Matchup:

• Philadelphia 76ers vs. New Jersey Nets

Score:

• 83 - 85, 76ers Lose

Summary of The Game:

• Man was I right on the sloppy game.  The Nets came out strong behind a career day from rookie Brook Lopez.  The Sixers took control in the 3rd quarter with a 14-0 run, and then followed that up with a stretch of 18 missed shots in the 4th quarter.  18 STRAIGHT 4TH QUATER MISSES.  Sixers are by no means good enough to pull out a win shooting like that in crunch time.  Nets D came up big in the final two minutes, and Lou Will and both the Andre’s had chances to tie the game.

Keys of The Game:

• Devin Harris and Vince Carter came into the game averaging a combined 43 ppg, the highest combined average of any NBA backcourt combo.  The Sixers did a good job of handling the two, limiting them to 24 total points as Carter turned his ankle in the 3rd quarter and did not return.
• The Sixers staff clearly has a better handle on the health of the Sixers frontcourt than I, as Dalember ended up playing 15 minutes and Brands roll actually decreased as he posted only 5 points and 9 boards in 18 minutes.  Not only were the bigmen ineffective offensively, but allowed Brook Lopez to absolutely go off.
• Did I mention 18 straight missed shots to end the game?

SOB of The Game:

• Brook Lopez - A career line of 24 points, 17 boards, and four blocks in 38 minutes.  Although Dalember and Brand were in there, they clearly weren’t 100% and allowed the rookie to dominate.

Full Box Score:

On Comcast now, Sixers (23-22) vs. NJ Nets (20-27).  This is the 2nd of a 7 game home streak for the 76ers, which got off to a good start last night vs. the lowly Washington Wizards.

Keys of The Game:

• Slow the Nets dangerous backcourt tandem of Vince Carter & 1st time All-Star Devin Harris
• Strong defense allows the Sixers to get out and RUN!
• Elton Brand back in starting lineup following Samuel Dalembert’s ankle injury.  How will he react to the increased workload?

I expect a fairly sloppy, back and forth game that the Sixers should be able pull out a win to avenge the 84 - 95 loss from back in the Mo Cheeks era.

Thaddaddy of These Young'ins

Second year forward Thaddeus Young has been selected to participate in the NBA’s Rookie vs. Sophomore game, which will take place 2/13/09.  Young earned to nod by putting up solid numbers thus far in 08-09, averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Sixers rookie Marreese Speights was not as fortunate, and was snubbed from the rookie team.  Speights has averaged only 15 minutes/game, but has put up 7.9 points, 3.9 and .9 blocks per game.

Full rosters below:

Insert Picture of Hank Baskett below.

See, this is more fun than sports!

In slightly Eagles-related news, ex-Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson is currently filming her own reality show.  The show will center around her engagement to Eagles WR Hank Baskett and their upcoming marriage.

SOB’s out there, which reality show will be more popular, Kendra & Hank or TO & friends(aka publicists)?

I've Concocted a Blitz for You!

Following an extended period of remission, Eagles Defensive Coordinator and Mastermind Jim Johnson has been diagnosed with melanoma.

Jim is the embodiment of Eagles football, and the staff at SportsOnBroad.com as well as the entire SOB nation wish Jim a speedy recovery.

I Need Money, from the cinematic masterpiece "How High"

Superbowl or no Superbowl, the Eagles front office knows their going to sell out every single game.

During one of the worst economic downturns in modern US history, the Eagles have announced a $5 increase in ticket prices across the board, with a $10 increase on lower-level end zone tickets.

Games, jerseys and merchandise will continue to sell out, even as the team continues to sell out in big game after big game.  Only we can break this vicious cycle Eagles fans…

The Eagles have announced that Darren Howard “successfully” underwent abdominal surgery at Hahnemann University Hospital on 1/28/09.  Although the exact injury was not disclosed, we assume that it was a sports hernia, as the same doctor performed similar surgeries on McNabb and LJ Smith.

