Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesContrary to popular opinion, the importance of capturing a NBA championship still far outweighs any regular season individual awards, even if the attitude of fans around the league has shifted towards placing a premium on success over 82 games.It perplexes me to ever Cleveland Browns jersey
hear a person make a statement that says championships are not really that important, and have no true bearing on the legacy of a great player.I struggle to see how we could have lost so much perspective, because the onlyreason the extremely long NBA regular season even exists is to establish seeding for the postseason.That's right, the first 82 games represent a month's long, glorified scrimmage that do little to determine who the league's best team is, because that is awarded under the pressure of the postseason.The media and soon-to-be fan biased MVP award has become a point of celebration among fans, and is falsely applied when discussing the level of a player's greatness, without the benefit of postseason success.I'm not suggesting the MVP award doesn't bear some weight on an individual's legacy, but it doesn't stand in comparison of achievement on the game's grandest stage.People will remember who won the MVP award in any given season, and they will also recall if a player had a great postseason in a losing effort, but the name of the eventual champion will be forever etched in history.Long after the memory of regular season greatness has faded or passed, the concrete evidence of a NBA championship will remain, and can rightly be used to justify the elite status of any player.Think about it.Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Kidd, Nowitzki: all great players whose final destination is the Hall of Fame, yet they are all missing the critical piece which would solidify their legacies.When you really give Dallas Cowboys jersey
it thought, those player's inability to succeed when it mattered the most will be their ultimate legacy, and any debate concerning their status as legendary players will touch on that specific failure.Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant are all great players who cemented their legacies by excelling in the postseason, and any argument concerning those names will end with the fact they were champions.Bryant is a player with wondrous talents, but if he had been unable to win in the postseason, the cries of his many detractors would be amplified, and the impact of his presence would be diminished.Bryant's four championships serve as the last word when discussing his legacy because, even though he has his share of faults, real and perceived, his NBA playoff record stands as a testament to excellence when it mattered the most.Of course all the players previously mentioned will exist as great players regardless if they ever win a championship or not, but for those who feel their status is complete, you are fooling yourselves.The players themselves say they would trade all the regular season awards for one championship, and in a game which thrives on numbers, the final one will always be titles.NBA titles are the only thing which truly separates the legendary players, and for those who performed at a similar level, it is often the determining factor of the better player.So Malone or Duncan?The argument is often made, and for Malone it is lost when considering the ability of Duncan to capture four rings while the title was never delivered to the Mailman.The same line of thought is relevant for any number of players who can be compared on the basis of their talent, but differentiated by their failure to succeed in the postseason.I'm not sure Denver Broncos jersey
how we arrived to the point where the NBA championship is marginalized, but if it stands as the greatest achievement to the best who have ever played the game, then it should exist likewise in our view.Whether you like it or not, great players who utilized the opportunity to lead their teams to the promise land are held in highest esteem.Their performances on the game's grandest stage diminish anything done in the regular season.
