Minutes after the 76ers were eliminated from the 2009 NBA playoffs, Andre Iguodala, the default face of the 76ers franchise, began to rake his team over the coals.

“We weren’t always there,” the young forward opined. “We had mental lapses. … We had inner turmoil.” He targeted the team’s younger players, chiding them for failing to play within themselves. “I’m going to sit down with [76ers President and General Manager] Ed [Stefanski] and discuss what I think will get us over the [hump],” he deadpanned. They’d discuss “all the things that are holding us back, [and] try to get rid of [them],” a statement presumably about people, not practice habits. When asked directly about the future of DiLeo, his boss, Iguodala responded “We’ll see about that.”

And so, with the closest player the 76ers have to a true star calling his team immature and ineffective and then pushing for the non-retention of his coach, the 76ers season ended Still, while it was these attacks that predictably made the headlines, AI2’s main point – “at times, [the team has] tough time understanding the importance of communication as a whole” – rings true. The young guys make mental mistakes, the old guys wouldn’t get in their faces, and no one in management was making either side play their part. On the 2008-2009 Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala mused, no one seemed to understand their role. Unfortunately, the single strongest piece of evidence towards this claim may be the fact the AI2 himself made it. Iguodala, who has never been an all star nor led his team to a winning record, simply isn’t accomplished enough to presume the general manager should be courting his insight. The fact that he didn’t understand that is an indication of the lack of communication Iguodala chides.

That these 76ers don’t seem to even have a same page to be on is the focus on this week’s column, Andre: “You Suck, Team.” It tries to figure out how this happened, and who is to blame. Money quote:

No matter which young player he was referring to – Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights and Lou Williams are the three active 76ers younger than AI2 – he was right to say their playoff performance was disappointing. The older guys didn’t exactly set a great example – Andre pointed out that center Samuel Dalembert seems to “enjoy his vacations,” and indeed, Sammy’s never been accused of being a pro’s pro. And no one in management improved the situation.

Anyway, check it out.

“It’s fun, 80s style.” – Kobe Bryant

Three lines on their world:

Kobe went for 40 as the Lake Show held off the Rockets

Rondo dipped thrice as the Celtics knocked off the Magic

and Barca came back against Chelsea in a game that was marred officiating that one player dubbed “a f****** disgrace”

Three lines on ours:

The Phillies fell to Johan Santana and the Mets

But Chan Ho Park held onto his spot in the rotation by tossing a gem

and Simon Gagne went under the knife laser

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Yesterday, at the AMA hit for hearts benefit, John Gonzalez brought up a fantastic bar question. I know he’s going to use it for a column eventually so I won’t burn the heart of the question (UPDATE: he ran it today, check it out) but the jist of it was this: who are the most recognizable current athletes in Philadelphia? Considering that some of the most obvious answers – Allen Iverson, Brian Dawkins, Bait Burrell) have all recently walked away its an intriguing question, and one everyone seems to have their own unique opinion on.

Personally, I was one of the guys advocating for Dalembert, merely because the minute he walks into a room you know he’s a basketball player and your mind starts racing in an attempt to figure out who. There is a real cross section of the city who could sit complacently while Chase Utley strolled by. Conversely, if the same thing happened to Sammy D they’d all immediately start prying their brains trying to figure out who the big guy was. Anyway, its one of those questions that will keep you thinking for the next week or so, so, enjoy.

(for those  of you keeping score, this totally counts as a ‘read’)

the most recognizable nose and eyes in Philadelphia sports

“The NBA’s amazing. That’s all I’m going to say, other than I think it’s way out of line and crazy.’” – George Karl

Three lines on their world:

LeBron is on a different level of good. Cavs win.

The Nuggets ran away with another win

and the BoSox swept the Yanks

Three lines on ours:

The Phils win

move into first place

and get some good news about Hamels

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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If you’re an obsessed sports fan in this city, you’ve probably been gasping for air over the past few weeks. With two local teams starting their second seasons, the Eagles making news in the draft, and all of the hoopla around the start of the Phils’ title defense there hasn’t been a lot of chance to sit back and catch your breath.

Now, with the Phillies game pushed back due to weather, the Sixers and the Flyers watching the playoffs with the rest of us and all the relevant Eagles reporting to mini-camp on time then leaving healthy (including Jim Johnson) maybe you’ve finally had that time to catch up.  All the loudest sports talk in the city is either second day stories (When will Cole return? Will the 76ers be able to trade any of their untradeable contracts? Andy Reid made a joke!) or national ones. Lets focus on the latter.

