I read Jordan's most recent posting about how Evan Turner is showing improvement during the playoffs with great interest. Frankly, I haven't seen it, other than the first couple of games in Chicago. But I trust our bloglords to have a deeper statistically-based understanding of things, and they generally make sense.

As our regulars know, I am a huge Evan Turner fan. I love his all-around game, his humble attitude, his increasing fire on the court, and his potential to be a really interesting contributor. He has certainly shown real flashes of it this season, as his minutes normalized toward the end, and as his role solidified. I still believe he's going to be a significant player in this league.

That being said, I am finding our rabid defense of his play this postseason a bit baffling, and I disagree with Jordan's analysis. Why? Jordan says it himself:

...from a pure numbers standpoint, his production has been downright awful.

24 guards have played at least 30 minutes per game in these Playoffs. Only two – Ramon Sessions and J.R. Smith – have a lower PER than Evan Turner (10.0), and J.R. Smith is the only player with a lower true shooting percentage. From a conventional numbers standpoint, only Smith and Jason Kidd have a lower field goal percentage than Turner, and Turner is the only qualified guard without a made three-pointer. Points per game: Turner ranks 21st of 24.

I'm seeing the same things Jordan is. I think Turner's more aggressive approach will eventually pay dividends in future seasons. But production is production, and lack of production is lack of production, and Turner has in no way been productive, certainly not on the offensive end, where he has been downright offensive. He's not scoring, what little scoring he's done has been horrifically inefficient, and he's been a turnover factory.

I think it's OK to love Evan Turner and still recognize that he's been miserable this postseason. Of course, pretty much every player on the Sixers' roster has flirted with miserable this postseason in terms of individual performances (except maybe Lavoy Allen, who has shined, mostly because he's in comparison with non-existent Elton Brand and actively-playing-for-the-other-team Spencer Hawes). We all desperately want Turner to be great, to justify his lofty draft position. I believe he's made some real progress this season, to the point where I don't think anyone really believes he's a BUST!!!!! anymore. He's my second-favorite player on the team, after 'Dre. But my dude's been bad this postseason for the most part, and it's OK to admit that.

This postseason has gone from weird to downright baffling and bizarre. I still want them to make the Finals, though, just to shut everyone up. Especially the douchenugget national 'heads who refuse to give the Sixers the tiniest bit of credit for beating either the Bulls (still a super-top defensive team without Rose or Noah, and probably still more talented than the Sixers) or having a tied series with the Celtics (always a favorite of the DN'Hs, not to mention a Der Stern darling).

I have been a fan of this team since 1976, and I will always be a fan of this team, even if they re-sign Spencer Hawes to a max deal (although I reserve the right to complain about it incessantly if they do). But it's OK to love your team, even to love your players, and still think they're playing like crap right now.

Now get the hell off my lawn, dammit, before I call the cops!!!

Love and kisses,

Your Curmudgeon

Link to game story (with Williams, Holiday, Allen, Turner video interviews):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/sixers-rally-to-stun-celtics-even-series/article_268ef053-69e1-5a90-ab3f-38e49f2ffd10.html

Here is part of the story:

“I don’t even know where to start,” said Sixers coach Doug Collins afterward. “Our guys are pretty amazing. They really, really are.”

A team that managed nine field goals on 23.1 percent shooting in the first half had 22 baskets on 51.2 percent shooting after intermission.

As a result, the Sixers head to Boston for Game 5 Monday night (7, TNT) tied at 2-2. Game 6 will be Wednesday evening in South Philadelphia (time TBA).

Link to Sixers story (with Holiday, Hawes video interviews):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/sixers-defense-can-t-rest-in-game/article_4c4f96dd-7af5-5667-bb37-b8a84fffac3f.html

Here is a portion of the story:

Boston made an astounding 26 of 34 shots (76.5 percent) from late in the first quarter through the middle of the third period.

While giving the Celtics credit for the way they moved the ball and found their top players (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo), Collins also said, “I just didn’t think we put up much resistance.”

According to Collins, Garnett is shooting 46 percent when former Temple University standout Lavoy Allen is in the game and 71 percent when Allen is on the bench.

Link to column (with Elton Brand video interview):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/celtics-show-plenty-of-life/article_963e91f6-c001-5d81-adc2-7a8ff0b6cdfa.html

Here is a portion of the column:

"They looked at that other (Heat-Pacers) series and saw an opportunity," Collins said.

And the Celtics played with more urgency than the Sixers.

"It seemed like they didn't want to be down 2-1 more than we wanted to be up 2-1," said Elton Brand.

