The Philadelphia 76ers are 14-6, tied for the fifth best record in the NBA, and sit atop the Atlantic Division, leading the second place Boston Celtics by four and half games. However; fans, analysts, writers, bloggers still question the team's legitimacy, and rightfully so. To this point, they've played the easiest schedule in the league (combined .398 winning percentage) and have exactly two wins against teams above .500 – the Hawks and Pacers.
The Sixers also 0-4 in games decided by seven points or less and 0-2 in overtime, so not only are they unproven against the league's elite, but they have yet to show the ability to win a close game.
Beginning tomorrow night when they host Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the Sixers will face eight teams (six at home) whose combined record is 102-59. That's good a .634 winning percentage, which would easily qualify as the NBA's most difficult schedule if sustained for a full season.
vs. Orlando
vs. Bulls
vs. Miami
@ Atlanta (back-to-back)
vs. San Antonio
@ Cleveland (back-to-back)
We'll have more on these games individually as they present themselves, but as of right now all eight of the Sixers' opponents are relatively healthy. San Antonio is without Manu Ginobli and Atlanta is without Al Horford, but they've been playing without them a while, and Jameer Nelson won't play tomorrow, but he's not very good anyway. It's unclear whether Nikola Vucevic will play in any of these games, but it sounds like Spencer Hawes – who's missed the last seven games – will try to give it a go tomorrow night.
Orlando will be playing the Sixers in the second of a back-to-back, as will the the Cavs, but the six other teams will be rested and healthy, so no excuses if the Sixers win.
I'm predicting an optimistic 5-3 record during this stretch. Anything more I'll be ecstatic, anything less I'll feel like "They are who we thought they were". There's going to be a few close games mixed in here and maybe even an overtime game or two, which makes me nervous. These are good teams, with good players and good records. Let's hope the Sixers are up for the challenge.
Buckle up kiddies, it's gonna get bumpy. I hope your seat on the bandwagon is secure, because in two weeks, after eight games, the basketball world will finally and definitively be able to answer the question, "Are the Philadelphia 76ers for real?"
Can't wait.
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0 recs | 21 comments
probably .500
playing some better competition. I can see wins over the Magic, lakers, and Cav’s. Possibly the Spurs since it’s a home game. Atlanta is also possible.
senelcoolidge - January 29, 2012
Cavs Clippers Lakers Spurs Hawks and Magic are the most winnable games. Hopefully we can be the beneficiaries of a Miami Heat we don’t feel like playing night.
Dan Pearson - January 29, 2012
I think people shouldn’t be so focused on pure win-loss during this stretch and more on the margin of victory. For instance, a 2 point loss to the Heat shouldn’t be much different than a 2 point win for basing conclusions on what to expect in the future. Either scenario, tells me the Sixers can hang with them.
BrandonB - January 29, 2012
I can agree with this.
Michael Levin - January 29, 2012
Well stated.
EREX21 - January 30, 2012
The Sixers also face the Bulls between the Orlando and Miami games good sir.
Going to be an exciting two weeks, can’t wait! The super positive in me believes the Sixers will win all eight games. Realistically, I think they win 6 or more.
TwistyWristy - January 29, 2012
i want to blow out the heat and/or the bulls just so i can have wilbon and brousard block me on twitter from the utter thrashing i unload upon them.
Prediction: 4-4/5-3 depending on health
J.Michael Woodson - January 29, 2012
I voted 3, but I think I was low-balling it a little… so I’ll say 3 or 4. This should be a good test.
PhiladelphiaEagles - January 29, 2012
The sixers didn’t beat the Jazz.
jefu - January 29, 2012
Conspiracy theorist.
Michael Levin - January 29, 2012
You have to look beyond the final score sometimes.
Jordan Sams - January 29, 2012
The sixers beat the jazz.
There, I did it.
jefu - January 30, 2012
I'd say
4-4 sounds about right for this stretch. Anything better than that we should be very happy with, because as a rule only your truly elite teams (Miami, Chicago, etc.) are consistently above .500 against other teams with winning records. Getting Hawes and/or Vucevic back will help, especially against the better rebounding teams.
Xeynon - January 30, 2012
I’ll take 5-3 but realistically I am expecting the inverse. Hopefully they beat the Magic. I hate them so much.
EREX21 - January 30, 2012
Sixers pretty big favorite against the Magic at -7.5. I’m still bitter from a couple years ago when the Magic beat us with Hedo hitting the game winning 3 and then he did some goofy celebration. I hate his face.
BrandonB - January 30, 2012
I'm thinking 2...
…maybe. They’ve been spectacularly unsuccessful against even decent teams this season, although incredibly successful against horrible teams. None of these are horrible teams. Therefore, it’s possible the Sixers lose them all.
Of course, I’m a curmudgeon. :) On the other hand, I still haven’t seen anything that would indicate that the Sixers can hang with good teams, based on their track record so far.
dweebowitz - January 30, 2012
at least you are self-aware now
Dan Pearson - January 30, 2012
you must’ve missed that denver game. It was a real nail-biter.
jefu - January 30, 2012
yea the Denver game absolutely should have been a win
Dan Pearson - January 30, 2012
Spoken like a long time Sixers fan.
tk76 - January 30, 2012 via mobile
Ruby Fernandez Tip In
Anyone see this play? Pretty ridiculous.
EREX21 - January 30, 2012
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