the Sixers didn't build off this late season momentum. I thought that winning meaningless games in March and April would have propelled the Sixers to a #4 seed the following season - thanks to their two big free agent off-season pick-ups: Continuity and Chemistry. Yet, the Sixers stumbled to a 40-42 record and another first-round loss to the Pistons.

Cheeks' last season with the club saw the arrival of Elton Brand and his busty contract. But the Old Chevy sputtered out of the gate/got injured, and after a 12-18 record, Cheeks was relieved of his duties.

What would've John Lucas done differently?

Before I answer this, let me respond with a question.

Why was Andre Miller on the court? If you guys were playing in Charlotte, I would've sent him on a charter flight to Milwaukee. He and Joe Smith torpedoed your tanking efforts. Were they on the take from Boston? Was this some sort of espionage coup? Did Joe Smith have a few anonymous financial benefactors in Oklahoma City?

Look at my last year as Sixers coach. We went 18-64 in '95-‘96. By April, we were starting Rex Walters, Derrick Alston, and LaSalle Thompson. That team wouldn't have finished in the top half of the Sun Belt. Sometime in the spring, we had locked Jerry Stackhouse in the closet of a Hampton Inn somewhere outside Atlanta. Was it drastic? Sure, but we provided him with plenty of water and non-perishables so it was fine really.

That decision paid dividends when Trevor Ruffin went 5-15 off the bench in Orlando one night. And you know what I did when he came back to the bench after a timeout? I'll tell ya.

I fist pounded Trevor. I told him to keep up the good work.

And you know what I told the media?

"Well, Ruffy had a tough day from the floor today. But he's a shooter, and I want him to keep shooting. He's trying to find his stroke right now. It's a process. And he's a pro. He's gonna keep working at it."

Two months later, we drafted Allen Iverson #1 overall. Easy, peasy, beautiful cover girl.

Oh, I got fired after the season; but that's not the question you asked.

Tony DiLeo (2008-2009)

Time As Head Coach: Less than one season

Record: 32-27

Last Game: A 114-89 loss to Orlando in the playoffs

Having been with the organization since the early 1990s in a wide variety of roles, Tony DiLeo was promoted to the head coaching position following Cheeks' dismissal. And the Sixers seemed to rally behind their vanilla, monotone coach.

What DiLeo lacked in charisma, he made up for in capital letters. The DiLeo-led Sixers scratched their way to a .500 record and battled with Orlando in an entertaining 6-game series. Along with some Game 1 heroics by Andre Iguodala and Donyell Marshall, series intrigue was created by a verbal spat between DiLeo and Stan Van Gundy.

DiLeo suggested that Dwight Howard spent far too much time socializing in the lane. Van Gundy's response was included in the Orlando Sentinel:

Van Gundy came in and opened up his interview session by asking if he should talk about the game or if he should "start lobbying for some calls too".

Another SVG gem: "I guess that's the only reason Dwight is having success in this series, has nothing to do with the fact that he's good."

DiLeo - never one to back down from a confrontation - took to the comment section of that same Orlando Sentinel website on Tuesday, April 28^th, 2009 at 11:58 PM.

wish you people would quit picking on me. I might have to suck my thumb vigorously and wet mt [sic] breeches otherwise. Thank you.

Posted by: Tony DiLeo | Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:58 PM

Who knew Tony read the Orlando Sentinel?

After a humiliating Game 6 loss in Philly (I was there. It was awful), DiLeo pulled his name out of the running for head coach.

What would've Larry Brown done differently?

I would've played the right way.

That's it? Anything else, Larry?

Was George Lynch available in 2009?

Eddie Jordan (2009-2010)

Time As Head Coach: 1 season

Record: 27-55

Last Game: A 125-111 loss to Orlando

The worst of the worst.

Basketball-Reference says that the Sixers attracted 583,000 + fans that season. Now, let me take a moment and do some quick math here ... 4,000 x 41 ... carry the one. Yeah, that's about right. About 583,000 fans.

If memory serves, the Sixers installed microphones on the rims that year, so the only sound you could hear from the Wachovia Center was a Willie Green missed 18 footer. I mean, it wasn't enough to have to watch a Willie jumper clank off the rim. But you had to hear it now, too. The 2009-2010 Sixers assaulted all your senses.

