Top 10 Philadelphia Sports Games In 2011

Last year, I debuted my now annual end of year Top 10 list for best Philadelphia sports games of the year.  Even though there was so much less excitement and great games this year, the list is back this year, anyway!  Last year, I felt the ordering of the games, including what was the number one game, was very clear cut.  This year, not so much.  But I will make an attempt at it anyway.  With all the sadness, scandal, and shame this year has wrought on many a people in the area, perhaps looking back at the year's higher moments will be a plus for everyone involved and a good way to end a shitty year on a high note.  Just like last year, I will start with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Union comeback verse New England Revolution:  Usually I try to only post wins on here.  After all, what is worth celebrating about a game that is not a win?  Well, in soccer there are draws, and when you have a 3-goal comeback in dramatic fashion, even if the match ends in a 4-4 draw, it is still pretty noteworthy.  And thus was the exact case when the Philadelphia Union hosted the New England Revolution on September 7, 2011.  New England Revolution 4, Philadelphia Union 4



The Kids Are Alright: Following a 2nd round playoff exit to Boston that saw numerous goalie changes, Ed Snider demanded a ridiculously overpay for a position not worth a ridiculous overpay.  In order to fit that overpay in, Paul Holmgren had no choice but to blow up the team, trading the previous faces of the franchise away for youth and draft picks.  Low and behold, the Flyers first game of the season immediately followed a 15-hour banner raising at Boston.  With many fearing a rocky year, the kids played a great game and the Flyers defeated the Bruins. Flyers 2, Bruins 1



Someone From Philadelphia Wins A Trophy!:  The New Mexico Bowl.  Yes, this is the kind of year that was.  A boring New Mexico Bowl makes the list. Temple 37, Wyoming 15.

April 27 Playoffs Live Blog

Game 7: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Mike Emrick, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 5: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 7: Lightning @ Penguins 8:00 (NHL Network) (Versus - JIP) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 5: Grizzlies @ Spurs 8:30 (NBA TV)

Game 5: Nuggets @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)

April 24 Playoffs Live Blog

2 Philadelphia teams, both on the brink of 1st round elimination. Hold me, Mommy.

Game 4: Heat @ 76ers 1:00 (ABC - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 6: Flyers @ Sabres 3:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN)

Game 4: Celtics @ Knicks 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 6: Ducks @ Predators 6:00 (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 4: Magic @ Hawks 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 6: Canucks @ Blackhawks 7:30 (Versus - Kenny Albert and Daryl Reaugh, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)

April 21 Playoffs Live Blog

I will consider it a success if the 76ers can manage to not lose by 20 or more this time around. Enjoy the games and leave comments in the live blog below.

Game 3: Bulls @ Pacers 7:00 (NBA TV)

Game 4: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Heat @ 76ers 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 5: Blackhawks @ Canucks 10:00 (Versus) (CBC - Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, SR: Scott Oake)

Game 4: Sharks @ Kings 10:30 (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

Game 3: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 10:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)

April 18 Playoffs Live Blog

I'm gone from 6 to 9. Hopefully someone will be around to start this up once the games start. The Flyers, Phillies, and 76ers all play tonight at 7 (two of which are obviously playoff games), and I will miss at least 2/3 of all of them. Missing this class is not an option for me. Bleh. Anyway, here is the schedule. Enjoy the games!

Game 3: Flyers @ Sabres 7:00 (Versus - Kenny Albert, ItG: Darren Pang) (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 3: Bruins @ Canadiens 7:30 (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 3: Penguins @ Lightning 7:30 (Versus - JIP) (CBC - Dean Brown and Greg Millen, SR: Cassie Campbell-Pascal)

Game 2: Pacers @ Bulls 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Chris Webber, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 3: Red Wings @ Coyotes 10:30 (Versus - John Forslund, ItG: Brian Engblom) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

April 18 Is A Slightly Busy Day

Flyers vs. Sabres: Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. 7:00.
76ers vs. Heat: Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 7:00.
Brewers vs. Phillies: A Joe Blanton pitched game. 7:00.

And I have a class from 6 to 9 that I can't miss.

