MVN - Most Valuable Network

Adversity’s Team Faces Another Tough Task

Despite losing their last 4 games, the Philadelphia 76ers are one of the 16 finalists this postseason. Due to their recent slump, they let the opportunity to move up in the standings slip away and are stuck facing the Detroit Pistons-Eastern Conference finals participants 5 years running.

By now you’ve heard every possible reason why the Pistons will destroy the Sixers. In a nutshell, Detroit is the better team. Unlike the Sixers, this isn’t their first go-around. Ever since taking the title in ‘04, they’ve treated the regular season as a warm-up for the real thing. Plus, they fell like they are the forgotten team with Boston being written in ink for the finals.

Writers and “experts” have the Sixers falling to the Pistons at the maximum of 6 games. Well, these are same ESPN’s writers that had the Sixers resembling the Knicks organization and barely getting 20 wins. Their credibility is just about shot with me. This young, scrappy, Sixers squad led by a mild-mannered coach, a calm point-guard and a budding superstar, had their own agenda.

You know the story. 18-30, dead in the water, Ed Stefanski comes in, trades Kyle Korver, develop a running style, wins over Boston, Detroit 2x, San Antonio, Orlando, Denver and Dallas….best story in basketball. Totally revamped this franchise, not by trading for superstars. But by hard-work.

This squad has been faced with nay-sayers all year long and have become accustomed to it. They know that Detroit is a great team but they have confidence in themselves and are just praying that Detroit takes them lightly. They aren’t doing anything to get them riled up like calling them overrated or saying they are a great match-up.

I do, however, believe they are a better match-up than the Magic with Dwight Howard causing havoc. While I would’ve preferred a series with Cleveland, I don’t know if I could’ve taken 4 games of LeBron favoritism. Pistons don’t have a guy that can win a game by himself but they have a group that has been playing together for 5 or 6 years.

Brian from Depressed Fan has in-depth breakdowns of the positional match-ups, starting with the PG’s and centers. Other positions to come later tonight or tomorrow. DF also partnered with Natalie from Need 4 Sheed to share some insight into the mind of the enemy.

I think both the bench and PG battles are a wash. What Andre Miller lacks in shooting, he makes up for in passing and floor leadership. “The Zoo Crew”made up of Amir Johnson, Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell and Jarvis Hayes brings the energy to a slow-paced, veteran starting unit. Louis Williams, Rodney Carney and Willie Green/Thaddeus Young (depending on who starts. See my thoughts in the comments of this article) are basically starters and the Sixers don’t have a stable enough rotation to have a “second team” or “B team.”

There is a reason nobody wants to see Detroit-San Antonio in the championship. Detroit’s “walk the ball up the court” style is boring but effective.  If the Sixers can force their will and make this an exciting series, it won’t be very exciting for Motown. People usually say you can’t run in the playoffs but the Sixers best shot is to try. If the game is in the 80’s, Detroit holds the upper hand. Sixers need near perfection to do more than steal a game in this series.

Fans shouldn’t worry about the team losing their sense of urgency over the past week or two. Sixers should have a chip on their shoulder and be a little bitter from the Fan Appreciation Day fiasco. Just a quick glance at the preseason and playoff predictions will give this team untapped energy if Mo’s great motivation skills aren’t enough. I’m worried about guys like Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young pressing and forcing the issue too much in his first playoff experience.

No prediction for me. Unlike the ESPN writers, I’ve learned my lesson not to count out this Sixers team. Two 16-point second-half comebacks and a 25-point 4th quarter comeback was enough for me. The new season starts on Sunday. Expect the unexpected.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 8:49 pm and is filed under Mo Cheeks, Louis Williams, Willie Green, Rodney Carney, Kyle Korver, Thaddeus Young, Amir Johnson, Andre Miller, Depressed Fan, Sixers, Championship, Need 4 Sheed, The Zoo Crew, Motown, Brian, Jarvis Hayes, Ed Stefanski, Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Preseason, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Jason Maxiell, ESPN, Postseason, Eastern Conference, Basketball, Playoffs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.