<font face="Tahoma"><div align="center"> Phiadelphia 76ers (12-14) @ Seattle SuperSonics (20-5) Date: December 28th, 2004 10:00 pm (local time) TV:NBALP, CSN Last Games Seattle 98, Denver 83 Philadelphia 111, Portland 104 </div> As a interim head coach in the 200-01 season Jim O'Brien led the Celtics for 48 games to a .500 record (24-24). During his time in Boston Jim O'Brien led the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals, and a eventual lose in six games to the New Jersey nets. Last season O'Brien abruptly left the Celticsmid way through there season after the trade of his two favorite players Eric Williams and Tony Battie. The Sixers had also at the time lost there own coach Larry Brown at the time to the Detroit Pistons after a six game lose to the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the playoffs. They tried to have Randy Ayers as there replacement, but to no avail as he would be fired before all star break. The job would then fall to interm head coach Ford who's problems with star Allen Iverson and old school coaching style cost much contriversy in a some what hopeless losing season. Then the Sixers search lead them to home town native Jim O'Brien. JO has tryed many different lineups as head coach of the 76ers so far this season the only constant of the five starters being Allen Iverson and Andre Igoudala. We can not say that he has lived up to expectations as coach so far this year, but he is getting there. They have come off a couple close games, and nice wins lately they are only two games out of the lead in the Atlantic division <div align="center"> <font color="Blue">Sammy Dalembert </font> -PPG 5.6 RPG 6.80 APG .6 <font color="Blue">Kenny Thomas</font>- PPG 8.9 RPG 6.5 APG 1.4 <font color="Blue">Andre Iguodala</font>- PPG 8.9 RPG 5.4 APG 2.5 <font color="Blue">Willie Green</font>- PPG 8.1 RPG 2.5 APG 2.1 <font color="Blue">Allen Iverson</font>- PPG 28.7 RPG 3.8 APG 7.1</div> <div align="center"> <font color="Blue">Kyle Korver</font>- PPG 11.5 RPG 3.8 APG 2.2</div> Finally Allen Iverson got some help from the role players last night against Portland we had five guys reach double figure scoring, and two guys in the twenties. Iguodala stepped up huge against the Blazers he shot the best field goal eprcentage on the team on 10-18 shooting, and had a double double 22 points and 10 rebounds. The kid is going to be something special, and showed it in our last game. Allen Iverson shot his worst field goal percentage in the last week. He picked it up in the second half though last night finished yesterdays game with a team high 28 points. He did how ever cut down on his turnovers from averaging 4 a game to only two. In this game we will need AI to drive the ball inside the Sonics have no one, NO ONE AT ALL. To stop him there center is below average for a western conference center, there power forward is no ebtter, there entire team really lies in the back court and Rahard Lewis. Willie Green had a Wllie Green game last night for the Sixers only nine points, but that was more than his season average. Wille has gone from possibly a most improved player from last season to a Sixers role player so far this year. He reminds me of Mckie and I think that is the type of role he will play for the team in the future. Kenny Thomas had a nice first half yesterday, and showed that the time off did him some good he played very well yesterday, and will be looking to do the same tonight against the Sonics . The same reason I think we where able to beat the Blazers yesterday may be the same reason the Sonics beat us they have no inside players, but there speed really kills. As well as there jumpers. KT will need to step up for the Sixers to have a shot. SD had a pretty good night last night to. He performed well against a very good defensive player in Theo. He was one of the 76ers five players who reached double digit scoring. He is not been a explosive offensive player so far this year, but it is always nice to see a little offense out of him. Should be nice to see how he follows it up against a defender that is not nearly as good as Theo. KK had a good night yesterday as well he brought his scoring game and reached double digit scoring. The 76ers will be looking for the same from him tonight. Hopefully his three is on and gives us something to contest Ray Allen's three point shot with. I would not be surprised to see him and Allen in a three point shoot out this game at one point. <div align="center"> Nate Mcmillan one of the NBA's most under rated coaches. His coaching as beena big part of the Sonics early