2010年12月30日星期四
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 Should People in La La Land Be Worried About The Play Of The Lakers?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images On Tuesday Night, the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 in front of 18,997 fans at home. It was not the typical victory that Lakers' fans have come to expect. Although the Lakers played the game without the services of Kobe Bryant, the final score was too close for comfort. The Lakers, even with the absence of Kobe Bryant should have beaten the barely breathing Kings by an easy 20 points. This margin of victory against the Kings is just one example of the recent poor play by the Lakers who have lost 3 out of St. Louis Rams jersey
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
29 Dec 10 Should People in La La Land Be Worried About The Play Of The Lakers?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images On Tuesday Night, the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 in front of 18,997 fans at home. It was not the typical victory that Lakers' fans have come to expect. Although the Lakers played the game without the services of Kobe Bryant, the final score was too close for comfort. The Lakers, even with the absence of Kobe Bryant should have beaten the barely breathing Kings by an easy 20 points. This margin of victory against the Kings is just one example of the recent poor play by the Lakers who have lost 3 out of St. Louis Rams jersey
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Signs of Change: Suns Show Similar Flaws, Get Different Result Against Spurs
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Suns led most of the game. The Spurs made several second-half charges and gave Phoenicians a sick, panicked feeling in their stomachs.Greg Popovich even played his despicable, intentional-foul card on the Suns' worst free-throw shooter.All that is familiar. The end result, Washington Redskins jersey
a 111-102 Suns win, was incredibly different.The Spurs are not the same team that tormented the Suns in the past. Gone is the cold-blooded shooting of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horryand it showed.George Hill and Robert Mason Jr. missed what would have been dagger three's for San Antonio in the past.Those might go in later in the series, and that should keep Phoenix from getting complacent, as they did with Portland in round one. The reserves won't stay cold and the confines won't stay friendly.Still, it's a Game One win, something the Suns have been unable to snag in postseasons past.Phoenix Exorcises (some) DemonsDon't underestimate the importance of this win for Phoenix. They have never played from a position of strength. The Suns have always felt as though they were playing from behind, trying to catch the Spurs.In both single-game and playoff series situations, that's nearly impossible to do.Luckily for Phoenix, they led almost the entire way in Game One. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson were essential in building their various leads, while Stoudemire converted key, contested baskets when the Spurs threatened to overtake them.That kind of crunch-time poise has one of the Suns' biggest downfalls. Phoenix has to feel good knowing that is no longer the case.Still, it was alarming how easily Parker and Ginobili got to the rim in the final two minutes. Phoenix' defense, solid up to that point, went lazy thinking the game was sewn up. Given the history between the teams, the Suns should know better.If it weren't for their double-digit leads, that mental lapse might have proven fatal.Another new strength for Phoenix: their bench. After a shaky first half, the Suns' reserves, strengthened by either Stoudemire or Hill's steady hand, out-worked and out-hustled their San Antonio counterparts.One other observation: When will the Suns truly focus on making Ginobili drive to his right?Spurs Know How to AdjustThe Spurs will grudgingly take a moral victory from knowing they could have Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
won despite Stoudemire, Nash, and Richardson combining for 83 points. Also, Hill wasn't nearly as effective guarding Ginobili as he was on Portland's Andre Miller.No shocker, but at least a disappointment for the Suns.Disappointing for the Spurs was the abysmal play of Richard Jefferson (five points on 1-of-3 shooting). He just doesn't seem to fit as well as his less-talented predecessors. His lack of three-point shooting hurts the spacing on the Spurs' offense. That left San Antonio with the cold shooting of Mason and Hill.If San Antonio chooses to play Hill over Jefferson, as they did for much of Game One, they'll have to figure out how to hide him on defense. Whether it was Nash blowing by him, or Richardson and Grant Hill posting him up, George Hill was an obvious target for the Suns' offense.Given that and his sub-par performance, Parker will likely start for the rest of the series, leaving Hill to contend with the Suns' bench crew.Game Two OutlookPopovich attempted to play small at the end of Game One, with short-term gain and long-term loss. The Suns are used to playing small, and have been since Robin Lopez went out in late-March with injury.Look for reserve DeJuan Blair to make more of an impact than the two-point, two-rebound performance in Game One. His ability Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
o crash the boards seems too good a weapon against the slighter Phoenix frontline.Also, don't expect the Spurs role-players to underperform two games in a row.At the same time, one of the Suns' reserves is due to perform better than bench-best six points. It's a good bet that someone among Dragic, Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye will get a hot hand, especially in front of the home crowd.The biggest key will be the point guard matchup. Will Parker match his starter status with starter production and make Nash pay in the process? Will Nash be able to get the same results he did in Game One, whether it's for himself or others?Oh, and Robin Lopez, a maybe for Game One, could be back.
