Win One for the Sixer! featuring guest Jon Eaton of the Spinto Band

Just after the All-star break, Jim and I made some playoff predictions. In the Western Conference, we correctly predicted the top seeds of Oklahoma City, Dallas, LA, and San Antonio and correspondingly wrote our thoughts about how it might play out.  We did the exact same for the Eastern Conference by correctly predicting the top seeds and then wrote of their future playoff battles.  Unfortunately, some very cool and good friends from the Spinto Band did not like our dismissive tone directed towards their pro hoop team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

 “Tell that gosh darn Coyote that I'm gonna dog him when his prediction sinks and the Sixers go to the second round. That smelly mutt needs to check out the 76ers record since the start of 2011. Sixers don’t have the best record... but its not a bubble-squad record.” – Jon Eaton, March 9, 2011.

Although I understand the initial reaction to our seeming indifference of the 76ers playoff odds, I thought I would defend our Bad Jim & Coyote opinions with additional thoughts on the team:

It’s true y’all have gone a respectable 20-10 in the new year, but 13-20 to start the season. You have the highest scoring bench in the NBA, led by Sweet Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, & Mo Speights.  However that's because your starting group lacks a true superstar and is mostly composed of young players who are still developing.

Coach Doug Collins was just coaxed out of retirement, last seen coaching Michael Jordan in DC more than half a decade ago. Second year point guard from UCLA, Jrue Holliday is still really learning on the job. Iggy is the man, but is a typical talented small forward who could improve his jump shot. Elton Brand is hanging on by a thread, meaning not even close an Allstar, but is still good.

We know a bit about the club, which is solid, but not even close to a contender. It's not intended as a diss. Just no east finals or NBA championship.
-SL, March 9, 2011.

After realizing that the Bad Jim and Coyote were not the prototypical sports block heads or worse… haters, Jon backed off a bit from his “Mangy Mutt” talk and made a couple of Sports Promises :

I think there are a few bets here.  I believe the Sixers will at least be a tough out for whatever higher seed they meet in the playoffs.  I would even go on the TD3Q blog and put it on the record. Sixers are going to turn some heads and take it to a 7 game series! 

– Jon, March 9, 2011.

After that exchange, the Bad Jim and I started paying a little more attention to the Sixers, and frankly we liked what we saw.  Jrue Holiday was maturing, Jodie Meeks was shooting the hell out the 3 pointer, Brand and Iggy were steady, and the young bench was playing with heart and conviction led by coach Doug “Do the Dougie” Collins.  I’m not saying we were totally off about 76ers basketball, but we caught the fever of watching a young team playing with excitement.

Recently Jon went to a 76ers game against the Nets and I asked him to give us a feel for the Phila scene.

Dear readers,

I am reporting in as the rookie sports blogger at this site.  I know little compared to the fine men who ink these pages, but I do know that Dan Majerle deserved his nickname and that if there were still a team in Seattle (as there should be), they would be my second favorite team.  But enough about me, what I am getting paid to write about is the Philadelphia 76ers and why they are never mentioned in the running for the next America's Team.

In Philadelphia at this time of year right now, I can think of 3 major sports franchises suiting up on a regular basis.  There may be a futbol or a frisbee being tossed around, but lets leave those in the fringe.  We are talking about baseball, hockey and hoop.  Of the 3, the Sixers are currently the most exciting to watch.

My friend says, "dude- what the jawn?  The Flyers are in first, the Phillies are starting a historic season and you think the barely-.500 Sixers are the best? You kooky bro!"  I say all of that is true, but let me take a few seconds to write down some of the things that make my Iverson bobble head bounce these days:

First of all you've got the high-flying Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young. Between these two, you are going to see some crazy dunks.  This is a great reason to tune in.  To see two men whose arms swing and flail towards the hoop with such graceful force is rare.  I mean, there are Nike commercials where puppets do it, but in real life it is even cooler.  It puts a smile on your face, which is all you can really ask for.  It puts an even bigger smile on your face when they do it to Brian Cardinal.

Even Elton Brand is dunking.  It may not be often, and it may not be elegant, but the EB is rising above the rim and throwing down.  I don't really think he has done this since joining the Sixers.  He loves to fade away, he is known to layup and shoot over, but a good solid dunk means that his legs are strong and he wants the world to know it.

Then there’s the rest, with this squad there are usually seven or six or several players regularly scoring in double digits.  While I am not much of a believer in statistics, this stat tells me something, that this is a lovable team.  When Spencer Hawes, the 23 year old white seven foot center, is popping up on the score sheet now and again with 12 or 13 points, it's even better.  Between Iguodala, Brand, Sweet Lou Williams, Thad Young, Jodi Meeks, and Jrue Holliday (and of course Evan T.) the scoring column of the stat sheet looks like a good handful of Runts.  You know- the candy Runts... you never want too many bananas or oranges or especially limes.

Some friends and I spent last Friday at the Sixers game and they put a hurting on the Nets.  It was a Friday night, the Sixers were on the verge of clinching a playoff birth, and Spring was in the air.  Getting to watch this young up and comer was special because it won't be flying under the radar for much longer. 

Pretty soon Andre Iguodala is going to be slamming Mountain Dews and Thaddeus Young is going to sign a huge contract somewhere else and then maybe the players will get in a fight over a card game.  These are always risks for developing teams, and so I figure watch them while they are learning how to play with the elite.

