MVN: Most Valuable Network

The Sixers were riding high last week, heading into Sunday's game with a two games to one lead over the Detroit Bad Boys. With a ten point lead going into the half, it looked like the Sixers were on their way to sending the series back to Detroit up three games to one. Instead, the Pistons came out in the second half and took over Game 4 and the series. The Sixers didn't win another game.

Thursday's game was over early. The same way that the Pistons came out at halftime in Game 4, they started Game 6. With a 10-0 opening run and 28-9 first quarter lead, they never looked back. Rip Hamilton scored 13 of his game high 24 in that first quarter.

For the Sixers, Andre Iguodala led them with 16 points, but only took 7 shots from the field. Andre Miller was only 4-of-16 from the field and had only two assists. It was a dishearting way to lose a series. Facing elimination, the Sixers bowed out.

For the Sixers to have a chance, Andre Miller had to outplay Chauncey Billups. That hadn't happened since the first half of Game 4. Without his strong play at the point, the Sixers would have been well suited to try playing Iguodala at shooting guard to get him off Tayshaun Prince. Jason Smith could backup both Reggie Evans and Sam Dalembert, while having Rodney Carney spell Thad Young at small forward. The backcourt would be crowded, but you just go with the hot hand and go small to sub in for Iguodala.

Speaking of Iguodala, July 1st will mark the beginning of his free agency period. His 13 points per game in this series and subpar shooting certainly won't help him get any huge offers from potential suitors. Were he to leave, Thad Young and Rodney Carney would have to step up and produce.

The biggest question out there right now after the Sixers first round exit is Iguodala. Have we seen the best of him already or is there more to come? When you look at the potential in guys like Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams, you have to wonder of the three who the best player will be in three years.

Williams will be a free agent too and don't think that teams around the league didn't notice the young phenom this year. He's a star in waiting. There will be suitors lining up to bid for his services. Let's hope that the Sixers are the highest bidder.

It was good for playoff basketball to be played in South Philly once again. It's too bad that the positive early returns didn't continue and the end result was elimination, but you could feel the energy and enthusiasm of the fans who came to believe that this Sixers team could take down the mighty Pistons. Fans across the league started rooting for us and believing that we could pull it off. In the end, it was experience that mattered. Hopefully, this experience will be one that we can build upon. It will be a long offseason.

BONUS: Andre Iguodala with the big jam in the first half of Game 4