<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> December 22, 2006 - 8:00 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#000000">Philadelphia 76ers</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">(5-19)</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Kevin Ollie</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Willie Green</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Andre Iguodala</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Alan Henderson</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">C</span> <span style="color:#000000">Samuel Dalembert</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Kyle Korver, Rodney Carney, Steven Hunter, Louis Williams, Steven Smith</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(10-14)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Sebastian Telfair</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Tony Allen</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West, Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Michael Olowokandi</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Andre Miller is not with the team (travel conditions)</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Chris Webber is doubtful (sprained right ankle)</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Joe Smith will not play (needs to take a physical)</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Shavlik Randolph will not play (broken ankle)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce will not play (stress reaction in left foot)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak will not play (strained right ankle)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Kendrick Perkins will not play (plantar fasciitis)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Brian Scalabrine is questionable (flu)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Michael Olowokandi is probable (strained abdomen)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Theo Ratliff will not play (lower back)</span> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#CC9933">Andre Iguodala</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 15.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 12.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg As A Starter: 15.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Rodney Carney</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 16</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000000">4.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Bobby Jones</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 37</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000000">1.1 ppg, 1.1 rpg</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PHI:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Steven Smith</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000000">0.6 ppg, 0.8 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 21</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">3.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Leon Powe</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 49</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.7 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Allan Ray</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">2.0 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.4 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">Philadelphia's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#000000">Samuel Dalembert</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 9.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.9 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">He needs to play good defense on Al Jefferson. With Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak out, Jefferson becomes virtually the #1 option. Dalembert has to play good defense on him and he can't let him get good position, or he'll kill them.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 5.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.7 apg, 47% 3FG Career As A Starter: 14.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg (3 games last season)</span> <span style="color:#009900">With no Pierce or Wally, Gerald is going to have to step up big time. We know that when he's feeling it, he can rise to the occassion. Let's hope he can play well with Pierce/Wally out, we really need him to. Go Gerald!</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#000000">Samuel Dalembert</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">Without Pierce/Wally, Big Al is virtually the #1 option. Dalembert, however, is a big body and an excellent shot blocker. We'll see how Jefferson responds when the pressure is on, and with a top shot blocker on him.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes Wow, this is the worst game of the year lol. But, I am very excited to see how these young guys respond, especially Al Jefferson and Gerald Green. CelticBalla's Prediction I think it'll be a game with tons of mistakes and turnovers for both ends, and I think the average NBA fan wouldn't even watch this game. Haha this game was supposed to be on ESPN... after AI gets traded and with Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak, Kendrick Perkins, etc. all out. LOL. I predict a Celtics win, I think two young guys are going to step up big (don't know who).
yeeeeeeeeeeeeah, may not want to watch this game, just check the results an actual winnable 1st game without Paul.lets see what the young bucks got!
I am actually kind of excited to watch this game to see who steps up and takes control. We are gonna get to see all of the young players get mintues. Who do you think will step up as the main scoring option, Green or Jefferson?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRob-50-Forever @ Dec 22 2006, 12:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I am actually kind of excited to watch this game to see who steps up and takes control. We are gonna get to see all of the young players get mintues. Who do you think will step up as the main scoring option, Green or Jefferson?</div> Personally, I think Jefferson and TA will be the top 2 scorers.
Should be a good game, wish I could have gone. I agree that Tony and Al are going to step it up, I wouldn't be surprised if Delonte had a good night too.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JustBlaze @ Dec 22 2006, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Should be a good game, wish I could have gone. I agree that Tony and Al are going to step it up, I wouldn't be surprised if Delonte had a good night too.</div> Yeah, Delonte has a shot at having another good night. Philly's guards are nothing to brag about, especially considering Andre Miller won't play tonight. But let's just hope Bassy doesn't make Kevin Ollie look like Iverson this time, hmm?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 22 2006, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, Delonte has a shot at having another good night. Philly's guards are nothing to brag about, especially considering Andre Miller won't play tonight. But let's just hope Bassy doesn't make Kevin Ollie look like Iverson this time, hmm?</div>I don't get why Sebastian was so hyped coming out of high school, he's really not that great.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JustBlaze @ Dec 22 2006, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't get why Sebastian was so hyped coming out of high school, he's really not that great.</div> He was so hyped coming out of high school for a lot of reasons, and reasons which are very valid: - He is the all-time leading scorer for New York high school basketball. - He won 3 state championships in high school. - He is super quick. - Great penetrator. - Outstanding ballhandling skills. - Excellent court vision, very good passer. - Doesn't necessarily need a play to convert an offensive possession. - Has a good drive and kick game. - He has the heart of a lion, and has a lot of passion on the court. - He's a hard worker. - He's vocal and a born leader. I think he has done a good job in Boston so far, to be honest with you. People don't give him enough credit because he hasn't averaged 12 points and 7 assists or whatever, but I say F*ck stats. He has run the offense very well, he has REALLY limited his mistakes and he has cut down his turnovers/boneheaded passes/dribbles from last year, he has gotten stronger since last year, he always makes the right pass that sets up the open player, he has been excellent with the drive-and-kick game (dishing it out to Wally, Pierce, or Gomes), and he has brought a lot of energy. He's in a bit of a scoring slump right now, but he'll bounce back from that. Either way, I don't care if he never scores again, as long as he keeps running the offense well and limiting his turnovers. Also, when I say "he makes the right pass that leads to the open player," here's a couple examples: 1. Say Bassy has the ball on the left side, but he sees Wally open cross-court, and say Gomes is at the top of the key. Bassy will pass to Gomes at the top and scream "SWING IT!" Conclusion: the ball gets to Wally, he gets an open shot, and it was because of Sebastian Telfair. 2. They are on a breakaway. Bassy has the ball and he dribbles up court. You may think "come on, Bassy, advance the ball with a pass!!!" But... he drives to the lane halfway, gets all the defensive attention on him, then he makes a quick pass to an open shooter on the wing. Bang. Right play. I mean there are plenty of scenerio's like that. Maybe he doesn't always get the assist, and maybe he won't break any NBA scoring records, but the kid has heart and he can run an offense. He has really done an excellent job with not forcing the issue, limiting his turnovers, taking good shots, pushing the ball, staying vocal on the court at all times, and setting people up.
