How can you not feel bad for them?
Their season opener get’s smashed over the head with an anvil that is our Phillies taking on the “Skanks” in game one of the World Series.
That’s on top of the second class citizen treatment this team gets in a town that typically bleeds green 365 days of the year up until last year’s Phillies run.
Even if their were high expectations for the Sixers and a new, well-liked and undisputed superstar on the roster this opening night game would go unnoticed.
Sad.
And guess what…
That’s before anyone has realized we are playing the defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic in their building where they were 32-9 last season.
Ugh.
The even sadder thing. If the Sixers play great, win a game against a top 5 NBA team and start off with a bang – most Philadelphians won’t even know. And that’s whether the Phillies win or lose tonight.
Tough spot for our Sixers and I feel bad for them. Thank goodness Friday’s home opener is on a World Series off day.
About the game Sixers vs. Orlando
Let’s just start by getting the odds out of the way. 17% chance to win and 10 point underdog.
I personally think 10 points is being generous. I saw Orlando blast the Hawks by 37 in the last preseason game. And the damage was done starters vs. starters as they had a point differential of 34 points in the first and third quarters combined. Oh and that is without Rashard Lewis who is suspended for the first 10 games.
The Magics expected starting line-up is:
- Nelson
- Pietrus
- Carter
- Anderson
- Howard
Two things stick out to me from a match-up standpoint.
- Can Lou Williams keep Jameer in check? He was the best point guard in the Eastern Conference the first half of the season last year. I know he is chomping at the bit to redeem himself and silence all the critics that said he shouldn’t have come back in the Finals last season and actually hurt his team’s chance. Lou better not getting into his typically pissing battles going possession for possession focusing only on scoring.
- Elton Brand defending Ryan Anderson on the perimeter. I really like this kid. He has always been a very good outside shooter. He dominated in summer league. He was fantastic in the preseason averaging 14 points and shooting 56.1% from three on 41 attempts. This could be a problem as it will force Brand away from the basket. That hurts us three ways.
- He is out of good rebounding position
- He isn’t in a position to ward off penetration and defend the paint
- He MUST take away Anderson’s open three point opportunities AND not allow Anderson to pump fake him and drive to the basket.
I don’t know about you all but those two things worry me. And in keeping with my thoughts on the Sixers 2010 preview those two points focus on the defensive end.
I really think this team needs to really lock in and focus on that side of the ball while they are figuring out their offense. If they do they should be able to stay in games until they click offensively.
If they don’t this could be over before the Phillies game starts.
Brain over at the Depressed Fan has a more optimistic viewpoint on tonight’’s game as usual. Good to mix it up.
I disagree with his opinion of Orlando though. I think they are better because while Vince Carter is known to be a dog, he is still at least as good as Turkoglu and I actually think he is more talented and for the first time in his career won’t be asked to do it all or be the leader.
Ryan Anderson will impress people. Bass is a nice energy big off the bench a la Big Baby or Leon Powe from the Celtics championship team. And we didn’t face the Jameer lead Magic in that first round series either.
But for the most part we agree that defense is key and Brand being away from the paint defensively is not good.
Finally a few questions Sixers fans:
- Will you watch this game in it’s entirety? That means no flipping back and forth come 8pm when the Phillies come on and not bailing if the score get out of hand.
- If you aren’t going to watch in it’s entirety will you even check back on the game once the Phillies start?
- Are you optimistic? Why or why not?
Loading ...
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a big 76ers fan, but how can you not watch the Phillies tonight? I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on the basketball game throughout the night, but my focus will be on baseball.
That being said – I think the keys tonight are mostly the same as they were in the playoffs last year.
Can Sammy defend Howard 1 on 1 (without picking up early fouls) so the rest of the team can focus on the shooters?
Can the Sixers move the ball, and hit jump shots, since Howard tends to control the middle? They had some nice moments in preseason play, but they really hurt when they stopped moving on offense. I think their bench this year – kapono, green, smith, and speights will help in the jump shooting department
Finally the Sixers need to out hustle Orlando. The one thing they have going for them is youth and speed. They need to get rebounds, push the tempo, and play solid defense to have a chance.
Ultimately, this early in the season, I think the magic will be too much for them. I think they hang until the 4th quarter and then the Magic pulls away for a double digit victory.
I’m a big basketball fan, but not only will I not watch the Sixers tonight, I probably won’t watch a single game until the World Series is over. I mean, come on…it’s the first week of the season vs the Phillies in the World Series! I’m gonna be thinking about nothing besides baseball until the last pitch.
Any chance you guys are planning on doing a fantasy basketball league like last year?
I’m “phlipping” channels, but pray both Philadelphia teams win!!
Also, Rashard Lewis is suspended for 10 games for using an illegal substance, but will the Sixers capitalize? That is the big question mark right there!
It makes no sense, but I’m more excited for the Sixers game then the Phillies. I’ll certainly be keeping my eyes on the Phils and switch if it is close. got the 2 tuner DVR on just in case I want to go back in time
I am D.V.R. ing the Sixers but will watch them till the first pitch. We probably lose tonight but we have plenty to watch for this season; Elton, L.Will.,Kapono and Carney will be my focus tonight.
