I love Speights and he is the major reason Sammy is only playing 28 minutes per game as a starter.  If he continues to develop, especially defensively I would be fine with him taking a few more minutes from Sam.

All you talked about was offense.  Why?  I thought this was suppose to be a defensive team that runs.  What Sammy brings on defense and with his rebounding fits perfectly with that style of play.  As much as you don’t like him the numbers are pretty hard to argue with.  He is 9th in the NBA in rebounding and the only player averaging less than 30 mpg in the top 16.  He’s 13th in blocks and you watch the game to see all the other shots he alters that don’t show up in the boxscore.  And he has been one of the Sixers top players in terms of production/48 minutes played.  And he isn’t the one turning the ball over 2+ times per game either.

Also the dude only takes 6.5 shots per game over his career and guess what, he makes more than half of those attempts.  Everyone flips out whenever he shoots and ignores the fact that he has been one of Sixers highest % shooters when he does take his few shots.

Look I understand Sammy has his flaws.  He isn’t and never will be a strong offensive player.  But with every player you have to take some bad with the good. 

Where I disagree with you the most is your contention that the Sixers can’t win with him.  How do you know that?  The Sixers overall lack of real talent (aka really “skilled” players not just athletes) has been the issue the last few years.  Until we get a team with sufficient talent and a legit title chance then will be really we get to see who the Sixers can’t win with.  Maybe you are right.  Maybe Sammy really is a deterrent to winning big, but I don’t see how anyone can be so sure of that statement at this point.  I think you can make a very similar argument about Andre Iguodala considering how small he came up in the playoffs last year.

My main point was through 13 games Sammy isn’t the biggest issue.  We still have shooting issues, turnover issues and no real go-to player at the least to be worried about before we start the Dalembert bashing.

But I will start keeping track of your statement:

Every time we run our half court offence there is sammy setting up on the low block instead of going weakside to get in better position for an offensive rebound.  His selfishness in doing this usually saps the first 14 seconds of the clock, and then we are left with no shot

because I think for one it’s an exaggeration and two how do you know that isn’t where he was suppose to be on many set? Meaning is it really a player issue or a coaching issue?

http://csnphilly.com/pages/sixers

See video of Brand (11/23)

He really knows that there is more to be done and knows what lies ahead for this team.  A true professional.

In 15 minutes, Lou Williams:
7 points (2-6 shooting,  3-4 FT) 
2 assists
1 steal
NO TURNOVERS 

A more controlled and calmer Lou Williams.  Funny how he committed no turnovers and Andre Miller had 6.  I’m sure it won’t happen again for Miller tonight!

But if Lou Williams, Andre Iguodala, and Samuel Dalembert get their games going and know their roles properly, then this team will be UNBELIEVABLE! (Of course, getting more from the bench, especially the new guys is another key as well!)

Dannie,  I’m sure you had a heart attack in the 4th QT.  I know I did and will probably get more of those when we play major scoring, fastbreaking teams like that.  That game was very interesting because it defines that against some teams like that, we can play a half-court game.  Surprisingly, we had NO fastbreak points, but the Warriors shot blockers had something to do with that– Ronny Turiaf especially! (Maybe it is just me, but the Lakers WILL MISS Ronny Turiaf!  Teams like Boston and Detroit will continue beating up the Lakers due their frontcourt depth and mental toughness!)

Next up,  Sixers @ Bobcats
NBATV would headline this game as:  Cheeks v.s Brown

So far, with the exception of the surprisingly hardworking, despite their poor record Timberwolves, the Sixers have beaten the teams they are supposed to beat.  It’s early, but that is a great sign of a great team!  Let’s pounce on them immediately and hope Raymond Felton does not give the Sixers nightmares.  In the three meetings last season between these two teams, Felton did not play in the first two games–which were Sixer WINS, but in the game he played in the Bobcats season finale– he had 18 pts & 12 ast  (6/12 FG   6/7 FT  in  34 minutes). 

I think the Sixers will win by 8 points, because the Bobcats play very well and display a lot of effort at home and it is Larry Brown’s “play the right way philosophy”.  

Don’t take them lightly though: they beat Miami, New Orleans, and Utah at home.  The Sixers need to focus on this game and not look ahead to the nationally televised Magic game Wednesday at home and the road game against the Champion Celtics.  It’s mind over matter, and the great teams always put on a surge prior to facing those teams and the Sixers need to do the same and take care of business.

(Also, how about those Timberwolves whooping the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills  106-80; Iverson had 9 points!)

KEEP IT GOING SIXERS!! 

Sixers beat a slop team, as constituted yesterday.  There’s a lot of truly bad basketball that is sold on a “professional” premise in NBA. 
15-20 (of 82) games are well-played by both contestants, my generous estimate.