The Sixers picked up another win last night, exacting a bit of revenge in the process. They once again jumped out to an early 20-point lead against the Timberwolves, only this time they finished the job. It's their fifth straight victory, beating their previous long of two, and people are beginning to take notice.
More specifically, they're beginning to notice the current streak conincides almost exactly with the four games Allen Iverson has missed due to an illness in his family. CSN's John Finger cuts right to the heart of the matter: "At this point in their careers there is nothing Iverson does better than [Willie] Green."
When Iverson re-joined the club in December, the Sixers were in the midst of a skid that wound up lasting 12 games. They were 10 games under .500 before he ever stepped on the court. Nobody questioned the fact that he wouldn't turn their season around. It was done simply to inject some fun into a season that was traveling down a hopeless path.
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Have the warm feelings faded yet? Finger points out the Sixers have averaged 107 points in their last four. They are moving the ball around and playing tough defense. I'm not suddenly under the illusion this is a good team, and the case can be made winning isn't really helping matters, but this is by far the most complete they've looked at any time this season. That has to count for something.
A.I. is currently slated to return to the lineup after the All Star break. With all due respect, he shouldn't, not unless it's in a reduced role. I am thankful for his contributions and his willingness to come back to Philadelphia and put on one final show for the fans, but the Sixers may finally be better off without him.
LINKS
• One analyst believes the addition of Roy Halladay will add four wins to the Phillies' total in 2010, two more than new Mets left fielder Jason Bay. [SI.com]
• Where are they now? Everywhere. A look at many former Flyers from around the NHL and how they're performing this season. [Flyers Goal Scored By...]
• Could Dallas netminder Marty Turco be coming to Philly if Emery's injury is serious? [Philly.com]
• Julius Peppers is adamant he will not sign a long term extension with the Carolina Panthers. [ESPN]
• The Eagles may have some quarterbacks for sale, and the Browns are thought to be buyers. Their fans are salivating over the prospects. [Waiting For Next Year]
• Edit2: Fox will air some kind of European soccer match this May. TheKrish chimes in below. [Multichannel]
fox will be airing the Champions League Final
FSC got the rights to the Champs League this year and it is fucking amazing that they are giving it to fox and that it will be aired on a SATURDAY no less, typically this game is on a weekday
the Champions League is not directly related to the English Premiere league and it is def not the "final"
the Champions League is a tournament that all the top leagues in Europe participate in. each league sends teams to the tournament based on their standings in their respective leagues. the tournament plays out during the year and there is a chance that no english premiere league teams will even make this game, although there is very little chance that Barcelona (from La Liga) do not make this game (my opinion)
• Headline: Nationals 'aggressively pursuing' Wang [MLB.com]
COMMENT OF THE DAY
WeaponX20 represents the 'emotional fan' whose rants and raves about the likes of Banner with points that largely aren't well supported. Eagles do spend money especially on extending their own players and have time and time again spend big money on FAs including Kearse, Samuels, Runyan, and others. Like most teams, they have had mixed results in FA but it is generally inaccurate and unfair to say this team isn't willing to spend top $ to bring in a premier FA. They have done so several times over the last 10 years.
- MG
It should also be noted Joe Banner has very little to do with the personnel being brought in. Andy Reid has final say on the roster, and the general manager—Howie Roseman on the heels of Heckert's departure—would be his primary consultant.
Banner mainly handles the financial aspect of the roster. Obviously the person in charge of the money is in a position to overrule moves that could limit the team's ability to operate, but that function is completely necessary. It's still Andy's responsibility to carry out a plan within the confines of the salary cap.
It's a mystery to me why Banner gets so much face time in the first place, other than the fact that his official title is club president. He isn't speaking from a strong football background, and he isn't assembling the team, so the fans really don't need to hear from him all that often.
THE BONUS: SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS
FloTV, a portable television, spent the big bucks and made the most of it. Well, at least their ad was funny. I don't really understand the appeal of a pocket sized TV. DVR seems like a much better way to go.
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