F. M. L.

April 16 Playoffs Open Thread/Live Blog

I will be out early tomorrow afternoon. So unless someone else will be around to take over (and if you are, by all means, do so), the live blog will not start until I return sometime in the afternoon. Today the 76ers open their series against Miami, the Flyers try to even their series against the Sabres, and not playoff related, but the Philadelphia Union will play in PPL Park Lake, all right around the exact same time. It's gonna be a busy day, so enjoy the games and leave comments!

Game 2: Coyotes @ Red Wings 1:00 (NBC - Mike Emrick and Eddie Olczyk, ItG: Darren Pang) (CBC - Mark Lee and Kevin Weekes, SR: Mitch Peacock)

Game 1: Pacers @ Bulls 1:00 (ESPN - Dan Shulman and Jon Barry, SR: Ric Bucher)

Game 1: 76ers @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)

Game 2: Sabres @ Flyers 5:00 (TSN - Chris Cuthbert, ItG: Pierre McGuire)

Game 2: Canadiens @ Bruins 7:00 (Versus - Dave Strader, ItG: Darren Eliot) (CBC - Bob Cole and Garry Galley, ItG: Glenn Healy, SR: Elliotte Friedman)

Game 1: Hawks @ Magic 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)

Game 1: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Holly Rowe)

Game 2: Kings @ Sharks 10:00 (Versus) (TSN - Gord Miller, ItG: Ray Ferraro)

2011 NBA Playoffs Conference Quarterfinal Schedule

The Philadelphia 76ers will finally get some national exposure as they play everyone's favorite overly talked about team, the Miami Heat. Here is your much easier to put together 2011 NBA Conference Quarterfinals schedule! (all times ET)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#8 Indiana Pacers vs. #1 Chicago Bulls

Game 1: April 16: Pacers @ Bulls 1:00 (ESPN - Dan Shulman and Jon Barry, SR: Ric Bucher)
Game 2: April 18: Pacers @ Bulls 9:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Chris Webber, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 3: April 21: Bulls @ Pacers 7:00 (NBA TV)
Game 4: April 23: Bulls @ Pacers 2:30 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 5: April 26: Pacers @ Bulls TBD
Game 6: April 28: Bulls @ Pacers TBD
Game 7: April 30: Pacers @ Bulls TBD (TNT)

#7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #2 Miami Heat

Game 1: April 16: 76ers @ Heat 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)
Game 2: April 18: 76ers @ Heat 7:00 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 3: April 21: Heat @ 76ers 8:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 4: April 24: Heat @ 76ers 1:00 (ABC)
Game 5: April 27: 76ers @ Heat TBD
Game 6: April 29: Heat @ 76ers TBD
Game 7: May 1: 76ers @ Heat TBD

#6 New York Knicks vs. #3 Boston Celtics

Game 1: April 17: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)
Game 2: April 19: Knicks @ Celtics 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: David Aldridge)
Game 3: April 22: Celtics @ Knicks 7:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24: Celtics @ Knicks 3:30 (ABC)
Game 5: April 26: Knicks @ Celtics TBD
Game 6: April 29: Celtics @ Knicks TBD
Game 7: May 1: Knicks @ Celtics TBD

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs. #4 Orlando Magic

Game 1: April 16: Hawks @ Magic 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown, SR: Heather Cox)
Game 2: April 19: Hawks @ Magic 7:30 (NBA TV)
Game 3: April 22: Magic @ Hawks 8:00 (ESPN2)
Game 4: April 24: Magic @ Hawks 7:00 (TNT - Marv Albert and Steve Kerr, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 5: April 26: Hawks @ Magic TBD
Game 6: April 28: Magic @ Hawks TBD
Game 7: April 30: Hawks @ Magic TBD (TNT)

Western Conference Quarterfinals

#8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #1 San Antonio Spurs

Game 1: April 17: Grizzlies @ Spurs 1:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marc Fein)
Game 2: April 20: Grizzlies @ Spurs 8:30 (NBA TV)
Game 3: April 23: Spurs @ Grizzlies 7:30 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 25: Spurs @ Grizzlies TBD
Game 5: April 27: Grizzlies @ Spurs TBD
Game 6: April 29: Spurs @ Grizzlies TBD
Game 7: May 1: Grizzlies @ Spurs TBD

