<div align="center"> @ <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font>(13-14) <font color="red">Portland TrailBlazers</font>(13-15) <font color="blue">Place:Wachovia Center</font> <font color="blue">Time:8:00 PM </font> <font color="blue">TV:Local, CSN</font></div> <div align="center"> Probable Starters <font size="1">(PG Allen Iverson, SG Willie Green, SF Andre Iguodala, PF Kenny Thomas, C Samuel Dalembert)</font></div> <div align="center">_________________________________________</div> <div align="center">Probable Satrters <font size="1">(PG Nick Van Exel, SG Derek Anderson, SF Darius Miles, PF Zach Randolph, C Theo Ratliff)</font></div> Sixers Injury report: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Allen Iverson - Right ankle sprain, Left shoulder contusion - Probable Marc Jackson - Personal family reasons - Probable Brian Skinner - Flu like symptoms - Game Time Decision Corliss Williamson - Right elbow synovitis - Probable</div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <u>Keys to the Game</u> As the Sixers return home to Philadelphia after a grueling road streak, they will play the Blazers a team who could actually cause us some problems if we under estimate their ability. The Blazers are a team that has a good mix of inside and outside scoring. They have players like Zach Randolph in the paint, and solid perimeter player in Van Exel and Anderson. For this game, it is key for us to limit the Blazers to scoring inside. If we make their frontcourt shout jumpers it will be a lot easier for us defensively. The Sixers are a small team, and good big men usually play well against the. To make up for are often height disadvantage we have to play with hustle and killer instinct on defense to shut down the NBA's bigs. It would really help us if Dalembert could limit his foul trouble and give us some quality minutes. When he plays good minutes for us we usually play better as a defense and as a team. Another key is to not settle for jump shots! Other then Theo Ratliff the Blazers aren't very good defenders inside. So if we can find are way to the hoop then we could have a better chance at succeeding offensively. If we do attack the hoop well, then the outside shot will eventually open up, and hopefully some of the Blazers will be in foul trouble. Also it would be nice for the Sixers to hold the tempo in this game. Too many times this year, I see players that aren't really better then average have huge games against us. We can't let that happen, so that means the players like NVE and Darius Miles have to be contained because if not they will surprise and have big games on the Sixers. Overall this is a very winnable game for us. The Blazers may be a little fatigue because they just came off a high scoring game from New York. On the other hand the Sixers have had a nice little break of three days and I expect them to come out with some energy. We can't really afford to lose many games anymore. Right now we are a game behind the Knicks for the #1 spot in the division, with their soft schedule if we can't win these types of games at home they may pull away from us, and we can't let that happen.</div> <div align="center"><u>Key Players</u></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="red"><div align="center">Zach Rabolph Projected Game Stats: 28 points 11 rebounds 2 assists Allen Iverson Projected Game Stats: 25 points 4 rebounds 8 assists</div></font> My Prediction: With Allen being probable I'm assuming that he will be playing. But you have to wonder if his hurt shoulder will effext any of his performace. We also have some other good players that are banged up, so that means some of are other guys are going to have to step up offensively. I hope to see big games from players like Iggs Willie Green and Samuel Dalembert we'll have to see how they respond to playing a few more minutes then they usually do. Hopefully Allen will prove my projected stats wrong, and have a big game for us. We should be able to win this game, I see us winning this by at least 6.
Nice Preview Sixers got to contain Zach Randolph and do not underestimate players such as Derek Anderson. This Portland team can hit the open jumshots everytime. If we play defense this should we a nice win for us. Portland is struggling and we need to take advantage of that. Also we should very soon capture the division. The Knicks LOOK absolutly HORRIBLE from what I saw in that Cleveland game. IF we let e team like that have a better record than us than we are just screwed.
We should be able to win this game easily. Miles was the guy who created a lotta problem last team these two teams met, but now hes injuried. I see a blowout the sixers win at least 15+. This is just the kind of feeling you get, from the past years, the Sixers have blown out teams coming bac from their west coast road trip.
