| 10 April 2010
No, I'm not talking about Lou's dunk (in the pic).
The fact is that the 90-95 loss to Milwaukee, combined with Detroit's third straight win (!), gives Sixers a tie for the sixth worst record in the NBA.
We are only one game ahead of Sacramento and Washington, that both won their last game.... ehehehe... (** evil laugh **).
So with only three games left, we still have a serious chance to get more ping pong balls.
Take a look at the standings & schedule:
Knicks (28-51, .354): Miami, Washington, @Toronto.
LA Clippers (27-52, .342) : Golden State, Dallas, LA Lakers.
Sixers (26-53, .329): @ Memphis, Miami, @Orlando.
Pistons (26-53, .329): @ Charlotte, Toronto, @ Minnesota
Kings (25-54, .316)): Dallas, Houston, @ LA Lakers
Wizards (25-54, .316): Atlanta, @ New York, Indiana
Warriors (24-54, .308): @LA Clippers, Oklahoma City, Utah, @ Portland.
I think we can win only one of those three games, at home vs Miami (hopefully we won't...).
I don't see how Pistons, with Gordon back, can lose at Minnesota, honestly. Sacramento has by far the toughest schedule and it will probably lose all three, while Washington will likely get one more, vs Indiana, maybe two, at NY: hey, after all they just won in Boston !!
So it's still an open (sad) race. Realistically, the best case scenario is Detroit AND Washington geting past us, to let us finish with the fifth worst record. Worst case scenario: we win one/two and regain the seventh worst record.
The nice thing is that there are some games that will help us anyway: Golden State-Clippers, New York-Washington. So we just have to continue losing - I'm talking as if it takes such an effort, LOL.. (more after the jump)THREE ANSWERS
1) Yes, I loved Francisco Elson's debut as a Sixer. Not to make fun of him but the long airball in his first shot with this jersey on cracked me up. He had a nice putback after, to be honest.
2) No, I'm not a great fan of Jennings, honestly. Scoring & exciting plays, yes, no problem. Playmaking & leadership, not so sure. I see him developing more into a Marbury type of player than an Isiah Thomas, or Iverson. Four key free throws made down the stretch, but also an easy layup blown.
3) No, I have no idea of what Pinckney is smoking. "He put together a solid season" he said, talking about Elton Brand. I hoped Ed was referring only to the lack of injuries...
THREE QUESTIONS
1) How good of a coach is Scott Skiles? I was impressed by Bucks' defense, even in absence of Bogut. Kudos.
2) How deep can Brand sink? 1/7 in 23 minutes, including an airball at the start of the third and a dunk attempt blocked by Kurt Thomas - who couldn't jump a newspaper when he was 20 y/o, imagine now, at 38...
3) What does it tell you when you get killed by Luc Ridnour ?? Everything you need to know about your players, team, coach.
REASONS
Why we lost the game
Slow start and pathetic first half (36 points scored on 33% + 11 turnovers). Also, missing eleven free throws in a game lost by five points doesn't help...
To be optimistic
Other teams are apparently providing a great help.
Sixers give you at least 3-4 great highlight plays per night: this time it was a double alley oop Holiday-to Iguodala-to Dalembert for the big throwdown. Very nice touch pass by Andre.
To be worried
Maybe some of those last shots will eventually fall... this time it was Holiday to misfire on the three that could have tied the game, with the score at 90-93. I think that "lifts" our record to 0/10 on last shots, but I'll check.
Please don't screw things us in Memphis.
