<div align="center"> <font color="Orange">New York Knicks (13-27)</font> at <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers (21-21)</font> Place: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8:00pm vs. Knicks TV: NBALP, CSN <font size=""1""> The Philadelphia 76ers are coming into tonight‘s game with a .500 record through their last ten contests, amidst a disappointing season the one content for the 76ers has been their play on their home court, 14-8 at home this season, 5-3 against the Atlantic division. The last time these two teams met, earlier this season at the Garden, the 76ers took the game to overtime before ultimately losing on a Nate Robinson three point shot. The Knicks have dropped their last six in a row, after winning six in a row prior to that, so in short nothing gained nothing ventured. As Larry Brown returns to Philadelphia with his second team in three years the team that accompanies him is hardly at the level of prior Larry Brown coached squads. The 76ers will be looking to get over the .500 mark while the Knicks will just be looking to avoid the worst record in the league.</font> </div> [div=50%] <font size=""1""> <font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Allen Iverson <font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>-Andre Iguodala <font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>-John Salmons <font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- Chris Webber <font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Samuel Dalembert</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Maurice Cheeks</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Allen Iverson - 33.6 PPG Leading Rebounder: Chris Webber - 10.0 RPG Assist Man: Allen Iverson - 7.5 APG The 'X' Factor: Andre Iguodala (12.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.6 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/allen_iverson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Allen Iverson </font> PPG: 33.6, RPG: 3.4, APG: 7.5 After the home game against the Magic Allen Iverson left the game with 35 points, 15 assists, 3 rebounds, and one sprained ankle. One thing you notice that was not on that list was a win. The storyline of the 76ers season, Allen Iverson has a outstanding performance, not only getting points, but dishing the ball and getting his team involved, however, they 76ers waste another great performance from the answer and lose a close game. Maurice Cheeks has noted nine games thus far this season that the 76ers should have won, and let slip out of their hands. You can ask every player in that locker room off camera who they think is to blame, and I guarantee you they will blame the towel boy before they question Allen’s effort. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andre_iguodala.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Andre Iguodala </font> PPG: 12.0, RPG: 6.0, APG: 2.6 Andre Iguodala has developed into a clutch time player for the 76ers over the last several contests. That did not change when the 76ers played the Magic a few nights ago, despite the loss, Andre Iguodala was one of the key players involved in the final play of regulation, in which Allen Iverson sprained his ankle, to get the 76ers to overtime. As he drove to the basket, and despite missing the lay-up amidst traffic allowed Chris Webber to tip the ball in. A couple words that have been synonymies with Dre’s name this year have been playmaker, rising star, and future NBA all star. Dre is due for a big game, and what better team to have it against than the New York Knicks. He has improved his three point shot considerable, and considering the Knicks less than intimidating perimeter defense he might be able to make a living off that corner three pointer of his tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/john_salmons.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">John Salmons </font> PPG: 7.4, RPG: 2.4, APG: 2.2 John Salmons had his worse game since becoming a starter against the Magic. His stat line was not impressive 5 points, no assists, and only one rebound. However, his defense had to be the most disappointing part of his game he had no steals and no blocked shots. The main reason he was placed in the starting lineup was his defense, and he could not even give the 76ers that. John Salmons will be looking for some redemption tonight. He has a tough defensive match up against Jamal Crawford after seeing what Hedo and Pat Garriety did to him I can’t say I will be excited to see him in this game. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_webber.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Chris Webber</font> PPG: 19.7, RPG: 10.0, APG: 3.0 Chris Webber was the player of the night for the 76ers against the Magic, however, despite his best efforts the 76ers could not come out with a win. He put up an impressive stat line scoring over 30 points and grabbing double digit rebounds. Perhaps even more impressive was not the numbers, but the times in which he came through with big buckets, including two three pointers and the tip in that sent the game to overtime. Chris had supposable been complaining about touches in some published reports well after seeing him against the Magic, I can’t deny that the man has a point. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/samuel_dalembert.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkred">Samuel Dalembert </font> PPG:9.2, RPG: 10.0, APG: 0.6 Samuel Dalembert returned to his foul plagued ways, at least for one night during the 76ers loss to the Magic fouling out despite playing less than 25 minutes. However, his stats did not seem to suffer as he still put up ten points and seven rebounds. You can not help, but wonder if Howard would have gotten that tip in that really put the game out of reach in overtime, had Sammy been in their, and not on the bench. [/div] <font color="Orange"> New York Knicks</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""Orange"">PG</font>- Nate Robinson <font color=""DarkOrange"">SG</font>- Stephon Marbury <font color=""DarkOrange"">SF</font>- Quentin Richardson <font color=""DarkOrange"">PF</font>- Maurice Taylor <font color=""DarkOrange"">C</font>- Eddy Curry</font> *Brown's lineup changes almost as often as AI's braids <font size=""1"">Coach: Larry Brown</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Stephon Marbury- 19.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Eddy Curry- 6.6 RPG Assist Man: Stephon Marbury- 6.9 APG The 'X' Factor: Channing Frye (14.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.9 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Nate Robinson</font> PPG: 9.3, RPG: 2.8, APG: 2.9 Nate Robinson killed the 76ers in the Garden the last time these two teams met, and will probably be coming into this game with a lot of confidence due to that performance. Nate did not start against the Sacramento Kings, but chances are that Larry Brown will give him the nod in this game because of how well he performed last time. Nate Robinson has struggled as of late, and the Knicks have followed along side. Nate the great has saw his minutes dwindle as his team has faded. They look as though they are going to stop the bleeding tonight and go into the game tomorrow looking to make it two games in a row, but as of now the Knicks are looking for that light at the end of the tunnel. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Stephon Marbury</font> PPG: 19.0 PPG, RPG: 3.4, APG: 6.9 After a rough adjustment curb Stephon Marbury has regained his all star swagger under Larry Brown. After averaging merely sixteen points a game during the first twenty games of the season Marbury has been averaging 22 points since that time. Before he went down with an injury the Knicks looked to be on the right track, but a sprained shoulder through them off course. Can Starbury bring his home town Knicks back onto the path to the playoffs? Right now it doesn’t look like it, but who knows like they say it is always darkest before sunrise. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quentin_richardson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Quentin Richardson</font> PPG: 7.5, RPG: 3.8, APG: 1.4 To say Richardson has struggled during his first season with the Knicks would be the understatement of the year. After having a career year in the Suns run and gun system Richardson has regressed back to his young days as a Clipper, possibly even worst. Larry Brown has not given up on him, though despite his struggles, Larry Brown has given him several opportunities as a starter. Richardson has had several off the court issues including injuries and the death of his brother that have also attributed to his lack of effectiveness on the court. He will be looking to get on track tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/maurice_taylor.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Maurice Taylor</font> PPG: 6.6, RPG: 3.4, APG: 0.6 Mo Taylor is not anything more than an average player who can give you some good points. Taylor, Rose, and Frye have been shuffled around in and out of the starting lineup by coach Brown this season, and I guess the shuffle landed on Taylor for tonight’s game. Taylor has some scoring ability when he is given the ball, and he had a solid game last time against the 76ers if I remember correctly. With the way Chris Webber has been playing lately don’t expect to see Taylor play that many minutes considering how big of a defensive liability he is. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Eddy Curry</font> PPG: 14.7, RPG: 6.6, APG: 0.2 Eddy Curry has done for the Knicks exactly what he did for the Bulls last season, and that is not necessarily a good thing. He has not shown any progression or development to prove he is worth the 60 million dollar contract he signed in the summer. He still cannot rebound, but somehow is the Knicks leading rebounder with only six rebounds a game, go figure? Don’t count Curry out of any game he can burst out for a 20 point game any given night. The problem is he will only do it maybe twice every five contests sometimes even going longer droughts without a 20 point game. Let's see what he does tonight. </font> <div align="center"> </div> <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Rebound</font></font> <font size=""1"">the team is 16-1 when they out rebound opponents, and not so good when they don’t. They have all the odds in their favor in tonight’s game two double digit rebounders going up against a weak rebounding team in the Knicks. If they cannot win tonight’s rebounding battle I don’t know what to say. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Field Goal Percentage</font></font> <font size=""1"">the 76ers will likely have many opportunities to take a open shot from the perimeter tonight due to the Knicks slow defensive rotation so the team will have to take advantage of every opportunity they get. Guys like Kyle Korver, John Salmons, and Andre Iguodala all potentially could have a break out game in this contest.</font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Control yourselves</font></font> <font size=""1""> this team sent the Magic to the line how many times the other night? That was just some horrible defensive play. Now I am not saying let the guys get open lay-ups, but please don‘t get beat so many times that the other team could have scored over two dozen more points than they actually did, from the line.. </font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> <ul><font color="Orange"><font size=""1"">Free Throws. Their free really?</font></font> <font size=""1"">that is what the Knicks must be saying lately. In their loss at Sacramento they shot less than 70% from the free throw line, and lost in a close game. What would the result have been had they hit those free throws. With the slow defensive rotation the 76ers often have chances are the Knicks will get a bundle of opportunities from the line, it‘s up to them to convert.</font>[/list] <ul><font color="Orange"><font size=""1"">Rebound</font></font> <font size=""1"">the Knicks leading rebounder averaging a little over six rebounds a game. Mean while the 76ers have two players averaging double digit boards. Unless the Knicks come to play with a lot of desire tonight they will be in for a long night as the 76ers are 16-1 when they out rebound their opponents. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="Orange"><font size=""1"">Perimeter defense</font></font> <font size=""1""> The Knicks really struggle to stop perimeter scorers a prime example is Ben Gordon who dominates the Knicks every time the Bulls and Knicks play. They will need to find some way to adjust their defensive sets, or something to have a chance at a victory tonight. </font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> <font size="1">The Knicks have been struggling lately losing six out of their last seven. Meanwhile the 76ers have been playing pretty well they have won three out of the last four. The 76ers have to be the favorites tonight. I would be surprised in the Knicks could pull off an upset tonight, but who knows. These teams matched up pretty well last time, and the Knicks didn’t have Eddy Curry. We will have to see. </font>
Stopping Iverson is alot easier said than done. With that said we dont have to stop Iverson. All we have to do is contain the other guys like Webber and the other A.I. Despite the fact Dalambert is leading the league in blocked shots the Sixers arent a good defensive team so we should be able to outscore them. Since the Knicks won last night after I called them to lose I think I'll call them to lose this game as well. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
This is pretty sad. We lost to the Sixers when Iverson wasnt even playing. We cannot get the ball inside to Curry. Curry isnt active enough in the post and even when he does get good position our post entry passing is really bad. John Salmons had a good game since he was matched up against the smaller Marbury(which is because Robinson cant run the point). Dalambert made things extremely difficult in the paint for us by blocking and altering shots as well as making things difficult for Curry. Speaking of Curry he has to do a better job on the boards. I mean fifteen rebounds for Dalambert is unacceptable. Frye also has to drastically improve his defense. He cant let Chris Webber in this day and age take him off the dribble. He just cant allow that. All in all a pretty poor game from the Knicks with the notable exception of Woods. The Sixers clearly wanted it more and they simply outhustled us. They deserve this win. Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.
An absolutely horrible game for us. We cut down the 19 point lead to single digits, but it simply wasn't enough. Who knows how much we would be down if Iverson were playing.