a 111-102 Suns win, was incredibly different.The Spurs are not the same team that tormented the Suns in the past. Gone is the cold-blooded shooting of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horryand it showed.George Hill and Robert Mason Jr. missed what would have been dagger three's for San Antonio in the past.Those might go in later in the series, and that should keep Phoenix from getting complacent, as they did with Portland in round one. The reserves won't stay cold and the confines won't stay friendly.Still, it's a Game One win, something the Suns have been unable to snag in postseasons past.Phoenix Exorcises (some) DemonsDon't underestimate the importance of this win for Phoenix. They have never played from a position of strength. The Suns have always felt as though they were playing from behind, trying to catch the Spurs.In both single-game and playoff series situations, that's nearly impossible to do.Luckily for Phoenix, they led almost the entire way in Game One. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson were essential in building their various leads, while Stoudemire converted key, contested baskets when the Spurs threatened to overtake them.That kind of crunch-time poise has one of the Suns' biggest downfalls. Phoenix has to feel good knowing that is no longer the case.Still, it was alarming how easily Parker and Ginobili got to the rim in the final two minutes. Phoenix' defense, solid up to that point, went lazy thinking the game was sewn up. Given the history between the teams, the Suns should know better.If it weren't for their double-digit leads, that mental lapse might have proven fatal.Another new strength for Phoenix: their bench. After a shaky first half, the Suns' reserves, strengthened by either Stoudemire or Hill's steady hand, out-worked and out-hustled their San Antonio counterparts.One other observation: When will the Suns truly focus on making Ginobili drive to his right?Spurs Know How to AdjustThe Spurs will grudgingly take a moral victory from knowing they could have Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
won despite Stoudemire, Nash, and Richardson combining for 83 points. Also, Hill wasn't nearly as effective guarding Ginobili as he was on Portland's Andre Miller.No shocker, but at least a disappointment for the Suns.Disappointing for the Spurs was the abysmal play of Richard Jefferson (five points on 1-of-3 shooting). He just doesn't seem to fit as well as his less-talented predecessors. His lack of three-point shooting hurts the spacing on the Spurs' offense. That left San Antonio with the cold shooting of Mason and Hill.If San Antonio chooses to play Hill over Jefferson, as they did for much of Game One, they'll have to figure out how to hide him on defense. Whether it was Nash blowing by him, or Richardson and Grant Hill posting him up, George Hill was an obvious target for the Suns' offense.Given that and his sub-par performance, Parker will likely start for the rest of the series, leaving Hill to contend with the Suns' bench crew.Game Two OutlookPopovich attempted to play small at the end of Game One, with short-term gain and long-term loss. The Suns are used to playing small, and have been since Robin Lopez went out in late-March with injury.Look for reserve DeJuan Blair to make more of an impact than the two-point, two-rebound performance in Game One. His ability Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
o crash the boards seems too good a weapon against the slighter Phoenix frontline.Also, don't expect the Spurs role-players to underperform two games in a row.At the same time, one of the Suns' reserves is due to perform better than bench-best six points. It's a good bet that someone among Dragic, Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye will get a hot hand, especially in front of the home crowd.The biggest key will be the point guard matchup. Will Parker match his starter status with starter production and make Nash pay in the process? Will Nash be able to get the same results he did in Game One, whether it's for himself or others?Oh, and Robin Lopez, a maybe for Game One, could be back.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: The Game Five That Changed NBA History
Elsa/Getty ImagesGoing into the 2010 NBA Playoffs the consensus was that the Lakers and Cavaliers would face off in the Finals to determine this year's crown.There was the occasional scribe or announcer that mentioned the outside possibility of the Orlando Magic representing the Eastern Conference but that was the end of it. Not only was no one else given a chance, they weren't even mentioned by name.LeBron James, or the King as pundits enjoy calling him, was the NBA's second coming.The only argument anyone gave was the Oakland Raiders jersey
