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Much like the knicks. The Hawks don't(they never did) have much in the way of offense generated from the post. Mike Bibby is generally done, he's their starter by default. Just stay home on the shooters(Something we've had tremendous difficulty of doing) and your frontcourt is gonna rape some more peeps today.

Sixers by 15+

This is gonna be a very tough game. Hawks have the best player (Johnson) imo and they looked great against the magic.

I am very interested to see the PF match-up of Brand v Smith. I am certain Smith is going to play with a chip on his shoulder (given all of the millions he lost when Philly decided to not give him an offer sheet.) Should be interesting to see who has the edge. I also would not be surprised to see Philly shift Brand to center ansd put Young on Smith- the only problem being it would leave match-up issues against either JJ or Marvin.

Should be a good early test.

Would love to see some Speights versus Horford matchups in this game but I doubt we'll get that opportunity.

STChaser

I just hope that the Sixers can at least contain JJ and stop Flip, who IMO was a very underrated offseason pickup for the Hawks.

Don't forget, the Sixers were really good with back-to-back wins last season....expecting a rather tight but exciting win.

nothing like a game against the knicks to help get your teams winning ways back on track - hawks lost a key bench player in Childress along with an aging Bibby - I cant wait to see brand vs smith to see whcih will perform better

sixers by 9

While I would LOVE to see another solid performance (AKA a blowout), I think this will be a close game that will be decided by 5 points on less. Despite what my gut is telling me, I'm going to go with me head hence...

My Prediction: Sixers by 3

By the way, since these game threads are "Around the League" threads as well.... how about that start in Clipperland for B-Diddy? First, the team gets DESTROYED in it's season opener and now, B-Diddy is injured yet another (he got banged up in the pre-season as well).

I'm telling you... it won't be long before Sterling orders that contract to be taken off of his books. Then again, do we really want a 29 year old PG with questionable health and a 5 year contract??

This Hawks team is like the Rays of the NBA this year, they're stacked from top to bottom with real NBA talent. I have a feeling this team is going to be a dynasty going down the road. For this game, us being on a back-to-back (even with the starters getting a rest) and the Hawks being off makes me think we come out of the gates fast but falter in the second half.

Hawks win by 10ish.

Wildfire wrote:This Hawks team is like the Rays of the NBA this year, they're stacked from top to bottom with real NBA talent. I have a feeling this team is going to be a dynasty going down the road. For this game, us being on a back-to-back (even with the starters getting a rest) and the Hawks being off makes me think we come out of the gates fast but falter in the second half.

Hawks win by 10ish.

I think you maybe have Atl confused with Portland?

Atl has talent, but not all NBA type talent.

Atlanta? All-NBA level talent? Maybe your confused about where their guys were picked:
Marvin Williams is a SF that never has, and probably never will live up to his #2 overall selection. I mean, Rashad McCants was a mid-round pick and he has had by far a more successful career. Williams will continue to average his usual 11/6.

Josh Smith: Is a major steal for a mid-round pick. But is still flawed at the PF position. If not for his blocks and freakish ability. Does he truly average 17 PPG with that lacking of a perimeter game? Unlikely. So let's put his talents and weaknesses into prospective.

Joe Johnson: Should be the PG of this team. Mike Bibby is as good as done and JJ is a big guard that can score on anybody he wants too.

Atlanta's bench always has been, one of the worst in basketball. No commentary.

This year's Rays are the Blazers. Provided Oden stays healthy.

Dedicated_76ers_fan wrote:Atlanta? All-NBA level talent? Maybe your confused about where their guys were picked:
Marvin Williams is a SF that never has, and probably never will live up to his #2 overall selection. I mean, Rashad McCants was a mid-round pick and he has had by far a more successful career. Williams will continue to average his usual 11/6.

hahaha, Rashad Mccants has had far better career then Marvin? Oh man!

Marvin--- 15 and 6 with solid defense on a playoff team...

Maccants--- 14 and 2 on a 15 win team...pleasee..

This is like saying that Nate Robinson is way better than Tayshaun prince.

Josh Smith: Is a major steal for a mid-round pick. But is still flawed at the PF position. If not for his blocks and freakish ability. Does he truly average 17 PPG with that lacking of a perimeter game? Unlikely. So let's put his talents and weaknesses into prospective.

We will see tonite.

Joe Johnson: Should be the PG of this team.

No he shouldn't in fact he plays much better with Bibby next to him.

Mike Bibby is as good as done and JJ is a big guard that can score on anybody he wants too.

Bibby has fallen off a lot but he can still play, i agree about JJ.

Atlanta's bench always has been, one of the worst in basketball. No commentary.

Yes, but this year we got few players who can score of the bench.

This year's Rays are the Blazers. Provided Oden stays healthy.

Agree Hawks made the playoffs last year so they can't be!

You need to cool off with these analysis cause your team may loose tonite and then you will feel like those cocky Magic fans.

Lose? To the Hawks? If we lost even one game to Atlanta. I would temper my expectations for this team. Atlanta won't make the playoffs, I can guarantee that.

Dedicated_76ers_fan wrote:Lose? To the Hawks? If we lost even one game to Atlanta. I would temper my expectations for this team. Atlanta won't make the playoffs, I can guarantee that.

Boy did that win against "future champs" Knicks pumped you up or what. I expect a close game that can go either way though.

You can only play who your schedule gives you. And the fact is, is that the Hawks are no where near Philadelphia's depth both offensively and defensively on the front-lines. If we run and slow the game down. This will be another NY Knicks game.

As a Hawks fan i am not too worried about Brand. Smith has given him problems in the past. My main concern is Miller who lit us up last year. He averaged 22 ppg shooting 53% against us. That is just a joke.

I agree that Bibby is done. Every now and then he will get hot but for the most part he blows.

Agreed, that a perimeter forward like Smith would give Brand trouble. Especially because of his leaping ability. And that stat points back to what we agree on. Bibby blows. But how has ACIE Law looked? Is he a capable point? If he turns out to be. Atlanta would have actually had a good draft night for once addressing two positions(Center and PG).

Dedicated_76ers_fan wrote:Agreed, that a perimeter forward like Smith would give Brand trouble. Especially because of his leaping ability. And that stat points back to what we agree on. Bibby blows. But how has ACIE Law looked? Is he a capable point? If he turns out to be. Atlanta would have actually had a good draft night for once addressing two positions(Center and PG).

Hard to say about Acie. Last year each time he started to look good he got hurt. He gets to the basket well but he has looked pretty tentative at times and has struggled with his jumper. The jury is still out

The Sixers need to start routinely beating teams before we can dismiss them.