The NBA playoffs, predestined to end up as LeBron v. Kobe for all the marketing deals, have been, and remain, shockingly entertaining. Yes, the Rose/Rondo first-round matchup may not have been as elegant as here-and-now historians are making it out to be, but it was every bit as entertaining as they say and deserves its new place as the East Coast Chris and Deron. The excitement hasn’t ended there — all four conference semi finals have provided reasons to watch.

Further, it was a hell of a weekend for a few of the once-a-years. El Classico wasn’t the barnburner everyone expected but that didn’t stop the world from tuning in, if only to keep the Yankees busy until the ponies ran and Manny Pacquiao made himself the favorite in Money Mayweather’s non-warm-up return bout. I guess what I’m getting at is that during weekends like this past one sometimes it’s kinda nice to have the Phils and the Mets pushed back (not that I wouldn’t love for the Phils to keep squaring off against a Mets team that looks allergic to clutch) and be able to, as a sports fan, not really care for a couple days.

Of course, with the Phils headed to St. Louis to get Ryan some home cooking and take down the Cards, the battle is back at 8:05 tonight. About time.

“Year-round? I think Sammy enjoys his summers.” – Andre Iguodala, answering if he believes his teammate is truly dedicated to basketball

Three lines on their world:

Mine that Bird won a bizarre Kentucky Derby

Manny Pacquiao is kinda awesome

And Denver handled Dallas in game one

Three lines on ours:

The Phillies and the Mets didn’t play the getaway game

Which should give Cole Hamels some more time off to heal up

and Broad Street was run.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Of course they lost. All season long the 76ers have remained competitive not because they’re talented (they’re not) but rather because they play hard. I know he’s a raging fanboy, but Zumoff is right when he touts the team for playing hard for every last one of those 48 minutes. As they say in politics, its fine not to know, but you have to know you don’t know (or suffer the hilarious consequences of obviousness): all season the 76ers seemed to know that they weren’t talented and overcompensated with heart. That’s fine. You can knock management for putting together a team that kinda sucks or injuries for taking Elton Brand away from them, but it’d be a foolish argument to suggest that the team didn’t play hard, or that they didn’t care. Until last night.

Last night the 76ers either believed that they were head-and-shoulders better than an Orlando Magic team playing without Dwight Howard and Courtney Lee (they aren’t), or they quit on DiLeo. You don’t even have to read between the lines to try to find out which side of that debate Andre Iguodala is on. Here is what he told reporters after the game:

“We had mental lapses.”

“We had inner turmoil.”

“We have a young team. At times, I think we have a tough time understanding the importance of communication as a whole,”

“Instead of trying to make it up for the team, [those young players would] try to make it up for themselves.”

His solution?

“I’m going to sit down with Ed [Stefanski] and discuss what I think will get us over the [hump].”

“All the things that are holding us back we’ve got to try to get rid of.”

Well then. Some, I’m sure, will like Iguodala, who hit an off-balance game winner in the first game and averaged 20+ for the series, stepping up and demanding charge of the team, but I’m not so sure this is the right way to do it. Iguodala is 25 – calling out the “younger players” on the team isn’t exactly veiled. Neither is his ringing non-endorsement of soon-to-be-fired Head Coach Tony DiLeo.

Are moves needed? Yes, of course. The team as constructed cannot win a championship and the 17^th pick in the upcoming NBA draft won’t change that. As such, its good that Iguodala is frustrated. Further, the mere fact that he’s locked up for the next 100 years puts him in a position to say so.

That said, while we’re talking about issues holding the team back, the fact that a young swingman who hasn’t won anything is essentially calling his teammates and coaches losers might make the list. That game winner AI2 hit? It came after he absolutely sucked down the stretch of game one. His reaction, a cocky, chest-puffed stare down of every camera in sight, got him the SportsCenter highlights, but wouldn’t have existed if he could have hit a couple three throws when it mattered. Is he an emerging star? Absolutely, and he’s close to changing my mind about his ability to be the second best player on a championship level team. But he’s also never made an all star team, isn’t a top 5 player at his position, and has never been to the second round of the playoffs. I’m all for getting rid of what holds the 76ers back, I just think everyone on the team to take a long look in the mirror and trim the fat they can before pointing fingers.

Ugh.

UPDATE: Theo, on the other hand, can say whatever he wants.

“I’ll be free to be me.” – Samuel Dalembert, on the effect not having Dwight Howard out there would supposedly have on his game. He finished a team high minus 28 for the game.