possibility that Kobe Bryant may still have enough in his tank to challenge "The King" for the throne of the NBA's best player. The fans at the "Q" chanted "MVP, MVP, MVP" almost every time James touched the ball during the short first round series versus the Chicago Bulls and again during Game One of the second round against the Boston Celtics.It was as if everyone had had a glass of the proverbial Kool Aid.Enter the Celtics.Although this championship squad, only one season removed, has a seasoned lineup of at least three future Hall of Fame inductees they were simply an afterthought."King" James would treat those men in green as a mere speed bump on his pre-ordained trip to his personal promised land.Well someone forgot to tell James and Co. about what may be the best team in this year's tournament. And a team is exactly what it is.Make no mistake, there may be more talent on a few squads in the league, but none of them have the chemistry or the team concept down like the Boston Celtics.They forced their collective will on the Cleveland Cavaliers to the point that the Cavaliers quit.Yes, they simply quit.Why did that happen though. Did you notice the "King" breathing hard and grasping his shorts as he bent over early on in that Game Five contest?It has since been suggested that he was experiencing extreme stress from the heavy load of carrying his team and I agree with that explanation completely.I never saw James look like that in any game before. He was having trouble getting air and Philadelphia Eagles jersey
was not having fun the way he normally has in the recent past. Against Chicago, as an example, LeBron was still jumping into chest bumps and flying by teammates with high fives even after playing 40-plus minutes.Against a methodical Celtic team he felt trapped as a leader unable to answer the bell and the end was written in stone to the point that the deciding Game Six was a mere afterthought as his teammates looked to him for answers he had no clue how to give.Enter the Eastern Conference Finals and the Orlando Magic.Dwight Howard would surely get past the Boston team just as he and his team had last season.Of course, short memories had already forgotten that Kevin Garnett wasn't in that series last year or that Rajon Rondo had since matured into possibly the best point guard in the league.Kendrick Perkins has muffled Howard's greatness on his own, leaving Garnett to have his way against an outclassed Rashard Lewis and Rondo to run circles around Magic counterpart Jameer Nelson.The Celtics are putting on a show that is spelled T-E-A-M, and finally the "experts" are beginning to notice.Going into the hostile environment of the TD Garden does not bode well for Orlando, and Boston no doubt senses the kill.The Magic are done. The rest of this series will go the Celtics' way just as the Cleveland series had.The two missed free throws by Vince Carter, the frustration on the face of Howard and J.J. Redick's knuckleheaded blunder of advancing the ball before calling a timeout are all indications that Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Orlando has reached the same fork in the roadthat Cleveland did.Yes, Game Five has already changed the history of three teams.Will the Cavaliers and Magic be joined by the Los Angeles Lakers as well? It won't be long now before we find out.What we do know for sure is that the Lakers had better bring more than a group of NBA stars with them because when they arrive they will be looking square into the eyes of a championship team.
possibility that Kobe Bryant may still have enough in his tank to challenge "The King" for the throne of the NBA's best player. The fans at the "Q" chanted "MVP, MVP, MVP" almost every time James touched the ball during the short first round series versus the Chicago Bulls and again during Game One of the second round against the Boston Celtics.It was as if everyone had had a glass of the proverbial Kool Aid.Enter the Celtics.Although this championship squad, only one season removed, has a seasoned lineup of at least three future Hall of Fame inductees they were simply an afterthought."King" James would treat those men in green as a mere speed bump on his pre-ordained trip to his personal promised land.Well someone forgot to tell James and Co. about what may be the best team in this year's tournament. And a team is exactly what it is.Make no mistake, there may be more talent on a few squads in the league, but none of them have the chemistry or the team concept down like the Boston Celtics.They forced their collective will on the Cleveland Cavaliers to the point that the Cavaliers quit.Yes, they simply quit.Why did that happen though. Did you notice the "King" breathing hard and grasping his shorts as he bent over early on in that Game Five contest?It has since been suggested that he was experiencing extreme stress from the heavy load of carrying his team and I agree with that explanation completely.I never saw James look like that in any game before. He was having trouble getting air and Philadelphia Eagles jersey
