MVN: Most Valuable Network

After dropping a rare home loss to the Phoenix Suns to a tough team, the 76ers hit the road to face King James and the new-look Cavaliers. Well, Delonte West at least. I forgot Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace (DNP) were involved in the deal but Delonte West was a key catalyst in the 91-88 loss.

Sixers controlled most of the game due to the fastbreak game. LeBron was a non-factor for the first half and allowed his teammates to get involved which payed off in the end. I give credit to LeBron for that. It took Kobe Bryant 11 years to learn that scoring 40 with only 1 other player in double figures doesn't equal wins. Now King James has found out the secret in his 5th year and maybe even last year when they went to the finals.

When King James was reluctant to shoot, the lack of talent around him was on display. Guys like Devin Brown (3-13) were forcing up shots and yet the halftime lead was only 5. How you ask? Missed lay-ups and opportunities. Things like Calvin Booth getting stripped from behind on a fastbreak and Thaddeus Young missing layups led to the ultimate demise of this team down the stretch.

When Lebron finally took control (you knew it would happen) Delonte West was already beaming with confidence from basically carrying the team. He made two clutch 3 pointers late. The ball was placed in Andre Iguodala's hands for 3 straight possesions. On one, he converted a tough layup. On the second, he got hammered but it wasn't called. And on the third, he dished to Thaddeus Young who missed another lay-up.

Delonte West finished with 18 points and 11 helpers (1 shy of his career-high, which he set against Philly). Andre Miller had 16 and 9 dimes while the other Andre had an efficient 19. Thaddeus Young makes his living around the rim. He shot 3 jumpshots (made 1) and yet finished 5-12 from the floor. I don't expect him to miss those "gimme's" too often so nothing to worry about. Jason Smith got a strange DNP-CD due to Dalembert's stellar play, says Mo. Sam's 5 blocks stapled the defense and Louis Williams also played well scoring 17 off the bench.

Something to worry about is Willie Green. There's a slump, then there is time for a lineup change. When you pass that fine line is when you actually start to hurt the team. Over his past 6 games, he is shooting an awful 20% (13-64) from the floor! He says he's going to keep shooting though. Thaddeus Young and Rodney Carney have been playing and would do more for the team. He's 6'3 and not exactly a lockdown defender either.

We'll see if the Sixers can bounce back tonight against New Jersey. Philly has slipped back to the 7th seed, 1.0 game behind Toronto and Washington (tied for 5th). Good news though, Agent Zero set to return soon. Elton Brand is also suppose to make is season-debut this week for those of you who want to picture if EB would look good in red, white and black. Stephen Curry wouldn't look so bad either but that's a different topic. Atlanta is still 3.0 behind us and look to have a grip on that final spot with less than 10 to play.

Bonus--Maurice Cheeks is 4th in the standings for Coach of The Year, according to NBA.com. Hard to believe but well deserved