Its Sunday at noon and I am watching a Sixers game there must be something wrong, better take my temperature.  Hard to imagine I missed 99% of the Celtics game vs. the Sixers but made this one.  The funny thing is the one thing I do remember from that game, which I slept through, was that I tuned in in time to see Evan Turner scratch his head again.,

There was no pregame show on Comcast, instead it was a one hour infomercial about gadgets for the christmas season.  What a huge improvement over anything that involves Jim or Dei Lynum.

Hard to imagine that Chris Paul has been in the league for 6 years.  Hard to imagine him spending much more time with the Hornets.  Hard to imagine that Jrue Holiday is going to be able to defend him.  I can't believe I am looking forward to this, I really must be sick.

The stands have maybe 3000 fans in the seats out of a capacity of 20444 to start the game, guess philly fans haven't really bought into this team yet, and neither have I.  That and maybe Sunday in Philly is a terrible day to schedule basketball.

Spencer Hawes, I don't think I have ever seen him win an opening tip.  Maybe since Maurice Speights can jump but not much else, we should just let him do the opening tip to earn his pay, I mean he is getting paid anyway.

A whole lot of bricks for both teams to start the game, I could build half a fireplace.  What is it about Sunday at noon that doesn't agree with NBA players?  Maybe its the whole Saturday night that preceeds it.

Spencer Hawes with an imitation skyhook for 2 points 5 minutes in, I don't know why more players don't use that shot it works so well, espescially when you are 7 feet tall.

Belinelli left his shot in the hotel room to start the game but he is getting wide open looks, could become a real problem as the game goes on. 6 minutes in and both teams shooting under 35%, 0% from beyond the arc.  But Evan Turner looks lifeless and bored sitting on the bench blowing bubble gum bubbles, he might sense he isn't getting in for awhile.

This might be the sloppiest 1st quarter of basketball I have seen since that Archbishop Carroll vs. Roman for the Catholic League Championship almost 2 decades ago.  That was high school basketball here in Philadelphia.

Evan Turner sighting at the end of the first quarter AND he actually SHOT the ball and MADE the shot.  Must be the gum.

Even though they aren't finishing Brand and Hawes look like they are starting to develop a real repoire with each other.  Might have had an extra 10 points between them had they been able to finish some of those nifty passes, but no one is finishing right now, so we can only hope it benefits the team later in the season.  End of 1 David West and Elton Brand have 13 rebounds combined.

Evan Turner still in to start the 2nd, got a nice rebound.  Meeks was 0-3 from beyond the arc in the 1st, pretty sure it has something to do with that.

2 minutes into the 2nd and a female fan in the front row got bopped right in the side of the head with an errant basketball.  She was coordinated enough to try and duck even if she failed, only thing injured was her pride.

4 minutes into the second and Iguodala is the only one with a three pointer, and he actually has two of them!  and no misses!  It's times like these that makes him think he's an outside shooter even though he really isn't.  Meanwhile the Hornets have 13 points on 18% shooting and 0% from beyond the arc. 28-13, barnburner baby!

First live shot I had seen of Rod Thorn at a game, the man has no neck.

Half Way through the 2nd and we have a Maurice Speights sighting, going over the back.

Mark Zumov is singing the defense's praises, but its more the Hornets looking hung over then it looks like great defense.  Its hard not to get a steal when the guy dribbles it off his foot, and its hard not to look great when ever shot clangs like a rock off a lightpost.  Hornets 15% from the field 0% from beyond the arc and that is on a lot of open looks.  Sixers only lead 36-16.

There was a giant yellow peep running around with the cheerleaders during the break.  NO truth to the rumor they needed to use a sherpa to find a kid in the sparse crowd to give the stuffed peeps to.

43-18 2 minutes till half, this part of the game was so riveting that I actually got sucked into a conversation about Brazilian soccer jerseys.  Halftime thank God, 45-23 these fans who went to the game must be thrilled with this level of basketball, easily on the level with Division III women's ball. 6-41 for 14% is the worst line I ever saw for a half by any non Sixers team.  Checked in on football, I can choose between Detroit vs Green Bay or Cincinatti vs Pittsburg, as sad as it is to say it, Sixers vs Hornets can compete with that, but only because between Eric Snow, the empty stands, and the Hornets brick laying is really kind of funny.

