Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2009, 4:26 PM | 15 comments |
 

What's It Mean To Be 4-0?
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The 76ers have won their first four preseason games for the fifth time since 1963. As they prepare for a pair of weekend games against the Phoenix Suns, is that enough for you to begin to hope and dream about the coming season? Is it even enough to get a feel for what the season might be like?

Don't go off the deep end yet with Eddie Jordan and his Princeton offense, but here's what history says about the Sixers winning at least their first four preseason games--

1967-68: They swept their first six in a 7-2 preseason. Powered by Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer and Billy Cunningham, they went 62-20.

1968-69: They took their first five in a 12-game preaseason (7-5), then went 55-27 behind Cunningham, Greer and Chet Walker.

1975-76: They won their first four in the preseason, finishing 6-2. With George McGinnis, Doug Collins, Fred Carter and Steve Mix (not to mention young Lloyd Free and Joe Bryant), they were 46-36.

1978-79: They won their first four in a 7-1 preseason. Led by Julius Erving, Collins, Darryl Dawkins, Henry Bibby and Maurice Cheeks, they went 47-35.

What, if anything, does that mean in reference to this season?

Not a clue.

Just offering a dollop of Sixerville in the midst of the Phillies' run.

 

 
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 4:26 PM  Permalink | 15 comments
15
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:27 PM, 10/15/2009
    What's It Mean To Be 4-0? I'll tell you what it means, it means that the whole NBA better watch out! They will have scoring at all 5 positions with that awesome Princeton offense. I'm predicting 25-5 out the gate and another banner for the rafters once the season ends. This young stud team with a mix of veterans is ready to explode on the scene. I going to make sure that I clear out my schedule for the months of May and June for when this team get the 1st of many championships!
    — Nothing but the truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:53 PM, 10/15/2009
    I need a little of what you are smokin', Nothing but the Truth. Although there might be some improvement from last year, my guess would be no more than + 5 games, max, and that is given no major injuries and Brand back to some semblance of his former self.
    — jrwoznicki
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:58 PM, 10/15/2009
    Considering no team in NBA history has ever won a title without a top superstar, it means nothing.
    — JonKap
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:58 PM, 10/15/2009
    It's the preseason. It means nothing yet.
    — BlairW
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:19 AM, 10/16/2009
    It means squat.
    — JSaq
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:26 AM, 10/16/2009
    PLEASE! Are y'all crazy or something? 4-0 in the preseason means jack squat! The Detroit Lions is a football team. This is basketball! With this team, it doesn't mean a thing because we still have a star that doesn't know how to be SUPER, we have a stiff at center and we still don't kow how the former Clipper will mesh with this offense. No need to pay attention to these bums until the baseball and football seasons are over.
    — Panthro22
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:17 AM, 10/16/2009
    The answer is it probably does not count for much, but it's still encouraging- for both the team and the fans. You play to win the games.
    — spizz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:37 AM, 10/16/2009
    Well it means alot because the sixers are trying to win our hearts back especially now that the eagles are doing good the flyers are looking better and of course the phillies are the kings of the city. Let just hope for a healthy season and get to the playoffs and then anything can happen.
    — perezme
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:40 AM, 10/16/2009
    It means the teams that they played probably aren't too good.
    — jss31
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:27 AM, 10/16/2009
    jonkap - didnt the detroit pistions will recently without a bonafide superstar? they won with team ball and it appears the 76 are heading that way. but yeah i agree it doesnt mean much and the teams they are playing are weak. never the less a wins a win and thats what wins
    — phightingreen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:33 AM, 10/16/2009
    jss31 has it right. The Sixers are still learning the Princeton, which is intended to give them good looks when their individual one-on-one game isn't working. The team still hasn't learned it yet, and even abandoned it against the Knicks, since of few of them played for Jordan and knew it better. The Sixers were a .500 team last season without Brand and his 20-19 game. Lou Williams is a quicker guard than Andre Miller and should do more for the teams offense and defense. With the improvement expected from Thad, Lou and Andre, plus Speights and hopefully Jason Smith and Jrue Holiday, we should see marked improvement, It's no surprise they were able to beat Toronto without it's two best players, and the Nets and Knicks. I'm not even sure the Suns are a good team this season. When they outplay a good team or an above average team then we'll know a lot more about how they will do. I'm expecting a 50 win season, but it could be better or worse. Put it this way, it's better than 4 losses!
    — ricky
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:41 AM, 10/16/2009
    All I can say it means is that it's better than going 0-4. I think winning can only help but we can't put too much stock into pre-season. Winning is still winning...
    — Delaware Mike
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:52 AM, 10/16/2009
    I'll tell you what it means... GET Sammy D the ball down on the Block!! The Haitian Sensation is an All Star in the making!! Remember when he led Seton Hall over Temple in the dance? He's a money player baby!!!
    — FetchDixon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:56 AM, 10/16/2009
    What's It Mean To Be 4-0? Jack! I like what "truth" said, good one T.
    — rayzoe


15 comments
About Bob Cooney
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.

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