Sixers Suck to Watch

WOW….

So I’m all excited about A.I.’s return and I finally sit down to watch a full game and Jesus Christ, this is brutal to watch. Kevin Durant just blew by Elton Brand and made him look silly. Thaddeus looks like a deer in the headlights out there. Sammy D hasn’t had a rebound in the second half I think. Awful…

And they hired Eddie Jordan to DO THIS. Gimme a freaking break.

Bill Green is absolutely awful by the way. Why is everyone in the national media talking about Lou Williams being replaced by A.I. yada yada yada? Bill Green is the one that needs replacin’. He is absolutely terrible. He plays no defense, sets phantom screens (the ones where you act like you’re going too and make no physical contact with the opponent your apparently screening) and shoots way too much.

So hey, why dont we sign A.I. and sit Bill Green and give his shots to A.I. Then when Lou Will comes back our starting five will look like this:

PG – Lou Williams
SG – Allen Iverson
SF – Andre Iguodala
PF – Thaddeus Young
C – Elton Brand

Obviously going small but that should be somewhat formidable in the East. At least to make the playoffs.

Ohh. PS. I had the privilege of meeting the Sixers at North Bowl for their annual meet and greet with the team. Jason Smith is a huge tool. Over and out.

PS squared – Does Eddie Jordan have braces??

Marc Zumoff – A Class Act

I had the pleasure of attending the Sixers Celtics game on Tuesday night to take in my first live action of the 2009 NBA season. I was brought by Chris actually, the other writer of this site.

We sat in a pretty decent club box roughly at center court and had a great view for this battle of Atlantic division rivals. Although I really didnt expect much of a battle, as the Celtics are sporting one of the most ridiculous starting 5s in NBA history. Its like a late 90s – early 2000s All-Star lineup.

So I grab a beer for my girlfriend and myself and we take out seats and say hello, yada yada yada. Finally get settled and Chris points out that we are directly behind the local press row and the 76ers television announcer himself, Mr. Marc Zumoff.

Zumoff is a local hero of sorts, as he is the only voice I have ever heard call 76er games, since I can ever remember. Ok so it was only since 1994, but in my life, more then half of it has been listening to this man call basketball games. His patented sayings, better known as Zumoffisms, bring life and excitement to what others would describe brutal or lackluster seasons, to which many of us Sixer fans can attest to.

So back to the Celtics game… Halftime came and I was able to catch Mr. Zumoff exiting press row to catch a stretch. I spoke up and cracked a quick joke mentioning how he’s getting screwed as management has recently moved him up from courtside and he’s sitting back with all of us.

He smiled and kept the joke going.

As he was returning to his seat to get ready for the second half I was heading back the aisle to grab a fresh beverage and was able to make eye contact with Mr. Zumoff. I told him I was a long time listener and a huge fan of his work.

I wanted to write this becauase this man was nice enough to take the time out of his short halftime break (20 mins) to chat with me and that he appreciated the kind words.

A great man, a great announcer, a class act in my book.

Keep the Zumoffisms coming Marc. If you see this and get a minute, check out the comments on the link above on Zumoffisms. Your fans have spoken.

Sixers Magic Playoff Preview

After winning in overtime last night against the Cleveland Cavaliers “B” squad, combined with the Bulls losing to Toronto, yourrrr Seventy Sixers clinched the Eastern Conference’s six seed and a first round match up with the Orlando Magic.

The Sixers lost all three matchups versus the Magic this season and going into this series, there isn’t much that indicates the Sixers have a chance. But I feel the Sixers could make a series out of this. I’m not calling an upset, cause of seven words; Samuel Dalembert will be covering Dwight Howard, so unless Howard can do us a favor and get Dalembert into foul trouble early, he should dominate from opening tip of game 1 through the entire series, and he will be the deciding factor.

But with the return of Thaddeus Young to the lineup for the final two games will help him get his rhythm going into the playoffs and he will provide a boost and a spark that was missing during his injury. The Sixers will steal a couple games and make it a series, but I’ll take the Magic in 6.

