Monday, March 19, 2012

Philly's Forgotten

If you consider yourself an NBA junkie (hand raised), you don't need much schooling to be reminded of the fact that there are probably at least a dozen storylines that are considered to be more compelling in this lockout-shortened 2011-12 season than the resurgence of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Even within the borders of the City of Brotherly Love alone, a winning collection of pro roundballers seems to fall squarely into that fourth-place slot in terms of fan interest in the city's four professional sports franchises, regardless of how the other three are performing at any given time.

This has always confused me, especially since Philly's blue-collar, small-town-feel-for-a-big-city ethos has always been more closely identified with basketball than any other sport. There are a myriad of successful scholastic programs and The Big 5 for college hoops. And basketball fans in Philadelphia generally are amongst some of the most passionate and knowledgeable you'll find anywhere.



But when we graduate up to the 76ers, the level of enthusiasm wanes to a degree certainly worthy of mention. Most Sixers fans who aren't anywhere near ready to apply for their AARP card have a fairly linear, bulletpoint mental roadmap of the organization dating back the last few decades, and most of those roadmaps will go something like this:

* World champions in 1983. How about that Dr. J and Moses Malone!

* The post-'83 championship Barkley years ('85-'92). Always entertaining, but unfortunately, not title-producing.

* Allen Iverson. Came into the organization in the mid 90s. A true game-changer. Gave everything he had to the city, represented Philadelphia's 'chip-on-its-shoulder' intensity and even led the Sixers to an NBA Finals series where they were simply outclassed and lost to the L.A. Lakers (2000-01 season) in the midst of Hollywood's title three-peat on the heels of the dominant Shaq-Kobe combo.

* Everything that's happened since Iverson left the team. Wait, didn't they make the playoffs a few times or something? When did they lose Sam Dalembert? Do they still have Elton Brand? Damn, how old is that guy now, anyway?

And there you have it.

But as an individual who has fully bought into what the NBA is all about over these past few years, it's worth noting that the 2011-12 Sixers are currently 25-20, sitting at fourth place in the current Eastern Conference rankings and possess a one-and-a-half game lead of the first place spot in the Atlantic Division standings.



Sure, the team can't claim a marquee superstar player on its roster. And yes, even the most diehard fan would have to admit they're quite a longshot to realistically contend for a championship with this current lineup.

But as long as they're winning more games than losing, there is definitive hope at the very least. Right now, that's got to mean something.

What I like probably most about these Sixers is that they're a pure manifestation of 'team basketball.' This dynamic of "no individual rises above the team" materializes much more naturally with the lack of a tried-and-true superstar. And in most other pro sports, this dynamic is not only helpful, but necessary, to make it all the way to the top.

But the NBA might be the one exception in which holding up any trophy that means a whole lot is virtually impossible unless you have at least 1-2 of those 'superstars' on your squad. And anyone who's plugged into the NBA these days is well aware of the guys who make up that short list of about 10-20 players. They don't even need a full-name mention.

Kobe. D-Wade. Durant. LeBron. Nowitzki. Duncan. Chris Paul (okay, he has a short name anyway). Dwight. D-Wil. D-Rose. Blake.

You get the idea.

Who's the biggest name on Philly's roster this year? Hmm. Andre Iguodala is nice, don't get it twisted. He's averaging 12.4 points per game and leads the team in assists (5.6) and steals (1.9). But does anyone really think he's spearheading a championship effort? And I love Iggy, but people don't really put him in that class of players mentioned above.



Who else do we have? I'll tell you what - these Sixers have a lethal backcourt. Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday, splitting time running the point, are the two scoring leaders (15.7 and 13.7 ppg, respectively). Thaddeus Young and Brand, along with Iggy and the newly-acquired Sam Young (thank you Memphis!), give the team some nice depth at the forward position. You can argue that an upgrade at center would probably do them good - Spencer Hawes certainly isn't bad, but unfortunately there's only a handful of truly dominant big men in the game, and none of them are wearing a Philly jersey this season.

My favorite current stat? Sixers are in first place in the NBA in points allowed per game, allowing just 87.8. You heard me, son. Sixers' D is ill, and not in a bad way. And they even have a nice nucleus of young-to-mid-career guys (Williams, Holiday, Hawes, T. Young, Iggy, Evan Turner -- ET brings more depth in the backcourt, by the way). But that's also part of the problem. The only veteran of real significance is Brand, who most are likely to say hasn't lived up to the potential that an overall No. 1 pick would suggest (taken first by Chicago in the 1999 draft).

And so we arrive at the two stakes in the heart of the Sixers' championship aspirations. The lack of a superstar or two, and the undeniable sting felt by not having a few veterans who have shouldered their share of playoff-time bumps and bruises. Even masterful intangibles/motivator head coach Doug Collins can't compensate for some of these shortcomings.



