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You have heard of a statement game, right? Well, tonight is a groundswell game. And what exactly is a groundswell game? Well, Webster defines groundswell as follows:

1: usually ground swell: a broad deep undulation of the ocean caused by an often distant gale or seismic disturbance

2: a rapid spontaneous growth (as of political opinion)

Since the Ed Stefanski era officially began, the Sixers have played very good, winning basketball. They played the Celtics quite tough, while dominating the Knicks twice and the Rockets. Their dominating games have also featured Coach Maurice Cheeks expanding his rotation and using his bench more effectively. One of the visible side effects of this move is that the pressure defense has had more teeth of late. This makes sense, because using the thoroughbreds off the bench provides fresh athletic bodies for the pressure and traps they like to employ. Better pressure defense means more turnovers and bad shots, which triggers the transition game that is the Sixers offensive lifeblood.

Using this formula, the Sixers have now won 3 games in a row with a good chance to win the next 2 games at home tonight against Minnesota and Sacramento Friday before facing LeBron and the Cavaliers at Cleveland on Saturday. The Sixers could potentially be looking at riding a 5-game winning streak going to the King’s house if they can take of business at home. It might also mean the team has turned a corner, experienced “a rapid spontaneous growth” if you will, that could allow them to compete this year.

First, that means taking care of the Timberwolves, who are 3-16, but have played a number of teams very tough. That includes a down-to-the-wire loss to an Atlanta Hawks team that handed the Sixers the last loss of Billy King’s tenure. Minnesota has also beaten the Phoenix Suns, holding that offensive juggernaut under 100 points. The T-Wolves feature former Celtic Al Jefferson, who is averaging a robust 19.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per season. Jefferson came over in the Kevin Garnett trade and is one of the few ‘04ers to sign an extension. Once upon a time, it was rumored that he could’ve been a Sixer as the prize of an Allen Iverson trade, but the rumors also say Celtic GM Danny Ainge did not want to include him. We are beginning to see why.

Forward Craig Smith set a career high last night with 36 points; he could be a factor. It will be up to Reggie Evans and Sam Dalembert to put their hard hats on and go to work once again.
Unfortunately, former Villanova standout Randy Foye (ironically another rumored Iverson trade prize) will be out another 3-4 weeks due to a stress reaction in his knee. It would have been nice to see Foye play, but it is not to be.

Meanwhile, Lou Williams is still listed as day-to-day because of the displaced fracture of his big toe (thanks again David Lee). It is believed he might play tonight.

This game is an important one for the Sixers. The Andres and Willie Green have seemed to raise their games recently. Miller, who is supposedly "not a Pat Riley type of point guard" has had 4 straight games with double digit assists, while Green is shooting 58% from the field. Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith are improving every game. Kyle Korver's stroke appears to be back as well. Hopefully, their recent success will fill them with a confidence that serve them well. They seem to be having fun too, which is very big. If they can ride the momentum to play good basketball tonight and Friday, maybe we can look at Saturday at LeBron’s House as a statement game. "We talking Playoffs?" Maybe, you just never know.

BONUS: Previously on Passion and Pride, Sixers Crash Rockets in Philly | Memo to Management: Assessing the Sixers after 20 games | RECAP: SIXERS DOMINATE KNICKS AT THE GARDEN | SIXERS/KNICKS RECAP: Sixers Team Effort dooms Knicks | Passion and Pride: Having our cake and eating it too | GameThink: “Dear Mr. President…”

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