Belinelli finally found his shot, only took till about half way through the third, its not going to help.

David West closelines Iguodala out of frustration to refuse a highlight dunk, but got to give him credit he managed to do it without being extreme with it or throwing Iggy to the floor.  I give West a lot of credit for that, showed alot of self control in a game that has to be hard to play in.

3 minutes to go in the third and the Hornets have 3 assists.  One thing is certain if you are the Hornets you just throw this game away as either being jet-lagged or hung over, and if you are the Sixers you learn absollutely nothing about yourself.  Hopefully the Sixers at least realize that in the East they are more then talented enough to make the playoffs if they learn to play together.  As much fun as this silly win is and the little win streak, they still do far too many things as individuals making plays instead of a team making plays, which is how Jrue Holiday only has 1 assist at this point in the game.

There are a lot of people ending up on their butts without a lot of whistles associated with said butts.

30 seconds left in the 3rd and Iggy finally gets a dunk, all 5000 people in the stands were very thankful.  46 points for the Hornets after 3, finally got to 25% form the floor and 28% from beyond the arc, 3 assists, 11 turnovers.  The last time I saw anything like this the Sixers did it.

Spencer Hawes with one ugly airball with the shot clock running out to start the 4th.

Evan Turner hits a three!  I never thought I'd see it.  And follows that up with a nice jump shot.  Maybe this could be something positive for Evan to build on.  Of course its hard for any Sixer to come away without something to build on, its been that kind of game.  WOW and a dunk getting a nice pass from Thad Young from Lou Williams.

Halfway through the 4th and we have a Speights sighting... standing off court waving to Lou Williams after a 3 ball.  He has that elusive potential attached to him, but he is a classic example of a kid who should have stayed in school and polished his game.  Always reminds me of Tim Duncan, I always thought he came into the league and was able to be so good because he finished college and allowed himself to mature as both a person and a player, doubt his career would have been the same if he had come out early.  Case in point Speights misses an easy dunk.

Game over 88-70, was never that close, Sixers played a lot of bench players that usually stay on the bench.  Paul 25pts 2rebounds 3assists, Jrue 12-5-4 neither really made much of an impact on the outcome although I can't really say who did, was that kind of game.  Hornets finished 30% from the floor and 41% from beyond the arc, both numbers seem impossible to me after watching this whole game.  Sixers finished with 24 assists but no single player with more then 6, that is a good stat.  On the contrary Hornets had 4 assists 3 for Paul 1 for Ariza, and that is a sure sign of a team that did not come to play.  Jet lag or hung over, nobody could be that kind of bad any other way.

As the game came on I was in the bathroom for the first 2:30 of gametime.  If you ever want to know why I think Zumov is a terrible play by play guy try listening to a game from the other room and following what is happening, if you can guess the score I'll give you a lollipop.  Zumov and Snow are in full ramble mode tonight, it feels like they are talking to each other instead of talking to me, which is bad, cause this is TV.

Half way through the first and Elton Brand's legs look a little slow, either he is having trouble getting warm tonight or those worthless minutes at center are wearing on him.  On the plus side Collins called a timeout at 12-8 when Sixers were getting into a funk instead of after its 16-8 or 20-8 when the funk is already over. 

I think if I wanted to I could count all the individual fans, this is what happens when you give a city slop and call it Professional basketball.  Makes me proud to be a Philadelphian when other Philly fans don't mindlessly give a bad organization money.

I don't know which is better to watch, Meeks shooting the 3 or Iggy throwing it down.  One think is for sure without those two there is very little reason to watch.  Almost through the 1st and not a lot of energy in this game.  They're definitely playing basketball, both teams, but is this really Pro basketball, and better question yet is it really entertaining?

At the end of the first the Cavaliers' bench came on the court and the Sixers scored on them - dare I say - at will.  If you want to know how the Sixers had a 35 - 26 lead it was the complete patheticness of the Cav's bench.

From what the camera is showing there is no one on the upper concourse of the Wells fargo Center.

Evan Turner in to start the second and even the announcer was a little mad he chose to do nothing with the ball but pass it off when he was wide open to drive or shoot.

Cavs comitted to start their bench to start the 2nd, if they don't get going the Cavs are real trouble.  Spencer Hawes is rebounding at will against their subs, and Thad Young can score way to easily.

