“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
GO JON! GO SPINTO!
