Piston Whipped

The Sixers' ride is over, with the Pistons playing like everyone expected them to and dispatching of the lesser team. Handily.

But I doubt too many Philly fans are disappointed in this team because for being eliminated in the first round. By making the playoffs, albeit with a losing record, and then winning two games, including one at home, the Sixers overachieved and turned some heads around the league. As the final seconds ticked down, the remaining fans stood up and cheered, mostly in recognition of what the young Sixers squad did well in the second half of this year, but also in anticipation of what will almost certainly be a better showing in 2008-2009 and thereafter.

Sixers vs. Pistons, originally uploaded by gajdam1.

Congrats to the Sixers for turning around what looked to be a dismal season early on, and giving us all something unexpectedly enjoyable to talk about.

It should be an interesting summer as the team looks to build on its strengths and address its weaknesses.

Comments

[eric]

Elton Brand, anyone?

[Mike'M]

Great perspective Matt. This is a huge accomplishment for this team during the first year post-AI, and a good sign of things to come! I didn't think think that I that at the end of this season I would be excited about the next, but I am! Let's Go Sixers!

[jimesienreich]

thats 97 straight seasons without a championship

[Kulp]

That is a very interesting way at looking at things... depressing, but interesting.

I'm not sure the Phillies '94 season counts, but the NHL lockout definitely wiped away an entire season, so the count is currently at 96 seasons.

As if it makes a difference.

[phils7572]

I appreciate the effort these guys put out. Nobody expected them to beat the Pistons...but at least we gave them a tough series and not a pushover. I trust Ed Stesanski to get us a qualitly free agent like Antwan Jamison and make us a contender next year.

[Fry]

I'm definitely proud of the Sixers. In Stefanski we trust to improve on the momentum they made this season.

[themajor]

I am admittedly not a basketball fan I follow the flyers, phillies and eagles religiously but the sixers I dunno I have always been the occasional fan but I would have to say that the way this team hustled got me excited about pro ball in a way I haven't been in a long time.

[Chamomiles Davis]

I noticed some parallels between this Sixers team and the 2007-08 Villanova basketball team. Both rosters were full of young, fast players with as-yet unrealized potential who surpassed expectations and made their respective post-seasons.

I have no reason not to trust Ed Stefanski to make the right moves that will have this Sixers team back in the playoffs next year. Despite the disappointment of the last 2.5 games this team appears to be on the upswing.

[Tony]

The Sixers had a nice run, but they really need to think about whether it makes sense to keep Igoudala as a cornerstone of the team. His salary is going to get way too high for the type of player he is.

He disappeared completely in the playoff series, and only some of it was due to Tayshaun Prince's tenacious D. If his mid-range jumper isn't on, his entire game is shut down.

My prescription for what ails the Sixers is a big man like Jermaine O'Neal (or Elton Brand, I guess) and a lights-out 3-point shooter. Fill those two jobs and you've got a legitimate championship contender.

[adam]

We had a lights out three point shooter. Remember Kyle Korver? While Billy King sucked, I do not understand the praise bestowed upon Stefanski. All he did was get Cheeks to play the young guns. Why is he considered a godsend? Was he not the same person who signed Vince Carter for $15M a year? Was he not the same person that put that crappy Nets team together? I have faith that he will do well, but you never know.

[Kulp]

I don't expect the Sixers to make a big splash in free agency. They will add a piece or two, but I'm not sure there is a player out there that makes them a contender.

Jermaine O'Neal is probably the best player out there, but he hasn't played even close to a full season since 2003-04. Elton Brand is a nice thought, but he is coming of a ruptured Achilles tendon. Can he run with this group? Antawn Jamison seems like another Iguodala when they really need a power forward.

I'm not sure Stefanski will sign any of these guys. He admitted in an interview, I think with Enrico, that the Sixers are on more of a two year plan, so this off-season may only be part one, unless they rob a team in an Iguodala sign and trade.

[HarrytheK]

They lost!

They had a losing record during the regular season.

And, for the last 2 1/2 games of the playoffs with the Pistons, they looked like they were sleepwalking and couldn't care less.

No matter how you look at it, they're LOSERS!!!

Why do people in this town think that mediocrity (or even less than mediocrity) is to be applauded?