Adversity is a funny thing, you either rise to it or you succumb to it. Sixers have had a solid season overall, filled with highs and lows. Though for the first time all a year they face real adversity. They now trail the Celtics by a game in the Atlantic and they have dropped to 7th seed. Umm, that either means they will face the Bulls or Miami again.
By the way, that Wizards game was easily the worst game of the year bar none. Collins has said in the past few weeks that the Sixers have had an odd disconnect to their team right now on the court. Watching that Wizards game, he is exactly right.
Since starting the season 20-9 they have gone 8-14 since. You can see them whining about calls on the court more than normal, especially, Spencer Hawes. That is first sign of a team in disarray. They start looking at the refs, like it is their fault for the play on the court. Listen, I will be the first one to tell you that the referring is at all-time worst in the NBA. Still, no excuse though.
This last month we will find out about this young team. What I am hoping for is Turner, Thad and Jrue to lead the way. Not Brand and Iguodala, they are not the future of this team. It should be really interesting to see if the Sixers can recapture the Atlantic division. Sixers have 13 games left and 5 of them coming against winning teams. Celtics have 14 games left and 10 games are against winning teams, including 6 straight games against Spurs, Bulls, Pacers, Sixers, Miami and Hawks. The Knicks have 12 games left and 7 games against the winning teams. Though with Lin, who could be out for the rest of the year and Amare out until the playoffs hurts them. With the way the schedule is set-up they have a shot of recapturing the division though Boston is going to make them earn it.
They did answer right back with a solid win over the Hawks. The Sixers improved to 2-18 in games when they trail going into the fourth. They need that badly, especially against a winning team. Now factoring in the lost to Miami last night the Sixers are now 12-19 against teams with a winning record. If the Sixers can win the division they have a shot of getting out of the first round. If they don’t, they will most likely be one and done.
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