was not having fun the way he normally has in the recent past. Against Chicago, as an example, LeBron was still jumping into chest bumps and flying by teammates with high fives even after playing 40-plus minutes.Against a methodical Celtic team he felt trapped as a leader unable to answer the bell and the end was written in stone to the point that the deciding Game Six was a mere afterthought as his teammates looked to him for answers he had no clue how to give.Enter the Eastern Conference Finals and the Orlando Magic.Dwight Howard would surely get past the Boston team just as he and his team had last season.Of course, short memories had already forgotten that Kevin Garnett wasn't in that series last year or that Rajon Rondo had since matured into possibly the best point guard in the league.Kendrick Perkins has muffled Howard's greatness on his own, leaving Garnett to have his way against an outclassed Rashard Lewis and Rondo to run circles around Magic counterpart Jameer Nelson.The Celtics are putting on a show that is spelled T-E-A-M, and finally the "experts" are beginning to notice.Going into the hostile environment of the TD Garden does not bode well for Orlando, and Boston no doubt senses the kill.The Magic are done. The rest of this series will go the Celtics' way just as the Cleveland series had.The two missed free throws by Vince Carter, the frustration on the face of Howard and J.J. Redick's knuckleheaded blunder of advancing the ball before calling a timeout are all indications that Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Orlando has reached the same fork in the roadthat Cleveland did.Yes, Game Five has already changed the history of three teams.Will the Cavaliers and Magic be joined by the Los Angeles Lakers as well? It won't be long now before we find out.What we do know for sure is that the Lakers had better bring more than a group of NBA stars with them because when they arrive they will be looking square into the eyes of a championship team.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Chris Bosh to Join LeBron on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sign-and-Trade?
The speculation on Chris Bosh's next team has run rampant recently.He supposedly created a list of five teams (Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto) that he may sign with.I agree with most people that Bosh will want to leave Toronto for the states this summer.According to some sources, he will wait Miami Dolphins jersey
and see where LeBron James goes, and then join him.Also, it has been said that he wants to do a sign and trade if he leaves Toronto, ostensibly so the Raptors will get something out of it, but more likely so he can get the extra $30 million that would allow him to sign for.All these factors got me wondering, why not Cleveland? LeBron can re-up with the Cavs, and then a sign-and-trade can take place for Bosh. Maybe something like this:Cleveland Trades F Antawn JamisonF J.J. HicksonG Delonte WestFuture Draft Pick/CashT oronto Trades F Chris BoshG Marcus Banks ' expensive contractI don't think you can slice it any other way, the Raptors are screwed if Bosh leaves. They couldn't make the playoffs with him, and won't without him.At least if they do this trade, Hickson may be able toMinnesota Vikings
develop into a second or third option type of a player, and the overpaid Banks would be gone, replaced by West's non-guaranteed contract.The Cavs would give a much better supporting cast for the two stars then the Knicks could, with Mo Williams, Varejao, Parker etc. and Shaq and Z would almost certainly re-sign.I think this team would be even better than a Chicago team with LeBron would. Bosh can get the heck out of Toronto and join a superstar (and get that extra $30 million,) while James can get a winning team without looking disloyal by switching teams. New England Patriots jersey
They would have all those guys, and have a good chance of signing some vets who want to win. If that team couldn't win any championships, then you would, or at least I would, begin to question LeBron's greatness.Everyone winsexcept for Jamison, Hickson, and West.You would have to feel especially bad for Jamison after being rescued from the Wizards, only to be sent back to another rebuilding team.Nothing personal, just good business
and see where LeBron James goes, and then join him.Also, it has been said that he wants to do a sign and trade if he leaves Toronto, ostensibly so the Raptors will get something out of it, but more likely so he can get the extra $30 million that would allow him to sign for.All these factors got me wondering, why not Cleveland? LeBron can re-up with the Cavs, and then a sign-and-trade can take place for Bosh. Maybe something like this:Cleveland Trades F Antawn JamisonF J.J. HicksonG Delonte WestFuture Draft Pick/CashT oronto Trades F Chris BoshG Marcus Banks ' expensive contractI don't think you can slice it any other way, the Raptors are screwed if Bosh leaves. They couldn't make the playoffs with him, and won't without him.At least if they do this trade, Hickson may be able toMinnesota Vikings
develop into a second or third option type of a player, and the overpaid Banks would be gone, replaced by West's non-guaranteed contract.The Cavs would give a much better supporting cast for the two stars then the Knicks could, with Mo Williams, Varejao, Parker etc. and Shaq and Z would almost certainly re-sign.I think this team would be even better than a Chicago team with LeBron would. Bosh can get the heck out of Toronto and join a superstar (and get that extra $30 million,) while James can get a winning team without looking disloyal by switching teams. New England Patriots jersey
They would have all those guys, and have a good chance of signing some vets who want to win. If that team couldn't win any championships, then you would, or at least I would, begin to question LeBron's greatness.Everyone winsexcept for Jamison, Hickson, and West.You would have to feel especially bad for Jamison after being rescued from the Wizards, only to be sent back to another rebuilding team.Nothing personal, just good business
