Nice of the Sixers to Sum up Their '07-'08 Season in One Game for Us

To no one's surprise, the Sixers dropped their season opener to a talented Raptors team last night in Toronto. They hung in there for a while and kept it close before the Raptors turned it up and got out to a 22-point second-half lead. But then the Sixers made it interesting, coming to within 1 in the 4th quarter on the strength of some solid play off the bench and Andre Iguodala making an impact after registering just 4 points in the first half. Being a native of this region, I began to think they might win.

Then the reality of Chris Bosh, TJ Ford, and Andrea Bargnani set in. Oh and I guess we can't forget the reality of Sam Dalembert. His foul on a Bargnani 3-ball was pretty much the rally killer, and all I can think of every time I see him is what an albatross he'll be for years.

Gonna be a long season, one in which more people will pay to see pro basketball in Toronto than Philadelphia. Again.

New Voice in the Mix
It was good to hear Marc Zumoff calling hoops after the long off-season. Jury's still out on Bob Salmi though. We found ourselves missing Steve Mix; his voice's absence was unmistakable throughout the telecast. Of all the changes the Sixers needed to make this off-season, canning Mix wasn't one of them. We'll give Salmi his shot though. Let's just hope it isn't another mistake of Firing Scott Graham proportions.

Comments

[Josh]

It remains to be seen if Salmi can become a good color commentator but Mix's voice itself was far better. I'm sure Steve would have been just as high on Jason Smith as Salmi was.

In general the TV crew's production was rough last night as well.

[Marc B.]

The Samuel Dalembert "Brainfart" costs the Sixers again. This has been the story of Sammy's career. He is the epitome of inconsistency and lack of focus. What the heck is he doing even thinking about fouling a 7 footer from 3 point range. Put a hand in his face and run down the court for the impending fast break dunk.

[Chamomiles Davis]

Being a naïve of this region, I began to think they might win.

/Fixed, with great sadness.

[Kulp]

Dalembert didn't just foul the guy, it looked like he flying kicked him. Don't get too down on the Sixers after one night though, they look like they can win some games.

[Stoeten]

Being in Canada, it's real easy for me to give the Raptors credit and give our best national team player (Dalembert) a break... so I will.

Foul or not, that Bargnani three is a killer.

[Fry]

I can't stand Marc Zumoff. He's been saying the same crap for years and its not that endearing stuff like Harry Kalas. Everytime I hear "in amongst the treeeeessss," "Korver heaves a healthy threeeeeee" and "in rhythm for two" I want to puke all over myself. He's terrible. He even messes up calls during important moments of the game. Remember when Iverson stole that in bounds pass a couple years back and ran it down for the game winning lay up. All I can think off whenever I see a replay is Zumoff's annoying voice cracking like a teenage boy. If comcast got someone competent to announce Sixers games more people would watch them.

[Carl Racki]

You're crazy Fry. Zumoff is the shit. Bring back The Mayor!

[Zeff]

I totally agree with Stoeten with the Zumoff comments; Zumoff leaves a lot to be desired. On the other hand firing Mix is just plain bad. I really enjoyed listening to him because he knew what the heck he was talking about, and was totally unbiased (a novelty is this era of broadcasting). I don't think Salmi will be too bad, but I don't think he'll "replace" Mix as far as I'm concerned. They should have replaced Zumoff with Salmi. First Scott Graham, now Mix. They may as well get ready to can Merrill Reese while they're at it.