Make it 5
I'm actually a little upset that the all-star break has come right now. The Sixers are playing their best basketball in a long time; they need to ride this wave as long as they can.
Mo Cheeks' crew put in another solid game last night against the Grizzlies (while sporting their throwback uni's). It was a total team effort. Iguodala carried the scoring load early, but when he cooled the rest of the team picked it up. He ended the game flirting with a triple double (29pts, 8 assists, 8 rebs). Andre Miller continued to play great all around(14 pts, 11assists, 6rebs). Sammy D also continued his stellar season with 16 points, 12 rebs and 4 blocks. All 5 starters were in double figures in scoring and Sweet Lou chipped in with 8.
On top of all that, they held the Grizz to just 88 points. This is starting to look like a real NBA team. We've all decided its still too early to get that excited, but this team is now legitimately back in playoff contention. They're actually in a three way tie for 7th place with New Jersey (who last night had a Jason Kidd trade nixed by Devean George of all people) and the surprising Hawks. The Sixers are the second hottest team in the East behind the streaking Pistons who've won 10 straight. That's not too bad for a team picked by many to finish in a distant last place.
Why can't you buy these jerseys anywhere? (AP PHOTO)
I'm excited. As Freesedogg posted yesterday: this team is well above expectations. At the midway point, they've won just 6 games less than the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cavs. That wasn't supposed to happen. The most exciting thing for me is that this team seems to have found a winning formula. I don't see this as a fluke, I see this as a team finding an identity and finding a way to win. During this 5 game streak, the Sixers have come from behind, played with a lead and won down to the wire contests. That's impressive. Especially for a team this young.
I'd like a top 5 draft pick, sure, but seeing this team progress and grow is great as well. They'll probably never be able to win a championship with their current roster, but winning games and having your players improve is what this league is all about. I'm trying to keep my expectations reasonable, but I think this win streak is a big step for this team.
2 comments:
you're right. they have won a variety of types of games (come from behind, stay ahead the entire game, face a comeback) and every time they pulled it out.
i must even say, willie green has been great lately. he's shooting 21-41 (3-10 3PT) in the 5 game win streak. That's about 8 shots a game, but he still averaged 11.4 points per game (1 off his season average).
everyone is getting in the mix, and that's good. the sixers may be one of the truest definitions of "team" in the league. at least it looks that way from the last 5 games.
Say what you want about our lack of championships, but there is a good thing happening in Philadelphia right now. Let's face it, it doesn't matter what the sport is- unless you ridiculously overspend, you generally can't go out and buy a championship.
There's been talk for years about Philly general managers not willing to sacrifice budget concerns for the type of short term jolt needed to have an extroardinary year. Some of that is warranted.
But seriously, f*#ck that. Somewhere along the line, it is up to the current players to come together and decide that they're going to do something special, no matter what it takes. The Phillies did that by playing to the last out, every night. The Flyers are doing it with intimidation. And now, the Sixers are joining the act with their 60-minute hustle. All these teams are playing with a chip on their shoulder. They have CHEMISTRY. They care about fans in this city and giving their all every night. What a nice change from the pampered, spoiled teams that, for the most part, we've grown up watching. And I must say, it is a beautiful thing to watch.
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