Looks like no Jrue Holiday tonight – inactive. Not surprising at this point and the fact that the organization doesn’t believe they are rebuilding right now.
tough love baby, gotta win to get our attention. just the same way the Phillies did it. the only exception is the spoilt baby of Philadelphia; the Eagles who despite inconsistent performance still manage to sell out season tickets within seconds…i dont get it!
thank good ness for TiVo/DVR.
I think the organization pretty much knows that they are screwed. That is unless Brand returns to star level and/or Speights/Thad/Iguodala becomes a superstar. Both scenarios are unlikely- but I’m looking forward to the season anyway.
I’ll watch every second of this game. I am a Phillies fan, and a Sixers fan in the same, but I’m a basketball fan over a baseball fan any day. I’ll be checking in on the Phills, and will be watching tomorrow.
I have no hope for them winning this game just so I can’t be disappointed.
Ryan F, feel the exact same way.
But… I’ll be a lot more excited tomorrow if the Phils win then one by the Sixers. I enjoy watching basketball much more than baseball, but am pumped up about the Phils.
OK can someone explain to me why when the ball goes into same everyone just stands and watches? Where is the cutting action and movement?
For some reason Dalembert thinks his Name is Zydrunas Ilgauskas…why in the hell is he shooting 19 ft. jumpers?
If there is anything I want Sam doing on offense, its taking 19ft jumpers
Looking decent, Brand doesn’t look so bad
Brand doesn’t look good either. All he is doing is shooting contested fadeaways.
Not happy with the player movement at all in the first half. Once the ball goes into the post everyone just stands and watches.
Also – Rodney Carney in the game before Willie Green. Something to keep an eye on.
And Iguodala is starting slow offensively. Not too worried about that yet. But 2 bad first quarter turnovers. That trend can’t continue on from the preseason.
Ok WTF Lou Williams. Starting this season like last. Defense has been atrocious. Of the 41 points Orlando has their two points have scored 16 of them on pretty easy looks.
The coaching staff needs to wean Lou Williams away from trying to answer the opposing team’s run by driving recklessly to the rim and trying to draw a foul.
Our bench is not keeping pace right now. Eddie’s got to get some starters back in so this doesn’t get out of hand.
Speights might be our third leading scorer even coming off the bench.
His talent is very high offensively.
Ok switching to World Series. I’ll be checking in on the Sixers between innings and will be checking back here as well.
Check out the World Series Chat for game one if you’re doing the same.
Defense is absolute shit
Lou Williams brain fart alert: he just got called for a foul on Jason Williams while he was taking a half-court shot at the end of the half.
Ryan F – Really bad defense. And as expected the offense is a mess outside of Speights and Lou leaking out.
Yeah. When the 2nd unit came in the defense went from bad to horrid.
Iguodala needs to try to find a way to get his ass to the rim and stop trying to be a player he’s not.
Speights has NO business trying to check Howard. The new coach must not know his players very well yet.
1st half thoughts:
-Lou: Good scoring wise (as expected). Horrible defense (as expected).
-Speights: Keep it up on the boards and keep getting good looks.
-Elton: Equally bad and slow as last year. What was his contract again? I know it’s early, but he looks like he’s already done.
-Andre: Turnovers need to stop. He always starts the season off slowly though.
-Thad: I want him to be slightly more aggresive, but good first half.
-Sam: You are not the “Big Z” of Philly. Stop shooting jumpers.
- Perimeter defense still looks bad. Slow rotations and close out speed. The Magic’s perimeter offense is still dominant though. They are lighting it up with 70 1st half points.
Toronto beating the Cavs by 18 in the first half.
pathetic
Worse than pathetic. But sadly I expected this to happen.
Ryan F: I’m with you man…basketball over baseball any day of the week.
The game: I haven’t signed up for NBA League Pass yet so am not able to keep up with our Sixers…but I have to say it is pretty damn disheartening to crack open the scores on ESPN and see the Sixers down !@#$ing 30 points in the first game of the season. Granted, the Magic have an absolutely loaded team this year and have really rounded out their bench…but getting knocked around by 30? Jesus.
For those that saw the game…is there even a single positive we can take from this slaughter, or just one we have to forget about and move on like it never happened?
speights is a beast, he is such a great shooter! aside from kapono i think he has the best jumper on the team. he should be starting over brand. seriously there is something badly wrong with him how can u go from 25-12-2.5bpg to not been able to score more then 2 points against ryan anderson who is a cream puff on defense. This is a joke garunteed contracts suck!
Dave T - Marreese Speights has me very excited. He looks like he could be a lock 20 ppg scorer with potential for mid twenties to even 30s with minutes and shot attempts.
Besides that we MUST move on and forget it because if you look at this you would say…
Trash this and move on.
Speights – From everything I watched of his sophomore year at Florida and his rookie season last year…I really, really think we have a future 20/10 on our hands. I love the kid, and can’t wait to see him show more of his back to the basket game on the low block as he did in college.
Lou – Did he look…horrible? Mediocre? ”Meh”? Work in progress? I cannot believe he is our starting PG.
Lou was the same as Speights, great offense and weak defense.
Toronto beat Cleveland by 10 WITH LeBron getting a triple double.
I don’t know what sucks more
Lou terrible defense.
Brand playing like he is 50.
Sammy handling the rock like he is Sabonis
Jrue not even being active
speights is a beast alright!!