Archive: October, 2008
We're about 45 minutes from the tip of the 76ers second game of the season, this one against the New York Knicks.
The big news coming out of the Wachovia Center is that new Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni placed Knicks star point guard (well, he used to be their star point guard) Stephon Marbury on the Inactive List. D'Antoni's reasoning: He just didn't have enough minutes for Marbury, and the minutes he did have, he thought might insult the $22 million/year guard.
Marbury was chillin' in the Knicks locker room before the game. And I say "chillin'" because that's what he was doing. He was dressed in black converse sneaks, jeans, and what looked like a cowboy button down. (Great details, I know.) He was talkative and upbeat.
It wasn't what the city expected from these new-look 76ers. They expected more half-court offense, better defense, improved shooting.
(But, really, whom are we kidding? The city's eyes were, and still are, on the Phillies. We'll wait out the wave of hysteria through tomorrow's parade down Broad St.)
Instead, what filled the Wachovia Center last night (a 95-84 loss to the Toronto Raptors) looked more like the Sixers from last November, than the NBA team that made the most waves this off-season.
The 76ers just confirmed that rookie Marreese Speights will be on the Inactive List for tonight's season opening game against the Toronto Raptors.
Speights had an impressive preseason, starting the last preseason game against the New Jersey Nets. Cheeks did not speak further about the decision to deactive Speights.
Also, Royal Ivey is serving the second game of a three-game suspension incurred last season. Ivey will not be in the arena tonight or on Friday.
The 76ers held shootaround this morning at PCOM (see photo for PCOM banner). Also starring in the photo with the PCOM banner is rookie center Marreese Speights.
Here are your starters, not shockingly, for tonight's season opening game against the Toronto Raptors (remember, 6 p.m. start to allow all Philadelphians to attend both the Sixers game and watch the Philllies in Game 5):
PG: Andre Miller
In honor of Opening Night (and with a slight nod to Phillies hysteria, yet plugging forth and carrying on the Live Chat tradition) we'll be holding a Live Chat today at 2 p.m.
76ers open the regular season tonight at home against the Toronto Raptors at 6 p.m. We have plenty of topics to cover: Royal Ivey's suspension, Thad Young's back, the Inactive List ...
So. 2 p.m. If you have a few minutes and you'd like to join, click here: Sixers Chat.
Here is the official release from the 76ers about tomorrow's season opener against the Toronto Raptors:
Philadelphia, Pa. – Oct. 28, 2008 – The Philadelphia 76ers today officially moved the start time of their home opener against the Toronto Raptors at the Wachovia Center on Wednesday, October 29 to 6:00 p.m. (from the scheduled 7:00 p.m. time) in anticipation of a World Series game being played at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 29.
The Sixers had their last practice (not of the season, but before the opener) this morning at PCOM ...
With the start of the NBA season one day away (read: season opens tomorrow night). The NBA released each team's Opening Day roster.
The Sixers Active List: Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert, Reggie Evans, Theo Ratliff, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Kareem Rush, Donyell Marshall, Royal Ivey, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams.
Inactive List: Jason Smith, Marreese Speights.
This morning, the 76ers held their second-to-last practice before Wednesday's season opener. I know we posted the potential time change, but let's reiterate: If the Phillies go to a Game 6, Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors will be bumped up an hour to 6 p.m.
Here are some details coming from PCOM (One more time: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine).
1.) This isn't breaking news, only a reminder: Guard Royal Ivey will be unavailable for Wednesday's opener due to a three-game suspension he earned at the end of last season. Ivey sat out the last season's finale, but must serve the remainder of the suspension this season. Ivey will be back for the Nov. 1 game at Atlanta. According to NBA News, Ivey's suspension came for "punching Bulls center Aaron Gray in the groin." (Um ... ouch?) Ivey will not be allowed in the arena and will count against the Sixers' 12 active players. That is to say, head coach Maurice Cheeks will still need to place one of his 12 healthy players on the inactive list for Wednesday's game.
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.
