On Mar 13, 7:28 am, wro... RemoveThis @temple.edu wrote:
> Wins over the Suns and Pistons give the Sixers two more wins than I
> was anticipating at this stage of the season. They are up four games
> on the Nets and are one game behind the Wizards (plus the Wiz have two
> games in hand).
>
> So, barring a total collapse, who do they match up best with: Boston,
> Detroit, or Orlando?
>
> wes
The Pistons win was quite a surprise. I've criticized the Sixers'
optimism lately for taking advantage of particularly weak competition,
but that was a quality win. Of course, I'm going to find my own
additional justification and point out that Willie Green didn't play,
allowing Young to further thrive at his more natural position and let
Iguodala lock Hamilton down for 2-7 shooting. That said, the Sixers'
improved play of late has primarily been because of better scoring--
which I had believed was their bigger concern than defense since the
AI trade--and I highly doubt they're going to squeak out too many
extra wins like that 83-82 over Detroit.
As far as playoff opponents, since it does look like they should
amazingly secure a 6 or 7 seed, I would say their best matchup is
Orlando, which is unfortunate since Washington seems to be playing
better lately, should have Butler and maybe even Arenas back up to
speed in the near term, and could very well hold on to seed 6. In any
case, while Boston and Detroit have multiple low-post threats, all
Orlando has is Howard, who Dalembert should at least be able to keep
from going crazy. Turkoglu and Lewis are fine players but not
physically intimidating, so Young can be used full-time (imagine him
getting eaten by Garnett or Wallace) and together with Iguodala that's
where the series would likely be determined. And with the talent of
that group it would probably be pretty entertaining. I just don't see
the Sixers doing much against Boston or Detroit. Boston is just
better and would likely sweep them. Detroit, while a better matchup,
has too much experience, would exploit the matchups (even if Green was
kept out), and is also just better. However, if Young and Iguodala
could play good perimeter defense on Lewis/Turkoglu, they could have a
chance.
The question is: can they get to #6? Washington is playing better but
still is a wholly mediocre team. I'll suggest something, in part just
to provoke Kurt: the team will go as far as Rodney Carney can take
them. Yes, Rodney Carney, proud subject of Kurt's Carney rule for his
scarce ability to ever get more than 5 combined rebounds and assists
(and who also is shooting a pathetic .408 this year). But he has been
playing better lately(!), averaging 9pts, 3.3 rebs, and .9 ast for
March, while shooting 51%. He's only .8 reb/ast off of the Carney
threshold for the month! In any case, he has entered the rotation,
providing better athleticism for the 2nd unit, and giving us further
reason to forget Willie Green in his recent absence. More
importantly, if he can actually provide a credible 3 point threat,
which the team lost with the Korver trade (while I was writing this he
just finished 3-3 on threes in a comeback win against Chicago), that
will really help.
--IK
>> Stay informed about: two unexpected wins 
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