SIxers on a Winning Streak

That's right, your Philadelphia 76ers have won back-to-back games for the first time since October. After winning in Portland earlier in the week, the Sixers took down the Kings in Sacramento 116-106. The Sixers took the lead for good in the 3rd quarter, thanks to Iverson's 11 points in the quarter. Lou Williams led the team with 22 and and Andre Iguodala finished with 19 points, 7 boards and 9 dimes. The Sixers look to extend their win streak tonight against the Clippers.

Brand Frustrated, Questions Effort of Teammates

Elton Brand seems to be frustrated, and he should be. The Sixers have underwhelmed all season and now sport a 7-21 record which is good for second to last in the conference. With the team's ping pong balls accumulating with each loss, Elton Brand has questioned the effort of his teammates, particularly one who is assumed to be Marreese Speights. The Sixers have been getting off to slow starts with Elton Brand coming off the bench lately. He doesn't understand coach Eddie Jordan's rotation, when Jordan allows people to play who don't "box out, rebound, weren't tough." This appears to be directed towards Speights. "Certain guys are on longer leashes than others, so they played longer and the mistakes were shown" he said. When Brand tipped in a Speights miss for the game winner against Boston, Brand said "Speights got the ball you knew he wasn't going to pass. He doesn't pass." 'Tis the season.

No Answer for Agent 0

The Sixers dropped another game tonight, this time to the Washington Wizards thanks to Gilbert Arenas who dropped 31 and 8, just two nights after dropping 45. Both teams, who figured to at least make the playoffs, and probably be significantly better in Washington, have just a combined 16 wins 2 days before Christmas. Elton Brand had a nice 18 and 12. AI missed another game and it is unknown whether he will be available for their next game in Utah the day after Christmas.

No Answer for Another Week

76ers coach Eddie Jordan said tonight that AI would not suit up again until at least Dec. 28th's game against Portland due to lingering knee issues Iverson is dealing with.

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Sixers Lose to Clippers, Yeah I Said It

In front of a crowd that would rival some high school games, the Sixers lost to the Clippers at the Wachovia Center amidst a snowstorm of epic proportions in Philly. After what we thought was a game-winning buzzer beater from Andre Iguodala was waved off, the Sixers never came off that high in OT. The Clippers won 112-107 behind 24 points from Chris Kaman, 20 and 13 dimes from Baron Davis and 22 boards from Marcus Camby. Marreese Speights led the Sixers in scoring with 28.

Brand Tips-in a W

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo.com Sports.

The Sixers took down the Boston Celtics in TD Banknorth Garden last night, ending the Celtics 11-game winning streak 98-97. The game was won on an Elton Brand tip-in with 7 seconds left. Brand finished the game with 23 points and 8 boards. The Sixers were without AI who has arthritis in his left knee and had it drained twice. KG led the C's with 21 and 10. The Sixers next game is at the Wachovia Center tonight against the Clippers.

Sixers Lose to the Cavs

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com.

After winning their first game in their last 13 games, the Sixers started another losing streak last night after dropping one to LeBron and the Cavs 108-101. LeBron dropped 36 points including a couple of clutch 3s in the closing minutes. The Sixers look to rebound at Boston tomorrow.

A Happier Time in Sixers Land

Amid a 12-game losing streak for our beloved Philadelphia 76ers and all the electricity and nostalgia surrounding AI's return nearly evaporated, I wanted to take Sixers fans back to the last time this team had the city of Philadelphia's attention. It was a great night in the summer of 2001 when for just one game, AI took down the Goliath known as the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the only highlight of the entire series for the Sixers but it is still a great memory for all fans. Enjoy the highlights.

Sidenote:

Brooks Extends Sixers Losing Streak to 12

The Sixers lost another close game, this time to the Houston Rockets 96-91. Aaron Brooks scored 16 points in the second half and sparked a 13-0 run for the Rockets in the 3rd quarter. Iguodala led the Sixers with 24 points and Iverson chipped in 20 with 12 of them coming in the 4th. The Sixers try and end the skid Monday against the Warriors at the Wachovia Center.

Sixers Skid Reaches 11

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com.

In game two of the Iverson 2.0 era, the Sixers dropped another game against a former Iverson team, the Detroit Pistons, and extended their current losing streak to 11 games. Iverson scored 11 points including the game-tying jumper with one minute left. Down two and with time expiring, Iverson passed to a WIDE OPEN Andre Iguodala who missed the potential game-winning three pointer. With no Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon, the Pistons pushed their record to 9-12 with the win behind 27 points from Rodney Stuckey. The Sixers, at 5-17, now have the third worst record in the NBA behind New Jersey and Minnesota. They hope to get a W in the next game against Houston tomorrow at the Wachovia Center.

Sixers Lose Another in Final Seconds

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com.

In the final game before the return of Allen Iverson on Monday, the 76ers squared off against the Bobcats in Charlotte. Raymond Felton hit the game winning layup driving coast-to-coast to put the Bobcats up 106-105. Andre Iguodala missed the potential game winner as time expired giving the Sixers their ninth straight defeat. Boris Diaw shredded the Sixers with 28 points, 5-of-6 from beyond the arc (10-of-12 overall). The Bobcats were coming off being the first team to lose to the New Jersey Nets in their last game. The Sixers return home on Monday to take on the Nuggets and add a very familiar face to their roster.

Sixers Lose to Thunder

Behind Kevin Durant's 33 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder handed the Sixers their 8th straight loss and dropping them to 2-9 on the road. Andre Iguodala had a nice game with 28 points, 6 boards and 5 dimes. The Sixers face Larry Brown and the Bobcats Saturday in Charlotte before coming home on Monday to take on the Nuggets and welcome back Allen Iverson.

Welcome Back

The Prodigal Son returns home. Not even 24 hours after the 76ers offered Allen Iverson a non-guaranteed contract for the rest of the 2009-10 season. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday night against the Denver Nuggets at the Wachovia Center.
In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs. (Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com)

The Final Answer?

The buzz in the sports world, and particularly Philadelphia, is the impending return of 76ers great Allen Iverson back to the team that drafted him in 1996. Reports are that a contract has been offered for a prorated value of the veteran minimum. There has not been a buzz about the 76ers in god knows how long, but this is definitely making some noise. Iverson is 2nd all-time in 76ers career points behind Hall of Famer Hal Greer. He is also 2nd in career steals. IF Iverson does indeed sign, expect to see a large initial jump in ticket sales for a team that currently ranks 29th in the NBA in attendance, and last in the NBA in terms of the building capacity being filled. The first opportunity 76ers fans will have to see Iverson is Monday night against the Denver Nuggets. Iverson is expected to give an answer some time within the next 24-48 hours. As a lifelong 76ers fan I am keeping my fingers crossed.