What a great night it was for the Sixers home opener. Wells Fargo was buzzing. You had the new intro video with past and present Sixers playing. How bad ass was that part when they showed Holiday, Cheeks and Iverson together. That was awesome.
Then you have Doc in the building along with Moses, Bobby Jones, World B. Free and a surprise appearance by the “Boston Strangler” himself Andrew Toney. That might have been the first time that Toney was back since he retired. He had some bitterness towards the Sixers because of his foot injury. He blamed the Sixers for miss diagnosing his injury. Good to see that Toney is cool with the Sixers now. I felt the energy down their through the TV.
Man, I was pumped. Now if I only could get my three year old daughter to stop walking around and saying that she is a hooker. Yes, I know great parenting. Listen, she is trying to say that she is a hugger but hooker keeps coming out instead. Thank God she is only three.
Ok, back to the Sixers game. For some reason this team comes slow out of the gate but the still lead after the first 20-19 after shooting the ball poorly. This game had a little bit of sloppiness through out but thanks to Spencer Hawes and the fourth quarter of Jodie Meeks the Sixers pulled away and blow out the Pistons 96-73. Sixers held the Pistons to 36% from the field and 0-10 from three land. Here is what I noticed…
SIXERS
-Spencer Hawes. Umm, someone might want to name him an All-Star right about now. Wow. This dude is on a mission. Just when you thought you had seen everything from Spencer so far this season then he goes and leads a fast break for a score. As of right now I am done doubting him. You are the man Spencer. He finished with 16 points 14 rebounds 4 assists 2 blocks and Wells Fargo chanting his name.
-Jodie Meeks. Welcome to the 2011-12 season Jodie. He started off struggling with his shot again tonight. I will give him credit he did not pout or act frustrated this season with his early struggles. He just kept letting it fly. Boy, did he let it fly. BOOM. He had 4 points going into the fourth quarter until he exploded for 17 points in the fourth while knocking down 3 straight three balls. Nice to have you back Jodie and thanks for putting away the Pistons.
-Evan Turner. I know he only ended up having just 8 points and 8 rebounds but he was involved in the flow of the game again. He only played 25 minutes. They were a solid 25 minutes though. Man, he can really rebound the ball.
-Thad Young. Thad just brings a ton of energy. He was everywhere tonight. He gets a lot of dirty points for this team. He gets a lot of points off of broken plays because of his hustle. He is constantly diving on the floor and I love that.
-I have to give the Sixers CEO Adam Aron a major shout out. He is all over twitter trying to create buzz for this team and interacting with the fans. During the game he visited a ton of fans he talked to on twitter at there seats tonight. Good stuff Adam.
PISTONS
-The Pistons were missing Rodney Stuckey because of an injury and Bed Gordon because of personal reason. Honestly, even if they did play I really don’t think it would have matter. The Pistons seemed to be at a crossroads right now. They have some high price vets like Gordon, Prince and Villanueva and they have some decent young guys like Knight and Monroe but they are on there way to being in the lottery. By the way how did Villanueva do tonight? Oh, he did not play. My bad. That dude has an awful contract for them.
-One of the young kids that the Pistons have who caught my eye was Jerebko. I like his game. He is scrappy, has a decent shot and can handle the ball a little bit. I liked the energy that he brings.
-Brandon Knight. I like his game also. He can get to the basket and is very athletic. If he can improve his jumper he looks like he could be a nice player. He finished with 10 points 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
-Greg Monroe. He looks like he has the most upside out of all the players the Pistons have. He has good hands for a big man and passes the ball well like Hawes does. He has a lot of tools. He could be the guy that the Pistons can build around. He finished with 21 points 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Sixers showed there strength tonight. Depth. Every night so far this season there is a different guy stepping up. One night it is Holiday and Turner. Then it is Lou or Iggy. Tonight it was Meeks and Spencer. Everyone knows that they do not have a “prime time’ scorer but they have someone new stepping up every night. That is tough to matchup against. I had some fun watching this game. Here is the box score and recap.
Good stuff Joe.. How was the Attendance for the Home Opener…
This team as you stated myust rely on it’s depth,atleticism to wear opponents down as the Season progresses.. Walry in the Season but when you look around the Eastern COnfernece, teams like the Celts are old and dtruggling and have a very poor bench, the Knicks have very suspect Guard play and even Veteran Teams like Atlanta and Orlando have weakneseses and some questionable Depth and Coaching… I see the Sixers a step below tthe top teams of Chicago/Miami and fighting it out with another surprise team in the East this Season, the Indiana Pacers who have size and a very deep,big Front Line..