Eddie Jordan shoehorned the Sixers into his Princeton Offense; an offense that had a reception akin to an Adam Eaton Mayoral run.

"Vote 4 Eaton. I won 10 games in 2007. (Ignore my 6.29 ERA - I pitched to the score)"

The Sixers also brought back Allen Iverson for an ill-fated comeback. Or so I'm told. Now, I don't remember this return personally. I paid a lot of money for this little reunion tour to be erased from my memory, ala Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The Iverson move reeked of desperation, like putting some Neosporin on gangrene.

The Sixers were 5-15 at the time and quickly fading into obscurity. Players had already begun tuning Jordan out. From about December through spring, the only song I listened to was Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul." Partly because I like it. Partly because it summed up my feelings about the Eddie Jordan Era.

What would've Billy Cunningham done differently?

Just about everything. I had a .698 career winning % for Pete's sake.

Doug Collins (2010-2013)

Time As Head Coach: 3 seasons

Record: 110-120

Last Game: A 105-95 win over the Pacers

My reception towards Collins' hiring in 2010 was lukewarm. It was hard to discern Collins from the 'retread' label that is stamped on just about every semi-active coach not named Phil Jackson.

But Collins was a former Sixer, which made him 85% more likely to get the head coaching job. And if history has taught us anything, it's that this organization in particular loves their former players and local guys. Now, I don't feel the need to hire some coach or GM just because he grew up a few blocks from the Palestra and vacations with his family in north Wildwood.

"My neighbor, Bob, just gets it. He knows the city. He know how much the Sixers fans crave a winner. I saw him at Keenan's last Saturday - he's excited for the challenges ahead."

Undoubtedly, Collins' biggest success here came last year, when the Sixers knocke d off the Limpin' Bulls and pushed the hated Celtics to 7 games. And while I don't think Red Auerbach or even Gordon Bombay could've salvaged this season, Collins certainly didn't do himself any favors from a PR perspective.

So while a worn-out Doug Collins settles into his cushy 'consulting' role, the Sixers now begin the search for their 8th coach in ten years.

NBA Basketball Team seeks head coach for committed, long-term relationship. We've kissed a lot of frogs over the year, and now are looking for our prince. Seeking coach who can thrive with suspect roster and Spencer Hawes' mid-range game.

*** Special thanks to the very talented, John, for the photo shop picture. Be sure to follow John on Twitter at @PhilaticalArt ***

Dutch Oven'd: Butt Cats Smother Sixers, 88-83.

2013-04-04T01:58:20Z

The Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Sixers tonight, 88-83, in front of a sell out crowd at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Sixers jumped on the Bobcats in the opening minutes. Led by the Immortal Anti-Tanker Damien Wilkins (20 points, 9 rebounds. 7-14 from the floor), the Sixers sprinted out to an eight point lead after the first frame. Wilkins, who is proving that 33 is the new 21, continued a string of new-found offensive prowess that has left Lucy the Tanking Octopus confused, hurt, and on the first bus to Cleveland.

Wilkins' recent play is both maddening and fascinating, and if I have one more glass of wine, I'm probably gonna offer Wilkins a max contract.

So, please, someone take the Yellowtail away from me.

The Bobcats clawed their way back in the second quarter. Backed by a balanced attack and some sloppy turnovers by the Sixers, Charlotte chipped away at a double-digit deficit and cut the Sixers lead to 45-40 at the break.

The Sixers were outscored 24-16 in the third, in yet another candidate for the worst quarter of basketball this season. Here are a few events that took place:

-Kemba Walker treated the Sixers like a middling Big East team. Think South Florida, with a splash of Providence.

-My wife begged me to put on the Phillies game on three different occasions.

-I saw a 'Pargo' on the floor, and was instantly confused.

-The cameras showed Doug Collins on the bench who looked more disgruntled than Ricky Sanchez after his rights were traded.

-The cameras also panned to Tony DiLeo, who was playing with his cell phone. But knowing DiLeo - and I think I do based on his press conferences as head coach - DiLeo was probably doing something DiLeoish like checking his weather app or scrolling through the settings options.

