| 28 October 2009
Really !!!
Sixers start their 2009/2010 season tonight in Orlando but I have a strong feeling that I am among the few ones that actually give a damn about it.
It's true that Philly has always been "a football town", as I've heard some million times.
It's true that tonight Phillies start their second straight World Series, facing the Yankees. ("In culo alla balena !!" *)
It's true that Flyers apparently have a good team and a big core of die hard fans.
It's true that tonight Genoa plays Fiorentina in italian Serie A.
It's true that Sixers come off three consecutive years of mediocrity and face an uncertain future, with ownership clearly in "cut costs" mode, as we saw this summer - in case you missed it, I was for giving Miller a (fair) extension.
All of the above it's true, but there are several reasons to show this team some love.
New coach. New system. New starting line up (even if with "old" players). New uniforms. "New" logo.
A young, deep, athletic, flexible team, with a lot of high jumping, strong, very quick players ready to explode to the rim, run from side to side of the court, block shots. Usually fans love this, right?
I think this year we'll enjoy a lot of nights of fun basketball and some memorable, high scoring games. The risk is becoming "The Golden State Warriors of the East", I know, but since we are NOT going to be contender this season, nor the next one, I think we should focus on realistic goals and be happy to achieve these. Samples?
1) going on seeing the progresses of our young guys (especially Lou, Thad, Speights, Smith, even Jrue)
2) seeing a (quite) full recover of injured players: Brand and Jason Smith, I'm talking about you.
3) implementing a well organized offense, that does not scare fans everty time it has to face a organized defense
4) getting to know what's the real value of players such as Dalembert and Carney (I already have my idea, but anyway...)
Hey, Sixers were ranked 13th in the Bloguin NBA Power rankings that were just published: remember I predicted 43 Ws, but I'm ready to see this prediction turning false.
(* = italian, vulgar, for "Good luck"...)
