If you read last weeks post on the possibilities of Dwight Howard coming to the Sixers, then you know I'm on board with this years team. THEY ARE GOOD, and after the last four games in which the Sixers took down the Magic, Bulls, Hawks and Lakers, you should giddy your ass up and hop on the bandwagon. I had the pleasure of attending both the Bulls and Heat games last week so I saw first hand how much potential this squad has and you could feel the excitement returning to the arena. People can put up their argument that the Sixers can't contend with the Heat, who are by far the elitists in the Eastern Conference and you have your stake to claim. What you can't argue though is that the Heat recognized it. LeBron James stated that they must take the Sixers as if they are forreal, and for three quarters...The Sixers were just that, trailing 67-63 heading into the final frame. What goes unnoticed is that if Andre Iguadola's buzzer beater that was called off by the length of Michael Jordans hair (corny) did in fact beat the red light, the momentum could of totally shifted in Philadelphia's favor...But we know how the story ended. The Sixers faltered down the stretch and got outscored 32-16 in the fourth. Both games against the Heat were without Spencer Hawes, and when the seven footer is on the floor and healthy, the Sixers are noticeably better. The Sixers are within striking distance of being able to contend with high caliber teams like Miami.
On Monday, Kobe Bryant came back home to Philadelphia in what could have been the turning point for this Sixers team. Philadelphia hadn't taken down LA since Andre Iguodala hit a clutch buzzer beating tre-ball at the Staples Center in 2009, and the way Kobe was shooting in the first half (20 first half points) it looked like he and the Lakers would yet again steal the script...But not so. The Sixers, as we've seen since Doug Collins became head coach played magnificent defense down the stretch and never gave up. Iggy held Kobe to just 8 points in the second half (10-26 FG) for the night and sweet Lou came up with one of the most clutch fourth quarter performances I've seen in recent time, willing the Sixers to a huge victory dropping 12 points in the finals quarter (24 Points for the game) in front of a sold out crowd at the Wells Fargo Center (20,064). On a night where Kobe Bryant passed Shaquille O'Neal for fifth place on the NBA's all time scoring list, Andrew Bynam put together a 20 Point, 20 Rebound performance, and the Lakers pulled down 25 more rebounds, it was the Sixers who came out on top.
The atmosphere on Monday night was like that of the days when Dr. J, and Mo Cheeks ruling the Spectrum back in the 80's. Or when Allen Iverson was schooling fools for 30 points on every given night... It was special. Even more special? During the four wins in one weeks span, the Sixers had a different leading scorer in each game. The "Beat LA" chants coming from the crowd gave me the chills and were something I haven't seen or heard IN YEARS.
Face it, this team is back and they are legitimate. After the Heat loss I was saying that the one thing they lack is that offensive presence who can take over a game in the final stages. Lou Williams has shown flashes of that the last two seasons, and on Monday night he boiled over his past performances. If he can be that guy to take over the game down the stretch...This team has the likings of being a scary contender. A win over a championship caliber team like the Los Angeles Lakers can go a long way for such a youthful group of players and boost their confidence to the level of infinity, and this win may of just done that. The Sixers are learning how to win big games and with the Spurs and Clippers on the schedule next, we will have an even better idea on what this team is about. There is a famous saying stating "there is no I in team" and that is the motto for the 2011-2012 Sixers. People are starting to recognize, teams are starting to realize, and the Sixers fan base is accumulating in masses with every passing day. Lace up your kicks and throw on whatever Sixers gear you have crumbled up in your closet because the Sixers are giving Philadelphia something unique and special that resembles what ths city is al about. A hard working, dedicated, ambitious, team winning formula. And this could just be the start of it all.
Passionate. Intense. Proud
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