You know the superlatives. The Sixers are 10-3, own the highest point differential and defensive rating in the NBA, and rank in the top three offensively. They're in first place in the Atlantic Division and already have a four game lead on the second place Knicks and five and a half game lead on the Celtics. The knock: they haven't played anybody, which is relatively true. Statistically they've had the easiest schedule in the NBA with an cumulative opponents' winning percentage of .371. Over the next three games, however, the Sixers will face teams with a combined winning percentage of .658, which should provide a good litmus test of just how "for real" the up-and-coming Sixers are.
Wednesday - vs. Denver Nuggets
Friday - vs. Atlanta Hawks
Saturday - @ Miami Heat
As neighborhood pessimist realist, Michael Levin so often reminds us, not only have the Sixers enjoyed an easy schedule, but their opponents have also been conveniently injured when the Sixers show up, which brings us to the upcoming opponents. The Nuggets only significant injury is Rudy Fernandez with a strained Achilles; he may or may not play Wednesday. The Hawks will be without All-Star big man Al Horford, who's out 3-4 months with a torn pec. For the Heat, Dwyane Wade, who's doubtful for Tuesday's game with a sprained ankle should be healed in time for Saturday's game with the Sixers.
Unfortunately the Sixers are dealing with a few significant injuries of their own. Evan Turner is nurising a quad contusion and Spencer Hawes is battling a back strain AND a strained Achillies. Both are game-time decisions for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets. Although the Nuggs will be playing in the Wells Fargo Center and their second game in as many nights, they're one of the deepest teams in the league and the Sixers will need both Turner and Hawes to compete with the "Sixers West".
Of the first "tough" three game stretch of the Sixers season, two of the games will be at home and on a full day's rest. And the middle game – against the Hawks – will be against a team missing arguably their best player. I honestly expect the Sixers to find a way to win two of these games. I'd be ecstatic with three wins and extremely disappointed with anything less than two. A week ago I previewed the Knicks game, which was a challenge the Sixers failed –albeit on the road on the third night of a tripleback. Consider this three game stretch challenge number two for the Sixers. Please let Evan Turner (and Spencer Hawes, I guess) be healthy!
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0 recs | 34 comments
Voting 3 to counteract the typical Liberty Ballers pessimism.
yosoysean - January 17, 2012
FLIPFLOPPER
Michael Levin - January 17, 2012
At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if they went 3-0 and I would be equally unsurprised if they went 0-3.
yosoysean - January 17, 2012
Apparently I'm the exact opposite fan as you...
I’d be just as surprised at 3-0 as I would if they go 0-3. I’ve got faith that they are at the very least good enough to take one from one of these teams (voted for 2-1, for the record), but I don’t think we’re quite talented enough yet to win 3 games in 4 nights against playoff bound teams.
J.P.Melle - January 17, 2012
What I’m saying is that they’ve already surprised me with their performance so far this season. Going 3-0 really wouldn’t surprise me further.
Considering the competition and health problems (even if both Hawes and Turner are supposed to play Wednesday) I also wouldn’t be surprised at 0-3. It wouldn’t make me feel any less about the team than I already do. It’s just a rough stretch.
yosoysean - January 17, 2012
I think it really depends on the health of Hawes and Turner with how many games you win
xEgan - January 17, 2012
I think 2 is the most likely, but 1 or 3 are also possible. I really look forward to these matchups. People shouldn’t underestimate the Hawks with the Horford injury. Smith and Johnson are playing great and Teague is an up and comer. Let’s hope JSmoove is full of himself from this recent success and launches lots of jump shots.
clintdelicious22 - January 17, 2012
It depends on how healthy they are. We need turner to run the night shift and hawes for the starters.
Clint Eastwood - January 17, 2012 via mobile
I went with 2 but won’t be surprised if it’s 3-0
KJ Brophy - January 17, 2012
I’d like to think they will go 3-0, and they could. They could also go 1-2. So I went with 2-1. It depends on how “Dwayne Wade” Wade is when we play the Heat and how Thad and Jrue play
Dan Pearson - January 17, 2012
2 assuming Hawes and Turner play in at least 2 of them
Mr.electric10 - January 17, 2012
I think one. Maybe.
I am not yet convinced that this is a particularly good team. They have not beaten anything resembling a quality opponent all season, and I don’t even think the Knicks are all that terrific. It’s possible that, with sufficient health for key players (it still rattles me to think of Spencer Hawes as a “key player,” but it’s true, for better or worse), they steal one of these, any given game, etc. But one is the limit.
I think the season is going to be very much like that. Beating the teams they should beat (always important) on a fairly consistent basis, occasionally stealing one from a better team, but not consistently beating the top teams. In the East, that’s a 7 seed again, and a first-round elimination again.
In other words, they are what we thought they were.
dweebowitz - January 17, 2012
It’s looking like just by beating the teams they’re supposed to beat, the Sixers will stay ahead of New York and Boston.