season success thus far. Though you have to remember this team was hot at the start of last season to, but just broke down the second half of the year, and did not make the playoffs nothing in the NBA is a given and this team knows that better than almost any other team in the league do not expect them to take this game lightly. <font color="DarkGreen">Jerome James</font>- PPG 3.8 RPG 2.40 APG .3 <font color="DarkGreen">Reggie Evans</font>- PPG 5.6 RPG 8.5 APG .5 <font color="DarkGreen">Rashard Lewis</font>-PPG 21.9 RPG 5.4 APG 1.1 <font color="DarkGreen">Ray Allen</font>- PPG 23.9 RPG 4.3 APG 4.2 <font color="Green">Luke Ridnour</font>-PPG 8.6 RPG 2.3 APG 6.1 You know how you parents sometimes said when you were younger if you do not have anything nice to say dont say anything at all. Thats how Im going to handle the Seattle Sonics front court. All that needs to be said advantage goes to the 76ers on this one. Rashard Lewis is one of the best small forwards in the league is provides a lot or this team, and is probably along with mobely, arenas, and RJ one of the biggest steals in recent draft years taken in the second round. This guy has a complete game he can beat you outside and in. I do not know how Iguodala is going to handle him, but all I can hope for is that we hold him under twenty points I think this matchupwill be a good one to watch. Ray Allen has come out with a career/ contract season he is performing very well, but many think it may be just due to the inspiration of getting a big contract at the end of the year. He has made it clear he will leave the team if he does not get the big money he wants. Though you can dislike him for that you have to respect his game at one point he was back to back three point shoot out champion. He has one of the best shots in the league. I am worried about this matchup, and think we should start KK this game because of the size matchup. Luke Ridnour does these guys a good job of getting them the ball he is not a explosive point guard, nor is he mediocre he is solid. He is a young guy that is perofrming well for them. I think that he will be taken advantage of this game by Iverson though. <font color="DarkGreen">Antonio Daniels</font>-PPG 12.2 RPG 2.0 APG 4.4 One of the most under rated players in the NBA. Led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.89) during 2003-04 season and is 2nd thus far this season. He is as solid a point guard as there is. He is having the best season of his career scoring wise. His points appear to be increasing each season he plays with this team up to 12.2 from only 8 points last year. </div> * Have people step up. It showed last night something I have been saying all season we dont need AI to be hot every single night for us to win. We just need to have other guys step up to help him. One of my keys for yesterdays game was to not just stand around and have AI do everything and they got involved and helped Iverson out big time on a bad shooting night yesterday. They (the rest of the team) need to the same again today. * Cut down on turnovers yesterday turnovers is what cost Portland we had five at half time they had 15. In the end AI had only two so it shows if we hold on to the ball we have a good chance to hang in there in close games I hope we can do the same tonight.. The Sonics have a good defense, and tend to force turnovers. Our size in the back court may cost us tonight in this game. * Have the front court produce Seattles fornt court is very weak. For any NBA team elt alone a western conference team. That weakness in the front court leaves this game wide open for us to take advantage of, but we are not exactly incredable in our front court either, but look at it this way Evans and James < Jackson, Skinner, Thomas, and SD. <div align="center"> MVP <font color="Blue">Allen Iverson : 34 points, 5 rebounds, 11 asssists.</font> </div> I hate to sound down on this game, but I think although there is a lot of areas we can take advantage of this game. I doubt we will. Our players will go in there sort of scared and intimidated facing a very good Seattle team I think that will show early with stupid turnovers that will lead to our lose in this game. Final score 92-84. AI lights it up and distributes the ball, but no one steps up in the end, and the Seattle SuperSonics double team Iverson since no one else is hitting there shots.</font>
Great preview (also nice graphics). I totally agree that Iverson will be doing great tonight, but the Sonics will force him double teams and no one will seem to step up. Once again, good time and effort.