Sixers Get Embarrassed

VC scored 15 points and the Nets kept their playoff hopes alive for a couple more days by handing the Philadelphia 76ers their worst loss of the season, 96-67 Sunday night.

Lou Will had 14 points to lead the Sixers. The 76ers had no other players in double figures in shooting 35 percent from the floor. Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller combined for 12 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

The 67 points were a season low for Philadelphia and the 29-point loss was the worst defeat.  With the loss the Sixers fall into the 6th spot in the East and a 1/2 game behind the Heat for that coveted 5th seed.   The fifth seed will probably play Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs and the sixth will get either Boston or Orlando.

Iverson Would Rather Retire then be a Bench Player

A.I. returned to action this past weekend after missing 16 games with a back injury, and coach Michael Curry has used him sparingly off the bench in the last three games.

Iverson complained about his minutes on Tuesday after playing 18 against Cleveland. He admitted that he does not like the new role after playing 17 in a 111-98 loss to the Nets on Wednesday.

I’m in a position now that I’ve never been in my whole life. It’s harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It’s tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It’s tough for me. I’m struggling with it.  I’d rather retire before I do this again. I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it. It’s tough for me both mentally and physically. If I’m able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can’t right now. It’s my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I’m not 100 percent.

Thad Out 2 – 3 Weeks

Thaddeus Young could miss the start of the playoffs. Thad injured his right ankle in the first quarter of Tuesday’s 98-85 win over the Hawks. A team doctor said Young has a sprain and bone bruise and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

With nine games remaining in the regular season, the 76ers are sixth in the East.  These last few games are crucial with the Sixers so close to getting that 5th spot from Miami.  Hopefully the team can pick up where Thad has left off.  Royal Ivey, Andre Iguodala, Reggie Ev, and Mo Speights are going to have to pick up their games if this team wants to have any shot of carrying momentum into the post season.

Young is averaging 15.2 points and five boards a game.

Sixers Win Despite Terrible Start

With the 5th seed in sight, the Sixers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves last night at the Wach. DEspite only scoring 37 points in the first half and finding themselves down by 6 at the break, the Sixers were able to take control in the 4th and ride the young buck, Thaddeus Young to victory.   A tale of two halves if you will.

Young scored 29 points and Andre Miller had 15 to lead the 76ers to a 96-88 win over the revamped Timberwolves on Wednesday night.  Revamped meaning that Kevin McHale decided it would be a good idea to get some of his bench guys a start.  He sat the entire starting 5 and went with an unusual starting five in; Brian Cardinal, Rodney Carney, Craig Smith, Kevin Ollie, and Bobby Brown.

With the win the Sixers (37-33) pulled within a half-game of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat lost 90-88 at Indiana on Wednesday.

Elton Brand to Return to the Sixers on Saturday

Elton Brand’s long-awaited return to the Philadelphia 76ers will be on hold until at least Saturday.

Brand dislocated his right shoulder December 17th and worked out on the court before Monday’s game against Dallas. He was placed on the inactive list for the 16th consecutive game. Coach Tony DiLeo said Brand most likely will play Saturday against the New York Knicks.

The 76ers are 9-6 without Brand and have won a season-best seven straight games entering Monday. They were 11-14 when the 6-foot-8 forward was sidelined.

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.

Sixers Win in Milwaukee

Andre Miller’s  3-pointer over Michael Redd with 28 seconds left helped the Philadelphia 76ers hold on for a rare road win Wednesday night, 110-105 over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Miller led the Sixers, finishing with 28 points and 9 boards and 6 assists.  With only 49 seconds left, Miller went down the floor and Redd barely reacted, looking for a pick and expecting a drive when Miller pulled up and answered with a 3 to push the lead to 107-103 and seal the deal.

Lou Williams scored 12 points and Thaddeus Young 10 for the Sixers. Milwaukee got 26 points from Charlie Villanueva, 18 in the second quarter, 20 from Redd and 11 from Ridnour.