#7 New Orleans Hornets vs. #2 Los Angeles Lakers

Game 1: April 17: Hornets @ Lakers 3:30 (ABC - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy, SR: Lisa Salters)
Game 2: April 20: Hornets @ Lakers 10:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)
Game 3: April 22: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 24: Lakers @ Hornets 9:30 (TNT - Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller, SR: Cheryl Miller)
Game 5: April 26: Hornets @ Lakers TBD
Game 6: April 28: Lakers @ Hornets TBD
Game 7: April 30: Hornets @ Lakers TBD (TNT)

#6 Portland Trail Blazers vs. #3 Dallas Mavericks

Game 1: April 16: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (ESPN - Dave Pasch and Doris Burke, SR: Holly Rowe)
Game 2: April 19: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks 9:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 3: April 21: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 10:30 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 4: April 23: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers 5:00 (TNT - Matt Devlin and Kevin McHale, SR: Marty Snider)
Game 5: April 25: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks TBD
Game 6: April 28: Mavericks @ Trail Blazers TBD
Game 7: April 30: Trail Blazers @ Mavericks TBD (TNT)

#5 Denver Nuggets vs. #4 Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1: April 17: Nuggets @ Thunder 9:30 (TNT - Ian Eagle and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)
Game 2: April 20: Nuggets @ Thunder 8:00 (TNT - Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello, SR: Pam Oliver)
Game 3: April 23: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:00 (ESPN)
Game 4: April 25: Thunder @ Nuggets 10:30 (TNT)
Game 5: April 27: Nuggets @ Thunder TBD
Game 6: April 29: Thunder @ Nuggets TBD
Game 7: May 1: Nuggets @ Thunder TBD

76ers May Now Finally Get Games On National TV

All season long, the Philadelphia 76ers had one game shown on ESPN/TNT. It was a game against the Celtics. Before Christmas. And they lost.

That is not to say that the Sixers should not have gotten more attention. Despite their solid season and exciting young talents, Philadelphia does remain one of the worst NBA markets in the country. But only one game does seem a bit much, although that will quickly turn into a lot more as it is now official. The Philadelphia 76ers will begin their post-season much the same way they began their regular season. By playing LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and six or seven other guys wearing Miami Heat uniforms. There are few instances in life where a Philadelphia sports team becomes a sentimental favorite in America. I think we have found one of those occasions.

The Heat swept the Sixers in the regular season.

And while the Sixers are facing a team that everyone knows about, the Flyers on the other hand are facing a team that people here very little about: the Buffalo Sabres. I'll post the NHL playoff schedule once Versus reveals their selective information about broadcasts tomorrow.

Wakey Wakey Eric Snow

In his first year as 76ers color commentator for CSN, Eric Snow has grown to be everything I detest in an analyst. He very frequently refers to the Sixers as "we" and "us" (yeah I know I do that to sometimes, but I am not getting paid any money here), his analysis very frequently makes very little sense. And basically he just acts like a cheerleader for the team. But this video takes the cake. The already unprofessional Eric Snow took his unprofessionalism to a brand new level when he thought the middle of a Sixers broadcast was a good time to doze off.



I love how Marc Zumoff had no idea how to react ("are you meditating?"). I guess if I were in Marc's shoes, I would have had the same reaction. I am not a huge fan of the guy, but he has had his current job as Sixers play-by-play man for 17 years, worked with the Sixers for an even longer period of time, and the best CSN has gotten him for a color analyst is a guy who dozed off while they were on the air. Aye yi yi.

Should I Be Paying More Attention To The 76ers?

As far as winter sports go, I am a hockey and a college basketball fan well before I am an NBA fan. I will never pretend otherwise. And with that, I pay much more attention to the Flyers and college basketball (in particular Villanova), than I do the 76ers. But even if it does not equal the attention I give the first two, should I at least pay more attention to the Philadelphia 76ers?

After a rough start, the Philadelphia 76ers have climbed back in the standings and currently sit at 7th place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-27 record, and are just 2.5 games behind the New York Knicks for 6th place in the East. 5th place right now would seem like a stretch with the Magic currently being 8 games ahead of the Sixers, but I guess anything is possible.

The exciting part about the 76ers though is that after the 1-year Eddie Jordan era that can only be described as a complete and utter debacle, they are beginning to develop a young core of players. Jrue Holiday has the potential to be one of the game's real top point guards, and Evan Turner is beginning to play better after a rough spot. Andre Iguadala, though it is likely that he will be traded before the trade deadline, has improved his game and has been having a real good season when not injured. Elton Brand has also been having a solid season.

