MVN: Most Valuable Network

 VOTE IGUODALA FOR ALL-STAR

Welcome back to Passion and Pride!  I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season.  In case you haven't noticed, the Sixers are tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.  They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, while the New Jersey Nets are 3-7 in their last 10.  Both teams are now 12-16 heading into Friday's games, but it is the Sixers who are going in the right direction.

It's time to start realizing that this team is ready to contend. NOW. 

I have to give credit to Brian over at DepressedFan, who is always ready with the Sixers playoff talk.  I wasn't so sure about this year, given that the Eastern Conference was improved on paper and the team was still searching for an identity following the confusing results of the NBA Draft.  It took 15-20 games for them to get back to how they finished the season last year, but finally it is starting to gel.

Trade rumors are still going strong on Andre Miller, who is rumored to be on the trading block and the Cavaliers are interested.  While I like the idea of turning over the reins of the point guard position to Lou Williams, there's no reason to sacrifice the short term to rush the long term solution prematurely.

There was a situation that called for that sort of thing, and it was a little over a year ago.  The fate of the '06-'07 season lied in uncracking the potential of the young swingman, Andre Iguodala.  Allen Iverson and Chris Webber did all they could do as the highest scoring duo in the league, but it was big performances from Iguodala that virtually guaranteed victory.  However, Iverson's point guard skills didn't lend itself to developing Iguodala's all-around game.

It was at that time that a move to point guard was suggested for the other AI.  The city's favorite baller balked at such a suggestion.  Now, he's saying that it was the primary stumbling block in what ultimately led to Iverson seeking a trade out of the city that he declared as the place he wanted to retire.

For Iverson to be against the move that put Iguodala on the ball and gave him the confidence to create offense is somewhat hypocritical to me.  Even though Iguodala was not a point guard, it would take a short term sacrifice to establish Iguodala's playmaking ability and tap into that vast potential.  Without a focus on developing Iguodala, the team would fail to improve.  Turns out that he's become more of a point forward than the finisher and defensive specialist that Iverson knew.  While everyone believed that Iguodala was underutilized in his previous role, Iverson's recognition of this was a difference of opinion.  How was Iguodala to assert himself with the ball in his hands in a non-finishing situation when he didn't create the offense?  The guy who created the offense didn't want to defer that responsibility to the man who shared his initials.

It's Iguodala's team now.  He's been stepping up lately, starting with that cut-your-throat-out jumper against Mike Miller and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.  As I was telling AG the other day on the phone, it was as if he summoned the ghost of Michael Jordan and put the team on his shoulders.  It was a Jordan move that Iguodala used to turn Mike Miller into Craig Ehlo.  The quick jab step and fadaway to the left tickled the twine and sent the Sixers home for the holidays with a win.

Wednesday's game against the Heat at home was a continuation of that theme.  Iguodala scored a season-high 28 points in an easy 95-86 win.  Willie Green missed his second straight game with a groin injury and Rodney Carney started out of Mo's habit from last season of jockeying both players in and out of the lineup.  I'd prefer to see him give this year's first round rookie, Thad Young, the start.  While we're at it, it might be worth starting Jason Smith instead of Reggie Evans and using Evans as a spark off the bench.  Lou Williams and Kyle Korver both had 13 off that bench and continued to provide a spark of their own.

The interesting thing to note about Wednesday's game is that it was a statement game for both teams.  A Sixers team that had no business of being in the playoff hunt would have lost this contest to a Miami Heat squad looking to turn things around.  However, instead of talking about trading Miller, we should be celebrating the fact that things are working and hold on to our veteran point guard to ride out a playoff run.  This team is ready to prove itself, and it all starts with our point forward - Andre Iguodala.

Instead of turning things around, the Heat are dead last in the East and are in need of life support.  Dwayne Wade came back a little early from injury to try and help turn it around, but he just doesn't have the support.  Ricky Davis can score the ball and Udonis Haslem is able, but Daequan Cook isn't there yet and Shaq just isn't there.  They might as well send the Big Aristotle out there with a walker and a AARP card.  When you consider that the guy is still only 35, I thought he'd have at least three more solid years left. 

How quick we forget the descent from greatness for centers.  Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon quickly fell off the map, and while David Robinson left the game on a high note.  He at least had Tim Duncan to pass the torch to.  For Shaq, his descent comes at a time where the game's dominant big men are more suited to play power forward than center.  The day of the classic back-to-the-back dominant post player in the pivot is long gone, partly thanks to the induction of zone defenses, and also thanks to the increased agility of today's big man.  To dominate today's game, it takes a variety of skills.  Shaq is a shadow of his former self from an era where the big man dominated the game.

For the Sixers though, they embark on a six game road trip starting Friday night in Sacramento.  The game starts at 10pm Eastern and will be broadcast on ComcastSportsNet and 610WIP.  The Kings have been much better at home this year than on the road.  Keep your eye on Sixers killer Mikki Moore and cross your fingers that the Kings do not exploit a mismatch that is bound to happen in the fourth quarter when Kyle Korver finds himself defending the Snake Man in the post. 

Another key matchup is obviously Ron Artest guarding Andre Iguodala and John Salmons sticking it to whoever Mo Cheeks decides to send out there.  Salmons would look good right now playing for the Sixers, but it was his inconsistent play and lack of chemistry with Iverson which led to his departure.  I liked Salmons versatile game, but his jumper was as ugly as his nappy goatee.  So, this season's motto for ol' John could be "ugly, but effective."  Let's hope this game keeps from getting ugly for the Sixers.

BONUS: Previously on Passion and Pride, GameThink: If I Were Coaching The Sixers... | Iguodala’s Buzzer-Beater Gives Memphis the Blues | Where two roads meet in Memphis | Lakers Balance Dooms Sixers in Philly | GAME TIME: History in the making | Pacers Race By Sixers in Indiana | GameThink: “Dear Mr. Answer…”  

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