Posts Tagged ‘Celtics’

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Should the Sixers Deal Okafor To Boston?

May 30th, 2016 by Ryan Waterman | Comments Off on Should the Sixers Deal Okafor To Boston? | Filed in General, NBA, Sixers, Sports, TalkSportsPhilly
Source: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images North America

Source: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images North America

The NBA Draft is approaching quickly, and it’s now time for the lowly Sixers to take center-stage in the city of Philadelphia. Eleven days ago, it was revealed that the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft would belong to the Sixers, which elated the fans of Philadelphia. However, fans were quick to forget that the Los Angeles Lakers were awarded the pick behind us, meaning that Philadelphia would not be receiving the Lakers’ pick this year. So, instead of having four first-round draft picks, the Sixers now have three. In addition to the top selection, the Sixers will also pick at #24 overall (courtesy of the Miami Heat), and #26 overall (courtesy of the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Denver Nuggets).

Missing out on the Lakers draft selection has brought up an interesting possibility, that could be revisited. As many of you know, the Boston Celtics were close to pulling the trigger on a “mystery deal” at the trade deadline, prior to it falling apart. Coincidentally enough, the Sixers were also receiving interest in the 2015 #3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor. This led to a report claiming that Boston’s “mystery man” was Okafor. The proposed deal would’ve seen Boston’s first-round pick (via Brooklyn) head to Philadelphia, as well as either Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley. For whatever reason, that deal didn’t come to fruition back in February. Although, there are reports claiming that talks could re-open, now that the Sixers know what pick the Celtics hold. That brings me to my ultimate question. Should the Sixers trade Okafor to Boston?

Ultimately, I say no. As much as I would love having two of the top three selections in the draft, the risk of providing Boston with a superstar is one that cannot be taken. Okafor is a player that has the capability of putting up 20/10 on most nights, and that’s something that can’t be taken for granted in the NBA. While the NBA is primarily a 3-point league now, the luxury of having a talented big man can’t be ignored. Almost every successful team has at least one strong big in the front-court. San Antonio has LaMarcus Aldridge, Cleveland has Kevin Love, and Oklahoma City has Serge Ibaka. My point, is that despite popular opinion, the front-court does actually have an effect on the game.

Short-term, fans would likely say that it’d be smart for them to move Okafor to Boston. They’d likely land Marcus Smart, and #3 overall. That move would give them a legitimate point guard, in addition to a pair of top-three selections, with which they’d likely select Ben Simmons and Kris Dunn. Would it fill out their team?  Certainly it would, but at what cost?  Marcus Smart has character issues, those of which he displayed fully during his time at Oklahoma State. Couple that with the uncertainty that whoever they select at #3 doesn’t pan out, and this deal could be a recipe for disaster.

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Source: Allen Iverson Will Be At Game 6

May 23rd, 2012 by Sam Shipley | Comments Off on Source: Allen Iverson Will Be At Game 6 | Filed in Basketball, General, Sixers

The Answer Is Back In Town!!!!

According to a very good source, Allen Iverson will be attending Game 6 between the Sixers and Boston tonight in Philly. This will be Iverson’s first visit to the Wells Fargo Center since his stint with the team back in the 2008-2009 season. If this is true, this already sold out crowd will be in a frenzy before Game 6 even takes place.

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Game 5 Preview: Sixers at Celtics

May 22nd, 2012 by Sam Shipley | Comments Off on Game 5 Preview: Sixers at Celtics | Filed in Basketball, General, Sixers

Game 4 looked very much like Game 3, until the Sixers made a furious comeback in the 4th quarter to take Game 4 and tie the series at 2. Game 5 now shifts back to Boston, where the winner of this game will have a chance to go on to the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 6. The Celtics are going to come out in this game the same exact way they did in Game 2 when we were down 9-0 early. They will come out and try to go on this big run and play tough defense in the beginning of the game, and Doug Collins knows that as well so I believe that he will calm his guys down like he has done all season long.

X-Factor: Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala was the key to the Sixers wins in Games 2 and 4 by hitting clutch shots, and was also the key to the loss in Game 3 by shooting just 6 times and allowing Paul Pierce to finally have a big game. Tonight he will need to continue to be this teams leader both offensively and defensively. Andre will need to be very efficient on offense the way he has been for most of the playoffs, and he will need to lock up Paul Pierce and make him have games like he did in Games 1 and 2. Andre will need to get the ball right away after a rebound and just push the basketball and not allow Boston to set up their defense like they did at the end of Game 4. If Andre can score about 18 points, efficiently, and can hold Pierce to a bad shooting day then I believe the Sixers have the advantage in Boston.

Key Match-up: Sixers Transition Offense vs. Boston Defense

It is no secret, when the Sixers get out and run they put the Celtics in a position that they don’t want to be in. The Celtics are only good when they are able to slow the game down and play at their pace, and the Sixers can not allow that to happen. Now when I say transition offense some people might think that I mean run a fast break every time. I don’t. What I mean is getting a rebound and push the basketball up the floor so that the Celtics won’t be able to have a set defense. By not having a defense set up and keeping the pressure on, you might have mismatches, you might be able to draw fouls, and your chance for an easy bucket increases greatly against a team like Boston. Now does that mean that I don’t want to see the Sixers run a fast break every chance they get? Of course not, in fact I want to see them run a fast break whenever they can. If the Sixers can get close to 20 points on the fast break, they will give themselves a great chance to win this game (and any game against Boston). If the Sixers get 15+ fast break points they will be fine, if they score 10 or less than the advantage is with Boston.

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TSP Poll: Will the Sixers or Celtics Win?

May 19th, 2012 by Leo | Comments Off on TSP Poll: Will the Sixers or Celtics Win? | Filed in Basketball, Polls, Sixers

Who will Win???

