No time for Sixers overconfidence
The latest 76ers news from Philly.com.
No time for Sixers overconfidence
The 76ers ability to put away lesser talent has been a major reason for their success. As we mentioned after the win over Cleveland, the Sixers were 18-5 against sub .500 teams.
And now they face another struggling team when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.
The Wizards took an 11-38 record into Thursday’s game at Indiana and this will test the Sixers ability to guard against overconfidence.
This season the Sixers are 3-0 against the Wizards and the closest win was by 13 points. In the three games, the Sixers are averaging 108.7 points while the Wizards are averaging 87.3 points.
Yes, the Wizards have upgraded their level of professionalism with the acquisition of Nene. However, this is still a team that has too many young players beaten down by losing, including point guard John Wall, who seems to have regressed during his second year.
From the Sixers point of view, a blowout win is the best possible scenario simply becaue they have to face Atlanta the next night at the Wells Fargo Center.
If the Sixers can save some minutes, it will be huge. Then again, Atlanta will also be playing the second of a back-to-back, having to host the Knicks on Friday.
Not looking ahead to Atlanta will be key for the Sixers. They have proven they can beat the lesser-quality teams, but they still can’t take anything for granted, even against one of the NBA’s least successful teams.
I didn't even know the Wizards got Nene. Would have been nice if we could have gotten him. We probably could have given the Nuggets more than they got in the deal they made.— CBent1- Weakside v Dallas lebron AND Wade have passed up open catch and shoot jumpers and drove. Lebron made one going left. close out his right. Wade drove with the clock down passed to bosh BOSH MISSED Dallas DIDN'T GRAB THE BOARD wade scored on a 2nd chance opportunity. Miami made an adjustment went high screen roll with lebron/ud. ZONE THE HIGH SCREEN ROLL! rotate to ud and stay home on the corner 3. Lebrons' guy has to DROP and cover the lane. To protect v a LAY UP AND TO KEEP LEBRON ON THE PERIMETER.— combocancer1975
- Combo is the greatest.— philsix6
- Lebron wade and bosh COMBINED made only 1. ONE! weakside catch and shoot jumper ONE! They passed up the rest or attempted to drive the lane. Dallas lost this game Miami didn't win it. Don't underestimate Norris and chalmers playmaking ability. D THEM UP!— combocancer1975
- Nene's contract is burdensome and Denver was more than happy to dumo it...Despite decision making gaffes, Wall's averaging 17.1 pts,7.9 assists, and 4.8 boards a game...What he's a true liability is on the perimeter...But he has teamed up with Jordan Crawford to be a highly charged offensive backcourt...No trap game for the Sixers here..Sixer's roll.— bearsfriend
- Combo is the best !! Ha! In regards to Nene, really wish we would have pursued him. He is a banger down low who would really fit this team's hard working persona. Agree Bear, his contract is outrageous, but so is Brand's and Iggy's for what they bring.— Bobby V
- Faried's great physical presence made Nene expendable. Denver got out from under that contract and collected McGee, who is playing at a much higher level these days. So that's 3 physical big guys out there that our management were not interested in pursuing. (I confess, I wasn't pushing Kenneth on draft day and am as guilty as anyone.)— rzzzzz
- If the 76ers jump out to a big lead, this would be a good game to give the 2 rookies some extended minutes and rest some of the regulars. If the starters and the night shift do their job in the first period, this could be a laugher. If they coast until late in the game, they will go into the Atlanta game tomorrow smelling like burnt rubber even if they win.— gotedge
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.