“The coaches are responsible for guys [being] prepared and playing. They have to hold guys accountable. It’s been that way all year, so you couldn’t expect anything different.” – Theo Ratliff

Three lines on their world:

The Bulls and the Celtics continue the greatest opening round series ever

Tracy McGrady finally makes it out of the first round. Heh.

and JoePa stands up and makes some headlines.

Three lines on ours:

The 76ers season is over

Iguodala called for change

and Sheldon Brown further diffused his situation.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Dwight Howard and Courtney Lee sit tonight, which is potentially very dangerous for the 76ers. Tony DiLeo’s team can’t shoot, can’t score in the post, and, not having a single active player who has ever been an all star, lack elite level talent at any position. When they win they do so because they try really really hard. That isn’t a knock: effort is a talent, and one that not every team out there has. The fact that the team has won 43 games and counting on the back of their effort genuinely is to their credit, not against it.

Still, that type of effort requires motivation, the type of motivation that comes with being an underdog. The 76ers work so hard because they believe they have to work so hard. The problem is, they’re right. Remember what happened after they clinched a playoff spot and didn’t work so hard for a couple days? They lost to a Boston team who lacked two thirds of their Big Three. They needed OT to knock off a Cleveland team who didn’t play anyone. It got ugly. The 76ers proved that they can’t just trot out there are beat anyone, they need their backs against the wall attitude they’ve played with all year.

With Howard in street clothes there will be a tendency for the Good Guys to let that ‘us against the world’ attitude lax a bit. If they do they too will have given up their biggest advantage – just like the Magic did. Tonight the 76ers backs actually are up against the wall. Lets hope they remember.

Howard’s seat on the bench

“We sent Matt Stairs up. They got him out. That’s a rarity.” – Charlie Manuel

“Like my teammates were saying, [they'd] probably throw you on a boat, send you back to Haiti.” – Dalembert on the potential repercussions of elbowing Dwight Howard the way Dwight elbowed him.

Three lines on their world:

Dwyane Wade fell for the 7th time.

J.J. Putz continued to earn his stripes as a Met.

and the Nuggets will face the Mavs in the second round.

Three lines on ours:

The Phillies win streak was broken

The 76ers will face a Howard-less Magic team

and Nova’s run continues.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Cole Hamels sprained his ankle, which is probably worse for his mindset than it is for his game; the 76xers lost one they probably couldn’t afford to lose and now are relying on outside help that probably won’t come; and the newest eagle basically admitted that pro sports is only about the money, which is just a miserable truth to have to think about.

All in all, just a bad day for Philadelphia Sporting people.  Lets just move right onto the links …

not a picture of Dwight Howard throwing an elbow.

Apparently those don’t exist.

“Dwight Howard had a great game, and he’s a great player, but he just lives in the 3-second lane on offense and defense, I’m just saying he’s standing in the 3-second lane on offense and defense. He’s a great player, and he doesn’t need any advantages.” – Tony DiLeo

“Am I supposed to come up here and talk about the game. Or am I supposed to come up here and lobby for the calls I want the next game? – The Panic Master

Three lines on their world:

The Celtics and Bulls played another classic.

The Mavs knocked out the Spurs

and Portland wouldn’t die against Houston

Three lines on ours:

The Phillies won another game where Hamels had to leave early

The Sixers dropped game 5 in Orlando

and Ellis Hobbs explained how football players see football.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Last night the Phillies came back to win yet another game, this time doing so by beating the Washington Nationals 13-11 in front of a crowd ankle deep in one dollar hot dogs. The hero, as he usually is these days, was Raul Ibanez, the man who has taken our fair city by storm and won the hearts of city. After all, how could any other Philadelphia Phillies left fielder put up some prestigious numbers as the

.342 batting average, 6 HR and 16 RBI

line that RI has marked to date? Surely he’s been the difference between the Phillies staying in contention and falling by the wayside. I mean, where would the Phillies be this year if they had the measly

.339 batting average, 6 HR, and 17 RBI

that Pat Burrell owned through 18 games last year?

Oh.

Look, I’m not pointing this out to be a dick, or to diminish what Ibanez has done to date – the dude’s been awesome (just like the last dude was awesome the last go round). Hell, I’m not even doing this to suggest that Burrell is a comparable player to Ibanez anymore. Bait has been miserable this year and it is entirely possible Ruben Amaro Jr. knew exactly what he was doing when he got rid of the former aging no-glove left fielder for the current aging no-glove left fielder. The upgrade has certainly looked like its been worth the extra 15 million dollars, year, and first round draft pick so far (honestly). I’m just trying to point out that it’s still really early, and that maybe we should all take a deep breath before handing the guy the postseason hardware that goes with a hot dozen and a half games. After all, as I doubt anyone now doubts, a .340ish average, six home runs, and 15+ early RBI isn’t always enough to justify lasting praise in this town.