Comcast had time to pitch Elton Brand's book signing tomorrow for his children's book, awesome.

I am not sure I am believing my eyes, but I think Thad Young is playing defense tonight.  He keeps that up he may start to get real meaningful minutes where he can be a real assest as a scorer.  Of course the possibility that the Cavs have no one who can match up against him is a real possibility too.  Nothing I hate worse then a ballplayer that can only excel with the right matchup.  Antawn Jamison can't seem to slow him down even a little.

Varejao was abled to be guarded by Elton Brand who is not a real center with no negative consequence.  Not a good sign for Cavs fans.

This is clearly not the same Cavs team I saw earlier in the year.  Since they lost to the Heat the have been just lifeless and blah.

You can say you like Snow and Zumov, but for the last three minutes of the 2nd quarter they were in their own world, in their own conversation, at one point Zumov actually had to remind himself there was a game going on.  This is why they are terrible.  The conversation would have made a great pre-game show, but it makes for bad play-by-play.

Sixers winning 66-54 at the half.

Yippie, Comcast learned that the halftime interview belongs during halftime and not duriing the start of game play in the third.  I am so happy Comcast is showing a little progress.  Its not like they are a cable company or anything and TV is their business and should know better.  On the extra plus side my cigarette prevented me from having to listen to any of what Jim Lynum had to say at hallf.

There are few things about the Sixers I find as awkward as Jrue Holiday going for a dunk.

Jodie Meeks continues to make everyone on this team better by just being on the court.  It is nice to have a legitimate three point shooter as opposed to people who take three point shots.  I wish someone knew he should have been starting all year, oh wait, I did, and I don't even know basketball. 

Cleveland's coach Byron Scott looks just absolutely lifeless and lost on the sidelines, and the team's performance is reflecting that.  Not sure how they can shoot 55% and be losing 18 half way through the third.

Cavaliers fatal flaw: 5 minutes left in the 3rd down by 20 and the entire team has degraded into a bunch of chuckers.  Unfortunately the Sixers aren't good enough of a team to always capitalize on a team's fatal flaw.

89-74 end of third, scoring slowed way down in the third, had the Cavs done a better job making baskets this game would be much closer.  The Cav's as a team threw a lot of balls off the rim, threw up a lot of ugly shots.  By the end of teh quarter the Sixers had gotten a little sloppy, which is worrisome considering their 4th quarter collapses... as the Cavs open the 4th with a three.

Final Thoughts on a 117-97 win:

Evan Turner's minutes are dwindling.  This kid is not a bust, he can pass and rebound, but I am certain he would benefit from at least one 10 day stint in the D-league.  Wish the Sixers had the credibilty and intestinal fortitude to be able to send him down and convince the fan base that it is not the end of the world, same as with Craig Brackins when we sent him down.

Thad Young finishes with 26 points which is nice for him but its the 11 rebounds that are going to get him more time on the court.

Jrue Holiday had 6 assists, not a single one was a "creation" play, all just him passing to a shooter.  I'd love Jrue actually make Point Guard passes from the point and create a little more.  That would make this a dare I say it a dangerous team.

Iguodala Line  13 points 5 rebounds 7 assists by driving the lane and playing great Defense, not a scorers line, but a winning line, this is exactly what the Sixers need from him.  He may finally be accepting that he does not need to be the next "A.I." he just has to be part of a team.

Spencer hawes 10 points 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, easily the most energetic game he has played this year.  Finally a performance that doesn't make the Dalembert trade look like a bad idea.

Elton Brand has 12 points and 5 rebounds, will these will be his new "norm" numbers?  If he keeps playing back up center and Young keeps earning his minutes they might be.  I cannot stress enough how much I disapprove of Elton playing center. I hope its temporary.

Lou Williams had 19 on a not great shooting night by driving to the basket and getting to the foul line.  Its a plus when he drives, it takes some stress off of Iggy and I am a firm believer in the need to get other teams in the penalty.  Games can be won and lost from the line, but if no one is getting there they definitely can't help you.  Lou also had 4 assists that were much more closely true PG type creation passes.  Call me crazy but I think Lou plays better when he gets into a PG mentality and makes some passes.  I hated him as the early season chucker.  I'd love to see him get the start at PG for just the first 5 minutes of the game to get his groove, give Jrue time to absorb what is going on and then have Jrue come in and play his big minutes and Lou to return to his normal role.  Seems like a win win type of move that the Sixers would never make.