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 Philadelphia Sixers Show Promise Against Charlotte Bobcats Despite Bleak Season
Jodie Meeks during a standout performanceMarc Serota/Getty ImagesUnder the sharp beyond-the-arc shooting of Jodie Meeks, the Philadelphia Sixers were able to accomplish an early lead against the Charlotte Bobcats and maintained it through four quarters to capture their sixth win of the season.Meeks came out of the gate on fire by completing six straight three-pointers and compiling 20 points in the first quarter. He ended the night with a game- and career-high of 26 points.Meeks cooled off after the first quarter, but the rest of Atlanta Falcons jersey
the team fed off of his energy and created a lead as large as 21 points. The bench was inserted after the first quarter and the lead dwindled down to single digits because of sloppy play which resulted into turnovers and confusion on the defensive end.This collapse seemed all too reminiscent of the night before as the Sixers led for 47 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and blew an 18-point lead to fall to the Hawks 93-88. Coach Collins added a couple starters back into the lineup and the Sixers went into the locker room at halftime with an 11-point lead.The Sixers entered the court in the beginning of the third quarter looking lackadaisical on both ends on the floor. They allowed the Bobcats to take uncontested shots, which was initiated by lack of recovery in transition defense and perplexity in performing play-calls. Added to the mediocre play were durations where the team could not buy a basket and the Bobcats capitalized on the offensive end.However, Elton Brand produced a spark for the team and began to set the tone as he fought in the paint for rebound after rebound. Fueled by Brand relentlessness, the Sixers increased their level of aggression and the offense and defense began to gel and play well with unification.They pulled away with the lead at the end of the third quarter. Thaddeus Young added 20 points on the night, Brand scored 15 and gathered 10 rebounds, and Andre Iguodala contributed 15 points and seven assists as the Sixers beat the Bobcats 109-91.This win should give the team confidence as they Baltimore Ravens jersey
head into their next matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tonight. The 76ers have fallen to the Cavaliers twice already in this early season, both losses being single digits.Common ThemesAlthough the Sixers were able to build a lead and hold it, there were many issues that were visible in the game that have haunted them all season and will continue to do so if they don fix their mistakes.The team style of play has been very fast-paced for a couple of years now. To be an effective running team, players have to be able to recover on transition defense, complete passes and make shots when on offense;everything that the Sixers are not managing to achieve.They score points, but at times, they don have a player that they can depend on to make a shot. Fatigue seems to also be a factor. With the 76ers being a running team, this could be perceived as an advantage and a curse. The advantage being that they can get ahead of other teams and score points. The curse for the 76ers is that they tire themselves out faster than the opposing team because they try to score quickly, but as the game progresses, it seems as though the opposing team turns the table on them.Opposing teams capitalize on the Sixers' lack of scoring, resulting in many losses. Fortunately, the Bobcats are not a good team, and like the Sixers, they are trying to find themselves. If the Sixers were facing a premiere NBA team and these same problems arose, undoubtedly the end result would have been plus-one in the loss column.Change NeededThe biggest issue that comes to the forefront is that they do not have a force in the middle that intimidates players to repel them from scoring inside.Spencer Hawes is not what many may consider an All-Star center or one of high caliber. He isn aggressive and is a pushover in the inside. He possesses the height for a typical NBA Center but lacks the skills to be a starter, although he is for the Sixers.Hawes does not frighten even the smallest player from performing a finesse layup or emphatic dunk, reminding of the game play of NBA 2K as players easily route to the hoop.Samuel Dalembert should not have been released if the Sixers were not going to acquire a Center of his stature or better. He was not the best big man, but he was one Buffalo Bills jersey
of the leading shot-blockers in the NBA and generated a presence under the basket.Hawes is still developing and could be a good center coming off the bench, but the Sixers are in immediate need of an acquisition that would coerce opponents to take outside shots instead of taking it to the hoop.In terms of a consistent scorer, Jodie Meeks seems like a diamond in the rough that could not have been discovered at a better time. He could be the answer to scoring points when the Sixers are in a drought.
