Andre Iguodala ‘was trying a little too hard’ to ‘destroy’ 76ers in Nuggets’ season-opening loss (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Orlando  No Responses »
Nov 012012
 

In one of lovely little quirks of the NBA schedule, Andre Iguodala’s made his first regular-season appearance as a member of the Denver Nuggets in the familiar — if not necessarily friendly — of the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night, taking on the Philadelphia 76ers, the team that drafted him ninth overall in the 2004 NBA draft and with which he had spent the first eight seasons of his professional career. (And it is a “quirk” — remember, the 2012-13 schedule was released two weeks before Iguodala was shipped to Denver in the four-team blockbuster trade that landed Dwight Howard in Los Angeles and Andrew Bynum in Philly.)
The combination debut/homecoming didn’t go nearly as well as Iguodala hoped; even with new franchise center Bynum sitting due to a knee injury , the Sixers had the defensive wherewithal to stall Denver’s fast-paced offense, notching an 84-75 win behind five double-figure scorers led by 16 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks from mulleted sixth man Spencer Hawes. The night was a struggle for Iguodala individually, too, as the 2012 NBA All-Star and Summer Olympian scored just 11 points on 13 field-goal attempts, missing all four of his 3-point tries and two of his three free throws — he looked tentative and awkward throughout his 35 minutes of floor time, and Denver largely followed suit.
After the game, Iguodala — always a thoughtful quote, even when he’s saying things that his former supporters might not particularly enjoy — admitted to feeling the kind of totally understandable pressure to which athletes rarely feel comfortable admitting. From John Smallwood at the Philadelphia Daily News :
“I think I was trying a little too hard,” said Iguodala [...] “Your first thought [about playing a former team] is always, ‘Destroy them.’ You want to win the game. First and foremost, you want to play well.
“Being human inside, it’s hard to block that out, to not let it affect your game, not try to force it. At times, that affected me. If I hadn’t had a shot in a while or wasn’t being impactful as I wanted to be, I would think about forcing it instead of letting it flow.”

Go to Source

How Will Andrew Bynum Hold Up Under Brutal Philadelphia Media Machine and Fans?

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Sep 142012
 

From the moment the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Andrew Bynum this summer, the ravenous fans of Philadelphia made it known just how pleased they were to have one of the league’s best young centers in town.

It started with a bang, as the Sixers introduced Bynum in a press conference open to the public at the city’s National Constitution Center. Bynum was showered with praise from the fans who will pack the seats at the Wells Fargo Center this season.

Bynum’s arrival gives the Sixers their first true star since Allen Iverson, and he has made it clear he wants his relationship with the fans and the team to be one that’s fit for the long-term. Bynum made his intentions clear at that press conference nearly one month ago, according to Chris Branch of the Courier-Post Online, saying, “I’m leaning towards making this my home,” Bynum said, referring to signing a long-term contract in Philadelphia.

Bynum’s trials and tribulations in Los Angeles have been well documented, and they don’t require much rehashing at this point. Yes, he grew frustrated due to a lack of touches, and surely his role as the second and sometimes third scoring option behind Kobe Bryant made things that much more frustrating as he realized his talents were evolving.

However, Bynum is currently in a good place, and his elation was evident through his tone at his introductory press conference. While many stars would rather join an established group of players who are ready to compete for a title right away, Bynum sees an opportunity to build a franchise around his talents, and along with the right complementary pieces, eventually see them evolve into a title contender.

The Philadelphia sports media and fans alike have received marks as one of the tougher groups to impress, but as we’ve seen in the past, it doesn’t take a whole lot to please them.

What fans in Philadelphia really cherish more than anything from their athletes is courage, determination and physically showing their will to win on a nightly basis. Just look at beloved Philadelphia heroes like Brian Dawkins, Allen Iverson and Chase Utley.

Philadelphians love players who exemplify the blue-collar nature of the city. If Bynum is able to shed the bits of Tinseltown that rubbed off on him, he will quickly realize what he needs to do to please both the fans and the journalists who will be following his each and every move.

Bynum is expected to post numbers somewhere in the range of 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and those numbers are absolutely feasible given the situation he’s found himself in. With a great cast of role players around him, Bynum will be the focal point of an offense that is now fully capable of stretching the floor with a variety of shooters and versatile weapons.

Should the Sixers struggle through the first few weeks of the season, fans will undoubtedly get a bit anxious; it’s a long season, though, and Bynum and the new-look roster will eventually stabilize.

