We can beat any team.

[carlos1223]

I know you're all gonna laugh in my face..but whatever. When we were on that hot streak I was convinced that we could beat anybody except Boston. Now that the streak has progressivley slowed and we have cooled off I think we will get swept or lose in 5. I dont know what has happened but I'm worried. I'm sure WIllie Green has something to do with it. In other words if we can get back to where we were 2 or 3 weeks ago I think we could make the ECF. Now, however we are screwed with our recent poor play

[Pure Hatred]

Of course we can beat any team at any given time. That's why they play the games. But trying our luck beating the best Eastern Conference team four times in a two week span?

Ugh. It's not going to be pretty.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Preach on bruvva.

[bebopdeluxe]

I think that the reality is that many of us thought that these guys could just ride this hot streak into the playoffs and cause some chaos...and unfortunately, the Sixers have come back down to Earth at the worst time. But let us also not forget that this team (and some of its players) have exceeded expectations...in some cases substancially.

To me, the playoff series against the Pistons is like playing with "house money", and anything other than a 4-game sweep (with two blowouts in Detroit, a double-digit loss at home in Game 3 and a close-but-not-really-close-enough showing in Game 4) will be another important step in the development of this team. And for any of us who want to see this team give the Pistons a fight, the feel of this game tonight should give these players - particularly the younger players - a feel of what playoff basketball is all about.

Make no mistake - Eddie still has his work cut out for him this summer, but this season can still end on a good note with a solid showing against Detroit. If they don't get roasted in Game 1, I think they can win a game or two...which would be great!

[LieCheatSteal]

I think the Sixers have a chance against the Pistons for a number of reasons:

1) Miller vs Billups: a lot of times, Billups uses his size against smaller PGs. Not against Miller. Miller's also smart and crafty so Billups may have trouble using his tricks against him.

2) Sixer bigs. I think that the Sixer bigs will give the Piston bigs a hard time. Sammy could dominate on the glass against the old legs of McDyess and Ratliff in the middle. Evans can get under Wallace's skin. Also, Young could be a tough defensive matchup for Wallace because of his energy and athleticism.

3) Run and gun. I haven't watched a Sixer game lately but when they were winning, the Sixers generated a lot of points off of turnovers. If they could run against the Pistons, it could wear the Pistons down.

4) Unproven Piston bench. A lot has been made about the improved Piston bench with all their kids. But none of their kids has actually succeeded in the playoffs yet. Not saying that the Sixer bench is any better but if the Sixers can shut down the starting 5 of the Pistons and the Pistons need bench production, there aren't a lot of reliable playoff performers there.

So, could be closer than a lot of people think. The X-factor for the Pistons would be Stuckey and Maxiell (key Detroit bench players). The X-factor for the Sixers would be Iggy (can he carry a team to merit the franchise player tag?) and Louis Williams (can he provide a spark of the bench?).

[MicrOLak3R]

If Mo keeps freakin playing Green, Sixer fans might as well bring out the dust pan.

[tmorgan]

I just posted in the "Deeetroit Basketball" thread, LCS, but I just wanted to say "nice post". You seem to grasp the situation.