the team fed off of his energy and created a lead as large as 21 points. The bench was inserted after the first quarter and the lead dwindled down to single digits because of sloppy play which resulted into turnovers and confusion on the defensive end.This collapse seemed all too reminiscent of the night before as the Sixers led for 47 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and blew an 18-point lead to fall to the Hawks 93-88. Coach Collins added a couple starters back into the lineup and the Sixers went into the locker room at halftime with an 11-point lead.The Sixers entered the court in the beginning of the third quarter looking lackadaisical on both ends on the floor. They allowed the Bobcats to take uncontested shots, which was initiated by lack of recovery in transition defense and perplexity in performing play-calls. Added to the mediocre play were durations where the team could not buy a basket and the Bobcats capitalized on the offensive end.However, Elton Brand produced a spark for the team and began to set the tone as he fought in the paint for rebound after rebound. Fueled by Brand relentlessness, the Sixers increased their level of aggression and the offense and defense began to gel and play well with unification.They pulled away with the lead at the end of the third quarter. Thaddeus Young added 20 points on the night, Brand scored 15 and gathered 10 rebounds, and Andre Iguodala contributed 15 points and seven assists as the Sixers beat the Bobcats 109-91.This win should give the team confidence as they Baltimore Ravens jersey
head into their next matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tonight. The 76ers have fallen to the Cavaliers twice already in this early season, both losses being single digits.Common ThemesAlthough the Sixers were able to build a lead and hold it, there were many issues that were visible in the game that have haunted them all season and will continue to do so if they don fix their mistakes.The team style of play has been very fast-paced for a couple of years now. To be an effective running team, players have to be able to recover on transition defense, complete passes and make shots when on offense;everything that the Sixers are not managing to achieve.They score points, but at times, they don have a player that they can depend on to make a shot. Fatigue seems to also be a factor. With the 76ers being a running team, this could be perceived as an advantage and a curse. The advantage being that they can get ahead of other teams and score points. The curse for the 76ers is that they tire themselves out faster than the opposing team because they try to score quickly, but as the game progresses, it seems as though the opposing team turns the table on them.Opposing teams capitalize on the Sixers' lack of scoring, resulting in many losses. Fortunately, the Bobcats are not a good team, and like the Sixers, they are trying to find themselves. If the Sixers were facing a premiere NBA team and these same problems arose, undoubtedly the end result would have been plus-one in the loss column.Change NeededThe biggest issue that comes to the forefront is that they do not have a force in the middle that intimidates players to repel them from scoring inside.Spencer Hawes is not what many may consider an All-Star center or one of high caliber. He isn aggressive and is a pushover in the inside. He possesses the height for a typical NBA Center but lacks the skills to be a starter, although he is for the Sixers.Hawes does not frighten even the smallest player from performing a finesse layup or emphatic dunk, reminding of the game play of NBA 2K as players easily route to the hoop.Samuel Dalembert should not have been released if the Sixers were not going to acquire a Center of his stature or better. He was not the best big man, but he was one Buffalo Bills jersey
of the leading shot-blockers in the NBA and generated a presence under the basket.Hawes is still developing and could be a good center coming off the bench, but the Sixers are in immediate need of an acquisition that would coerce opponents to take outside shots instead of taking it to the hoop.In terms of a consistent scorer, Jodie Meeks seems like a diamond in the rough that could not have been discovered at a better time. He could be the answer to scoring points when the Sixers are in a drought.
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