To my one faithful reader who loves Zumov and Snow, thank you for your support.

Sad to learn Phil Jasner long time basketball writer in the Philly area died today.  Everyone liked him, he knew basketball, and you could never acuse him of writing fluff pieces for the Sixers organization.  He wrote what was, not what the Sixers office told him to.

Jodie Meeks goes off for 20points in the 1st quarter.  If only someone like me who had been screaming for him to start over Turner all year had been listened to we might be a .500 team.  Most importantly having Meeks on the court improves the Sixers defense, there is no better way to get another team's offense to press and make mistakes then by draining the three and scoring.

Andre Iguodala had some great dunks in the 1st, he also took some bad outside shots, wish Doug Collins would stress to him the importance of driving the basket and outlaw him shooting from outside.

The five players on the court for the final 12 seconds of the 1st for the Sixers was Holiday, Turner, Meeks, Nocioni, and Brand.  Doug Collins needs to remember to never do that again.  4 guard-like players with a center-like player is not the answer to any situation.  There is no worse lineup on the floor for the Sixers then the ones featuring Brand at Center, it never works, and its only mildly effective when the other team has a terrible option at Center themselves.  We used Brand at Center too much tonight.

Sixers continue to allow the opposition to get too many free possessions by not getting the easy rebounds off of misses.  No excuse for it.

Half way through the 2nd quarter and I saw something from Doug Collins I had never seen before, a look of intensity on his face.  Hopefully the cobwebs are clearing for him and he starts being more taskmaster and leader instead of friend and teacher.  Would certainly lead to good things for the Sixers.

The Sixers cheerleader's blue bodysuits were an extremely classy look, super hot.  Makes those overcoats from the other game look stupid and half of their other outfits look trampy.   Blue bodysuits were spot on, they said,"Yeah you could buy me, but you probably couldn't afford it."  Not that I am implying they are for sale.

Iguodala driving up the court with a minute left to go in the 2nd that led to a behind the back pass to a wide open Thad Young for the basket was the kind of play the Sixers need Jrue Holiday to start making.  It's the kind of play they need Turner to start making.  Too many of Jrue's Assists are still coming from just passing a guy a ball, he still needs to create more.

I noticed after Meeks scored 20 Lou Williams and Thad Young were "pressing" their shots quite a bit, that is what happens when you label a player on a team a designated scorer.  Picking up chucker habits these guys were pressing and chucking not to be outdone and instead got themselves completely messed up.  That is why no coach on any team should label a player a designated chucker er scorer, you have to get playing a complete game.

Early in the 3rd, Sixers didn't just make the extra pass, they made an extra 7 passes until the team forced Meeks to shoot a three, which he missed.  As a pro you have to shoot the open shot.  Opening 4 or 5 minutes of the 3rd and Sixers are showing a lot of "tightness" on the Offensive end, they are maintain the lead on good Defense and cold shooting by the Bobcats.

Once again after halftime Concast decided to do a coaches interview while the game is starting instead of during halftime, you know halftime, when the game isn't being played.

Spencer Hawes has dramatically improved his desire to rebound from the beginning of the season.  Meanwhile Maurice Speights, a very talented young man, continues to play himself off the court by not having any idea what to do as part of a team effort.

End of the 3rd Iggy had a highlight monster dunk over 2 players while fouled.

Was nice to see Thad Young take a charge to start the 4th, nice to see him starting to play Defense.  He needs to do just that sort of thing, he can't just be a scorer.

It is clear Jason Kapono is only sitting on the bench in the hope that one day they can use his 7million dollar contract to even out a trade number.  That trade, whatever it is, can't happen soon enough.

Evan Turner put in the game with 4 minutes to go in the 4th, I can't believe how much this kid just stands there looking like he is gonna cry cause no one is passing him the ball.

Eric Snow continues to be terrible.

Mark Zumov is so much better when he is telling you who is on the court and describing the action on the court.  AS opposed to when he just sits there and rambles on oblivious to the action talking with Eric Snow in a conversation that only the two of them get.