So the ceiling for the Sixers' organization as it currently exists is probably a first-round playoff series victory. But it would take quite a combination of playing-above-their-heads magic and collapse-worthy crap-tasticness from their opponent to see them advance beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals at this point.

I can see them winning a first-round best-of-seven series against the likes of Indiana or Atlanta. Possibly even the Knicks. But once we venture into that Miami-Chicago-Orlando territory, things get decidedly dicey. And here's where that 'superstar' factor comes into play. Awesome defense and all, can Philly stop Dwight Howard, or Derrick Rose, or Miami's Big Three in crucial playoff moments when it matters? Furthermore, from whom are the Sixers getting crunch-time points? Who's going to not be rattled on this team when a big moment is on the line?

Speaking of which, in case you were wondering, the Sixers are 22nd in the league in points per game (94.1). That's a number that has to improve.

In the capitalist society that is the modern world of the NBA, you need a few one percenters to move mountains.

Sixers, until you can lure those rock crushers into the fold, I'm afraid you're destined for NBA playoff purgatory. Not quite good enough to slay the giants, but not bad enough to land a lottery draft pick either.

Soldier on, men. You never know when weaknesses in the enemy will be presented, and you have to strike like Andy Reid on a complimentary cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's when they do.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Perhaps a few more words about those NBA one-percenters, eh?

The NBA Royalty this year isn't looking all that different than it would in most other seasons. Conventional wisdom suggests that the East is going to be taken by either Chicago or Miami. Even though the crown seems to be the Heat's for the taking, it would be most unwise to count out a fiercely determined and talented Derrick Rose, Chicago's tenacious defense and aggressively physical style of play. Oh and that small matter of LeBron pulling a disappearing act in the fourth quarter during playoff games. But who's noticed that, am I right?

Orlando is also lurking. Don't forget, it was The Big O that made the finals three years ago when LeBron and Cleveland were prohibitive favorites to win the East. And now that Dwight Howard has ended the 'Will-he-or-won't-he' drama by letting the trade deadline pass without joining a new organization, it's clear that he's fully committed to The Magic for at least one more calendar year. There's no telling what could happen.



Out West, it's a crap shoot. No, I'm serious. All NBA players from the Western Conference are in Vegas playing craps as we speak.

Okay, maybe not. But seriously, anyone can win the West this year. By all accounts, Oklahoma City has the best overall team - and their record backs it up.

But as we know, experience counts to an immeasurable degree when playoff time rolls around. The crafty old guard that is the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs will not go quietly into the night (what Memphis did to the Spurs last year -- an 8-seed upsetting a 1-seed in the first round -- has only ever happened a couple times for a reason).

Dallas holds the prize, but has often not looked like it at various points this year. In a Grantland.com podcast interview preceding the All-Star game last month, Dirk Nowitzki himself admitted it took him longer to get his legs this year than in any other season, due primarily to the lockout-affected training schedule plus the fact that he jumped right into Olympic trials in the summer of 2011 just weeks after leading the Mavericks to an exhausting NBA championship run. And there's also that not-so-minor matter of Lamar Odom seeming to be a lost soul ever since the Lakers kicked him to the curb. Dallas needs a big effort from Lamar if they want to repeat. He was more crucial to the Lakers' two titles in '09-'10 than many people recognize.

When you throw in the Chris-Paul led Clippers and young-gun teams like Memphis and Denver, you're going to have a Western Conference playoffs that promises to be as memorable as the day that Peyton Manning booted Tim Tebow (aka 'Touchdown Jesus') out of Denver, Colorado. God Bless the Broncos for their transgression.

Don't worry Peyton, they say it's a 'dry' heat.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Mixed Bag of Goodies

In the immortal words of Robert Plant, 'It's been a long time since I rock and rolled, uhhh-uh!'

So let's dump the foreplay this time and get right to the good stuff. There's all kinds of shit going on, so stay strapped in, and remove your valuables before boarding. I will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items. Or for how much money you piss away on that ridiculous Super Bowl XVLI prop bet.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BITCHES!

Okay, I'm a little late on this one. But whatever. Apparently, 2011 sucked for almost everyone I know. Is a better day on the horizon? We'll see.

I guess it all depends on job creation and the economy. And taxes. You know, the stuff that affects us everyday, trying-to-get by people.

I don't want to get too political here or anything - as an old friend once said to me, arguing religion or politics is like debating stuff on the Internet ... nobody really wins or loses, and in the end, everyone is still retarded. But I will say that I can't remember a time when I've been as fed up with the 'party system' as I am now. It's just a lot of division (and not the kind you learn about in grade school) and side-choosing, and less about working together to get shit done. Rich, poor, employed, jobless, whatever - we are all in this mess together. I don't give a damn about Democrat or Republican. I care about opportunities - and so should everyone else. The chance to get what you want through hard work. Wouldn't it be nice that it all should be that simple.