All year long the 76ers this year have been the epitome of a bad luck team. They have lost many, many close games this year and sheer dumb luck would dictate that they are due to win some down the line. Many blown leads and last second buckets have done the 76ers in this year, so they are likely a better team than their record indicates. The fact they are playing in a watered-down Eastern Conference aids them tremendously as their faults are not as costly in terms of just qualifying for the playoffs. The 76ers's 24-27 record would be good for 11th place if they played in the Western Conference.

All in all, the Philadelphia 76ers are likely a playoff team, but how far they get in the playoffs, who can say for sure. Even though they are likely better than their record indicates, I don't think anyone is going to confuse them with the Celtics or the Heat. If the 76ers can turn their luck around, then potentially they can get into a good 1st round playoff series if they can end up with at least a 6 seed, perhaps even resulting in a win, but outside of that, the 76ers best hope moving forward is to stumble upon another gem in the draft.

So should I be paying more attention to the Sixers? Well, they are trying to build a young team and fairly early on into that building process, they have assembled interesting talent that could be very dangerous in a few years. This is not their year, but with the right moves and the right trades, who knows what could happen in a few years. I will rarely watch the 76ers if a good college basketball game or Flyers game is on at the same time, but maybe on nights when there is nothing else on, they probably deserve a little more attention than what I have been giving them this year.

An Epic Win Streak Will Face A Tough Test Tonight

On Saturday night, December 11, near the hour of 10:00, St. Joe's lost to Creighton. Why is that event in any way remarkable? It's the last time a Philadelphia team lost when facing a team outside of Philadelphia (that footnote is needed because on Sunday Villanova faced La Salle; that game is not counted in the series of events I am about to present.) Since that seemingly unremarkable moment, no Philadelphia sports team has lost. Professional, college, it does not matter. The city of Philadelphia is currently riding an 8-game win streak. Since Saint Joseph's lost to Creighton on December 11, all Philadelphia sports teams, including college basketball and college football, are a remarkable 8-0 in actual games with 1 epic Cliff Lee deal to boot. Here is a break down of what has happened since then, and what the future may hold tonight.

Sunday, December 12
Sixers 88, Hornets 70
Villanova 84, La Salle 81 (a win for the team I support, though it does not count toward the streak as both teams are Philadelphia schools)
Temple 82, Akron 47
Eagles 30, Cowboys 27

Monday, December 13, minutes before the stroke of midnight
Clifton Phifer Lee

Tuesday, December 14
Flyers 3, Penguins 2
Sixers 82, Nets 77
Drexel 52, Louisville 46

Wednesday, December 15
Sixers 105, Clippers 91
Flyers 5, Canadiens 3

There were no games or big acquisitions on Thursday, but this epic streak will face one hell of a test tonight. Three teams are in action, and two of them are facing extremely tough competition. Here is tonight's schedule.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. 76ERS 7:00
Bucknell vs. LA SALLE 7:00
FCS Semifinals: VILLANOVA vs. Eastern Washington 8:00

If all 3 prevail, the Sixers will have beaten one of the best in basketball, La Salle will have added a win heading into A-10 conference play, and Villanova will be playing for a Division I football championship.

(Hat tip to Philadelphia Sports Daily.)

Corestates Center First Union Center Wachovia Center Wells Fargo Center

Chase Utley will now have his quote permanently attached to The Stadium That Houses The Flyers And The Sixers.

It started out as the Spectrum II (prior to contruction), then it was bought by Corestates and was named the Corestates Center for its grand opening in 1996. Then they merged with First Union and thus the legend of the First Union FU Center was born. But sadly all things have to come to an end, and First Union merged with Wachovia, thus turning the building into the Wachovia Center. And now with Wachovia merging with Wells Fargo, The Building That Houses The Flyers And The Sixers will get a new name, the Wells Fargo Center. Or as Chase Utley might want to call it, the World Fucking Center. From The 700 Level

Look, I get that the money brought in by corporate naming rights of arenas and stadiums is huge, absolutely staggering. Sure it'd be great to still have our buildings named after private citizens, esteemed public figures, the teams that inhabit them, or respected groups such as our nation's military veterans. Although many of the edifices named after people bore the names of men who themselves were corporations, the Wachovia Center is built on the ground that once laid beneath John F. Kennedy Stadium. But, we all know that sports teams are businesses with many shareholders and stakeholders, and the revenue brought in by selling the name of a building is about the best "found money" you can come by.