The final thought on the game is the Bobcats are going to have a long season, if Nazr Mohammed is your center that has got to hurt.

The best part of the game is I slept through most of it.  I can honestly say it was the  most I enjoyed a Sixers game all year.

They finally started Jodie Meeks and sat Evan Turner.  Must have been the right move, it made EVAN play a lot better at least from a stat line.  Let that be a lesson for you young people, sometimes when you are overmatched a little, admitting it and taking a step back can improve your performance.  Meeks only scored 9 but it was clear that he gave them a real outside threat for the other team's D to think about which is more then we have gotten out of the Shooting Guard spot all year.

Jrue Holiday had a great stat line for the game 4 pts 1 R 5 Assists.  ugh.  Thank goodness the Sixers are selling me him on potential.

Doug Collins has come to the decision that Battie is only playing the end of the game to provide some veteran leadership for closing out games.  Finally the new coach does something that appears to be well thought out.

The first time I woke up during the game it was close late in the 1st.  Just that fact is a major accomplishment.

The second time I woke up furing the game was late in the third and it was close with the Sixers in front.  Just that fact is a major accomplishment.

I wasn't really awake for good till the last minute of the game where I was informed the Sixers managed to blow a 16 point lead.

Then I saw a single Hawks player get a rebound off a Hawks free throw in a 1 on 4 situation, 4 Sixers and the 1 Hawks player gets the rebound that was the play that lost the game.

Then the Sixers bumbled fumble their way about giving away the ball and that was the play that REALLY lost the game.

I did get to see Doug Collins scratch the back of his head in patented Evan Turner style.  Was nice to see Evan teaching his signature move.

I did get to see a shot of Evan Turner.  I don't know whether its just the shape of his face, the wide open eyes, the youth, but wow a lot of times he just looks lost judging by his face.  On the plus side at least he looked lost on the bench, and hey can't blame this loss on him he was effective coming off the bench judging by the stats.

Oh I listened for one minute and got to hear Eric Snow's enlightening commentary of, "Hey sometimes you miss one, and then miss another one." Although it sounded a lot dumber when he said it.  I will give him credit he is getting easier to hear every game, this guy is getting some serious coaching about his speach.  SO that is a plus at least Eric can learn, now if we can just do something about our players.  Unfortunately the more coaching he gets the more his voice seems to keep getting lower another two weeks like this and he will sound like "Fat Albert".  Eric Snow gave me lots of fine memories as a player, me along with most of the city loved him I just wish he would have left it at that.

I did get to hear Zumov whine, its so bad when he whines.  If he is going to find a reason to whine at the end of a Sixers loss all season long I may need to break my TV.  Ooooooooooh Nooooooooo.

Well that's it Sixers fans, if you did like me the game was great, cause I slept through it.  Was nice to get the night off.

OH One last parting thought, if the only thing Maurice Speights can do better then Spencer Hawes is jump, then maybe we should let him do the jump ball at the begining of the game.

Before the game our best center Craig Brackins was sent to the D-League.

Sixers continue to run the coveted "headless chicken" defense where 5 guys run after the ball in circles.

Sixers went 6 minutes without scoring in the 2nd quarter and Doug Collins never called a timeout, another losing move by a losing coach.

Thad Young and Lou Williams have been turned into chuckers, and when they go cold there are no points to be scored.

The Sixers really miss Sammie Dalembert.

At one point in 2nd quarter Eric Snow used the word p'under and Zumov asked what that was, Snow said, "Its a combination of up and under I don't know, whatever" way to go mush mouth, can someone fire Mr. mumbles already.

At halftime Jim Lynum came on to tell me what a good job the Sixers did limiting and defending the Blazers' Aldridge, he had 18 pts and 8 rebounds.

In between 1st and 2nd quarters the Sixers thought they would liven things up with their Cheerleaders... who were wearing overcoats while they danced.

I did see Evan Turner scratch the back of his head again, he is real good at that.

Comcast started the 1st minute of the 2nd half with a picture and picture while they conducted an interview with an assistant coach.

The Sixers are still waiting for a rebound.

The Sixers still think the best way to defend the 3 point shot is to foul the shooter in the act.

Meeks is still not allowed to play in favor of Turner because we still don't have posters of Meeks for sale.

