Staff Blog
Where's the best sledding hill in Philly? (1 Answer)
Morning Rounds, February 18th
In the midst of trade-deadline week wins and losses hardly seem to matter. The players are acutely aware that the game is a business and their teammates may not be their teammates come Friday, and also that every scout in the League is watching them and watching. They’re trying to win, but professionally speaking the players understand that there are probably worse times to get theirs. Players don’t half-ass it, but when you combine all that with the fact that the league just took a week off essentially to party and competition often dives into high-level pickup ball.
When the Sixers played like that, shooting from the outside and allowing themselves to get outhustled, they got killed – just check the 28-18 first quarter. When they attacked the rim and moved on defense they were able to get back into it. That second part turned out to be too-little too-late and the Sixers were unable to get four games over .500 for the first time since the 04-05 season. No matter, the team tries to get their sea legs back tonight against Denver – maybe for the last time with the current roster.
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“We were able to get great depth, leadership and experience by making this trade. We felt we needed to increase our overall play of the front line and Chris Wilcox is a young, athletic player that can score and fit well in our system. We will be able to take advantage of his athleticism and style of play.” – Hornets general manager Jeff Bower, lying through his teeth after trading away his teams’ (albeit slim) shot at a title in a cost-cutting move
Three lines on their world:
Three lines on ours:
- The 76ers dropped one to the Pacers
- The Eagles won’t be tagging anyone this year
- and Penn took down Princeton in Jersey
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump
PHILLIES
READ
Jim Salisbury discusses Cholly’s opening speech.
Paul Hagen lays out the minor details the Phils still have to iron out in spring training.
David Murphy’s notes are a rundown of camp.
SKIP
Rich Hofmann looks at what it takes for a team to repeat as champions.
Bill Conlin, musing on the A-Rod presser, ties it all back to the stimulus package.
David Murphy talks A-Rod with Raul Ibanez.
Jim Salisbury talks A-Rod with Raul Ibanez.
SIXERS
READ
SKIP
John Gonzalez anxiously awaits the return of Charles Barkley. And skewers Nick Carter.
EAGLES
READ
Les Bowen reports that the Birds are shopping Winston Justice. This hurts me inside, I’m that guys’ last fan.
SKIP
Ray Parrillo and Bob Brookover report that the Birds won’t be using their franchise tag this year.
Paul Domowitch reports, even after the Panthers ended up 12-4, the Birds say they don’t have any regrets about last year’s draft day trade.
FLYERS
READ
Sam Carchidi looks at the recent success of the Flyers’ youngest line.
Wayne Fish predicts that the Flyers have set their defense.
SKIP
Ed Moran is shocked – shocked – that an ivy league nerd (Darroll Powe) choose sports.
TODAY and MORE
In college basketball news Dick Jerardi, who knows what he’s talking about, takes a stab at naming the 65 tournament teams; Sam Donnellon looks at what makes Jay Wright such a good recruiter, and Joe Juliano explains what is going right at LaSalle.
As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
[...] The Sports Complex wrote an interesting post today on Morning Rounds, February 18thHere’s a quick excerptIn the midst of trade-deadline week wins and losses hardly seem to matter. The players are acutely aware that the game is a business and their teammates may not be their teammates come Friday, and also that every scout in the League is watching them and watching. They’re trying to win, but professionally speaking the players understand that there are probably worse times to get theirs. Players don’t half-ass it, but when you combine all that with the fact that the league just took a week off e [...]