But as we know, not so.

However, if we should be lucky enough to see politicians stop tearing each other down and actually getting some good ideas pushed through the logjam, maybe we can at least enjoy some advantages of change that will bring about more lucrative financial times for everyone.

I will now step off this entirely too-high soapbox and stop wondering if I might see a one-legged flying unicorn anytime soon, because the odds of that are about the same as actually believing that any of the fantasy-land stuff I just typed above might happen.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

A couple months ago, I wrote about how I’m okay without a Division I college football playoff.

I don’t want to completely retract that statement, but the all-SEC party that shut the door on a more-than-deserving Oklahoma State team in the national championship game left a nasty taste on my buds. Is a plus-one a viable solution? In some years, that would do it. But not every year.

A playoff isn’t perfect either. Some of the regular-season matchups would become a bit watered-down, and there would still be teams crying foul about not getting in no matter how many you include (happens every year with the NCAA Basketball Tournament, and they let 65 teams in). The fact is, if you can’t totally appreciate the pure intensity of the regular-season games, you just don’t fully buy into what Division I-A college football is all about. And that’s okay – this isn’t meant as a criticism. It’s just unlike any other sport because of this. The uniqueness is part of what separates it so distinctly though.

The huge downside? Almost every year, we get an ‘Oklahoma State’ situation that makes us contemplate the fact that a team possibly strong enough to be a national champion is left on the other side of the partition. How do we reconcile this without a playoff? We don’t. The easy answer – and I know everyone hates it – is don’t lose in the regular season. And come from a major conference. And be a school of major consequence with a national fan base that’s always in the media spotlight.

I don’t love it any more than you do, but it’s part of the deal. Money talks, everything else takes a long-ass hike down the path of ‘who cares.’ It’s nobody’s fault that a championship game between TCU and Boise State just doesn’t generate as much buzz as a Michigan-Alabama title game would, but it’s the world we live in. For the on-the-fence guys that want to hang with the big dogs, do everything you can to get into a major conference and make people pay attention by beating said big dogs. It’s not necessarily easily accomplished, but that’s how to take down the 1 percent that is major college football institutions. Having said that, I would have rather seen Oklahoma State somehow get a chance without Alabama necessarily being shut out either. The current system doesn’t allow that though. Better luck next year for a more ideal outcome.

Another huge college football-related story has been the Jerry Sandusky child-abuse allegations story and the firing, and not long after, death of legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno.

I’ll try to be somewhat brief about this one, but we all have a natural tendency to glorify any well-known figure, be it celebrity, musician, athlete or otherwise, in the wake of their passing. I don’t completely love this, but I get why it happens.

Let’s just say, my main takeaway from the last months of Joe Paterno’s life and demise is simply that it’s the most powerful reminder imaginable that literally any person is capable of demonstrating contradictory sets of values.

It’s easy for us to think that almost anyone we meet or perceive in the public eye is either generally ‘good’ or generally ‘bad’ – when in reality, neither simple characterization is really even close to accurate (get to know Walter White from Breaking Bad and you’ll really understand this).

Paterno was a loyalist to the Penn State community who molded generations of college football players into fine young men, donated millions to the institution that employed him for decades, and was by all accounts a wonderful, salt-of-the-earth guy who lived in a modest home and didn’t hide from people by playing up his larger-than-life celebrity.

This is all true.

But it wouldn’t be right to ignore the fact that he was also a guy who took the minimum amount of action or responsibility for the investigation of some allegedly horrific actions that were being committed by another member of the Penn State community, and there are many who would suggest that he did this more out of concern for his own record-setting legacy and less because he was ‘confused’ or wasn’t sure ‘what to do.’ You don’t achieve the level of success that this man did without being savvy, and to not know that it would have been advantageous to report child abuse allegations to every local law enforcement agency, as well as to social services, instead of to just leave it in the hands of those who would be more likely to want to protect the name of the PSU Institution, is wholly unbelievable.

That’s like finding a piece of glass or plastic in your food in a restaurant and only telling the manager or owner of the place. He doesn’t want it to get out that his food isn’t completely safe or sanitary, right? What do you think he’s going to do? Schmooze you with a free meal or buy you a few drinks on the house, and hope you don’t tell anyone else. If you want something to get done about it, you go tell the Better Business Bureau of whatever local watchdog group is out there making sure that establishments serving food are up to snuff in the regulations department. You might prevent some other poor bastards from slicing up their gums while they’re just trying to enjoy a bowl of the French Onion soup.

