Sixers Not Doomed Yet
There is a general feeling that the Detroit Pistons have finally woken up and that they will now go on and put the 76ers away in six games.
Here are three words that we would say to that - Not so fast.
While the Pistons looked li
Sixers Not Doomed Yet
There is a general feeling that the Detroit Pistons have finally woken up and that they will now go on and put the 76ers away in six games.
Here are three words that we would say to that - Not so fast.
While the Pistons looked like they crushed the Sixers spirit with Sunday's 93-84 win, who is to say they have turned the corner for good? Or who is to say the Sixers have finally faded?
The Pistons have been wildly inconsistent in this series. Many said after their Game 2 romp of the Sixers that the Pistons would now be in overdrive.
And then the next game the Pistons looked like they were shell-shocked, with little intensity in their 95-75 loss to the Sixers.
So it would be premature for anybody to conclude the series is over. Then again, the Sixers have to show that they are capable of wiping away the bitter aftertaste of the second half of Game 4, where Detroit simply steamrolled them.
At Monday's practice, the Sixers said all the right things, about how confident they were and how they have to do a better job in various situations, particularly defending the screen and roll.
What seemed to hurt the Sixers the most about Sunday's loss was that Detroit played harder than the Sixers in the second half. While the Sixers don't always match teams in the talent department, they pride themselves on bringing it every game. In Game 4, they only brought it for a half.
The players talked about how they relaxed late in the second quarter once they were up 14 points. And the relaxation extended into the second half.
No doubt the Sixers have their work cut out for them and there is a good reason why many figure they are finished. Still, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
For that matter so does Detroit. The Pistons haven't shown consistency and fire for any extended period this series. Which is why Game 5 should be so compelling. And also why this series, which some felt would be over by now, has provided us with no shortage of drama.
Said it the other day after game 3, will say it again: this is going 7 games.— Morty_- I suspect Pistons have been on and off like a spigot because they don't truly take Sixers seriously. Their demonstrations of sharp focus and motivation have been sporadic. That attitude might do them in against our scrappy bunch, but my guess is they'll scratch 2 more out somehow vs. the Philadelphia Incubators. (No more 19 yr. olds, please, ES.) *** seude, Interesting note, if true. It's a fairly futile strategy to have guards run at a 6'10" arc shooter. Sixers are too hung up on running game, make sacrifices in seeking ignition. Yes, it's a team strength but too much reliance is a weakness. *** A flag with #25 for Chester "Chet The Jet" Walker (1 yr w/Nats, 6 w/original 76ers, 6 w/Bulls) should be hanging from Wachovia rafters, especially since Bobby Jones was so honored.— jjg
- Jumpin, heard it said but forget by whom, don!t like all the switching, wish they would just man up.I always picture Chet next to Butterbean. I think the sporadic play is part from disrespect and part from playing, in some ways, a mirror image of themselves, especially if we go bigger.— seude
- Marc, What happened I thought you might have gotten canceled because of budget cutts or something. I see they are doing this new thing with you on line. I didn't where the write up went to. Ray— rayzoe
- seude, yeah, switching is weak, the lazy route - creates a lot of mismatches. *** Walker & Love - a sweet forward pairing; both could light it up. But Walker & Lucious Jackson was even better (for balance purposes). Luke was Reggie Evans plus, with a game. Blew out his achilles tendon when his career was peaking; what a shame. *** Mirror image duel - some credence to that.— jjg
- Sam has gotten better in his stance, lower base and moving his feet but he!ll never be Astaire out on the perimeter. Sheed is a unique talent along with Bosh and Garnett, 6!11" guys that play like a 2.— seude
- I logged on and then realized that I really don't have anything pertinent to say. Ok, I will throw this out there - I recently realized how little I like the restricted area under the basket. Whose idea was this? Why did they change that rule? David Stern is the most pompous piece of garbage in sports.— hugh
- Hugh, Orlando just won, if we win in 7 they willbe sitting and waiting, not always a good thing for a team. Stern is a dictator, reminds me of Nepolean.— seude
- jjg, makin' me google all these old-timer names... I got one for you - I read an article comparing Tyler Hansbrough and Mitch Kupchak - good comparison?— sixerzguy
- Yeah - if we win this series - big if. The obvious mismatch with Howard will be a major problem and the shooting capability of Orlando is a tough matchup for anyone. That said, I think our approach would actually have to be to slow it down offensively. Orlando is slow on the perimeter and Miller, Lou, etc. can get to the rim and create shots for others, draw fouls, etc. - you never know. Yeah, I can't stand Stern - he keeps changing rules - one year you can use your forearm in the post - next you can't - he institutes the zone - he puts in the rookie contract which is hurting more than it is helping. He has referres betting on games and you know that was a deeper issue than just Donaghy. He is going to run this league into the ground soon. 5 to 6 more years and there will be a lockout again.— hugh
- sixerzguy, Hansbrough is crazy tough, Kupchak was just tough. From what I remember, Mitch could shoot it a little better. Comparison seems apt though.— jjg
- Watching J.Johnson do what a star is supposed to do. Josh Smith looks good, still don!t like his perimeter oriented game but talent is impressive.— seude
- Joe Johnson showed why they brought him in to be the go to guy. Unstoppable against one of the best defense in the history of the NBA.— ReclinerGM
- If we're going to win two of the next three games I think we need to try to get Dre started. Rip Hamilton's defense has been soft through the first 4 games. I say move Iggy to the 2 and start Thad at the 3. If the Pistons try to use Tayshaun to guard Iggy, the Sixers will have major mismatches to exploit. Willie has played well, so this is probably not a full-time strategy, but if we start the game this way it gives us a chance to jump out early and get the Pistons out of their comfort zone. This is not to mention the possible benefits on defense. Andre is a great defender but Prince is too big and long for him (see 11/12 shooting for 23 pts in game 4). Even though he has been great at motivating the team, I've yet to see Mo make any major adjustments. That's what you need to survive these long playoff series. That, and a leading scorer. Please Mo, make it happen.— nskaroff
- Since we're reminiscing of Sixers of yore (Lucious, Chet the Jet), anybody remember the great Villanova backcourt of Wally Wonder and Hubie White? I think Hansbrough is more like Gene "the Bumper" Tormohlen than he is Kupchak. :)— SwollCracker
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.