"Airplane mode on. Airplane mode off. Airplane mode on. Airplane -"

The Sixers and Bobcats rode the tanking seesaw - made by Fisher Price - in the fourth quarter, but the Sixers could not survive an absolutely horrid game by Jrue Holiday. Jrue was terrible, like playing hungover at the Y terrible. Jrue Holiday was 2-24 from the field, which I didn't think it was possible. But, hey, Sixers.

Tonight's game was an abomination for basketball fans, but a generous offering to the tanking overlords. And while the Sixers and Lucy aren't exactly dating again, tonight's game was equivalent to a Saturday night booty call.

"Last night was a mistake, Lucy. We're with Damien now."

"You texted me, Sixers."

Other Potent Potables

-Josh McRoberts had 12 points and 16 rebounds. I didn't believe it either, but box score don't lie.

-Gerald Henderson had 24 points on 10-18 shooting.

-Tonight also marked the Sixers debut of Justin Holiday. Justin scored 2 points on 1-5 shooting. He scored three fewer points than his brother, on 19 less shots.

Sixers vs. Bobcats Game Thread

2013-04-03T22:15:04Z

Game 157
	vs.
April 3, 2013
Time Warner Cable Arena
7:00 EST
Comcast SportsNet
Probable Starters
Jason Hart	PG	Jrue Holiday
Keith Bogans	SG	Evan Turner
Jason Kapono	SF	Damien "4 years/20 million" Wilkins
Walter Hermann	PF	Thaddeus Young
Primoz Brezec	C	Spencer Hawes
2012/13 Advanced Stats
91.6 (16th)	Pace	90.8 (21st)
101.4 (28th)	ORtg	102.0 (27th)
112.2 (30th)	DRtg	105.6 (15th)
Game Officials
Kimmy Gibbler
Stewart Minkus
Cody Lambert

Sixers vs. Bobcats Preview: Charlotte Getting Relegated?

2013-04-03T14:00:11Z

In a historic decision announced yesterday by the National Basketball Association, league president, David Stern, declared that the NBA Competition and Integrity Act was passed unanimously by the league's board of directors.

The Act, which will adopt relegation rules similar to the English Premier League, will go into effect immediately for the 2013-2014 NBA season.

The ruling has sent shock waves throughout the entire league. Struggling NBA teams, which have been accused of 'tanking' for improved draft position, are now scrambling to climb out of the cellar of the NBA. The Competition and Integrity Act declares that the NBA team with the worst record at season's end will be relegated, or demoted, to the Developmental League.

In turn, the champion of the NBDL will be promoted to the NBA.

Will Kobe Bryant and the Lakers being play a home and home next year with the Bakersfield Jam? Hey, it could happen.

The Competition and Integrity Act (informally known as "The Anti-Tanking Act") received widespread public support three weeks ago after the Charlotte Bobcats played ball boy, Bobby Simons, 34 minutes in their 99-78 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Simons, a 5'3" 9th grader at nearby Nicholas Sparks High School, told reporters after the game that he doesn't even like basketball.

"It was exciting to get a jersey with my own name on it," said Simons, 14. "But it's not something I would really want to do again." Simons finished the game 0-7 from the floor with 1 rebound, and 28 turnovers. Immediately following the game, the NBA issued a formal statement denouncing the actions of the Charlotte Bobcats organization.

"The NBA prides itself on competition, fair play, and providing the highest quality of talent to its fans all across the world. What occurred tonight in Charlotte was a black eye for the organization, the league, and the NBA fans. We will be speaking with all parties involved in the decision to play Mr. Simons 34 minutes at the power forward position."

While Charlotte team owner, Michael Jordan, could not be reached for comment, Bobcats center, DeSagana Diop, denied any perceived tanking on the team's part.

"We thought Bobby could bring some things to the table. He's a high-energy guy, you know? Coach wanted to go small - exploit some matches. It just didn't work out. But every guy in that locker room is busting his tail off. Everyone's giving 110%. Even Si [Simons]."

While one team's fan base in cities like Charlotte, Orlando, and Cleveland are just weeks away from an impending franchise demotion, residents of Bakersfield, Santa Cruz, Canton, and Ft. Wayne are welcoming the league's decision with open arms.

