Archive: February, 2010
The 76ers should officially be done talking about the playoffs. Of course, until they are actually mathematically eliminated, it’s unlikely we’ll stop hearing about a last-gasp push for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot, which currently belongs to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Sixers are now 22-35, which means they’ll need to finish around 19-6 to contend for that last playoff spot. And considering their next two opponents are the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, odds are that in two games they’ll need to finish around 19-4.
OK, here's the latest going on with the 76ers here from Oracle Arena in Oakland. Tonight, the Sixers play the Golden State Warriors in the first of a three-game Western swing that continues tomorrow night and the Suns and finishes up on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
We're all caught up on the Allen Iverson news (definitely out until March 1 at home against the Orlando Magic, but likely longer, and perhaps for good). Just spoke with coach Eddie Jordan and he'll be starting a backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams.
Sixers will still be without Willie Green, who's been out with a shoulder injury since Feb. 16 against the Miami heat, and Jason Smith, who sprained his right ankle against the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 10. Green's absence, combined with Iverson's absence, will leave the Sixers with few options at guard. Good thing will be that Jordan and the organization can probably get an early look at Jodie Meeks, which they obviously wanted when trading for Meeks.
Jodie Meeks, acquired yesterday from the Milwaukee Bucks, will be in uniform tonight for the 76ers although coach Eddie Jordan insinuated it was unlikely Meeks would play. Meeks worked with assistant coach Aaron McKie for about 15-20 minutes before tonight's game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Yesterday, the Sixers traded guard Royal Ivey, center Primoz Brezec and a 2010 second-round pick, for Meeks and center Francisco Elson. The trade became official today.
Elson isn't here and is on the inactive list for tonight's game -- hernia surgery. Also not playing tonight for the Sixers is guard Willie Green (shoulder) and Jason Smith (ankle). Jordan will start a backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Allen Iverson.
Kate Fagan takes your questions, comments, complaints, or anything else about the 76ers' deadline-day trades in a live chat at 3 p.m. Friday.
Here's the official deal: the 76ers have traded guard Royal Ivey and center Primoz Brezec plus a second-round draft pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Jodie Meeks and center Francisco Elson. It was initially reported that the Sixers would receive a second-round draft pick, but that information was backwards, they have given the second-round pick.
Earlier at Sixers practice, saw Brezec standing against the wall being talked to a lot, didn't see Ivey, but was told he was at the practice. When I asked to talk to Ivey -- a little bit late -- was told he was already gone from the facility.
Here's what Ivey Tweeted earlier: "Well it's done I'm going back to the Mil! It's been real going miss my teammates real rap! It's a business got to get it!"
- Poll: What is the best hope for the 76ers? (1591 votes)
Tonight, ESPN.com is reporting that the Houston Rockets, long trying to trade Tracy McGrady and his $23 million expiring contract, have narrowed their choices to the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. According to this article, the Rockets expect to decide tomorrow on where to send McGrady. SI.com is laying out the details of the deal between Houston and the Knicks, implying that's likely the deal that will go down.
As recently as a few weeks ago, the Rockets (and McGrady) were linked to the 76ers in trade rumors. Since that time, it's become clear that Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski does not want to deal for expiring contracts, wanting only to entertain trade scenarios that will improve the current, on-floor product. Stefanski reiterated this position before tonight's embarrassing 105-78 loss to the *Miami Heat* at the Wachovia Center.
Said Stefanski: "We're very active and a lot of teams are looking for us to do financial deals, to send back expiring contracts and we want to improve the product on the court." There's more from Stefanski in tomorrow's notes package from tonight's game.
The 76ers practiced tonight at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and guard Allen Iverson was back on the floor. It was the Sixers first practice since losing at the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 10. Iverson hadn't played or practiced with the Sixers since a win over the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 31.
Iverson was absent for personal reasons related to the sickness of his 4-year-old daughter. Sixers coach Eddie Jordan indicated Iverson was likely to come off the bench.
In the Deep Sixer video player below on the right is the video of Iverson speaking after tonight's practice. He said he'd be lying if he didn't admit he considered not returning to the team. Check it out ...
It's the All-Star break of this very interesting season. A few days to step back and evaluate what has happened and consider what might happen going forward.
The 76ers are 20-32, 5.5 games out of the Eastern Conference's last playoff spot. Considering the 12-game losing streak and the 7-22 record, this is not an awful place for the Sixers. Considering they were 41-41 last season and were thought to be on the improve, it's a pretty awful place.
Since this is the first real break in the schedule, it's the first time we can look back on the good and the bad (okay, perhaps there's more bad), and break down post-break possibilities. First, I'm currently looking at the results from the first 52 games. It really is surprising how many games the Sixers should have won. And we're not talking about that game against the Celtics and Cavaliers when they were ahead a few buckets going into the fourth quarter. We're talking games against bad teams with double-digit leads. Or games against decent teams that, looking back, should have been won. Here they are, in chronological order:
As first released by ESPN.com, 76ers guard Allen Iverson has decided against playing in Sunday's All-Star Game in Dallas. Iverson will be replaced on the team by David Lee of the New York Knicks.
Iverson has missed the Sixers last 5 games due to personal reasons related to the illness of his daughter. As recently as midday today, Iverson was still thought to be participating in the game, for which he was chosen as a starter by the fans.
A release is expected soon from the NBA.
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.