Well I mean I understand that he had a great high school career, but he wasn't great for Portland and I wouldn't have been happy with that trade if it hadn't allowed us to unload Raef. He does do some things well, as you said he's a great penetrator and he is very fast, not all that different from his cousin in a lot of ways. He really isn't much of a defender though, and I don't think he's all that great of a scorer in general. He's not the best shooter, and he's short which doesn't help. He kind of reminds me of TJ Ford in some ways, whom I love. I'm not trying to knock him and I'm not unhappy with his play, I just think he's always been a little overrated and over-hyped.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JustBlaze @ Dec 22 2006, 03:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well I mean I understand that he had a great high school career, but he wasn't great for Portland and I wouldn't have been happy with that trade if it hadn't allowed us to unload Raef. He does do some things well, as you said he's a great penetrator and he is very fast, not all that different from his cousin in a lot of ways. He really isn't much of a defender though, and I don't think he's all that great of a scorer in general. He's not the best shooter, and he's short which doesn't help. He kind of reminds me of TJ Ford in some ways, whom I love. I'm not trying to knock him and I'm not unhappy with his play, I just think he's always been a little overrated and over-hyped.</div> Well, all NYC point guards are overhyped to some degree. But I have to say something on his career in Portland as well, and why he was not so successful there: Portland ran a slow-down, half court, structured offense. That does not fit Sebastian's game. He is a run and gun PG, and a player that excells in the open court with scorers around him. That is why he fits so much better in Boston. We are full of young, energeting athletes and we are a running team. He can utilize his talent and drive to the bucket (whether he finishes with a layup or dishes it out to a shooter), he can run a high-tempo offense, he can play more freely. I mean, in Portland, it was "get the ball to Z-Bo on the block, and let him go to work." In Boston, it's a free-run offense, where Bassy thrives. He has some good shooters around him (Wally, Pierce, West, Green) and he has some big men than are good around the basket (Big Al, Gomes). He fits SO MUCH better here, he did not fit in Portland's offense. In Portland, it was Play A or Play B... whatever McMillan said. That play never worked to Sebastian's advantages because it was a half-court set. Again, it just doesn't suit his game. A fast paces, up-tempo offense is how Bassy can succeed, and that's what we are doing here.
Yeah I definitely agree that he's a better fit here, I'm just not sure if he's got what it takes to be our starting point guard for the future, I'll give him some time though. I'm more concerned with us developing some solid low post play, Al's looking great and hopefully he'll keep that up.
Ahh well, I don't think he's going to make a huge difference in his first game for them. I really wish I could have made it tonight though, I think it'll be a good game.
I think this could be closer than the last time they playedSixers = No AI (also Andre Miller still has to take his physical before he plays tonight)Celtics = No Paul Pierceits not a game I wanna watch tho..I wont be home anyway
Yeah I actually just heard that Andre Miller is not with the team, and that they may be looking into trading him again, but to a playoff contender. Hmm...
Gerald Green is the leading scorer at the half, I guess that's a good thing. Al's almost got a double-double at the half too, which I expected.
THE CURSE IS OVER!!!! :yes1: :drunk: :happy0144: :beerchug: :yahoo: :flex: :worthy: What better team to have done it on too. Iggy FINALLY surpasses his regulation career high with 31 points. Also chipped in 9 assists and 4 boards. Kevin Ollie gives a great one also with 14/8/6. Im so relieved.
Oh well, you guys are dead last in the Atlantic and you're the worst team in the league, I wouldn't get too cocky.