Paulman dont drink the Kool-aid. The Sixers stink. The NBA is terrible. Its truley ashame how bad this league is. The Sixers get a free pass because finishing .500 for the Sixers is acceptable. Its cute. No pressure. The only sports team in town whose fans know that theres no shot to win a title in the next 10 years unless you get lucky and a Howard or Durant come here for nothing. The Sixers are one of the top bad teams. There are what 8 good teams in the NBA? The 2000 Sixers would beat this team by 30. Not only did the system and too many teams kill the NBA. It has also killed college basketball. Where are the stud college players? They came out early and are sitting on some NBA bench or overseas. I know Doc , Moses, BJ and the Celtic killer Andrew Toney who were all in the building last night were silently saying wow. The bad thing is they were so much better than the D-league team the Pistons.
alright dag, the NBA isn’t what it was, either is the NFL, but at least the Sixers are now watchable and improving, they should put the ball in tuners hands more, hawes is dramatically improved, the 2000 Sixers had Iverson only, this is a team, and Collins is a great coach, the Sixers and flyers will provide good times, maybe conference finals for Sixers, cup for flyers if they get the goaltending figured out
C’mon Dag… Are you going out with Debbie Downer or something… This 2011 Sixer Team is probably the most exciting and talented 76er Team in many years who bring a lot of energy sith solid COachign every night… The NBA is not what it used to be like everything else in Sports,Movies,Music, etc,etc … Let’s enjoy a promising improving team that is playing some good basketball and seem to play as Team and play hard every night (not like some of the other Teams in Philly) …
Dagg. You sound like you just hate the NBA. LOL. The Sixers are growing and they are fun to watch bro. They are not your average NBA team. They play the right way and play a full 48 minutes every night. It is all good though. Thanks for the reading the article! You too paulman and jakedog. Thanks fellas!
Agree with Joe. I didn’t watch the NBA much over the last couple of years until last year’s Sixers team. I love how Collins coaches and I like the energy that they give every night. They won’t win a championship this year, but they will be competitive in most every game. I will take that. There are about 4-5 teams that have a legit shot to win the title this year, so I don’t think that that means every other team in the league stinks.
The Sixers are headed in the right direction and the new ownership has pumped blood into their veins. Andrew Toney! What a sight for sore eyes. I saw him years ago heading to the Spectrum while in my car and as I looked over at him , he nodded. That was a special moment for me.
SHOW YA LUV.. The sixers are balling. 4-2 on the season and gonna get another win tonight against the raptors putting them at 5-2.. I saw this from the start. They have a good team with one of the best benches in the league. I still wish they would have drafted Marshon Brooks in the 1st round. Has anyone seen what hes doing coming off the bench in new jersey? People are saying rookie of the year already. Honestly he plays almost exactly like kobe did his rookie year but in my opinion better.. they not only look alike he plays like kobe too. The kid can flat out score the ball. He has the fade he can slash he has limitless range. Dude can ball.. possibly a future superstar.. but im still loving my team right now. Top 3-5 in the east by the end of all this… #SHOW YA LUV!!
I have much love for the 76ers but Im keeping it real. Its no secret they cant win a championship without 1 or possibly 2 superstars. They can play “the right way” all they want. I actually try to make 5-8 games a year and so as a paying customer Im entitled to my opinion.Also catch most games on comcast. Doesnt mean I hate the the team it is what it is. If I got to hear they play the right way one more time. In other words they dont have a superstar to stand out. I understand they are now “watchable” This is the only franchise in the city where “watchable” is accepted. I mean when they werent “playing the right way” they went to the finals, so lets not go there Joe. Ill take not playing the right way and a finals appearance. I will continue to support and hope but I just dont go overboard.
Who said they were going to win a Championship.. Did their Owner,GM or Coach come out this morning as state we are teh “Gold Standard” the best roster in the NBa, or no one canstop us but ourselves..WHy do Philly fans continually burden themselves with unrealistic expectations and think that ever team has to win or should win a Championship every Season.. Sure that’s the goal of every SPorts Team,but you have to be realistic about things and have realistic expectations and for some damn reason, there are a larger % of Sports Fans in Philly who feel this way about all their teams every season than in any other City, that I can think of… SO dag, your telling me that if the 76ers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and lost to the Bulls 4-3, that this Season was a waste or a disappointment.. C’mon Man…
Paulman trust me I am realistic and its not championship or bust for me. I mean its fine that they got a 30 year pass. They can take as long as they want to. lol Just kidding kinda. I base my judgement on what I see on the court and are they better than the horrific teams such as Toronto, NO. Wash, Detroit etc. Hell yeah. I guess this isnt all about the Sixers if I really get honest. Its the state of the NBA. After watching Toronto last night it is utterly embarassing for the garbage they put on the court. The casual fan couldnt name me 3 players on Toronto, Detroit, Washington etc. Bugsy had posted that their are 4-5 teams with legitimite shots to win a title and he is right. 2 in the East and 2 in the West. Thats no news flash. That means 26 other teams and cities are playing for nothing.lol Something isnt right about that. I guess the other thing is that with Miami, Chicago, Oklahoma, LA etc their is no hope in the future.The Sixers are a 6 out of 10 instead of a 2 out of 10 playing 1 out of 10s right now. I love my Sixers and I can go back to about 1982 in the NBA with anyone. I guess we just need to get lucky to get that missing stud player. We are right behind Chicago and Miami around Orlando, NY and Indiana I do agree with but the gap is large. IMO There is never nothing wrong with different opinions is there?