The Sixers had played three consecutive one-point playoff games, making them the first team in NBA history to do so, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Link to notes story:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/no-challenge-too-big-for-allen/article_beea0632-ca36-5043-bcc6-82fed7e43fe4.html

Here is a portion of the story:

Added to a 12-point, 8-rebound showing in Game 1, Allen has scored 10-plus points in both playoff meetings with the Celtics after not reaching double digits in consecutive games in 41 regular-season games.

Allen has outscored Boston star Paul Pierce 22-21 on seven fewer shots (14 to 21) in the first two games of the series. (To be fair, Pierce is bothered by a sprained MCL.)

I'll admit it: I didn't think they would get past the Bulls. Originally, I expected a sweep. Then, after all the injuries, I figured it would be over in 6. I thought they would lose Game 6 and then a Game 7 in Chicago.

I expected maybe one win against the Celtics, and I didn't think the series would be quite this competitive.

So. I was wrong. And I admit I'm glad I am, at least for the moment. I like watching our team give Boston all they can handle. I even enjoyed watching KG finally get called for mugging and general thuggery. And yes, I now want them to win this series.

But in the long term, what does this mean?

I still have the same concerns I did when I was rooting for losses at the end of the season so they would miss the playoffs. It's going to be increasingly hard to break up a team that is having unexpected playoff success. It reinforces the "we're only one piece away" mentality.

Mostly, I'm concerned that each win brings us one step closer to re-signing Tha BOSS and "Spencer Hades" (h/t Derek's phone's auto-correct). Continuity! If it ain't broken, don't fix it!

OK, so, anyway. The question on my mind is: As much fun as it is to see the Sixers doing this well in the playoffs, against all reasonable expectations, is this playoff success worth another five years of BOSS ISOs and ED softness in the paint? Would we trade a trip to the ECF for five years of exceptionally irritating .500 ball?

What do we think?

Link to blog from morning shootaround (with Evan Turner video on subject):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/sixers-trying-to-solve-celtics-small-lineup/article_2a51334f-1741-5779-8500-e9d7885dcf38.html

Here is a part of the blog:

Normally, the Sixers are quite effective with a small lineup featuring Thaddeus Young at power forward and Elton Brand as an undersized center.

But with Young bothered by a sprained ankle and sore knee that happened in the second quarter and Brand ineffective, Collins went with either Spencer Hawes or rookie Lavoy Allen at center and Andre Iguodala matched up on Pierce as (really) undersized power forwards.

"My philosophy has always been if a team goes small, then pound them," Collins said. "We don't have that kind of team."

Link to Sixers notes (with Brand, Young video):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/philadelphia-looking-for-more-from-brand-young/article_95d7d13d-6a67-5b03-9276-b68e724d102e.html

Here is part of the notes story:

"Thad and EB, we've got to get those guys playing better," said Collins after Sunday's practice at TD Garden.

Collins removed Brand from the game for good 3:39 into the third quarter. Rookie Lavoy Allen and starter Spencer Hawes were the big men the rest of the way.

Part of the problem was Brand's ineffectiveness, and some had to do with the difficulty he has matching up with Paul Pierce when Boston goes to its small lineup.

Link to Sunday column:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/not-sixers-celtics-of-old-but-still-compelling/article_6f6bdd5c-c1a1-54e7-829d-f62275c77782.html

Here is a portion of the column:

The stakes aren't nearly as high today. A trip to the Finals isn't at stake and there aren't stars of Erving's and Bird's caliber or with such charisma.

And the rivalry isn't nearly as fierce. Philly fans still get visibly rankled when recalling Red Auerbach lighting a giant victory cigar after a playoff victory over the Sixers.

The winner of the conference semifinal series between the Sixers and Celtics that began Saturday night at TD Garden will almost certainly face the daunting task of facing league MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat.

Blog (with Iguodala/Brand video and photo):

http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/an-incredible-ending/article_24a88bc5-e438-5383-a9ca-65fd3f4b2e39.html

Here is a portion of the blog:

Rather than dribble around to run time off the clock with the Bulls ahead by one, Watson inexplicably drove toward the basket and fed fill-in big man Omer Asik on his wing. Spencer Hawes fouled Asik hard, grabbing Asik around the neck. If it had happened earlier in the game, that might've been ruled a flagrant foul.

Instead, Asik, a 45.6 percent free-throw shooter during the regular season, missed both free throws with 7.0 seconds left.

"I'm screaming at Jrue to get a foul," Collins said. "I'm glad he didn't. I said, ‘Good move there.' "