Philadelphia 76ers
Allen Iverson Parts Ways with 76ers… Again…
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 | Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Sports | No Comments
The Allen Iverson – Philadelphia 76ers “2010 reunion tour” is finally over. Iverson played 25 games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009-2010 after abruptly leaving the Grizzlies just 3 games into the season. Iverson never really got into a groove in the 76ers system and he never really fully accepted his “reduced role” as a contributing NBA player. Iverson averaged 13.9 points, 4.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds while playing just over 30 minutes in each game. But his playing time severely slipped in mid-December and things got worse from there in the new year. Iverson eventually left the team about 2 weeks ago to spend time with his ailing 4-year old daughter.
76ers GM Ed Stefanski made this statement earlier today: “After discussing the situation with Allen, we have come to the conclusion that he will not return to the Sixers for the remainder of the season, as he no longer wishes to be a distraction to the organization and teammates that he loves very much. It has been very difficult for Allen and the team to maintain any consistency as he tries to balance his career with his personal life.”
Personal situation aside, this was going to happen at some point. Iverson still thinks of himself as an “NBA star” and he simply isn’t that kind of player anymore. Iverson is a lock for the Hall of Fame with his amazing numbers, but if he wants to keep playing in the NBA, he needs to accept his role as a bit player on a playoff contender. Until he does that, he likely won’t find himself back in the NBA anytime soon…
Rose, Deng Lead Bulls Past Pacers 120-110
Thursday, February 25th, 2010 | Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, NBA, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Sports | 1 Comment
The Chicago Bulls kept up their fast start after the NBA All-Star Break with an easy 120-110 win over the Indiana Pacers at the United Center in Chicago. Luol Deng led the way for the Bulls with 31 points and 9 rebounds. He also blocked 4 shots on the defensive end. Derrick Rose just missed a triple-double with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Taj Gibson also turned in another solid effort with a double-double – 14 points and 11 rebounds (including 7 offensive boards).
Granted the Bulls 5 of 6 streak out of the gate is somewhat expected – they beat the Knicks twice, the Timberwolves, the 76ers and the Pacers. But in the NBA, you play your schedule and you have to win these games. The Bulls are now 3 games over .500 at 30-27. They have a lock on the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 1.5 games lead over each of the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. The Charlotte Bobcats are the only other team in the hunt for the 8th seed in the East (2.5 games behind the Bulls), so the Bulls are in a good position to qualify for the post-season for the 2nd year in a row.
Chicago Bulls Back @ United Center to take on L.A. Clippers
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 | Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Sports | No Comments
The Chicago Bulls are happy to be back at the United Center despite their recent road success. The bulls finished up their 7-game road trip with an amazing 5-game winning streak over 5 Western Conference teams with winning records. Not sure if the Bulls have ever done that before, but it is shocking to think that Head Coach Vinny Del Negro was able to orchestrate that feat. The Bulls got a little lucky on Friday night against the Hornets in New Orleans, as David West threw an errant pass to Chris Paul with less than 10 seconds to play that gave the Bulls another shot at tying the game to force overtime. After Derrick Rose’s shot was partially deflected, Luol Deng knocked home a “putback” with just 0.2 left on the clock, and the Bulls took care of business in overtime. Deng led the Bulls with 26 points; Rose chipped in 18 of his own; Joakim Noah scored 13 points and grabbed 18 boards, while rookie Taj Gibson scored 8 points with 8 rebounds to boot. Del Negro continues to get a balanced attack out of all of his players each and every night.
Deng summed up the Bulls renewed sense of urgency and confidence best: “When you’re winning, everything is positive. We’re going into games expecting to win. A game like that, if we had lost four in a row, we might have lost it. But the mentality right now is we can win every game.”
The Bulls are back home for a game against the Clippers on Tuesday night at the United Center. They go back on the road for quick trips to Philadelphia and Atlanta after that, but then return home for a big game against the Miami Heat on Saturday night. Four games in 5 days is never easy, especially with travel mixed in there, but if the Bulls can go 2-2, that will keep them over .500 as the All-Star break approaches. I’m not quite sure how Del Negro is doing it, but he appears to have his team focused and ready to take their play to the next level. Let’s just hope they can keep it going for the final 2+ months of the season!
NBA Playoff Teams All Set – Seeds Still To Be Determined
Sunday, April 12th, 2009 | Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, General, Houston Rockets, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, San Antonio Spurs, Sports, Utah Jazz | No Comments
We know know all of the 16 teams that have qualified for 2008-9 NBA post-season play. While some seeds have been established, there are still a few slots up for grabs.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers – led by Lebron James - have locked up the #1 seed for the 1st time in franchise history. The Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic are still battling for the #2 seed, but the Celtics have a 2-game edge over the Magic. The Atlanta Hawks have locked up the 4th seed in the East. Miami and Philadelphia have each lost 6 of their last 10 games and are currently sitting in the 5th and 6th spots – they each have 3 games to play. The surging Chicago Bulls – winners of 7 of 10 – and the Detroit Pistons are tied for the 7th and 8th seeds right. That race will likely be decided when the Bulls visit Detroit on Monday night with the winner taking at least the 7th seed.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers – led by Kobe Bryant – have locked up the #1 seed for a 2nd consecutive year. The 2nd through 5th seeds are up for grabs among the Denver Nuggets (#2 seed), Houston Rockets (1 game behind Denver), Portland Trailblazers (1.5 games behind Denver) and San Antonio Spurs (1.5 games behind Denver). The 6th through 8th seeds are also up for grabs among the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks (tied for 6th and 7th seeds) and the Utah Jazz (8th seed – 1 game behind Hornets and Mavericks). Looking to avoid a 1st round match-up with the Lakers, the Jazz play the Warriors and Clippers before ending the season against the Lakers – will they be able to bump out either of the Hornets or Mavs? Only time will tell.
The NBA playoffs will soon be here in full effect – get ready for some intense playoffs hoops action…