That’s a strike-shortened 3 -seed. Exactly what Orlando had back in ’99 before getting ousted in the first round by the Iverson-led Sixers.
nyunole - January 17, 2012
Not seeing it. You have to believe that talent will eventually tell. That’s the way it is in the NBA. The Sixers jumped out to a hot early start based on a cottony-soft schedule, young legs, and continuity. They simply don’t have the talent level to keep up with New York or Boston once those teams get moving in the same direction and the Sixers start playing some decent teams.
dweebowitz - January 17, 2012
Not to mention Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, or Chicago. All teams in the East with significantly more talent than the Sixers. With the lack of a preseason, these teams are forced to play their way into a rhythm, which is tough for a team with significant new players, such as, say, New York, or who have gone through the inevitable early-season injuries expected with a short preseason, such as Miami.
This is a talent-driven league. These teams have it. The Sixers don’t. I’m seeing a 33-33 record, or somewhere around there. 7th seed. 1st round playoff ouster. Bank it.
dweebowitz - January 17, 2012
The thunder is about to be brought from some high-minded young folks. Better clean your lawn. I’ll sneak in through the back.
Michael Levin - January 17, 2012
The Celtics are better?
I’m sorry, but you make sense, sort of (the Sixers do have some talent on the roster its not like they are an NCAA team), but the Celtics? Really? They have 4 good players and 3 of them are old and two of them are clearly past-their-prime old. At this point do you really think Paul Pierce is better to have than Andre Iguodala? KG can barely even get a double-double anymore. This is because the Celtics are old, not because its a new season. The Sixers definitely pass the Celtics this year.
As for the Knicks, they have been a losing team so far with Carmelo.
Dan Pearson - January 18, 2012
I get the pessimism
I get the pessimism. Its hard to believe that the same team that went 41-41 will win the division. But, the Sixers are already 10-3, and its only a 66 game season. Just look at the schedule. I don’t see how the Sixers can end up winning less than 36 games, which is probably enough to stay ahead of old Boston and chaotic New York.
Dan Pearson - January 17, 2012
Assuming Hawes and Turner play, I say we beat the Hawks and Nuggets and lose to the Heat.
jrb5094 - January 17, 2012
Not beating the Heat on the road...
Probably will beat the Hawks without Horford, so it really comes down to the Nuggets game. I voted 2 but 1 wouldn’t surprise me, particularly if Turner doesn’t play tomorrow.
PhanofPhilly - January 17, 2012
One - Hawks
I’m rooting for 3, but Elton Brand looks something more than rusty. Maybe increased minutes for Thad is the answer, but I still hate watching him shoot anything beyond 2 feet.
nyunole - January 17, 2012
I don’t know what you’re talking about, Thad has a great stroke. Have you ever seen a southpaw at the pro level without a smooth shot?
thebuferd - January 18, 2012
uh
Michael Levin - January 18, 2012
I said one...but two is doable.
(55% chance of win) The Nuggets are very deep and might slip by us .
(90% chance) Hawks is the most winnable game.
(35% chance) Heat are very tough, on the road, and the day after the Atlanta game, so we probably fall there too.
chillicothe20 - January 17, 2012
Ghey. We are going to smash the Heat. That playoff series could’ve easily gone at least another game with just a few different bounces of the ball. This year will be a different story.
thebuferd - January 18, 2012
no references to litmus tests, please.
It’s unchecked hyperbole…like “giving 110%”. A litmus test provides clear, objective affirmation of a condition, or lack thereof. No 3 game stretch can do that for any team. If sixers lose in triple OT, are they inarguably worse than their opponents? We should treat 3 game stretches like baseball series. In this case, the sixers have an upcoming series against a good opponent. Winning 2 would be nice. One is disappointing but not the end of the world. 3 or 0 are quite unlikely. 3 would be great but it doesn’t mean we’re a colosus going forward. 0 would suck but it doesn’t indicate We Suck.
Blunt Philly Guy - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app
I generally despise false metaphors as well but it really is just a metaphor here.
Michael Levin - January 17, 2012
It is not a question of believing or not in this team the upcoming is a tough stretch and I prefer to be pessimistic to be pleasantly surprised thereafter, so I voted 1, I believe it will be vs. the Hawks, less probable the Nuggets, no ways the Heat
apfan - January 17, 2012
I think Denver is as deep as we are. They’re scrappy and it should be a good game. Expect us to beat Atlanta. Miami will be a coin flip. I’d like it better if they didn’t have the night off before our game.
andyreidswaistline - January 17, 2012
77% of 76er fans here...
…Say about 2.3 wins out of a tough stretch including the heat. I’d say that’s pretty optimistic!
I voted for 3 because this team has yet to be denied at home, and they’ve earned my repect there and, say they win those two. After that I say they go to Miami and win too, just because winning feels so damn good.
Snowflakejr - January 17, 2012
True Sixer Fan Here
I actually won’t hold any negative thoughts if they go 0-3, but I will root my ass off for them to win EVERY SINGLE GAME THIS SEASON, and that’s what a fan’s mentality should be. Call me gullible, I don’t care – I root for my team to win every possession, quarter, half and game. ALWAYS, you bunch of whiny haters. Blind support, that’s what a true fan does. You can criticize and let your opinions be known, but at the end of the day if you’re at the stadium/arena, you better be cheering 100% for the home team!
thebuferd - January 18, 2012
wat
yosoysean - January 18, 2012
What exactly is this in response to?
EREX21 - January 18, 2012
BLIND SUPPORT. SHEEP.
Michael Levin - January 18, 2012
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