That doesn't mean it's not somewhat annoying to have to keep up with all the name changes that result when the corporations that originally bought the rights in turn get bought themselves. And, considering that many of the naming rights are going to banks these days, and those banks merge, get bought, or buy other banks with dizzying regularity, we should be used to it by now, especially in Philly. Christened the CoreStates Center, the major indoor arena in Philadelphia has also been named the First Union Center and currently the Wachovia Center—all since 1996. And now, it'll soon become the Wells Fargo Center, named after a financial institution that already has naming rights for two other arenas in the US. Yes, as of July 1, 2010, there could potentially be a question raised in a bar some night, "Wait, which Wells Fargo Center do you mean?"

At least we're familiar with the letters W-F-C around here

World Center. World Fucking Center!

It may not be as epic or as awesome as the FU Center, but any building that is initialed in Philadelphia as WFC is fine by me.

That is until when some other random bank merges with Wells Fargo in 5 years.

Best Wishes To Sam Dalembert In His Family

As much as I like to make fun of the 76ers Sam Dalembert for being a horrible player who does nothing but collect fouls early and often, now is certainly not the time to be doing that. Dalembert, as some of you may or may not know, is a 76er who is a resident Haitian who currently has family down there. Problem is, he has not heard from them since the earthquake and it is unknown whether or not they are alive or dead. Here is an interview with Slammin Sammy D from Fox 29.



There is a difference between being an awful basketball player and having family trapped in Haiti during a massive 7.0 earthquake. Even though he may be booed regularly during home games, I doubt that there is a single Sixers fan that does not have him and his family in their thoughts today as we all still struggle to come to terms with what happened in Haiti, a country already the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, now ravaged by a massive earthquake with it's capital, Port-au-Prince, reportedly flattened with hundreds of thousands feared dead in the tiny country on the western part of Hispaniola.

Dalembert has been active in the past in giving back to Haiti and it would be a shame to see him lose his family and loved ones like this.

All the best to Sam Dalembert and may he be reunited with his family in the very near future.

And if I could give any advice to any of you out there, it would be this. Find a family member, and/or someone you care about greatly and give them a special hug tonight and tell them you love them. Because as sad as it is, you never know when something like this could happen to you and you could all of a sudden find your self in Sam Dalembert's shoes. We are lucky to live where we live and have with us who we have with us. Let's cherish that and not take it for granted.

CSN Philly Has Difficulties Differentiating Between Ryan Howard's Twin Brother And Leonard Weaver

For those late to the party, on the same day that Roy Halladay officially joined the Phillies, a little thing known as the Sixers hosting LeBron, Shaq and the Cavs was occuring. And if you're the Doc, then what better way to spend your official night at the Phillie watching the Sixers completely collapse at the end when leading one of the best teams in the NBA.

However, Halladay was not the only Philly sports player at the game. There was a whole pantheon of players there including Ryan Howard (with his twin brother Corey) of the Phillies, DeSean Jackson and Leonard Weaver of the Eagles, and Mike Richards and Ray Emery of the Flyers along with semi-useless Flyers Dan Carcillo and Riley Cote.

During the game, the camera crews decided to pan to Ryan Howard and his brother, and while they correctly identified the Phillies slugger, they had a problem with or 2 with his brother.

Fail.

And before someone says something, I never said that Ryan and Corey were identical twins, they are fraternal and while there is a tad of a resemblance with Church Van, that is definitely Corey Howard. Besides, why one earth would Ryan Howard be sitting next to a recently acquainted Eagles fullback from Seattle in Leonard Weaver who he's probably never met before this year when he could be with his brother who was also at the game?

So so random.

LeBron Who?

The Sixers may have collapsed in the 4th quarter, but that does not mean that The Other A.I., Andre Iguodala, had an absolutely amazing night. And by absolutely amazing, I mean he launched and connected on the longest shot in NBA history....just after time expired in the 2nd quarter. It's a shame that it did not count, but who cares, it's still amazing just to watch!