Howard had a strong ‘08 campaign, posting his first 10 sack season since 2004 when he was a member of the New Orleans Saints.  However, this injury may have played a roll in Howard’s invisible playoff performance:

• Wildcard Game vs. MIN - 0 tackles, 0 sacks
• NFC Divisional Game vs. NYG - 1 tackle, 0 sacks
• NFC Championship Game vs. ARI - 1 tackle, 0 sacks

Judging by the recovery time of other Eagles who have undergone surgery to repair a sports hernia, we expect Howard to be back and ready to contribute in ‘09.

Full audio from D Mac’s 1/30/09 interview on ESPN Radio.  McNabb seems upbeat, focused, and ready to take the Birds to Miami in 2010(09).

I talked to the fans, especially early on in my career, I told them that I would bring a Super Bowl back to Philadelphia.  We got so close, and we got close this year, and I want to do that.  I want to bring that back to Philadelphia because they deserve it.

You’re damn right we do, Donovan.

5’s contract situation continues to come up in interviews, and the media will continue to push this to the forefront as the ‘09 season approaches.  McNabb seems to think there is uncertainty, but really, the man is under contract for the next two years.

• 2009 Cap Number - $10,373,386
• 2010 Cap Number - $10,006,720

Going by Banner’s comments to date, the Eagles front office seems content to give McNabb another shot at leading the team to a championship in 2009 at current salary levels.  If he’s hurt or falls short again, that one remaining year on the current contract will allow Banner to test the trade market prior to cutting McNabb.  Where’s the leverage?

Earlier tonight I posted some baseless trade speculation saying the Sixers should inquire about obtaining the Suns’ Amare Stoudemire by trading Elton Brand.  Well, I think I may have pissed him off with that post, because Elton turned in one of his better all around games of the season tonight in the Sixers’ 95-93  win over the Rockets.  Brand came off the bench to chip in 14 points, 7 rebounds, and a season high 6 blocks in 26 minutes.  That’s some pretty solid production off the bench.  It’s not $82 million solid, but its a nice improvement over the 0 point, 3 rebound showing Brand had Monday in the loss to the Hornets.

Overall tonight was a pretty nice win for the Sixers.  They trailed most of the game, but caught fire in the 4th quarter for the two point win over a pretty respectable Houston team that was playing with its Big 3 (Ron Artest, Yao Ming, and Tracey McGrady) for the first time in almost a month.  Andre Igoudola led the Sixers with 20 points.

Thadeus Young saw his minutes decline despite getting another start thanks to Brand’s increased minutes and a bit of foul trouble.  Young played 41 minutes Monday but saw just 27 minutes on the court tonight while committing 5 fouls.

Brand wasn’t the only Sixer to come up big off the bench.  Lou Williams scored 17 points and dished out a 6 assists.

The Sixers are back to .500 now with a 7 game home stand to close out the first half of the season.

Now, who should I piss off before Friday’s game to ensure we beat the Pacers?

That's Amare? Is there a better PF not named Josh Smith for the Sixers system?

Mr. Stefanski, it seems as though you guys are open to trading this summer’s big free agent acquisition Elton Brand according to some internet reports.  If that is indeed the case, I know of a team out in Phoenix that is open to trading their star power forward as well.

Think about it for a second.  How many other power forwards out there are a better fit for what the Sixers want to do than Amare Stoudemire?  He’s big, young, and can run the floor.  He would fit in perfectly with the Andre’s, Sammy D, and the rest of the crew.  With Brand in the East, the Sixers could also play him some at center allowing them to work Thadeus Young and Marreese Speights at the power forward position.

For the Suns, pairing Brand with Shaq would be a good mix as well and would give them a dominant low post pressence.

Of course, considering the age difference between Brand and Stoudemire, the Sixers would have to sweeten the deal a little bit so throw in a pick or two and get it done.  I wouldn’t even be opposed to the Sixers dangling Brand and one of those young power forwards as bait for Amera and maybe a guard that can hit some 3’s.  Steve Kerr is not against making crazy trades which may or may not blow up in his face (see last year’s Shaq for Shawn Marion deal) so get on the phone and see if we can’t make this happen.

By the way Ed, if you do this, you better have a second fan appreciation night this year because there will be a lot of Sixers fans with useless #42 jerseys.