Beyond roster, coaches, conditioning staff, trainers etc. This is what's going to determine how well the Sixers do this season: When I went on their website, that picture struck me and when I thought about it, this is what separates the good from the great. The Pistons talented, yes, but most talented, certainly not, however they are champions and one of the tops team. Why? You can always catch Billups, Prince, Wallace and the rest of them doing things off the court, Whether it's the movies, bar or anything these guys have a personal relationship together and that's what makes them great. In a phone commercial I believe you see the host taking a tour of Tony Parker house and while doing so you see Duncan, Horry and Bowen playing poker in his house. This is what makes teams great. If they can share a personal relationship off the court it will translate to great things on the court. Now let me flip the page to the Knicks. Talented? Probably one of the most talented teams in the league, but as a unit, they are TRASH! Of course you're not going to have a good season when you have a naked Nate Robinson jumping on Malik Rose and guys having to pull them apart because Rose owed him a crummy dollar bill(that is a true story for those who are wondering). The point is that at the end of the day what all great teams have is that special cohesiveness. The personal relationship that goes off the basketball court is what makes the difference. Now in the Sixers situation they are in Europe where they know NOBODY and are forced to be stuck with each other all day. So naturally they are going to learn more and more things about one another and become closer with each other and HOPEFULLY that will translate on the court. Maybe when they get back to the states they will take each other to one another favorite spots and maybe they will get even closer. Reading interviews and what guys thing about being in Barcelona I've noticed that a couple have been saying how everyone is bonding which is the best thing I?ve heard for this team in the off-season. It was this year I believe where Cheeks made plans for everyone to go to the movies or something of that nature. But Webber, AI and a couple others guys skipped out on that. That just goes to show that they don't really care and when off the court they are doing their own thing. My point is that, there is a reason why College teams sometimes look better than NBA teams and that?s because they share something off the court. Let's face it; this ROSTER is not that bad. They have vets/stars in AI and Webber. They have slashing, shooting, perimeter defense, interior defense(with the exception of Webber), clutch play, three point shooting, size, ball handling, hustle, young guys, shot blocking, quickness etc. Of course there needs to be a little tweaking but again, what teams don't need a little tweaking? The fact is that this roster is not as bad as people think and they could make noise. It's just the fact that they don't play TOGETHER and don't look out for one another. I guarantee you right now, if the way the Sixers are bonding right now and if that translates on the basketball court? they can seriously make it to the Conference Finals. The Heat are the only team in their way, other than that they are capable of defeating any other team in the East.
Very well said Avery. On paper, this team is one of the top in the east. But unfortuantely, paper doesnt lead to wins. I'm sure we all know that the real problem this team has is the chemistry. Players have to feed off each other, and guys like Webber, AI, and Iggy have to play together as a team. If the Sixers are bonding as a team, that is a good start. But what needs to happen is for them to bond on the court. Players must be familiar with each other to get wins. This team has a lot of potential, as we all know. This team has the opportunity to be special. But unfortuanately, it has not lived up to expectations. This team is pretty much the same team as last season's, with regards to a few. With that being said, we'll see if they will finally show some familiarity. Oh, and welcome back Avery! I hope you stay
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">On paper, this team is one of the top in the east.</div> How do you figure that? On paper I would put teams like Milwaukee, Indiana, Washington, and Orlando, which really aren't the best of the East, ahead of them.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How do you figure that? On paper I would put teams like Milwaukee, Indiana, Washington, and Orlando, which really aren't the best of the East, ahead of them.</div> I said on paper, not what they actually produce. On paper, you have one of the best players in the league in AI, and another star player in Chris Webber. Although Webber has fallen off some, the guy can still be a heck of a player when used correctly. Then you have guys like Andre Iguodala and 3 point specialist Kyle Korver. You also have guys like Samuel Dalembert and Steven Hunter who have all the potential in the world. I know I may be overrating some of them (due to my bias), but those are just my opinions.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I said on paper, not what they actually produce. On paper, you have one of the best players in the league in AI, and another star player in Chris Webber. Although Webber has fallen off some, the guy can still be a heck of a player when used correctly. Then you have guys like Andre Iguodala and 3 point specialist Kyle Korver. You also have guys like Samuel Dalembert and Steven Hunter who have all the potential in the world. I know I may be overrating some of them (due to my bias), but those are just my opinions.</div> No, I know you meant on paper, but how they produce has something to do with that. On paper, you have another season of unfullfilled potential with Dalembert and Hunter. On paper, you have Chris Webber a year older. On paper, you have Rodney Carney and Andre Iguodala who, while being talented players, are redundant. And, on paper, the Sixers still lack a proven pass-first point guard. Just seems like the Sixers have made very little change to a team that was fundamentally flawed last season.
