I'm sensing a whole lot of Sky Is Falling mentality from you guys. That's okay, because we're naturally predisposed to hate everything and be skeptical as hell - it's why I love you. But there's less to worry about than your heart palpitations are currently indicating.
Every team goes through cold stretches. The Sixers are not immune to that, even with how deep they go on the bench. Missing Spencer Hawes, the offense looks uglier, the easy buckets are fewer, and contested outside shots have been the norm. I have an article running tomorrow morning venting about the long two conundrum, but for now, I want to make sure everyone's breathing and remembers that the Sixers are still pretty great.
The defense is awesome (best in the league efficiency-wise), they're still filthy in the open floor (though those points don't count, natch), and as bad as some of the Sixers have played at times (Elton Brand, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, Doug Collins!), they're still 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a few banner wins on their CV. As you'll read tomorrow morning, feel free to worry about their offensive philosophy, but even with a stagnant half-court set, this is still a top 10 team in the league, capable of beating anybody but the Heat due to their defense alone.
That's still pretty cool.
0 recs | 18 comments
I don’t know if it’s as much “sky is falling” as “I never really bought into them in the first place.” The whole fast start seemed like it was done with smoke and mirrors (and, admittedly, really good defense). Nothing but long twos and BOSS isos. We all said it was unsustainable, and it was. I don’t know why anyone is shocked. Did we not pretty much all expect exactly what is happening?
Although, I do have the sneaking suspicion that falling off the national radar will be good for the team. Let ESPN whip themselves into orgasmic frenzy over Linsanity, and these guys can pull themselves back together without the level of pressure that comes with front-running.
I don’t think anyone still thinks they completely suck (except for in the 3rd quarter last night…they truly sucked, and they sucked hard). I just think all the “contender” talk was premature. This is a team with some interesting young parts, and they’ve bought into playing hard on D, for the most part, and they have a great young bench, and they’re athletic.
They also don’t have a center that does what this particular team needs a center to do, which is provide post scoring, rebounding, and shotblocking on a consistent basis. We have a collection of tall guys who pass well out of the high post and can knock down an open jumpshot, which is all well and nice, but it’s not going to cut it in the long term. Either our PF or C is going to have to provide a serious physical presence, get the boards, and change shots in the paint. Having two jumpshooting bigs on the floor isn’t getting it done.
There’s a lot of green between the rough of mediocrity and the pin of contendership. I just think, as I have all season, that we’re still a few putts away.
dweebowitz - February 18, 2012
very true
If anything…their early stretch of wins boosted some guys’ value when the trading deadline comes around, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sixers pull off an unexpected deal that brings in a young talented player that’s fallen out of favor with ‘X’ franchise. I’m filled with nothing but optimism!
YBT - February 18, 2012
desperately
Yeah seeing that ya’ll haven’t beating any elite teams yet lol
lax10 - February 18, 2012
chicago?
BrandonB - February 18, 2012
Hmm, you just created your profile today, so that must mean you created it for the sole purpose of making ridiculously stupid comments like that and being a troll. Welcome, troll.
jefu - February 18, 2012
Thank you. It’s great to be here! :)
dweebowitz - February 19, 2012
Michael used a BANHAMMER. It’s SUPER EFFECTIVE!
Michael Levin - February 19, 2012
There are a ton of scratch golfers out there. But it is a huge leap from their to being a top pro- and anyone can top the leaderboard after the first day. Being on even the first page by the end of Sunday is a different things entirely.
Enough with the golf analogy. This team is still in wax on wax off stage even though we are all in a rush to believe otherwise.
tk76 - February 18, 2012
the truth
you havent won against any elite teams yet except for chicago but chicago isn’t as good this year as they were last year
lax10 - February 18, 2012
chicago, lakers, hawks (twice) pacers, magic.
Since you are using the second person point of view, which team would you happen to be a bandwagon fan of?
jefu - February 18, 2012
Was probably a Lakers fan up until this season when he became a Heat fan.
postman856 - February 18, 2012
Anyone see the clippers/spurs game today?
With the spurs down three and the clippers inbounding the ball, Randy Foye (I believe) made an errant pass to Chris Paul who tried to save it before he ran in the backcourt. The ball ended up in Gary Neal’s hands who happened to be standing right at the spurs’ perimeter line. He sunk the crucial (super duper clutch) three to send it into over time where the Clippers wound up losing.
Pretty amazing game. Griffin fouled out, the spurs won their ninth straight, and everyone in a five-mile radius around San Antonio rejoiced.
jefu - February 18, 2012
Not Foye
Gomes. Want to talk about a horrid coach – VDN.
RedHopeful - February 18, 2012
yeah I’m not surprised that I would confuse the two.
jefu - February 19, 2012
Wow Michael. Talk about reversing positions (me being the optimist and you the pessimist).
A week and a half or so ago, the Sixers were top 3 in scheduled-adjusted diff. eff. with a mark that was consistent of that of a legitimate championship contender.
Now, they are top 8 in scheduled-adjusted diff. eff. and headed for at best a 2nd round exit. Getting Hawes back will help but its not looking like it will be enough to get back to contention level.
Personally, even with no expectation for this year, I’m tremendously disappointed. This season started out with the feeling of something special. Top 10 is just not doing it for me after flirting with the top, but I guess the sunshine isn’t ready to shine on this dog’s ass quite yet.
BrandonB - February 18, 2012
Appreciate you posting this.
It’s never as good or as bad as it looks people, even when it looks THAT bad.
J.P.Melle - February 19, 2012
Clearly what they need...
…is a coach with a better offensive scheme and less heavy focus on defense and lack of turnovers. I’m thinking the Princeton offense would be a particularly good fit. Let’s get…Eddie Jordan!!!
dweebowitz - February 19, 2012
Eddie Jordan is the mastermind of the completely effective Princeton Offense. This will solve our team’s stagnant half-court offense by allowing them to make dribble-handoffs at the top of the key for the first 15 seconds of the shotclock. It’s a done deal. Game, set, and match.
jefu - February 19, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Liberty Ballers to post a comment.