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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
How Much Fight Is Left In The Sixers?

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The 76ers haven't always played well this season, but even in defeat on many occasions, they have shown plenty of fight.

In the last six quarters they haven't shown that same spirit and now they could be down to their final four quarters of the year.

 Coach Maurice Cheeks insisted after Tuesday's 98-81 loss to the Detroit Pistons that put his team down 3 games to 2 in the best-of-seven series, that there is plenty of fight left in his team.

If only they could give an indication of it on the court. The Sixers were outscored 58-37 in the second half of Sunday's 93-84 loss. And on Tuesday they were outplayed the entire game (even though they outscored the Pistons in the second and fourth quarters).

The Sixers could never rebound from the opening body blow delivered by the Pistons during a 35-21 first quarter.

That's not to say the Sixers didn't play hard. It's just that they were extremely unproductive. And they seemed demoralized.

Then again when the Pistons are into it, they are still a very impressive team. This is the same Pistons team that looked on the elderly side in losing Game 3, 95-75. That game seems like a long time ago.

The Pistons appear to be refocused and one has to question whether the Sixers have any answers when all five of Detroit's starters are on the same page.

Even with Andre Iguodala having his first solid game of the series, the Sixers will be in trouble if none of the other starters plays well, which is what happened in Game 5. 

Samuel Dalembert, who has had one exceptional game in an otherwise disappinting series, was thoroughly outplayed by Rasheed Wallace (who had 19 points, six rebounds and six blocked shots).

Andre Miller picked an inopportune time to have his worst game of the series. The only other Sixer besides Iguodala who performed well was Lou Williams (16 points).

The Sixers have no choice but to put this game behind them and based on their performance, it shouldn't be too hard to do.

Still. one has to wonder how much confidence the Sixers have at this point and whether they have it in them to come back once again when virtually everybody thinks they may stay down for good.