Good read Avery! A lot of teams have the talent, but waste it by not playing as a team. Even if a team has a bunch of stars, if they don't play in tune with eachother the talent is wasted. Just take the Lakers that one year with Payton, Bryant, George, Malone and Shaq; they all were stars but yet they didn't win the title. The same thing happened with team USA; you don't need a bunch of all-stars to win, you need players that compliment eachothers styles of play in order to mesh. If the Sixers can get more comfortable with eachother, and get to know eachothers strengths and weaknesses in their style, they can go far considering they have the talent.
Wow, an Avery sighting. I think you make some very good points with the whole team chemistry aspect of the game. Obviously, a lot of the time the team really wasn't gelling too well and at times just looked confused out there. I can't even count the number of times players would just pass the ball around not knowing what to do with it until it ends up in Iverson's or Webber's hands. However, certainly this is good news if its true. There really hasn't been anything too exciting going on this offseason for the Sixers (Henderson, whoo!). On the other hand, I don't think offcourt chemistry will fix the problem that has really plagued the Sixers last season: defense. It has really looked god awful most games and there have been countless times I got pissed that we blew a huge lead. They can watch all the movies, play all the paintball, and do all the things they can off the court, but it won't fix staying on their man, helping out teammates on defense, or having good interior defense. Hopefully, thats something they'll actually focus on in training camp and practices, instead of just saying that they are (I WASN'T SEEING IT). Anyway, good news nonetheless, I remember Van Gundy pulled something similar off for the Rockets some time ago when he got them a trip to Vegas. Of course, I also remember the Sixers did the same thing with paintballing, but its not like that has helped at all.
I think if the sixers played to their full potential they could easily be in the eastern conference finals. I really dont think the bucks or the pacers or even the nets are any better than the sixers at all. Its just a matter of the sixers putting a winning season together like they CAN.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">hey can watch all the movies, play all the paintball, and do all the things they can off the court, but it won't fix staying on their man, helping out teammates on defense, or having good interior defense. Hopefully, thats something they'll actually focus on in training camp and practices, instead of just saying that they are (I WASN'T SEEING IT).</div> Will it help staying in front of their man? Maybe not. Who knows? Mo Cheeks has been stressing defense, defense, defense and defense in the training camp so maybe that will help. But will off the court togetherness bring help defense? I think so. That's what it all about when your together, you help each other out, you go out of your way to help out the other guy. So I personally think the overall team/help defense will be improved. That's of course if these guys are really gelling as well as I think they are. In addition, I noticed a thread Rock4life made saying AI style of play doesn't equal winning. Well he's right and he's wrong. It help the Sixers get to the Finals but that was only one season. Regardless of how you look at it, AI won't have to change his style of play. Heading into season after season everyone wants AI to change his style of play. But going back to the point of this team probably having a new form of chemistry AI style of play will naturally change because he is REALLY REALLY going to want to share the spotlight and wealth with the other guys if they are really together as they seem to be(or will be). So it's not going to be like he's forced to go out of his way and change his style it will just naturally come to him. Get my drift? And, yes I'm staying.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No, I know you meant on paper, but how they produce has something to do with that. On paper, you have another season of unfullfilled potential with Dalembert and Hunter. On paper, you have Chris Webber a year older. On paper, you have Rodney Carney and Andre Iguodala who, while being talented players, are redundant. And, on paper, the Sixers still lack a proven pass-first point guard. Just seems like the Sixers have made very little change to a team that was fundamentally flawed last season.</div> That's the thing with the Sixers. Although they are not a perfect team, and may not be ready to compete for a championship, I feel with the right coaching the the right chemistry, the Sixers can be a top seed in the East. They have a lot of players with a lot of "potential." If they all live up to that "potential," then the Sixers will be a good team.
More of that "Team Bonding" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With practice canceled yesterday, the 76ers did some sightseeing and some singing. Their buses went up Montjuic, one of the highest points in Barcelona and the site of many venues built for the 1992 Olympics. They saw dazzling views, took dozens of photographs, and listened to (mostly bad) singing by their rookies. "They haven't had a day off and we worked pretty hard [the day] after the game," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, referring to Thursday night's loss to Winterthur FC Barcelona. First the rookie players got together and sang "Lean On Me." Then the team's rookie staff, including broadcast analyst turned interim assistant coach Steve Mix, belted out a round of "Louie Louie," complete with choreography. </div> Link
