Why the 76ers should make it five consecutive home wins
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Why the 76ers should make it five consecutive home wins
In both games this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 76ers have lost. The first game at home was a disaster, with the Sixers giving up a big late lead (we've heard that enough this season). The second game was on the road, a game the Sixers really should have won.
"They’ve owned us, twice," said Sixers coach Doug Collins after today's practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Embedded in this post should be a post of the end of today's practice, specifically of the guards going through a shooting drill and even more specifically of rookie Evan Turner. As Lou Williams said today, Turner is still smiling and having fun -- as evidenced at the end of the video -- so he's not too worried about the guy.
Considering how well the Sixers have played in the last two weeks, tomorrow night's game at the Wells Fargo Center should -- and let's repeat that word once again, should -- result in the team's fifth consecutive home victory and fifth win in the last five games. The Sixers are currently 5-4 at home and 1-10 on the road.
The big difference the team has going for them right now is the addition of Jodie Meeks to the starting lineup -- something that every Sixers' fan is clearly aware of.
"It’s a huge plus for us," Williams said of Meeks' play. "I’d be lying if I said I was expecting Jodie to be in the position that he is right now. But I think it’s a great thing for him and it’s a great thing for us."
"Teams really have to watch him when he’s coming off of a curl," said Andre Iguodala. "They take it for granted he’s going to knock down the shot."
All season, the Sixers have been looking for that fifth starter. At first it was Jason Kapono, who could spread the floor, but who wasn't a threat going to the basket and who was a liability on the defensive end. Then it was Andres Nocioni, but he wasn't a guy that could hurt you coming off of those screens and in some ways his game overlapped a little with the other guys on the floor. Also, Nocioni's minutes usually hover in the 15-22 minute range. Then it was Turner, who provided some rebounding at first, but whose offense proved non-existent when coupled with Iguodala.
Now, with Meeks, the team doesn't have a crippling weakness in that fifth starter position. The Sixers certainly aren't good enough yet to be competing with top tier teams, but in a home game against the Cavaliers, the Sixers have most likely found a lineup that gives them just enough of everything and limits the potential of a dud game.
Collins said Meeks' game mostly aids the games of Brand and Iguodala.
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"Have the Sixers turned the corner?" This at least the 2nd time this poll question has been asked. Who in blazes is posting this dumb question? Can't believe it's Kate. Kate, pls. say it ain't you! Turned what corner?! Everybody knows the only corner the Sixers will turn this season is in the hallway exiting the building.— wordsword- Usually the headlines and poll questions are written by that department and not the writer. Anyway, I will bite. Perhaps they have turned the corner and now can compete with the 20 other bad NBA teams every night. And sneak a few surprise wins 1-2 times a year vs the contenders when those teams have bad games. This is where they were under Cheeks and Dileo. A team that can fight for the 7-8 seed and be first round playoff fodder, then get the 14thish pick in the draft. Thats the ceiling for this roster if everything goes great. Sadly, without huge changes, that will be the ceiling forever. Not bad enough to get another top 3 pick, not good enough to matter come playoffs.— JonKap
They don't match up against Varejao. So it will probably be a loss. When they stop taking quick shots and start rebounding then I will say they have turned the corner. Taking a shot with 20 seconds left on the clock is the equivalent to swinging at the first pitch. The opposition doesn't even have to play defense all they have to do is rebound the eventual miss.- worse than just being bad - the Sixers are boring and have been for years. Probably the worst thing you can say about an entertainment business.— desert Charley
- Cleveland's garbage, why shouldn't they win. All DC does is celebrate wins against some of worst teams in the NBA. There are tons of them this season.— Drew777
- Kate is a great reporter, her columns are always well thought out. IT'S A SHAME that she has to cover this Sixers team that few care about.— FairmountFrank
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.