Bull crap...Our stupid coach should have at least let Iverson get a triple-double....he was one assist and one rebound away from it! He takes him out though and Iverson only plays 35 minutes. I wish this coach would act more like RudyT does with Kobe and play Iverson more so we could have actually had a chance to catch up. We were catchin up with them...at once were down by 10 in the fourth! Thats when u put Iverson back in Jim Bob. Nice try by the Sixers without Iverson...we lose again because of bad coaching! Im very angry right now...
No actually Jim stunk it up tonight...Im getting tired of Obrien taking out Iverson just because there losing by a simple 13 points with 10 minutes to go. Thats really bull crap and Im very angry. Hes done this before many times and its getting old. Iverson could have went way past having a triple double and could also have got them caught up. We only lost by 9 points! If Jim Obrien wasnt so old and blind...maybe he could have looked up at the scoreboard and noticed that. Ive never liked him and when I found out he was going to the Sixers, I knew this would happen....I wouldnt mind at all if Sixers got a new coach really. After Iverson went out...Van Exel scored about 12 points in the 4th quarter. How retarded? How are u going to put in an old guy like Kevin Ollie to see if he can hold his own. Well Jim, He cant! Disappointment fills me right now with this coach...Sixers...get rid of him so u can win. Iverson...great job in LIMITED MINUTES! No triple-double and no win...
Wow, I was watching it online and I thought he didn't go in because he got injuried. Jim O is such a dumb u no wat
Well how do you guys know if he didn't go back in because he re aggrevated his ankle or something. Obrien did say Allen was guranteed to play 40 minutes a night so thats my guess. I really hope Allen gets healthy. Not only is this an improtant strecth to are season. But I'm going to drive 6 hours to Orladno to see him play, common AI.
o'brien wants to run a Mjax corliss frontcourt, how stupid can u get Jim?the guards went to the paint at will!!!!Dalys got potential but preety much got a low basketball IQ,foul prone.... MAn i preety much given up on Willie he just cant put the ball in the basket .this game i actually wanted A.i to attempt more shots. DAmmm our frontcourt sucks if we want to make the playoff we should try to get a C/F that actually knows how to defend and REBOUND!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheAnswerIsAi3:</div><div class="quote_post">Bull crap...Our stupid coach should have at least let Iverson get a triple-double....he was one assist and one rebound away from it! He takes him out though and Iverson only plays 35 minutes. I wish this coach would act more like RudyT does with Kobe and play Iverson more so we could have actually had a chance to catch up. We were catchin up with them...at once were down by 10 in the fourth! Thats when u put Iverson back in Jim Bob. Nice try by the Sixers without Iverson...we lose again because of bad coaching! Im very angry right now... </div> First of all it's not really OB's fault because AI had a sore ankle and probably asked to stay out. Second, if you would rather see AI stay in a risk getting hurt to get a damn triple double then your really not a sixer fan. Third, just like anyone in the league would tell you, a win is way more important then individual stats and records.
