Sixers Make Pistons & Predictors Look Bad
After checking with the NBA office, it's now official, this reporter's pick of Detroit beating the 76ers in five games can't happen.
The Sixers made sure of foiling that prediction with Friday's 95-75 pounding of the Pistons to take a two ga
Sixers Make Pistons & Predictors Look Bad
After checking with the NBA office, it's now official, this reporter's pick of Detroit beating the 76ers in five games can't happen.
The Sixers made sure of foiling that prediction with Friday's 95-75 pounding of the Pistons to take a two games to one lead in their best of seven series.
It helped to be energied by the crowd, but the Sixers also made the Pistons look like a tired, old team.
Detroit has the capability to come back in this series, but not if the Pistons don't show more energy.
All the talk this series was how the Sixers would struggle in the half-court offense.
Well, Detroit missed 17 consecutive field goal attempts beginning early in the third quarter.
The Sixers made the Pistons look their age, which is old. While Andre Iguodala continues to struggle with his shot, the Pistons Chauncey Billups isn't faring much better. Billups, a notorious Sixers-killer, shot just 2 for 11 and is shooting just 30.8 percent for the series.
It's surprising to see a Pistons team that prides itself on taking care of the ball, commit 25 turnovers.
Considering how dominant Detroit was in Wednesday's 105-88 win, this may have been one of the Sixers most impressive victories.
It also was their best defensive effort of the season.
And now the Sixers are likely laughing at all who picked the Pistons in five. And those who made those picks, deserve any jeers for once again underestimating the will and ability of the surprising Sixers.
Now, if you're all going to put Iguodala down based on his *playoff* performance so far, I really have no defense. He really hasn't been an elite player so far in this series. But 3 games is a small sample size. If he performs like this throughout a 10 game run, say, then there might be something to the notion that he isn't as good under pressure (like, say, Barry Bonds). But it's too early to make that claim. (NEW PARAGRAPH) Final point: you're all making the claim that Iguodala shouldn't be offered the max based on the assumption that max players have to be go-to guys. I disagree with that assumption. If Scottie Pippen (not a go-to guy) were playing today, he'd be worth the max, and Iguodala's stats from his first four years are almost identical to Pippen's. To use a more recent example, was the Webber we thought we were getting in 2004 a go-to guy? The Sixers were willing to pay over the max for a #2 guy, and we all thought it was a good move at the time.— Statman- Stateman - No selective memory. Just like you and others are quick to point out end-games that went well like those 4-games (which I saw them all) I want everyone to also consider the flip side as well. There are equally if not more occasions when took bad shots. I don't mind when you miss a good shot. The shot you want to take. It happens. What I am talking about are the times he drives and flips the ball over his head and gets bailed out by Sammy who catches the air ball and puts it in. Or takes a fadeaway 17-footer - that's just not his game. On top of the times when they don't even give him the rock and go with Lou Williams in that break down situation. ------------- Further the bulk of the discussion is regarding his playoff play over these 3 games. When defenses get stinger and the game slows down and those open court points are limited. Now his 38% 2-pt shots become a bigger part of his shot attempts and that is what we are seeing right now. And when they win this series I would expect more of the same. What are the shooting % splits against Eastern Conference playoff teams from the regular season? Isn't that what matters most right now?— ReclinerGM
- By the way anyone paying attention/care about the NFL Draft?— ReclinerGM
- recGM, yes. going over the neighbors shortly. Leave when the flyers start. I like the idea of the offensive lineman who can start at guard and move to tackle. Those tackles are old.— sfw
- sfw - agreed ------------ Update: Antonio McDyess went back to Detroit for surgery on his nose and his availability for Sunday's game is even more in question. Is that a good or bad thing? Would likely mean more minutes for Jason Maxiell. Do we really want that?— ReclinerGM
Comment removed.- Matchups mean a lot in basketball, B.Bowen is shutting down S.Nash in their series, should Pheonix get rid of him? Prince is a nightmare defensively for a guy 3" smaller. Do K.Bogans, R.Allen, A.Parkeror J.Johnson shut down Iggy when he moves to the 2 guard, I don!t think so. I hope he signs[12 mill.?] and moves to the 2.Three point shooting may not be a strength of this team next year but from 15 to 18 feet we will be a good shooting team.,— seude
- 18ppg, 11apg, 2.3 to and 51% from the field is shutting steve nash down in that series? If Prince was shutting Iggy down to those numbers I think I could live with that.— ReclinerGM
- Been watching last game and a half of Pheonix series, didn!t see Nash do anything but watch Parker go by him [33 ppg.] and have trouble creating for his teammates, but his numbers are good, I!ll give you that. I think Iggy can be Moncrief or Pippen like and his versatility is a valuable asset . Don!t think we get him for less than we offered last year [11 mill +]. I can!t forget the last month and a 1/2 because of 2 bad games this past week, still say if Rip was covering him it would be less of an issue.— seude
- Moncrief could flat-out shoot. Pippen was a freak of nature. Both defended better than Iguodala. Iguodala will never approach their games in terms of skills and efficiency. He was nuts to turn down offer, but then his game, while versatile, is a little nuts too.— jjg
- Jumpin, Moncrief had a great middle game, something Iggy lacks so far, but was never a great deep shooter; Pippen, early in his career had the same 2 short comings Iggy has now, turnovers and consistant shooting. People talk as though he is a finished product but if he improves next year like he did this year he has a chance to be a borderline allstar talent. He will never be Labron or Koby but guys that play both ends of the court are hard to find in this E.S.P.N. generation.— seude
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