Game 4 of the Sixers-Celtics series was a must win for the Sixers.  The game was an emotional roller-coaster for the Sixers fans.  Going from a miserable 23% shooting percentage in the 1st quarter and trailing 15 points at the half to a dramatic come from behind victory winning by 9 points.  The final score was a 92-83 win for the Sixers.  The series in now tied at 2-2.  Game 5 will be played May 21 at 7pm in Boston.

UPDATE: 

Game 5 – Boston dominated with a 101 – 85 win   Game 6 – Sixers showed it’s not over with a 82-75 win

Game 7 will decide it all and will be played May 26th in Boston.  Who do you think will win now?? (more…)

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Garnett, Rondo Lead Celtics To Game 3 Win

May 18th, 2012 by Sam Shipley | Comments Off on Garnett, Rondo Lead Celtics To Game 3 Win | Filed in Basketball, General, Sixers

Celtics take Game 3

The Sixers came into Game 3 with a golden opportunity, they had a chance to take a 2-1 lead on the Boston Celtics in the series. That wasn’t the case last night. Boston came out firing last night as they shot 52% from the field, and they never let up. Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo had 23 points, 14 assists, and 6 rebounds. Paul Pierce also chipped in with 24 points as the Celtics won 107-91.

The first quarter was good and bad for the Sixers. They won the first quarter 33-28, and they really were shooting the ball very well. However, all of their scoring might have been a bad thing since it seemed that they were expecting a shootout instead of playing any kind of defense. They failed to get into transition last night, while Boston seemed to be the team that was constantly pushing the basketball up the floor. The Sixers looked completely flat after that 1st period once Boston began to make a run. They just seemed to give up on both sides of the ball, as Boston outscored Philly by 28 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

The lack of defense really showed, every shot seemed to fall for the Celtics because they had the Sixers scrambling on defense and all of thier looks seemed to be clean. From late in the 1st quarter through most of the 3rd quarter the Celtics shot a insane 26-34 from the field, which is good for 74% over a 2 quarter period. If you allow a team to shoot like that, in your own building none the less, then yes you deserve to lose the game.

Kevin Garnett constantly had open jump-shots from about 18 feet which has been his money shot his entire career. He made that shot consistently last night, because of the inability of Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand to rotate back on the same exact play they ran all game long for Garnett. The only player who seems to have a answer for Garnett is rookie Lavoy Allen. Garnett shoots 71% when Lavoy is not on him, but just 47% when Lavoy is on him.

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Keys To Game 2: Sixers vs. Celtics

May 15th, 2012 by Sam Shipley | Comments Off on Keys To Game 2: Sixers vs. Celtics | Filed in Basketball, General, Sixers

Game 1 proved to be a tough game for the Sixers. They had Boston right where they wanted them as they jumped out to an early lead and took the crowd out of the game. However, Boston’s leadership and veterans proved to be to much for the young Sixers. Coming into Game 1 when Boston trailed by 13 or more this season they were 1-22, however they made that 2-22 on Saturday.

The keys to Game 2 remain the same to be honest.

Transition Offense: The Sixers did a great job getting out and running the floor early in Game 1 which helped the Sixers get off to a nice start. However, as the game went on they began to settle into a half court offense and settled for long jump shots which allowed Boston to get back into the game. Tonight, they will need to keep the pressure on the Celtics all game. The Sixers are at their best when they get out and run, and the Celtics are surely at their worst so it makes sense for the Sixers to continue to push the basketball. I think if they Sixers get about 25 fast break points tonight they win this game. They scored just 13 fast break points the other night and lost by 1, so if they can make it easier on themselves and get a few more easy buckets this game won’t be as difficult.

Rebounding: The rebounding battle was actually a big improvement from the Chicago series. The Sixers were only out rebounded by four, compared to the 15-25 rebound differential they faced against the Bulls. If they continue to rebound the same way, it will really give opportunities to get out and run. I would like to see Lavoy Allen get some more minutes tonight, he is very physical down low and can really help the Sixers grab some of those 50-50 balls.

Turnovers: Turnovers were actually pretty good for the Sixers on Saturday, as they finished right on their season average at 11. They forced Boston to commit just 13, so that is the area I would like to see improved. If the Sixers can force the Celtics to commit about 16-18 turnovers I think that will help the Sixers greatly by being able to get easy baskets and also frustrate Boston on the offensive end.

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Series Preview: Sixers vs. Celtics

May 13th, 2012 by Sam Shipley | 2 Comments | Filed in Basketball, General, Sixers

Here We Go!

The Sixers and Celtics will square off in an Eastern Conference Semifinal match-up after both teams won their first series 4-2, respectively. The Sixers downed the Chicago Bulls, while the Celtics knocked off the Atlanta Hawks. The two teams met 3 times this season, as the Sixers went 2-1 against their rival. Boston, however, won the last meeting of the season.

Key Match-up: Andre Iguodala vs. Paul Pierce.

Much like last series, Andre Iguodala is the key in this series. He will need to bring it on both sides of the floor, especially when it comes to defense. Paul Pierce is the Celtics best offensive player, and Andre will need to play the same type of defense he played on Luol Deng. He will need to contest every shot, make Pierce feel uncomfortable, and to not allow Pierce to get to his spots on the floor. When it comes to offense, I would like to see Iggy’s points come from attacking the basket, in transition, and shooting 3’s when he is open. Andre will also need to continue to drive, draw the defense, and kick out to the open players on the wings to create easy shots for the other players. Pierce has been a Sixer killer his whole career, and he knows how to be a huge impact come playoff time. If Andre can bring his “A game” he will give the Sixers a better chance to pull off yet another upset. If not, well, this could be a rather long series for the Sixers.

X-Factor: Jrue Holiday

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