Well for the purposes of this analogy, JoePa found a piece of glass in his food, told the manager and then left it alone. It just wasn’t worth the trouble to him. He had his eye on a bigger prize.

Does this outweigh all the good that he did? Of course not. But it will be difficult for me to think about his overall body of work and his life and career as a whole without recognizing that he was generally a good guy who was at one time guilty of making a few bad decisions that likely led to the continued pain and suffering of several others. By the way, he’s far from the only one who didn’t blow the whistle when it should have been, but he is the only one who’s the face of such a well-known institution. It comes with the territory, unfortunately.

THE SUPER BOWL

Nothing like putting in a prediction about an hour away from kickoff!

As an Eagles fan, I hate this matchup. The rich are getting richer no matter who wins. Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants are going for championship No. 4. Tom Brady and Eli Manning have both pretty much cemented their legend status (or in EM’s case, NEAR-legend status) for their respective organizations.

And this game is being played in the House that Peyton Built, which just creates for umpteen more storylines than we already have after the upset of all upsets that we saw in Super Bowl XLII four years ago, when the Giants’ ‘Helmet Catch’ ruined New England’s chance at a perfect season.

It seems like this was somewhat predetermined, right? Both conference championship games had one referee call that would have favored San Francisco and Baltimore in terms of a different outcome, but the calls went the way of New England and New York.

Lee Evans? That shit was a catch. The ball hit him in the numbers and it was well within his grasp. Whether that happens for two milliseconds or two full seconds, that’s a touchdown. But Sterling Moore reaches in there and knocks it out, and miraculously, the whistle hasn’t blown (where’s the goddamn whistle??) – and wow, look at that, it’s a strip. What??? In what universe is this acceptable? The Ravens just rolled over and took it up the poop chute on that one, too. Absolutely awful. But hey, Giants-Pats is much sexier than Giants-Ravens, or God forbid, 49ers-Ravens. I’m not saying the fix is in, but who didn’t want this rematch? You tell me.

In case you were wondering, the questionable call in the NFC Championship game was when Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled in the fourth quarter, but didn’t really fumble, because his forward progress was stopped so the play was whistled dead. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen that exact same play in a regular-season game and it’s ruled a fumble because the freaking player IS STILL UPRIGHT! The only time I see that b.s. ‘forward progress’ thing is when 6 guys are standing up a ball carrier and he’s clearly not getting out of the pile to break away for a huge gain. Not when a running back is trying to plow upfield, runs into a couple defenders and loses the ball and/or has the ball punched out. Unconscionably bad call.

We all wanted this matchup, I get it. No worries. But let’s not be afraid to call it like it is.

Now – as for SB XLVI? The Giants had a harder road here and have played better. They’re the favorite who’s not the favorite, because New England is a 3.5-point favorite as far as Vegas is concerned. But I can’t shake this feeling that the Pats are going to get their revenge, despite the fact that they are probably the inferior team. Who knows – they feel it’s their destiny, Belichick/Brady won’t be denied again, they’re doing this for the memory of Myra Kraft and there are more mysterious forces at work. The Giants’ blatant overconfidence can’t be good for the wheel of karma, either. Around these parts, people are talking like a Giants win has already happened.

But who knows. If N.Y.’s ferocious front four does its thing and Eli uncorks the passing game with Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, anything can happen. I just don’t know if Tom Brady is going to be punked on a big stage like that again.

The only reason I’ll pull for the Giants is because of fullback Henry Hynoski, a fellow graduate of my alma mater, Southern Columbia Area High School in Catawissa, Pa. This kid was an undrafted free agent who has been a major part of the offense this year, and is playing in the Super Bowl as a ROOKIE.

He came from a high school that graduates no more than 200 kids each year and is literally surrounded by cornfields. Football means everything where I’m from, but we rarely see players that have what it takes to make it on an NFL roster.

So to watch the story of Henry Hynoski unfold and to believe that you can’t get where you want to be in life is just silly. But as anyone would tell you, it won’t happen without some good old-fashioned ass-busting hard work. Here’s hoping the Hynocerous gets to call himself a Super Bowl champion. Besides, seeing a dejected Brady and Belichick lose another Super Bowl would just be too much fun.

Ultimately, it may all hinge on Rob Gronkowski’s ankle. If the big dude can play through the pain and get shit done, the Pats are going to be much tougher to stop. I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those ‘whoever has the ball last has the best chance to win’ type of deals. I really can’t imagine a blowout. Going to be a great one.

The head says New England, but the heart says Giants (simply because of Hynoski fellow Eagles fans, take it down a notch!).

I’m getting into the NBA next time, kids. The Sixers are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. I’m not making it up! Look at the standings!