"The City and the community of Ft. Wayne is ecstatic at the possibility of hosting an NBA franchise," said Ft. Wayne, IN mayor, Tom Henry. "We wish the Mad Ants the best of luck for the remainder of their season." Ft. Wayne's last professional team at the highest level was the Ft. Wayne Forts, a member of the North American Soccer League from 1973 through 1975. (The Forts finished a franchise best 6-11-3 in 1974).

The Bobcats, who currently hold the league's worst record at 17-57, trail the Orlando Magic by two games.

Charlotte hosts the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Sixers Run Past Kings; Snap Three Month Road Losing Streak

2013-03-25T03:43:00Z

The Sixers snapped a 15 game road losing streak tonight, defeating the Sacramento Kings 117-103.

The Sixers initially carried a three day hangover from their mind-blowing loss to Denver Thursday (Apparently fouling a three-point shooter with a two point lead in the game's waning seconds is akin to drinking well tequila). The Kings jumped on the Sixers early. Led by Tyreke Evans (12 points; 4 assists in 1st quarter; 19 points; 8 assists, 8-15 for the game), Sacramento shot an NBA Jamesque 62% from the floor and jumped out to a 31-22 lead after one.

Is it the shoes? Nah, just the Sixers defense.

In an unexpected storyline, Spencer Hawes was booed every time he touched the ball by the Sacramento faithful (According to the telecast, the Sac Town hospitality stemmed from Hawes' recent comments about the Kings moving to Seattle. Hawes is a Washington native and supports the move). Before Zumoff gave the viewers some context, I was a bit confused. I wasn't sure why Kings fans were vehemently booing dribble handoffs. It's very rare that a player is disliked by both team's fan bases; yet, here we are. The '12-'13 Sixers.

To his credit, Hawes seem to embrace the heel role. He pulled Jimmer's tights when the ref had his back turned, and told a few Kings fans in the front row about the cultural accomplishments of Seattle.

Marcus Thornton became the latest player to sign a contract with the Cartier Martin Shooting Stars (random players who have torched the Sixers). Thornton scored 22 points on 9-12 shooting.

But despite a fast start by the Kings, the Sixers hung around. The bench played a big role in the second quarter run, scoring 30 of the team's 58 first-half points. Lavoy Allen shook off the Temple loss (12 points on 5-6 shooting in first half), and D333333 Wright chipped in 16 first half points, including four triples. Lavoy Allen recorded a career high in points, dropping 20 on a tidy 9-13 shooting.

The Sixers and Kings were knotted at 58 in a very fast and loose first half.

No doubt inspired by La Salle's last second victory (and the Southwest Philly Floater. Gross) in the round of 32, the Sixers jumped out to a quick lead after intermission. The third quarter was a highly entertaining affair - with an assist given to a terrific Kings crowd - that was light years more enjoyable than that Magic/Sixers slugfest I was subject to a couple of weeks ago.

Defense was certainly optional, and, I'll have to check the box score again, but I think even Shelvin Mack dropped 18 off the bench. D33333 Wright banked in a three. Former MAAC standout, Jason Thompson, airballed a free throw. Good times were had by all.

The Sixers enjoyed a 91-82 cushion after three.

The fourth quarter was completely dominated by the Sixers. It was a bad night for Lucy offerings, but a good night for fun basketball. The Sixers jumped all over the Kings in transition. The Sixers did their best Florida Gulf Coast impression in the second half (E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!). Philly got numerous looks at the rim and in transition. Damien Wilkins continued his string of strong play, dropping 17 points and 6 rebounds, and subsequently hiring Scott Boras as his agent in one full swoop. Jrue Holiday also filled up the box score, recording 21, 10, 7, and 5 steals. Jrue shot 9-20 from the floor. Dorell Wright finished with 6 triples.

The Sixers snapped a road losing streak that extended back to the Orange Bowl, and recorded a season-high in points in the process.

They will be in action tomorrow in Utah.

On a related note, my heart aches for the Kings fan base. The crowd was great. They deserve much better.

Malikism

"This game is not over." - Said with the score 78-77 in the third quarter.