That said, {takes a deep breath}: RAOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL

“Raoooooooooooooolll.” – pretty much everyone in Citizens Bank Park last night

Three lines on their world:

The Hornets once again quit on Byron Scott. Chris Paul should realize this is making him look bad.

Kobe and the Lake Show finished off the Jazz

and Atlanta tied up Miami at two games a piece.

Three lines on ours:

Raul Ibanez led the Phillies to an epic comeback

J.C. Romero turns to the law to enact revenge on PEDs

and the Birds signed a bunch of guys to compete for spots at the end of their bench.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Poor 76ers. Not because of Hedo’s shot – like it or not, that was just part of the breaks of the game, and it certainly wasn’t any more improbable than any of the other game winners we’ve seen this series – I say it because today, with the 76ers locked in a 2-2 series where three games have been decided with a total of 5.3 seconds left, the Eagles are the talk of the town.

Hell, with the Flyers eulogies being written, the Phils still the W.F.C.’s and the Penn Relays running their course there is a real argument to be made that despite their classic series the 76ers are only the 5^th biggest sports story in town. For one reason or another (or another, or another) people don’t seem to care about Elton Brand’s team.

Not that this apathy is entirely manufactured: it isn’t just that the papers aren’t covering the Numbers with the same vigor they do the Phils or the Birds (we’re not absolved here either: after thinking about writing about them for about five minutes last week we ended up bumping them twice – first for an epic draft preview, and second for Harry. If they had drawn the Celtics (and thank god they didn’t, as a pro basketball fan their series has been the highlight of 09) we probably only would have bumped them once), despite the Sixers’ best effort to give away tickets the fans aren’t showing up (just 16,464 last night), and with no hope of a championship or an active off-season there is only so much interest that can be drawn up.

Still, it is sort of a shame that they’re getting such the stepchild treatment. Inside the 94′ by 50′ the games have been kinda awesome. Sure both teams have mucked it up a bit, and sure there have been as many big shots missed as made, but these teams are proving to be really well matched. On top of that Iguodala is emerging a second tier star, Thad Young is being forced to grow up, and Andre Miller, a soon-to-be UFA, is making himself some money. If you’re not too busy the series is absolutely worth checking out.

Oh well, back to the Birds …

“I know for a fact that he’s a master of panic, and when it gets time for his team to go in the postseason and do certain things, he will let them down because of his panic.” – Shaq on Stan Van Gundy

Three lines on their world:

All Seven Rounds of the NFL Draft are in the books

The LeBrons have looked ready to beat the world

and the Bulls and the Celtics are in as good of a first round matchup as you can hope for.

Three lines on ours:

The Birds landed Jeremy Maclin

The Flyers ended their season with a whimper

and the 76ers got caught from behind by the Orlando Magic

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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With Dwight Howard fouling out, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis both feeling the effects of their injuries, and the Orlando Magic as a team shooting just 6-23 from deep, the 76ers had an opportunity to put the series in a Sabato Headlock and come home with a 2-0 lead. Alas, it wasn’t to be. The Sixers got next to nothing on offense from anyone except Andre Miller and Thad Young in the first half and those two and AI2 in the second 24.

The loss was especially frustrating because, to be blunt, if both teams play at 100% the Magic are going to win. If the Sixers are going to advance to the second round they need to take the ones where both teams are playing in the mud.

Other quick thoughts

• none of the point guards in this series can guard each other. Andre Miller’s scoring explosion (21 at the break, 30 for the game) was, like all his scoring outbursts, not a fluke or mistake. If Miller thinks he has a mismatch Miller puts it on himself to get buckets, and get buckets he did. On the other end of the floor he’s just not quick enough to stay in front of Skip, Anthony Johnson, or Courtney Lee (who got a surprising amount of his points against the Sixers’ PG).

• I’m sure some are going to kill DiLeo for letting Sammy only see nine minutes of floor time, but the big man just wasn’t reliable at all out there. His four fouls were one thing – when an overaggressive big matches up with Dwight Howard, that big is going to get called for fouls – but the tech was just inexcusable. This was a winnable playoff game, and you can’t control (or harness) your emotions, you can’t be out there. Replacement or no, I’d be surprised if Dalembert started the 09-10 season still with Philadelphia.