While it’s expected that it will take a little time for all of the Sixers’ new pieces to jell, any semblance of instant success for Bynum will be accompanied with rousing applause from the fan base.

Scrutiny will accompany the praise showered on Bynum, but if he wants to start shaping his individual legacy, he will have to do so by achieving success in Philadelphia, where he will be met with overwhelming support.

Read more Philadelphia 76ers news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

Allen Iverson presented the game ball for Sixers’ Game 6, talked about his future (VIDEO) (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Denver  No Responses »
May 242012
 

Sixers legend Allen Iverson left Philadelphia under not-so-great circumstances twice — first, when he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in December 2006, and then again in 2010 after a short, controversy-filled return to the franchise . Despite those exits, Iverson is still much-loved in Philly. He led the franchise emotionally and on the court for more than a decade, and his toughness (mixed with a lot of frustration, naturally) helped the city identify with him. Simply put, he’s the most important Philadelphia athlete of the past 25 years, no matter how often Eagles fans still complain about former quarterback Donovan McNabb.
On Wednesday night, the currently unemployed Iverson returned to the Wells Fargo Center to present the game ball before tip-off of the Sixers’ Game 6 win against the Boston Celtics. His initial appearance was brief: he walked out in head-to-toe Sixers apparel (including a jersey with the No. 23 of Louis Williams, the most Iversonian member of the team), presented the ball, shook some hands, gave some hugs, and left the court to watch the game. Through it all, the home crowd gave him a huge ovation.
You can watch video of that above. After the jump, check out the more complicated part of Iverson’s evening: an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters that touched on his desire to play basketball and his difficulty in finding a team that wants him.

Go to Source

Celtics vs. Sixers: What Boston Must Do to Avoid Game 7

 Rumors  No Responses »
May 232012
 

The 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers could conclude tonight if the C’s are able to pull out a Game 6 win in Philly.

With the Miami Heat going up three games to two against the Pacers, Boston needs to find a way to end the series tonight and get some much-needed rest before the ECF.

Here are three critical things that the Celtics must execute against the Sixers to accomplish their goal.

 

Protect the Ball

This has been the key to the series and the major difference between wins and losses for the C’s thus far.

Boston barely held on for a Game 1 win despite Rajon Rondo’s triple-double and a vintage Kevin Garnett performance due to their 13 turnovers. They coughed up the rock 17 times in Game 2 and ended up losing. In a blowout Game 3, Boston only had seven TOs and won by 16.

Game 4 was another bad passing and ball-handling night for the C’s and they gave it away 17 times while collapsing in the second half. They rebounded with a nice Game 5 win and Philly only forced 10 turnovers.

The team as a whole needs to make sure they take care of the ball and make good decisions when passing. If they can do that, they will win.

 

Use Brandon Bass to Stretch Floor

Bass was an absolute game-changer in Game 5 due to his jump-shooting ability. The Sixers had no answer for him, and Elton Brand proved too slow and immobile to consistently get out and contest the undersized forward.

The C’s major offseason acquisition racked up 27 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 37 minutes of play. He also created a ton of opportunities with the paint being less crowded and KG took advantage by scoring 20.

If Bass can catch fire once again, Philly will be toast.

 

Silence the Crowd

Garnett gave the Sixers some bulletin board material and almost guaranteed the crowd will be rocking at the Wells Fargo Center.

According to Boston.com (page down, h/t CBSSports.com), KG had this to say about the difference between Philly fans and Boston fans.

“Not even close. You got fans and then you got fair-weather fans. Take that how you want.

“Speaking about this [Boston] crowd, it’s like plugging in. I feel like every minute I look up, I see my family, I see people yelling, I see the drunk, fat guy. I can’t decipher one from the other. This crowd is ridiculous. I love it.”

While he didn’t say anything he wasn’t supposed to, The Big Ticket has given a reason for the fanatics in Philadelphia to go above and beyond during this elimination game.

Boston is going to have do throw down some alley-oops and make some big runs in order to shut them up and get focused on playing their game in order to close this series out.  

Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

Boston Celtics: What to Watch for in Game 4

 Boston  No Responses »
May 172012
 

The Boston Celtics utterly dominated the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night to regain the series lead at 2-1 and home-court advantage. After this impressive win by the Celtics, Game 4 becomes a must-win for the Sixers.

If they can’t win at home in Game 4, then the series is as good as over with a deciding Game 5 in the Garden.

On Boston’s end, this game is obviously not a must win by any means, but at the same time, a loss would certainly be bad for the Celtics. Right now, they have the Sixers right where they want them, with no momentum and little hope.