Your right about that the differing opinions DAg, but you have to admit that this is the most promising 76er Team in about 10 years so why not give them some kudo’s for improving and bringing an exciting young team that should only get better and better… I have them about 4th to 5th in the Conference which is a lot better than what they have been in recent seasons.. They have to win with their depth and athleticism and some of the better teams if they get injuries of a SUperstar slumps, they can rise up and beat some good teams.. This week’s match-up vs the PAcers is a good one and probably wil shed light on who will be the top of the 2nd Tier of Teams chasing down the Top Teams of the Heat & Bulls… ( Celtics,Magic and Knicks are all overrated and there for a the taking..)
I love this Sixers team and coach. I love the fact that they have a blue-collar mentality. I love the fact that to a man they have all improved under coach Collins. I love the fact that they move the ball well. I love the fact that they are finally defending the perimeter well. I love the fact that Evan Turner looks like he might be a good player after not looking that way last year. I love the fact that Spencer Hawes has elevated his game to heights that nobody ever saw. I love the fact that their top scorer is not one of their starters. I love the fact that they are a top 4 team in scoring, number 1 team in points allowed, and number 1 team in point differential. I love that they are top 5 in FG percentage. I love that they take care of the ball (number 1 in turnovers). I love that they are top 10 is both steals and blocks.
This Sixers team is atypical. In a league dominated by stars, bad fundamentals and highlight-reel type players, the Sixers are playing old-school smart, gritty, tenacious basketball. I’m not saying that they are going to win the NBA title, but they look like they are going to be very competitive.
Yeah E-money its great they are gonna be competitive. Just like my junior high b-ball team. They are competitive.
Can somebody tell me why Eddie Jordan was ever our coach? what an unfunny joke that was…
What some people are kinda forgetting is that even though the Sixers are not championship quality they could easily finish in the top 4 in the East and win a playoff series, which will be beneficial to potential free agents in the near future..Honestly stars might actually want to come here…just use the amnesty on Brand next offseason, pick up a real star who actually fits the team, and we might be good to go
The Celtics,Lakers,Mavs & Spurs All-Star Players are all in their twilight of their Career’s as are their Teams chances for future NBA Championships..
Teams like Oklahoma CIty, LA Clippers,Bulls,Heat and even Memphis are built to win not only now but for the next few seasons and there is no reason that the 76ers can’s add a piece or 2 to compete with these New Top Teams over the next 5-6 Seasons.
I never saw your junior high team, so I can’t comment. To me, the Sixers are a team on the rise, similar to Iverson’s early years. The were 1 and done last year, this year I think they may be able to win a round or 2, which would be a big improvement. If they play their cards right, they could compete for the conference title in the next 2-3 seasons. I’m not really sure what there is to complain about here? The Flyers have lost 6 Stanley Cups in the last 30+ years. Even when there was no salary cap in the NHL they couldn’t get it done. Now that there is a cap (which they mismanaged by signing an average head-case goaltender), they won’t likely win it any time soon. The Eagles have been a close-but-no-cigar franchise for the last 10+ years. Chances are that their window has closed. The Phillies appear to be getting further away from another World Series, and the division just got a lot tougher.
The Sixers may be our best shot at another parade.
How about those men in shorts.. those Philadelphia Union… ha ha
Plus Don’t forget about the Curse of WIlliam Penn.. since the new Buildings dowtown are taller than William Penn, no Championships for Philly Teams though the Phils snuck one in by beating the newbie Tamp Bay Rays which doesn’t real count in my book..
Every team is competitive. Its a game,hence they compete.They’re top 5 teams in the East.They’re youth,speed,defensive coaching,and offensive balance make them a team the Heat or Bulls dont want round #1. I think they’re a better TEAM then the Magic. Or on there level.
Look,until we get Superman outta Orl.(which i think could happen next year,cause we could sell the rich b-ball tradition ) we’re gonna be 5th best in the East.
They could upset the Celts,Hawks,and a team not the Heat in the dance.
Tebow,playing the q position well.He does walk the walk.
The surprise team in the East are the INdiana Pacers who probably have the best Front Court Depth Wise in the East (Roy Hibbert, David West, Tyler Hansbrough and Scorer Danny Granger)
If their young Guards play well, they will kill teams on the Boards down low and Danny Granger is a tough match-up for PF sinc ehe can put the ball on the floor and score from the outside… A real good “Team” are these Pacers and should be a good match-up for the smaller,faster more athletic Sixers to see which style or tempo is played…
The sixers are leading the league in defense….playing without a celebrated “superstar”…..the coach is really the star. He has done a great job….I was really worried if he was going to make it physically through the year last year, but he has his players believing in his system and they are playing great.