Okay, let me clear everything up. Iverson sat out the 4th quarter due to a minor hip injury. When O'Brien seen him grimacing he just did what?s best? and that was placing him on the bench. Iverson said it himself that he wasn?t hurt and he was actually fine and was ready to get back into the game, but I like what O'Brien did instead. While the game would probably be winnable because we got within 8 points and adding Iverson to that equation we could have probably send the game to OT. But nonetheless, it was a good move by O'Brien. I say that we are better off looking to the future and not just one game. So that?s the whole story people. To learn more about what happen, you can check out the links I posted below. However what I said pretty much cleared everything. But at the same time check these links out to learn more details and actual responses to the whole propaganda that took place in the 4th quarter. Postgame Notes 76ers' loss doesn't sit well <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">o'brien wants to run a Mjax corliss frontcourt, how stupid can u get Jim?</div> Isn't that the same frontcourt that nearly pulled off a win against Minnesota? Isn't that the same frontcourt that put us within 8 points after being down by such a huge deficit? As for my thoughts on the game, it was a decent game. We played well, but the defense seemed to have been confused on one too many plays. Well other than that, if Iverson got more shot attempts and we did a better job defending Van Exel we could have put this game in the books. Well right now, all we can do is hope that the Knicks lose to the Hornets tonight and hopefully we can get a win against Chicago.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">First of all it's not really OB's fault because AI had a sore ankle and probably asked to stay out. Second, if you would rather see AI stay in a risk getting hurt to get a damn triple double then your really not a sixer fan. Third, just like anyone in the league would tell you, a win is way more important then individual stats and records.</div> First....Iverson may have had a sore ankle but thats the key word...SORE. Its not that bad...he didnt ask to stay out either. Obrien just took him out because he THOUGHT the game was over which it really wasnt. They only lost by 9. With Iverson in...they could have tied it and I believe that. Im am a Sixer fan...I believe that they could have tied it with there leader being in. Iverson sets up players for the shots...All eyes are on Iverson on the Sixers. Nobody pays attention to the others and thats usually why Iverson averages 7 assists per night. He sets up his players and he could have set up Korver to hit some threes and take the game into OT or possibly caught up and won...who knows right? Well...Its always worth a shot to try. Second....Why not get a triple double? He deserved it in my opinion. He played very well and could have played better. He could have caught the team up and I know it. 9 points isnt that much you know! With 10 minutes to go...Iverson came out of the game...sure...rest him a bit because Obie doesnt play Iverson as much as some players like Kobe get to play...Good! But put Iverson back in the game with 5 minutes to go. Hes rested and ready to play and when 7 minutes came up...they were down by 9 and had the ball. PUT IVERSON IN...HE WILL CREATE SHOTS FOR HIMSELF OR OTHER PLAYERS. Its as simple as that. Yes I am a Sixer fan, have been ever since Iverson went into the league in 96-97 and I will be until the end. I did get a little carried away with the triple double thing but he deserved it...and I think that he should have came back into the game with about 5 to go so he could try to get them caught up...if not...**Bleep**, we lost the game but maybe Iversons triple double will make him more confident for the next game and get the Sixers a W. Thanks for the statement...but I just didnt need to hear that because I already know this. But each and every one that likes Iverson wants the Sixers to win and for Iverson to do good obviously. If you say that u dont want him to do good...then you are lieng to yourself because I know everyone including me wants AI to have a great night...along with EVERY Sixer...but when a player has developed from 9 years to become a leader...you want him to lead his team to a victory. Let me ask you this...Without Iverson...what would be our record? Well....not that great. Did you watch the game the other night? Well if not, let me fill you in. They showed about 6 players and their point percentages meaning the percentage of points they score for their team. Well, Kobe had around 29.4 % or something in that range in the lead for team points...while Iverson was right behind by 1 % with 28.5 or something. We need him in about 40 minutes a game really...yea hes hurt I know...but he rested for 5 minutes...put him in for the remaining 5 minutes to make his total minutes close to 40 or about 39. Otherwise, say goodbye to the playoffs because Iverson as of now is our only hope. Thats why I want Iverson to score every night and to win us games and if he doesnt score much and we win....good Im happy. Great win...but if Iverson scores about 10...ESPN will be on air talking about how lame Iverson is because hes the leader and should be averaging over 25 a game. Anyways...Cant wait til the Bulls game, we should easily be able to win this one...but who knows...Bulls are becoming like the Bulls back in Jordan/Pippen days. (Inside Joke) But they are doing very well...just hope for the best.
I'm happy JO sat him out. Maybe he just wants to be better safe then sorry. Allen could have hurt himself more by playing a regular 40 minutes. I think are coach was just looking for the best descion for are long term season, I think he planned on giving AI limited minutes all along he just didn't want to offend him by letting him know before the game. Good job JO, I know we lost but AI needs rest for the game in Orlando next weekend, lol. On a serious note the Sixers need to get back on track. Boston is starting to creep up behind the Atlantic Division, and these next few easily-winnable games are very important for us.
Yeah I`d do the same move if I were JO. If he played Iverson with that injury he may just forget about it and go hunting through the lanes and probally hurt it more. Now we got the Bulls coming up. I KNOW the Sixers can get a W from them and get back on track from the long west coast trip.
