I will miss at least the first half of this game with a playoff game of my own. But I do have one question for you guys?
Should the Sixers go all out to win this game?
Meaning play their key guys heavy minutes if that’s what it takes to get a win vs. Cleveland’s JV squad.
Or should they rest some aching players, cut down on the 40 plus minutes Iguodala plays, giving Thad some run to get his wind right but not overdo it and worry about getting 100% healthy for the playoffs? One win against half a team isn’t momentum. They have done absolutely nothing in support of a higher seed the last two weeks does it really matter at this point?
Let me know in the comments how the game is going so when I get back I can get your analysis of the situation. This should be a win and we shouldn’t need to play our core guys 48 minutes to do it.
Loading ...
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see both sides. You can say winning against bench guys won’t give you momentum… but in truth any success will help clear the stench of losing.
Its sort of like sending Myers down to beat up on minor leagers to regain his confidence. Sure he was not striking out MLB level opponents, but once he got going it carried over to the highest level competition in the W.S.
One win against the Cav’s scrubs won’t get them on a roll, but it might at least help them shoot with a bit more confidence, clearing a bit of the loser taste out of their mouths.
Now we as fans know that the win does not prove anything, and that they pretty much collapsed (again) down the stretch after wraping up a playoff appearance. But it might still help the players gain their foioting entering a near impossible playoff match-up.
I think it would be an embarrassment to lose this game whether we rest our starters or not. I know I want to see 41-41 next the our name so at least we can say we were .500. I don’t think resting our players will do them that much good, and I don’t think winning this game will do that much good. So I guess it’s just preference.
With the Cavs all but surrendering the game, with a .500 record on the line and a ton of pride at stake, if the Sixers manage to lose this game the entire squad should be fired. Injuries are a part of the game and this season ends with the Sixers making little to no progress as a whole organization. A few individuals did shine at times but Ed needs to head back to the drawing board for another plan. That being said, I’m looking forward to next season to find out if this group will ever grow and prosper.
I would like to see a win, 41-41 does look better. But they should be able to win AND rest guys. Thad looks very aggressive early, I have a feeling he may have a big playoff this year, especially if the matchup is good.By the way, cn8 now has a high def. channel, about time. Good article on defensive players on e.s.p.n.com. [Hollinger] Iggy and A.Miller get some props, yes A.Miller.
2 fouls back to back puts the cavs on the line for two free throws Sixers up by 3 the game is over. But NO! this coaching staff doesn’t immediately foul the player getting the inbound. Fire this staff please!
I actually feel good about this matchup, their p.g. can!t put up big points [Alston] and Thad at the 4 won!t be overpowered plus Lee against Green isn!t terrible. And we have one of the few centers that can battle Dwight straight up defensively and Theo may be big in this series.
^^^cosign
Im not liking Dileo as a full time coach. He’s smart and nice, but not the right man for the job. Overall a pretty good win though. Im pleased with a 41-41 record and am glad we now have our sights on the Magic instead of the Celtics. Im guessing there is a Magic vs. Sixers post coming up? I’ll post my thoughts on that match up when the post comes.
GO SIXERS!!!
Yeah I will write something before the first game. I am WAY on the other end of the spectrum than you guys though. That was a TERRIBLE WIN and I certainly don’t feel good about facing Orlando let alone anyone right now.
Wow, Sixers win in OT, Chi. loses at home, Sixers finish 6th. Surprise Surprise. Can we beat Orlando?
I would like to correct myself. Tony Dileo just said on NBATV that Thaddeus Young tried to foul before Gibson hit the three. I guess Thaddeus didn’t do a good enough job making sure he fouled him. I overreacted.
Better Orlando then Boston, at least we have a chance to maybe win a game or possibly 2. The real bad news would be if we miss out on Lawson or Flynn by one pick.
Dannie, good win,no. But the alternative was much worse. Although having the Andres log all those minutes wasn!t a good thing. If Gibson and Szerbiak shoot like that in the playoffs they will be tough to beat.
They get 3 days to rest. No real difference in the minutes tonight. Playing guys risks injury (or re-injury with Thad) but I don’t see how an extra 5-10 minutes tonight will effect them on Saturday.
I do think Miller has worn down over the season. Not sure if it is age or his calf injury. Maybe his overall minutes this season should have been protected.
BTW- Sam’s injury did not hurt them tonight, but they certainly need him against Superman.
All the Sixers need is to stay over .500 for the next 16 games. How hard can that be?
last time they played Orlando in the playoffs was also as a 6 seed, in 1999. they upset the #3 seed, but i believe that was in a 5 game series.
Larry Brown was the coach and it was only a 50-game season due to the lockout. Magic (under Chuck Daly) went 33-17, five games ahead of the Sixers. Philly won Game 1, then Games 3 and 4 at home.
While Boston has more experience, Orlando may be a tougher matchup because of the way the Magic spread the floor, have a quick point guard (trouble for Miller and Williams), shoot 3s and have Howard inside.
I’m with Dannie — not impressed by barely beating a team that didn’t even play five of its top six down the stretch (or four of them at all). To think this will make a difference in the playoffs seems overly optimistic.
Magic won all three regular season games and outscored the Sixers 99-39 from 3-point land along the way, with Rashard Lewis having as many 3s as the Sixers’ team.