Sixers will take this one,Iguodala has been doing greatly,Korver's more confident than last time these 2 teams met,also Samuel's getting more minutes. Last time Sonics and Sixers played Sixers lost by 8,thanks to Seattle's 18 three-pointers.Im sure they can't shoot more this time. Sixers take this one 106-102
The Sixers will have to play very very good perimeter defense this time, last night they created a lot of turnovers when the Blazers didn't go to their isolation plays. Sonics win 103-90
Wow GREAT preview one of the best I have ever seen. I think that the Sixers CAN win this game. The Sixers are the under dog and will cath the Sonics by surprise. I'll just post some thoughts. Sixers Keys to the Game -Believe You can WIN- The Sonics come into this game thinking Easy win probably and the Sixers must BELIVE they can win. -Use versatile players- Guys like Andre Igoudala and Willie Green are great against the Sonics because the Sonics have trouble against versatile players. Ex, Boston beat them twice because their team is full of these kind of players. -Perimeter Defense-The Sonics like to shoot 3's and long distance shots. Defend these shots. The Sonics must not be alllowed to get these shots open. THey have been winning this year because of overwhelming their opennents with these shots.
Lol. here is my prediction for the score 103-73 in a sonics win and im guessing Vladimir Radmanovic will score bout 20 points
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YugoRocketsfan:</div><div class="quote_post">Lol. here is my prediction for the score 103-73 and im guessing Vladimir Radmanovic will score bout 20 points</div>Care to give some reasoning to your intellegent comment and wonderful reasoning? By the way thanks everyone for the complements on the preview.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font face="Tahoma"> You know how you parents sometimes said when you were younger if you do not have anything nice to say dont say anything at all. Thats how Im going to handle the Seattle Sonics front court. All that needs to be said advantage goes to the 76ers on this one. </font></div> Apparently you haven't been watching the Sonics this season. Reggie Evans has held his own against some of the toughest competition in rebounding and defense. Danny Fortson has been a terror off the bench and even Jerome James has made considerable improvement. Though the backcourt grabs most of the fame for the Supes, the frontcourt has been exceptional this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently you haven't been watching the Sonics this season. Reggie Evans has held his own against some of the toughest competition in rebounding and defense. Danny Fortson has been a terror off the bench and even Jerome James has made considerable improvement. Though the backcourt grabs most of the fame for the Supes, the frontcourt has been exceptional this year.</div>Even if they have been exceptional they are still a mediocre front court for a western conference team, and I would still give the advantage to the 76ers in the front court. Who have been performing well lately especially if Corliss Williamson plays which is questionable. Though you are right I have not caught many Sonics games this year only a few here and there like the one against the Lakers, etc. So I may be wrong.
Define mediocre? Do they have to have a 20 point scorer to be a good frontcourt? Fact is they've shut down the likes of Webber, Duncan, K-Mart, Miller and Kevin Garnett this season, while Amare only scored 20. Evans and Fortson are relentless on the glass at both ends, and along with Collison, provide a lot of tough picks for the perimeter players to thrive off. It's not a frontcourt with stars in it, but it's one that works together and does their job better than most.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Even if they have been exceptional they are still a mediocre front court for a western conference team, and I would still give the advantage to the 76ers in the front court. Who have been performing well lately especially if Corliss Williamson plays which is questionable. Though you are right I have not caught many Sonics games this year only a few here and there like the one against the Lakers, etc. So I may be wrong.</div> On Paper, yea the Sixers have a better front court, but the Sonics have more energy, hustle, and will in their front court. Right now for this game, I would give the advantage to Fortson, Evans and James over Thomas, Jackson and Dalembert. Their stats don't show everything, but they allow oppurtunities for the other players on the floor to grab boards, because of their boxing out ability. -- BTW, Who made those sixers and sonics graphics at the top
