Hoops Matinee: Sixers Pick On Someone (Closer To) Their Own Size in Detroit

After narrowly escaping with a win against the worst team in the East missing four of their top six players (though to be fair, the Celtics struggled with that same Nets squad last night--scrappy bunch, I guess), the Sixers have somehow managed to turn a relatively unimpressive start into a winning 3-2 record. Of course, it's hard to judge precisely where this team is at, since the only teams they've played thusfar have been the best (Orlando, Boston), and the worst (Milwaukee, New York, New Jersey) in their conference. They've beaten the teams they should have (albeit rather indecisively) and lost to the teams they should have (albeit extremely decisively).

In many ways, today's upcoming game against the Pistons will be the most interesting of the season thusfar, since it will be against a fellow middle-of-the-pack Eastern team. Integrating some new guys (power forward Charlie Villanueva, sharp-shooter Ben Gordon) and missing some old ones to injury (Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince), no one seems quite sure what to make of the Pistons yet, least of all the Pistons themselves. They have a 2-4 record, but one of those two wins was against the Magic, so clearly they're not to be trifled with too much. Chances are, they'll end up shaking out somewhere on the playoff bubble--the very same bubble the Sixers seem on track to be flirting with come April as well.

It'll be an educational experience, no doubt, to see the Sixers match up with someone in their relative peer group, for once. Plus, the Pistons and Sixers always seem to play weird, suspenseful games (two words: Donyell Marshall), and the Eagles aren't on until 8:30 tonight. Perfect day for a hoops matinee. 

1:00 tip-off from the Palace. Is 4-2 too much to ask for?

Comments

[Jimmy Barr]

I think its safe to put Mo in the starting lineup over Sammy.

[MG]

Watching Dalembert go-through the motions and then very visually pout on the bench when Spreights came out to start the 4th quarter is all you need to know today's game.

On a day where Jordan desperately needed someone to help clean the glass (paging Dalembert, Samuel Dalembert) and this loser couldn't even stay on the floor even though he was never in foul trouble.

When a coach benches his best defensive rebounder to start the 4th quarter on a day where they are getting killed on the defensive glass, you know all you need to know about what Jordan thinks of Dalembert. He knows he has a loser who isn't going to try to fit into his system or even do his basic assignment on certan nights.

People complain about certain athletes in this town but the biggest underachiever (and I would even the term loser) is Dalembert right now and it isn't even close. Arguably one of the best underachievers in Philly sports in the past 20-25 years given the amount of money and the key principal role he is supposed to play on this team. This isn't some last man on your roster. It is your starting C who is being paid handsomely.

It is hard enough to watch this team right now because of their inconsistency on both the offensive and defense ends. Hell, they don't even run as much now with Brand & some of other plodders on the floor and don't have Miller to throw the outlet pass which was a real key to sparking the break the past 2 seasons.

When they go through the motions today and their starters don't play with intensity (especially Dalembert) this team is nearly impossible to watch.

[MG]

Last point on the rant - Philly fans have a reputation for being overly harsh & critical especially of players who really aren't deserving of it. Especially true for Eagles' fans.

If Philly fans want to boo something, it should be a guy like Dalembert tonight who dogs it for most of the game on the floor, makes 3-4 stupid mistakes, and then visually pouts because he is largely stapled to the bench in a close 4th quarter.

[Jimmy Barr]

I completely agree with everything you said. He is way to inconsistent and I'm glad that Jordan has some balls to bench him. Starting Mo and playing him for 30 mins a game (hopefully) could be the difference between making the playoffs or possibly being a 5th or 4th seed.

By the way..here is what Sammy just said on his twitter.
"sdalembertdotca Still scratching my head over Eddie Jordan's substitution patterns today vs. DET"

[Jimmy Barr]

I completely agree with everything you said. He is way to inconsistent and I'm glad that Jordan has some balls to bench him. Starting Mo and playing him for 30 mins a game (hopefully) could be the difference between making the playoffs or possibly being a 5th or 4th seed.

By the way..here is what Sammy just said on his twitter.
"sdalembertdotca Still scratching my head over Eddie Jordan's substitution patterns today vs. DET"

[Jimmy Barr]

Also, too inconsistent*