Not to go all Sports Guy on you here, but if you'll allow me to indulge myself, I'm going to write for a few moments about the NBA, and specifically the Philadelphia 76ers upset win last night versus the Detroit Pistons.
Before we start, I know there's a lot of anti-NBA sentiment out there and frankly, I get it. I watch far more college hoops than I do the pros, but if you watched ANY of the Western Conference games this weekend and fail to recognize how good these players and these games are, you're in denial. The Suns-Spurs affair Saturday afternoon was basketball at it's absolute zenith, played the way the game is meant to be played. I'm not saying you have to like the NBA, but if you tuned out in the late 1990s and like basketball, it's time to take another look. Besides, it's the playoffs, these guys are playing for something now.
Also, if that's not enough to entice you, if you loved those Loyola Marymount teams from the Bo Kimble/Hank Gathers era, watch the Denver Nuggets play - I've seen arena football teams play more D than they do. Their defense makes the French Army in World War II seem tough by comparison.
With that rant out of the way, on to my regularly scheduled post. CuseAdelphia already has good write up on the game, but in case you missed it - and let's be honest, you did - the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons last night, 90-86.
The Sixers overcame a 15 point second half deficit to beat the Pistons and take a 1-0 series lead. The game was played in front of 22,000 people, all of whom had their hands amputated prior to the game. Well done Piston's fans, I haven't seen a crowd roll over like that since the Russian's began cheering for Rocky in Rocky IV.
Since you can get full recaps of what happened on the game elsewhere on the interwebs and since lists are fun and easy to do , let's look at the good and bad of last night's game from a Philadelphia perspective:
Reasons Why the Sixers Should be Excited
* They are the first lower seeded team to win in the playoffs.
* Andre Iguodala didn't have a great game - he can play a lot better.
* So can Samuel Dalembert.
* Andre Miller had a monster second half, if he plays like that for the entire game, Chauncey Mr. "It's been a long time since I've made a" Big Shot, will wear down chasing him around.
* Thaddeus Young is 19 years old, playing in his first play off game - you could have fooled me, that kid has no fear.
* Flip Saunders and play off winner go together like beer and an AA meeting.
Reasons the Sixers Should be Concerned
* Reggie Evans had the game of his life Sunday - 11 points and 14 rebounds, something tells me he isn't doing that again. He's also sporting an insane beard that makes the package grabber seem even more wacky than he already is.
* Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton don't miss that many shots normally.
* Rasheed Wallace played great, but he also missed a lay up late - a fired up Rasheed Wallace isn't good for any opponent.
* The Sixers shoot free throws like the Memphis Tigers
* You just know Lindsey Hunter is going to get away with some BS defensive play and make a big shot in this series.
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