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.
All-rehab coach. Give him John Drew, Vin Baker, Chris Washburn, John Brisker, Marvin Barnes--see what he cooks up.— jjg- Quote from R.Barry from "LOOSE BALLS"; D.Moe, before his knee issues, was a better player than D.Debusschere. Great book by the way.— seude
- David Stern gave the refs a call before the game tonight, the ratings would take a beating if both the Pistons and Celtics get taken out in the 1st round. It's WWE time... The Pistons are getting all the calls tonight.— sixerzguy
- Naaa no ref talk. Our pick and roll defense isn't any better and billups is getting a lot of open shots and driving lanes.— ReclinerGM
- That defense isn't as bad as last game's, we took a punch, and we're still in it... Come on, the refs can be one-sided sometimes, this is one of those times, no Celts, no Motown, no dough for David $tern.— sixerzguy
- Darn, it's happening again, I really hope there was some strategizing during halftime, what the heck. Can this team not concentrate on defense for 48 minutes?— sixerzguy
- Can't guard anyone, anywhere on the floor. Don't get down 26 because of a couple poor or missed calls. I honestly can't watch this anymore. Turning into a massacre.— ReclinerGM
- Mo is a horrible playoff coach... Thad isn't boxing out, I don't know what he's doing. This group ain't doing squat, why won't Mo change things up?— sixerzguy
- Refs more balanced this quarter, but Dannie, you're right, I can't believe we didn't come out of halftime more ready.— sixerzguy
- Why are we trying to win with just guard play? Why can't we change things up just a teeny little bit? Why is LouWill the only one who trusts the big guys? Give Reggie and Jason more shots, I said this already, Mo is a horrible playoff coach.— sixerzguy
- suede, I was hoping you weren't right about one thing, but you were - the Sixers' basketball IQ really worries me.— sixerzguy
- Over matched. We need great game from Miller to be competitive. It was one of those games that we were never really in it. I just watched another shot by Smith get blocked. It happens way too often. I have to forget this night and hope for a win next game.— gba
- Nothing to say about us, Pistons put on a clinic. Gaining new respect for Sheed, one of the best.Wonder if all the good is forgotten if we don!t fight tooth and nail thursday.— seude
- I wonder if people are gonna talk about the game, I don't really think there's much to talk about, it was the same old, same old. Seriously, there's nothing to talk about. The Sixers win Game 6 only if the following happens: a) they gets lots of turnovers, and b) Detroit shoots poorly. That's it. Mo won't change, he won't adjust. We're gonna do the same exact thing in Game 6 that we did tonight, and guess what, it won't work then, either. We did nothing tonight to make Detroit have to watch video of tonight's game.— sixerzguy
- I will be at the game on Thursday. Just gotta focus on the positive. Detroit did what they were suppose to do. Now it is the Sixers turn to hold court at home. Now that I think about it even more I DO like a game 7 in Detroit. Because 100% of the pressure will be on the Pistons. And you just never know if they will implode like they did last year.— ReclinerGM
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.