Doug Collins is now only letting the run get to 10-0 before calling Timeout instead of waiting till it gets to 16-0.  IMPROVEMENT!

Still trying to figure out why Brand handles the ball at the top of the key outside the 3point line?  I didn't know he was a point guard. OF course its better them him playing center, so again IMPROVEMENT!

We took the ball from Iggy tried to give it to Turner and as a result got nothing from 2 starters.

Collins apparently had a secret plan involving NOT getting Igudala the ball.

If a team(Portland) scores 20 below their average and only 9 in the fourth quarter the Sixers can win.  And we all know the Sixers are going to talk about how great a win this is.

Let's use replay to drag out a terrible game even further at the end of the game.

26 seconds left and the Sixers with a 6 point lead and Doug Collins calls a timeout out of fear cause he still thinks they can lose, that is how bad this team is, and how poorly coached.

The Sixers starters had 11 assists combined, Andre Miller had 8.

If the Sixers didn't pay Portland to lose this then Portland is the worst team there ever was.

Mark Zumov never once said what the lineup was on the court, thanks play by play guy.

Portland shot 4-20 for the 4th quarter, inexplicable, the defense was no different then the bad defense from the previous 3 quarters.  This game was bought by the Sixers without any doubt.  We needed a 2 game win streak to "convince" fans this is a good team.  No doubt here.

    Did you notice that Mark Zumov reverted to old form last night and continued NOT to let me know who was on the court ever.

    Did you notice Evan Turner in the 3rd quarter couldn't get any of his team mates to even look at h im on the offensive end of the court?  I thought it was hysterical on the one track Evan was actually standing there scratching the back of his head.

Did you notice that when you stand a real center (Tony Battie) next to Thad Young his defense no longer is an issue?

Did you notice that the military in attendence actually managed to start the wave in the 3rd quarter.  It has to be nice when the stadium is half filled and half the tickets you gave away to be leaving to go overseas.

Did you notice that the Sixers front office used to be the Nets front office and vice versa?  If there was ever a game that could be fixed, that was it.

Did you notice that the 4th quarter was the best quarter of basketball this year for the Sixers.  Evan Turner wasn't on the court once, maybe it should stay that way.  And Tony Battie played the whole quarter.  Just a thought maybe Collins should use his veteran big man solely in the 4th quarter.

Did you notice Meeks was nevedr iin a position to help the way he did against the Heat?  Nothing like making sure your 4th guard doesn't show up the first three.

Did you notice that when you make Lou Williams play at the point he actually thinks about passing and creating instead of just being a chucker.

Did you notice Jrue Holiday had like 13 assists.  I'm not sure one of them was a play he created for someone else, not sure I saw him do anythiing more then just passing the ball to someone else.

      I realized something this morning and its not a good thing.  The national sports media knows who WIP radio station in Philly is, and they think somehow that represents your normal typical Philly sports fan.  I will say this once and only once for everyone outside of Philly.  WIP exists to collect two types of Phlly sports fans and keep them in the same place so everyone elses life can be a whole lot quieter. 
       The first type they collect is the moron, the stone cold dumb as nails huffing computer cleaner while drinking a beer moron.  The sad part is the stupid Philly fans are so stupid we need a place to lump them together, that is what WIP is, its that place, a moron collective.  Everyone here in Philly knows this, its people outside of philly that don't and equate WIP with the Philly sports fan. 
       The second group are for the people who are under the mistaken impression that their opinions matter or that they know more then the people running the team.  WIP gives these people the space to run on at the mouth with all their 8 team trade scenarios and over analyzed Bull-bleep so their friends don't have to hear it. 
       Most people know these two groups of people and would recognize them in their own lives and cities.  This is what WIP is, it is where we gather these two groups together so the rest of us can just be left alone and enjoy sports.  Under no circumstances are they the end all be all opinion of Philadelphia, nor do the represent the opinion of the masses.  Only 1% of Philly sports fans listen to the thing everyday, while  5% check in once a week for a few minutes to see if they are still dumb.  The rest of us never give them a single thought. 

On a personal note I have a hard time respecting them not for their stupidity but for their Wing Bowl.  I believe all eating contests should be held in a starving African city in front of a group children whose bellies are bloated from the lack of food.  It is a disgrace to celebrate gluttony and waste.