I grew up without any championship teams, and I find joy in simply beating the Celtics or Lakers once or twice a season. A first round playoff win is what I want.  I want to see some tanned guy with a ton of hair gel on ESPN break down a Sixers victory without ever mentioning the passion.  I want to see him use a ton of buzz words, but not really ever get to the point. 

A wise man once told me the truth about sports.  He said it lies in the drama, but it is a real drama.  No story is scripted and no outcome is predetermined.  If your team is the underdog, they still have a chance and as long as they are shooting their free throws with the right arm, they may pull an upset. It is a beautiful thing and something worth rooting for. 

-Jon Eaton

Gotta agree with Jon, when the 76ers take the floor at 3:30pm on Saturday afternoon down in Miami, I’ll be cheering for the underdogs with heart. GO SIXERS!
- Coyote-SL

Also be sure to cheer on Jon Eaton and the rest of the Spinto Band.

GO JON! GO SPINTO!

As Glue as it Gets

We're taking a moment to shine some light on our favorite role players, the "Glue Guys," who hold their playoff-bound teams together with gutsy determination, all-out hustle, and with their concrete team-first mindset mixed with absolute and constant knuckling down. You'll rarely find these players with team leading point, rebound, or assist totals, but their abilities to fill the variables left unseen on standard stat sheets keep them playing big minutes on quality teams.

Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Sam Young, Darrell Arthur - Memphis Grizzlies

One giant key to the recent and current Memphis Grizzly winning ways has been their bounty of Glue Guys. At the wing positions, Memphis throws the adhesive rotation of Sam Young, Shane Battier, and Tony Allen at opponents, but it doesn't end there. Coming off the bench for the front court, Memphis brings Darrell Arthur, who's solid defense and ability to knock down the open jumper give the Griz one of the better bench rotations in the West. Boston is hurting at the loss of Tony Allen. His departure has lead to a big vacancy in toughness in the Celtics' wing rotation, and is a main component to Boston's stretch run struggles and their sudden question marks heading into the post season. Meanwhile, Memphis continues to win games, even after Rudy Gay's season-ending injury. The Griz execute using hustle and grit, and they win more than they lose. Their supporting cast is as strong as any when you consider Memphis's lack of star power, and perhaps the toughness they utilize is enough to power through a higher seeded team such as Dallas or San Antonio in a potential first round showdown.

Jodie Meeks - Philadelphia 76ers
Spreading the floor with shooters is a key component to a healthy NBA offense. Out east in Philly, the emergence of young Jodie Meeks has given the Sixers one of the best floor spreaders of the season's second half. Over the last 30 days, Meeks has poured in 44 triples, one less than Toney Douglas for the league lead. Not only does Meeks light it up with his fire shot, but his play on the defensive end has separated him from teammate guards Evan Turner and Jason Kapono. It should be interesting to see how 76er management moves forward with 2nd overall pick Turner, with Meeks showing so much in support of his teammates as the team's big-minute shooting guard. Meeks doesn't look to rebound, and he rarely finds himself making plays. No, Meeks' job in the Philly offense is to stand behind the arch and throw 'em up. He's a big reason why the 76ers continue to win games heading into the playoffs and should be able to put some scare into their first round opponent.



Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers
Depending on what time of year it is, Ron Artest is one of our favorite Glue Guys for very different reasons. Earlier this season, Artest's play was as erratic and strange as any we've ever seen. Not just weird on the court, Artest's bizarre antics in life were just as eye catching. Laker fans cringed at every early season Ron Artest shot, and whether they be off-balance fade-aways, wide open threes, or weird one-handed layups, Artest's touch was nonexistent for a huge stretch. Many wondered if he was too old and uncoordinated for today's NBA. The Ron Artest of the stretch run, however, has been the complete opposite type of player. Over the last two weeks, Artest is shooting .470 from the field, and he's connecting on 1.6 three pointers per game while averaging 2.7 steals and 1 block per game. His recent intelligent play on offense packaged with the tight-ship, all-in defense that we've all admired over his career can be applauded as a large piece of the blue ribbon Laker pie that most of their opposition has been eating for the past month. His successful contributions have been crucial to the recent belief by many that LA has the makeup to three-peat this June. It also makes you wonder if all the foolish shots and funky moves from the majority of Ron Artest's season were all one big ruse at our expense.

Shawn Marion, Jose Juan Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Brian Cardinal - Dallas Mavericks
Dallas's rotation throws a cool group of glue at the opposition. Big time stars Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Tyson Chandler get the glory from the media and fans, but their teammate buddies Shawn Marion, JJ Barea, Roddy Beaubois, and Brian Cardinal keep the Maverick success a'plenty with timely contributions on the basketball court. Marion's inclusion in the starting lineup has finally given Dallas the replacement for injured Caron Butler, something they've been searching for with signings of Peja Stojakovic and Corey "Don't Call Me Ronnie" Brewer. Beaubois, injured for most of the year, has recently found his limited-minute groove in Dallas's rotation, and his capability of big time scoring makes him impossible for opposing defenses to ignore. JJ "The Biggest Little Puerto Rican in the NBA" Barea continues to play both guard spots with success. Whether alongside Jason Kidd or in place of him, Coach Rick Carlisle has mucho confidence putting Barea on the court for meaningful minutos. Brian Cardinal finds himself hitting big shots in a very improbable yet somewhat meaningful role on the championship contending Dallas team. Good for you, Brian Cardinal. You got the world where you want them, and as far as we're concerned, it's all jelly beans for Brian Cardinal here on out.