Posted by Marc Narducci @ 11:25 PM  Permalink | 30 comments
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Comments
Posted by Dean1 11:33 PM, 04/29/2008
The Game 4 loss was a demoralizing defeat...obviously, it carried over into tonight's effort. However, the Sixers have had their backs to the wall before and have come out swinging. I agree with Mark's assessment that Sam has had a pretty terrible series (much like Iggy) other than Game #3. It was good to see Iggy finally back to his normal self tonight, but in order to force a 7th game, both Andres and Sam need to have good performances. I still think we win on Thursday, and if that's the case, anything can happen in a Game 7. One note from tonight's telecast...how annoying was it that Mark Zumoff was trying to sell Game 6 tickets no less than 15 to 20 times. The analysis of the game even took a back seat at times to the shameless promotion. As a season ticket holder, I've been completely offended by this massive discounting / free tickets all season long. Not once have the loyal, PAYING customers been offered any sort of rebate or discount. Typical Comcast move - what a joke. It almost makes me not want to renew my season tickets for next year.
Posted by neldogg77 12:38 AM, 04/30/2008
Pretty awful performance tonight. The longer the series goes on, the more obvious it is that we need a real go-to scorer. Yes, AIG scored 21 tonight - but where was he while the Pistons were going on the 14-4 run in the 3rdQ to put the game away? Three shots in the 3Q? Not the sign of a player who wants to impose his will on the game. If Miller had hit at least a few jumpers, it'd have been a much more competitive game. The good things about this series: ES should see the team for what it really is, the young players (Young, Williams, Carney) got some experience, and hopefully we can use some of the cap room to get a great player. Because that's what we need - a GREAT player if we're going to compete for championships. Someone who will carry the team, the way AI did, Barkley, etc. Detroit has dominated whenever it wanted to, not b/c the Sixers haven't brought effort and energy, but b/c once they got hot, we had nobody who could match them bucket for bucket. And we couldn't protect the glass. Dean, sorry to hear about the Comcast b.s. I watched the game on NBATV and was subjected to Steve Jones and whoever the other schmuck they got was.
Posted by Statman 12:59 AM, 04/30/2008
Well, I was going to say that the only redeeming thing about this game was that we would be spared a couple days of Iguodala abuse by the growing Iguodala Hate Club, but I see there's already a negative comment. All I heard the last couple days was how he was forcing shots and trying too hard to take matters into his own hands, and now it's his fault for not taking the game into his own hands? The man just can't win with the hardcore Sixers fans! I'm sure those in the IHC will find cause to complain about his game, but what I saw in Iguodala was the only Sixer (other than maybe Lou Williams) who played at a high level, the only Sixer who was willing (or even able) to set up anyone else (he had 6 assists plus a couple other set-ups of foul shots, the rest of the team had 7 assists), and the only Sixer who was able to keep his man in front of him on defense. By the way, neldogg77: don't forget that the other AI "carried" his team (a better team, at least on paper) to one fewer win the last time the Sixers faced the Pistons.
Posted by sixerzguy 07:37 AM, 04/30/2008
I want frontcourt scoring for next year. If we don't address that with a FA or a trade, I want Darrell Arthur from Kansas; doesn't rebound, but he'd be a major upgrade over what we have in terms of scoring.
Posted by dervin 07:40 AM, 04/30/2008
Last night, the Sixers couldn't buy a basket and Detroit couldn't miss even if they tried (see the T. Young tip in). If you look at steals, rebounds, fouls, turnovers, Fast Break Points, FT's the sixers played a pretty darn good game. The pure shooting has been a problem for this team all year. And if there's antying we've learned from this team is they never quit. They could have quit after Iverson and Weber left. They could have quit at 18-30. They could have quit after game 2. They may get blown out in game 6, but they sure as hell won't quit on us.
Posted by sixerzguy 08:00 AM, 04/30/2008
I'm glad Iggy finally got that good game in. I thought he was great last night, even though he wasn't perfect. As Statman pointed out, he was great on defense, taking advantage of one of his strengths. He shook off that "go-to guy" pressure and just played his game. I still think he shouldn't ask for a raise in the offseason unless he leads this team back to a series win.
Posted by sixerzguy 08:07 AM, 04/30/2008
Reggie, Andre Miller - give up on the flopping and just focus on basketball. The refs aren't going for it anymore. Andre, tough game last night, I thought you got fouled a couple times but the refs didn't call anything. Reggie, despite what people say about your offense, at the very least, when you try to score, you usually end up getting the other team's bigs in foul trouble, we sure could use that now.
Posted by hugh 08:45 AM, 04/30/2008
I have wavered on Iggy, and even though I really like him - I don't want to see him tie up this team's cap space for the next 7 years. He, as I have stated before, is not a run stopper - he does not hit big shots when teams are on runs and he does not command a double team, because he spends too much time on the perimeter. I know JJG and I disagree here, but I would really like to see him take advantage of his size, strength and athleticism. While I understand that it takes balance and patience to work in the post - I think this is where he can provide a great deal of value to this team. He also needs to continue to improve his jump shot. He has gone through some really good stretches this season where he has knocked down tough shots. but there have been times where he is way off. In watching this series, I realized that the best player on this team in 2 years is, without doubt, going to be Young. He is bursting with potential. I would like to see him get more looks in the next game (or two). Detroit seems to have some trouble defending him.
Posted by Benny Profane 09:21 AM, 04/30/2008
I will bludgeon anyone who tries to "Get to the Net" That promo needs to die. Kill it. Also, last night confirmed my hatred of Zumoff with all his shilling for game 6 tickets. I know he's just doing his job, but it's the homer-ish way that he presents himself.
Posted by SwollCracker 09:43 AM, 04/30/2008
I was not able to watch the game last night. For those that did, was it any different than the second half of Game 4 when the Sixers struggled to defend the Billups/Wallace high screen sets and Detroit pummeled them on the glass?
Posted by Morty_ 09:59 AM, 04/30/2008
Detroit came out on fire, and we could not match them, mostly because Miller was having an awful game. In the 2nd quarter they had multiple chances to knock the deficit in half or more against Detroit's bench, but shot themselves in the foot time after time. And then, of course, got blown out again in the 3rd.
Posted by Morty_ 10:00 AM, 04/30/2008
hugh: I agree about Thad being the most talented player on this team in a couple years. I envision him and Igoudala on the court together as a 2 headed monster.
Posted by Morty_ 10:02 AM, 04/30/2008
I still would not be shocked to see them win game 6. This team has shown so much heart, and the ability to forget a tough loss, that although I would be impressed, I would not be amazed.
Posted by Benny Profane 10:16 AM, 04/30/2008
Sixers are going nowhere this year, we all know this. However, I gotta believe that the more games they win, the extra enticing it will be for a good free agent to come here. Bring on game 7!
Posted by BFrank 10:53 AM, 04/30/2008

I love Igoudala for his all-around game, but if we're not going to move him to SG next year, I'm ready to let him go. Here's my reasoning:

Not signing Igoudala increases the Sixers Cap Space from $10 M to $20 M and allows us to go after Brand, Smith or whoever Ed thinks the best front court player out there is for this team.

It's more likely there will be guys available in the draft who can step in and play SG than PF. I'm okay with Carney starting at SG next year with Williams and Green backing him up and our Draft pick developing. Especailly if we have a legit PF starting along with Sammy, Young and Miller.

I know, we're not out of the playoffs yet, but...
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