Dirk’s Buzzer Beater ends Sixers Streak

Despite missing 13 of his first 14 shots and 16 of 23 overall, the seven-foot forward hit a turnaround 17-foot jumper over Reggie Evans at the buzzer to give the Dallas Mavericks a 95-93 victory against Philadelphia, snapping the 76ers’ season-high seven-game winning streak.   Nowitzki received the inbounds pass with 4.3 seconds left and spun around the 6-foot-8 Evans to deliver the game-winning shot.

Nowitzki finished with 24 points, Jason Kidd had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Jason Terry added 20 for the Mavericks (24-17).

Lou Williams scored 25 points, while Andre Iguodala had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the 76ers (20-21), who are trying to climb above .500 for the first time since Nov. 23 when they were 7-6.

Andre Miller added 12 points for Philadelphia, whose four-game home winning streak ended.

$4 Million to Make (wink, wink) a Return

With the Jason Kidd to Dallas Mavericks trade made official this morning, there is one laughable detail in the trade, and oh how sweet it would be to be one former Philadelphia 76er Keith Van Horn.

Van Horn was “talked” out of “retirement” to sign a pro-rated $4.3 million dollar contract to make the deal go through after Devean George utilized his early bird rights and block himself from being traded.

Van Horn of course has to make an “honest” effort to make a comeback, in order to collect his $4 million over the next 2 months.

Van Horn, who has not played in the league since the 2006 Dallas Mavericks finals loss, is GUARANTEED a pro-rated $4.3 million this year to go to the Nets to find out if he still has the skills, stamina, and desire to return.  Of course, to them, Van Horn is an expiring contract and will be gone at the end of the season. But, just like Aaron McKie in the Pau Gasol to the Lakers trade, Keith Van Horn has to report, pass a physical and soon enough be released because his contract expires at the end of this season. 

Just chew on that tomorrow morning while eating your breakfast cereal and getting ready to go to your 40 hour a week office job you where you hate your co-workers and earn $35,000 to do so. Ain’t that some $hit.

Another Sixer-less All-Star Game

Another All-Star weekend, another no-show by the Sixers. Once again their will be no All-Stars joining the East squad or even participating in All-Star weekend from the Philadelphia 76ers. Surprised? We no longer have a three point threat to compete due to “Double K’s” Kyle Korver’s departure to the land of Mormons. And after Iggy got robbed two years back in the dunk contest, I don’t blame him for not wanting to participate. Honestly, how many chances are you gonna give the little guy (Nate Robinson)?

The only two 76ers who would come close to warrant bids to the big game are the two Andre’s: Iguodala and Miller. For the season Iggy is averaging 19.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 4.7 apg. He obviously was not beating out LeBron, but come on, Joe Johnson (similar numbers, teams both tied for 7th spot), and Richard Hamilton made the squad (18.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, and 3.3 rpg – explain that one). Miller, who had a better chance due to the weak point guard play in the East, is averaging 16.6 ppg and 6.6 apg at the midway point.

No love for Rodney Carney or Thaddeus young in the Sophomore/Rookie showdown?

Word on the street is Andre Miller could be a replacement for Jason Kidd due to the trade rumors between the Nets and the Mavs. Finally, some pub for the (215).

Sixers on a Roll

So the Sixers (21-30) have won three in a row and have moved to one-half game out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff position.

Is this something to get excited about?
Answer: Not yet.

In their three-game winning streak, they have beat the likes of the Washington Wizards, the Miami Heat (worst team in the league), and the LA Clippers. This is by no means a streak to brag about, yet a streak of three games that they SHOULD win, no matter what. The real test will come tonight as they host the Dallas Mavericks (34 – 16) and All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

However, one bright spot of late has been rookie Thaddeus Young. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Young, a natural small forward, has started five of the last six games at power forward and played quite well. He’s averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and shooting 26-for-48 (50.4 percent) as a starter. He will need to keep his production up as the Sixers have a pretty favorable schedule in the upcoming weeks. Following tonight’s tough matchup against Dallas, they get Memphis, on the road at Minnesota, back home against the troubled Knicks, tough one at Orlando, then what should be an easy W at Miami. The Sixers will need at least four wins out of those six games to stay in the playoff picture.