For this series to be easy, the Celtics need to keep the Sixers without momentum and hope. In order to do that, the Celtics need to beat the Sixers again at the Wells Fargo Center to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Given these circumstances for both teams, Game 4 should be a great game. Here are four things to watch for during the game. 

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

76ers Must Find Killer Instinct in Game 6 Before Its Too Late: A Fan’s Preview (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

 Miami  No Responses »
May 102012
 

The Philadelphia 76ers lost their first opportunity to close out the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 on May 8. Yet Sixers fans like myself can be comforted by how their second chance is at the Wells Fargo Center, where they’ve beaten the Bulls twice already. But if Game 6 on May 10 doesn’t close out this series, the third time will likely not be the charm for the Sixers in Game 7 at Chicago.

Go to Source

Philadelphia 76ers One Game Away from Round Two: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

 Chicago  No Responses »
May 062012
 

Two games on home court, one game away from the Eastern Conference Semis. After an 89-82 victory Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves one win away from advancing to round two. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the Sixers will be feeling pretty good heading back to Chicago for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Go to Source

NBA Playoff Predictions 2012: Chicago Bulls Are Live Underdogs in Game 3

 Rumors  No Responses »
May 032012
 

The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers have each won a game in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference series heading into Friday night’s Game 3 at the Wells Fargo Center, with the opening tip scheduled for 8:00 ET on ESPN2.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Bulls as two-point road underdogs, while the total has moved up a point to settle in at 179.5.

Chicago is definitely dangerous in this spot after suffering a 109-92 loss as 6.5-point home favorites in Game 2, considering the team’s 13-0 straight-up record following an upset loss during the 2011-12 campaign.

Sports bettors will find that the Bulls are also 38-14-2 against the spread (ATS) following a loss, while the “under” is 7-3 in their last 10 games following a double-digit loss at the United Center.

Philadelphia is just 2-3 this year after an upset win as an underdog. They managed to outscore Chicago by a 62-37 margin in the second half in Tuesday’s victory. The 76ers must continue to play with confidence despite their 2-8 record in their last 10 postseason games.

It’s going to be hard to lay the points in this spot, with the 76ers being 0-5 ATS in their last five games as a home favorite of 0.5 to 4.5 points. 

I recommend backing the Bulls in the first half, as they’ve outscored opponents by a substantial 155-117 margin in the opening 24 minutes in their last three games following a home loss.

Pick: Chicago Bulls +1 First Half

Follow on twitter: @JeffGrantSports

Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

Philadelphia 76ers Can’t Solve New Jersey Nets, Slide to 8th in the East

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Apr 142012
 

The phrase “home sweet home” doesn’t seem to apply when the 76ers square off with the New Jersey Nets at the Wells Fargo Center.

In two meetings at home against the Nets this season the Sixers are 0-2, and a crucial loss last night has set the Sixers back in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

With just seven games to play, the Sixers currently hold a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth seed in the East. Although they are tied with the Knicks for the seventh seed (the Knicks hold the tie-breaker), the eighth seed would appear to be a more comfortable position for the Sixers if they can indeed hold on.

As I recently noted, a first-round matchup with the Bulls would be more favorable than one with last year’s playoff opponent, the Miami Heat.

On Friday night, the Sixers simply could not pull away from the Nets as they had done just three days earlier on New Jersey’s home floor.

Although the Sixers boasted balanced scoring once again with four players scoring in double-figures, they had no answer inside for Nets power forward Kris Humphries. Humphries posted 18 points and 13 rebounds in the nearly 40 minutes he was on the floor, punishing the Sixers on the glass on every available opportunity. 

While the Sixers did maintain a balanced offense, only two starters (Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday) finished in double-figures. Elton Brand, who started the game 4-of-4 from the field for eight points, went scoreless in the second half.

Evan Turner, whose brief stint as a starter recently came to an end, actually posted one of his best lines of the season on Friday despite the loss. Turner dropped 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in about 27 minutes of work off of the bench.

It’s a disappointing loss for a Sixers team looking to hit their stride heading into the postseason, and unfortunately, things don’t get easier moving forward.

After a weekend off, the Sixers will head to Orlando on Monday night and return home Tuesday to face a hot Indiana Pacers squad in games that will certainly have playoff implications.

Once they’re through with the Magic and Pacers, the Sixers will finish the season on a five-game road trip. The Sixers are 12-15 on the road this season.

Read more Philadelphia 76ers news on BleacherReport.com

Go to Source

 Older Entries