• Credit where credit is due, Courtney Lee played like a man. With his offensive stars hurting the rook stepped up his game after a woeful game one (on the defensive end)

• It’s a point no one seems to want to talk about, but Thad Young might not be able to stay at the PF position, and its not because EB is going to bump him off of it either – the young man is a poor rebounder. After grabbing just 1 in game one he came down with 3 in 41 minutes last night. Over the course of the season he’s gotten double digit rebounds just three times. Andre Miller, who is a full half foot shorter and plays further away from the hoop, has more.

• I understand that the Sixers are a special case (lots of one-talent players, foul trouble, hot/cold hands) but how is it possible to go 11 deep in a playoff game??

Game Three Friday Night down in South Philly. Will the house be sold out?

Jeremy Tyler is headed to Europe (click the picture

for the story)

“If you’re really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys.” – Jeremy Tyler, who has made the smart decision to skip his senior year of high school to go play pro ball in Europe.

Three lines on their world:

Dwyane Wade and the Heat evened the series in Atlanta

Chauncey was the man again as the Nuggets blew out the Hornets

and High School junior Jeremy Tyler is headed to Europe to play pro ballbasketball.

Three lines on ours:

Sixers lose

Phillies lose

and the Eagles’ trade talk heats up

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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Here is a little secret that my editors probably aren’t going to like: sometimes I use the fact that I have a public forum to try and even up personal disputes. Like Joe Buck before me I’ve snuck words and phrases into print at the request of friends or enemies, and I have to admit I’ve taken stances maybe a half step further than I otherwise would in the hopes of antagonizing a specific audience.

Naturally, this runs both ways, and those representing the opposite side of debates I’ve weighed in occasionally like to remind me when it appears I might have, you know, might have maybe been a little bit, uh, wrong.

I’m bringing this all up because even after I kinda really hated on the Raul Ibanez signing the new left fielder has been proving his worth. Naturally, I’ve been hearing about it.

Here’s Ruben, from last night’s inbox:

so i’m watching the end of the Phils game right now, and the game’s decided, crowd is dead, so of course the announcers naturally turn to talking about how great of a guy and player Ibanez is.  And get this, after the game the other night, Chris Young of the Padres said that on the scouting report he received on the Phils, “the toughest hitter on the team to get out is … …. …. (wait for it) … … Raul Ibanez.”  i was definitely surprised to hear that it didn’t say Utley (since he’d be the correct answer), but still thought that i should add it to the rapidly-mounting evidence in favor of the phils needing to give Ibanez a SheldonBrown-style extension RIGHT now.

needless to say, you should look for me behind the plate at tomorrow’s game.  i’ll be the guy rocking a fresh Ibanez jersey tee.

Okay, a couple points:

First of all, you gotta love how poorly the Friars scout – RI is a nice hitter, but the Phils have two MVPs and a third guy who should win one before everything is said and done. Unless they’re literally judging from batting average this year they’re wrongwrongwrong. Good stuff.

Second, lets remember the Phils are 12 games into the season and obviously no one has really proven anything yet. I’m probably not sticking my head out too far when I suggest that Toronto, Seattle and Florida probably aren’t going to win away with their respective divisions.

But … (and here is the mea culpa) I will admit that Ibanez has been nothing but a pro’s pro. His teammates are coming out with gushing quotes about him, his offensive production is fantastic, and he’s even stolen two bags. Do I still think the contract was crazy? Yes. Ibanez could hit like a roided up Barry Bonds for the rest of the season and I would still think the contract was crazy. Three years is longer than any other corner outfielder (the Cubs have the option to void the third year of Milton Bradley’s deal) and $30+ mil was more than any corner outfielder save Manny. Still, I’m a lot happier with the crazy contract today than I was twelve games ago.

All of this brings me to my point (you didn’t think I’d end with ‘I might have been wrong’ did you?): all year I’ve been referring to contracts that seem absurd at the time of a signing and then are earned after-the-fact as Iguodala Deals. If Raul keeps this up so I have to change that name?

“You’ll see guys on the visiting team, when they come into our ballpark. I’ll be standing by the batting cage, and they’ll come up and want to have a conversation with me. Not because they know me, because they want to stand up there close to the hitter and watch the ball fly out. And, believe me, their eyes light up. So, therefore, when I’m talking to them, you know what I tell them? I tell them how far they can hit it. I tell them, ‘I’ll bet you can hit that clock [in centerfield] or you can hit that scoreboard. The ball really flies here, man.’ ” – Charlie Manuel

Three lines on their world:

Brandon Roy may well be the 7th best player in the NBA

LeBron goes up 2-0

and the Lake Show made it look easy over the Jazz

Three lines on ours:

The Flyers lost and head to the brink of elimination

The Phillies won and try to get some momentum this afternoon

and Sheldon Brown continues to troublemake.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

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