Great preview, Allen Iverson is going to have to have another big night if Philadelphia even want to stay close in this game. That way, he should be drawing some double teams which would allow Korver or someone to have some open shots. Seattle is a great running and shooting team, so everyone needs to step up on defense to try and limit open shots and such. However, not only do we have to defend the perimeter well, players like Jackson, Dalembert, and so on need to be aggressive and grab the rebounds if they miss the shots. Defense over Offense should be the mindset for this game. However, I don't want to be a downer, but I really don't see a win for Philadelphia in this one although I want them to win. They just don't have the players to win against a rolling team like Seattle right now. 101-94 Seattle Win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">On Paper, yea the Sixers have a better front court, but the Sonics have more energy, hustle, and will in their front court. Right now for this game, I would give the advantage to Fortson, Evans and James over Thomas, Jackson and Dalembert. Their stats don't show everything, but they allow oppurtunities for the other players on the floor to grab boards, because of their boxing out ability. -- BTW, Who made those sixers and sonics graphics at the top</div>The 76ers and Sonics graphics where made by TheAnswer3 I do these previews for his site as well as this one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">-Believe You can WIN- The Sonics come into this game thinking Easy win probably and the Sixers must BELIVE they can win. -Use versatile players- Guys like Andre Igoudala and Willie Green are great against the Sonics because the Sonics have trouble against versatile players. Ex, Boston beat them twice because their team is full of these kind of players. -Perimeter Defense-The Sonics like to shoot 3's and long distance shots. Defend these shots. The Sonics must not be alllowed to get these shots open. THey have been winning this year because of overwhelming their opennents with these shots.</div> Agreed. I can't think of any other ways the 76ers could win without putting to play what you have posted above. Those three factors are what will determine the 76ers faith tonight. Another thing that should be taken into consideration is the 76ers team chemistry. Compared to last time the Sixers played the Sonics, the 76ers have become more in sync with one another. Granting that fact, plus with the extended break and then the confidence they gained last night, this game good be a dog fight, and this time around do not be surprised if the 76ers pull out a win. Now while I?m rooting for the Sixers (obviously), it?s more than likely the Sonics will pull away with the win, but at the same time I have a good feeling about this game, and it?s defiantly a winnable game IMO. As for the main attraction himself, Mr. Allen Iverson, unlike the last 4 games or so this time he?s not coming off a big night. Iverson struggled severely last night, especially shooting wise. His sprained finger apparently was bothering him. Now while he struggled it was actually a blessing in disguise. Not necessarily a blessing, but it somewhat helped the team in actuality. With Iverson struggling the way he did last night, it forced the other guys to step up and so they did. With that said, look for more of a team oriental style of play tonight rather then feeding the ball to Iverson non-stop and just hoping for another 40-50 point night. So all in all, despite the outcome of the game, I can almost promise you that the 76ers will give the Sonics a run for their money. The Sixers already picked up a needy win on the road against the Pacers, and then another one against a solid team such as the Blazers. So all that?s left to say is that they just want more and ummm... GO SIXERS!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post"> It's not a frontcourt with stars in it, but it's one that works together and does their job better than most.</div> Amen to that. And Seattle with this "medicore" frontcourt has 20-5 record - that number sums it all up I think!
I hope the Sixers do well in this game, not really win but do well and keep the game close. If the Sixers win tonight's game their confidence will go skyrocketing. Both Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver have been playing well as of late and lets not forget Allen Iverson. I predicted big games from both A.I's, but the Sixers lose. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis will be too much for them to handle, Sixers - 92; Sonics - 98. I hope the Sixers stay in this game until the end though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Semmi:</div><div class="quote_post">Amen to that. And Seattle with this "medicore" frontcourt has 20-5 record - that number sums it all up I think!</div>Did I take away form there recrd when I called there front court mediocre? No. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">On Paper, yea the Sixers have a better front court, </div>That basically sums up the point I am trying to get at, and for Supersonic I define mediocre as average. Which on paper is what they are they hustle, but do not put up big offensive numbers like a KG would, and do not put up big defensive numebrs like a Ben Wallace would.
All I know is that we beat the Sonics and I'm happy for the Sixers. Told you guys only way the Sixers are going is up.
Doesnt get much better then this good win for them. AI went off to the end. He had a good rebounding night very impressive nine rebounds. Sixers 114- Sonics 107.
Great job by Allen Iverson...he shot out of his shooting slump. Right now with 50 seconds to go...hes 45 percent. In the half...he was 2-12. Terrific job...didnt think he could do it. As of now...he has 34 points//9 rebounds//7 assists///5 turnovers. Not bad at all. It seems as if him and Ray Allen are having a showdown on the court going back and forth. Sixers win though...they beat a great team. Final Score: Sixers 114 Sonics 107 Leading Scorers: Allen Iverson: 34 points//9 rebounds//7 assists on 43% shooting Ray Allen: 32 points//3 rebounds//8 assists on 50% shooting