The Sixers may have lost, but this team really may actually be on to something with the signing of A.I. Younger guys on the team or not, the Sixers were going nowhere way too fast for a team that had aspirations for a bottom playoff seed and despite the loss yesterday in front of a TV crowd 300% more than the regular season average was before yesterday (not an exaggeration), and now they have a chance at a run if they can string together some wins.

Welcome Back To Philadelphia, #3, Allen Iverson!

What a scene in and what a moment in the Wachovia Center this was.



"ALLLLLLLLLEN IIIIVERRRRRRRRRRRRRSON!!!!!!!!!!!"

I love Matt Cord.

And here is his first bucket with Sixers PbP announcer and big-time homer, Marc Zumoff on the call.



Let me tell you what. This Sixers team is an entirely different team iwht him in the line up. Say what you will about him and his work ethic, he is making this team a million times better and it shows in the way they are beating Denver midway through the 3rd quarter. How can you not love this?

Update: Well that ended badly. After being up for 3 quarters, the Sixers completely collapsed and Chauncey Billups ran amok all over the Sixers in what turned out to be a 10-point win for the Nuggets. All in all, Iverson did not play bad and you have to feel that a lot of good will come from this. The Sixers have not exactly had an easy schedule and it does not get much easier down the road. If they can go .500 in the next 20 games or so, it will be truly amazing and the Sixers can say that they are poised for a playoff push.

The Allen Iverson Presser Complete With Tears!

Damn it's good to have him back!

HE'S BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

After announcing his retirement through Steven A. Smith on Mike Missanell's radio show a week ago today, Allen Iverson is not only out of retirement but he is back in the city where he belongs, the city that loves him, the city of Philadelphia. Yes, Allen Iverson is once again, a Philadelphia 76er. From CSN Philly

Allen Iverson is rejoining the Philadelphia 76ers and is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.

Iverson’s brief retirement is over after signing a free-agent contract with Philadelphia on Wednesday, three years after their acrimonious split led to his trade and seemingly ended any chance of his return.

The Sixers needed a replacement once they lost starting point guard Lou Williams, who’s expected to miss eight weeks after jaw surgery. Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in a loss to Washington on Nov. 24.

Iverson, his agent and business manager met with team president Ed Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday to talk about returning.

“Without really seeing him on the floor, I would like to compare him to Brett Favre, a guy who people think is too old to play and he’s almost having an MVP year,” Jordan said. “That’s off the top of my head. When I woke up this morning, I said, ‘Maybe he can be that.’ It’s not a big maybe. I think he can be that.”

The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001, when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.

“We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen,” Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. “The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We’re not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past.”

[...]

Jordan said Iverson will likely start in place of rookie Jrue Holiday.

“I told him I would like for him to start, and that’s where it sort of ended,” Jordan said. “And he was really like a kid at Christmas. That’s how he sort of explained it to me. He’s really excited and we’re looking forward to it.”

The man who is all but shunned by the rest of the league is back in the city that loves him. This is great. And so what if this is not the best way to build a championship team, the Sixers are currently a car wreck of a team that is getting nowhere way too fast. A change needs to be made. While there were no expectations of this team to win a championship, there was and maybe now still is the expectation that they can be a bottom of the pack playoff team that can win a playoff game or 2.

This may not make the most sense basketball wise but financially speaking they need it and for the first time this year, Sixers tickets are selling like Philly cheesesteaks and also for the first time this year on Monday, I will do something that I have not done all season: watch a Sixers game.

A.I. is back in Philly. I love it.

BREAKING NEWS: Allen Iverson Retires

Stephen A. Smith just reported on 97.5 The Fanatic with Mike Missanelli that Allen Iverson is going to retire from the game of basketball. I'll have more as details become available.

While I await for some quotes and what not to post, I guess I'll offer my 2 cents.

Darn I was hoping the Sixers would bring him back! A 1-year contract with AI would have been awesome and would have gotten people in Philly interested in the NBA again. But alas, this is AI's decision and I wish the best little man to ever play the game of basketball all the best in the future.

He may not have too many fans in Detroit, Denver, and Memphis, but Philly fans will always remember and always love AI. Here's hoping that one day not too far away he will at the very least he will sign a 1-day contract with the team and the city that loved him so he can officially retire a Sixer.

Did he get the NBA title he so badly wanted? No. Will he end up in the basketball Hall of Fame one day? You betcha.