After defeating the Boston Celtics 89-86 in Philly last Friday night to avenge a disheartening 102-101 home loss in December, are the 76ers out of line for rubbing it in Celtics fans’ faces by essentially boasting, ”Thanks for coming. Please come back and get another *ss whooping in the Playoffs?”
True, the Philadelphia 76ers are arguably one of the NBA’s hottest teams, winning 31 out of 50, going 14-7 since the the end of January, and emerging victorious in 7 out of their last 10. With their improved play, the young Sixers have crept up into the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, with a commanding 6 game cushion between themselves and the 8th position. But they clearly aren’t yet on the same level as the Celtics, who are clinging the the East’s best overall record. What does all of this mean for Philadelphia?
It clearly means that basketball is back for a once proud franchise that has won 3 World Championships, but despite the Allen Iverson led squad that made an improbable run as NBA bridesmaids in 2001, hasn’t even sniffed a title since Dr J threw down a vicious Rock the Cradle dunk over Michael Cooper enroute to winning the 1983 NBA Title.
While this cast of characters is led by journeyman coach Doug Collins and features one of the youngest rosters in the entire league led by Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, and Andre Iguodala, they are apparently trying to drum up the old Philadelphia/Boston rivalry that annually pitted players like Erving/Malone/Cheeks against Bird/Parish/McHale. After all, during the late 70’s and early 80’s, the two powerhouse squads participated in the league’s 2nd most popular rivalry outside of the Lakers vs Celtics.
I get it. I’m as proud as the next guy that the Sixers are finally turning things around and are heading in the right direction but until they get out from under the bloated long term contracts of Elton Brand and Iggy, they are still a ways off from it being OK to poke the Celts with a stick. Come Playoff time, more times than not, you reap what you sow.
Check out Iguodala’s game clinching lay-up over Garnett to seal the win:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
