An Impressive Start for the Sixers

Photo courtesy of Nba.com 

Above is the new slogan Adam Aron, the new Philadelphia 76ers owner, has put into place for the 2011-2012 NBA season.  Off to their best start since the 2001 NBA Finals run, the Sixers have a 7-3 record; their play is resembling their motto.

Sixers coach Doug Collins has found a system where everyone on the team has a specific role. For instance, power forward Thaddeus Young's role is to come off the bench and provide athleticism as well as energy to both ends of the court.  Center Spencer Hawes' part is to be a force on the boards, along with his craftiness in feeding his teammates the ball offensively. Every player has a specific role that they have bought into, and that is exactly why they have gotten off to such an impressive start.

Blowing teams out has been an early theme for the Sixers this season.  In five out of the 10 games they have played so far, the Sixers have won by 20 points or more; the defeated opponents include the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.  These teams are most likely not championship contenders, however the Sixers have had convincing wins against the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Hornets.  (Don't think New Orleans were a step-over because they received quality youngsters via the Chris Paul trade.)     

Their losses have come from the Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz and New York Knicks.  All three losses were close losses, showing their pride and fight till the end in each of those games. 

Collins preaches hard work and teamwork.  The Sixers have no superstar on the team.  Every game has resulted in more than one person with double figure scoring.  Their version of basketball is quite beautiful to watch.  

Hawes has emerged as an all-around player, while shooting guard Jodie Meeks has shown his capability of becoming a terrific three-point shooter. Rookie center Nikola Vucevic is showing no signs of playing like one, contributing well offensively.  Power forward Elton Brand has found his groove in scoring and rebounding.  Small forward Andre Iguodala and Young have shown their defensive athleticism.  Evan Turner and Lou Williams are scoring sparks off the bench.  Point guard Jrue Holiday has shown that he can take over a game when his team needs him, hitting big shots in key situations.  

With the NBA season being crunched into a 66-game season in 120 days because of the lockout, the Sixers look to have benefited thus far.  They are a young, talented team that are looking to make some noise come playoff time.  

So word to all Sixers fans out there:

"Show Ya Luv."      

One More Chance

Photo courtesy of gcobb.com

Unacceptable, disappointing and dismal are just a few of the words Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie used to express his team's season at his end of the season press conference Tuesday afternoon.

His 14-minute opening speech kept reporters on the edge as many thought the firing of head coach Andy Reid was approaching.  Lurie described the start of the 2011 season as "unacceptable" and the four game winning streak at the end of the season as "fool's gold."  Overall, he stated that the 2011 season was the "most embarrassing season in his tenure as owner of the Eagles."

Mr. Lurie sounded like a true passionate Philadelphia fan, highlighting errors that resulted in his team's failure of making the playoffs with an abysmal 8-8 record.  Usually, Lurie is the one to make up excuses for his team but Tuesday afternoon was different.  This difference made Eagles fans actually believe that the Reid era would be finally over.  Surely, it seemed that Reid would receive the ax.   

However, after all of this, Lurie managed to trick us all.  Once again, as fans, we were fools for believing that Reid would be a goner.  Lurie found a way to go back to his roots and praise Reid as the "one that gives us the best chance to win a championship."  In other words, Reid will be back for the 2012 season.  Well done Jeffrey, for that Academy award performance.  

Eagles fans have the right to complain on Reid coming back; the Eagles haven't won a playoff game in three years.

Lurie brought up reasons why he decided to give Reid another chance.  His track record was one, which says he is the winning-est coach in franchise history; he has been to five NFC championship games, one Super Bowl and has a number of NFC East titles.  The Eagles owner emphasized greatly on the recent NFC East titles like they really meant something.  He relied on those divisional accomplishments because he knows they have been one-and-done in the playoffs these past three years.

With 13 years under his belt, Reid has yet to accomplish the ultimate prize, a Superbowl title.  He might not say or show that he is impatient, but deep-down inside Lurie believes he will lose his fan-base if they don't make at least a Super Bowl appearance next year.  If that happens, Lurie will cut the throat of the Reid Era.

So time is ticking Mr. Reid.  The balls are in your court; Superbowl or bust?  As Eminem would say, "You only got one shot, do not miss your chance to blow."  (This quote kind of contradicts my previous statements, since Reid did have 13 shots already, but I thought it would be inspirational for Andy.)

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