David Dupree article: the dark-horse Wizards

[DCZards]

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The data shows just the opposite. The shot-clock info is seconds elapsed. In 2006-07, 41% of the Wizards FGA came in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. This season it was 34%.

I think the difference can be explained in two words: Gilbert Arenas. Our loveable Agent Zero has a quick trigger and with him out most of the season the Zards were taking fewer shots in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock. Also, the Zards run more (fastbreaks) when GA is in the game.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Yeah, Gil is definitely the difference. He changes the game's pace more than any other player in the league.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Great read, I do agree if we beat the Cavs we do have a legit shot at winning it all.

[closg00]

It's looking like Philly is the dark horse this year, they've been quietly ballin and making a real series out of their match-up with DET.

[nate33]

Philly doesn't have the talent to go far in the playoffs though. They might beat Detroit because Detroit seems a touch unmotivated, but Philly doesn't have the horses to get past Boston or the winner of Cleveland/Washington.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Philly has team speed, a floor general who can post up at PG, terrific rebounders in Dalembert and Evans, a couple scorers with little conscious in Green and Williams, a good shotblocking C, and some really athletic players like Iguodala, Young, and Carney.

They DO have the talent, but the talent is mostly too young to be expected to sustain this level of play. Lou Williams and Thad Young are very talented but very young.

I think the Sixers have a great shot to beat Detroit in 6 games. Miller's outplaying Billups badly. The Sixers are quicker at almost every position. Philly's way better on the boards. Dalembert's exploiting the donut in the middle for the Pistons. Sheed's not a true C.

I agree with Nate that they don't have ENOUGH talent to beat Boston, but I think Philly can beat Cleveland or Washington in a series the same way they're ahead of Detroit.

Boston's defense is too fundamentally sound to not force turnovers by the Sixers. Pierce will destroy them, too.

[tkunit]

I think philly can keep up this level even against boston. They won't win the series but I could see them stealing one possibly two games. They put iggy on peirce but then ray ray should burn them. They really have nothing for KG but who reallly does.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

I think you guys'll be surprised, like everyone has been. Philly's on fire. And HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST THEY WILL PLAY ANYONE BUT THE WIZARDS?!?!?!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Unless I don't understand the playoff seedings correctly, the only way Philly faces Washington is for the East Finals, with the winner going to the NBA finals.

Philly would have to beat Detroit and then beat the winner of Orlando/Toronto; and Washington would have to beat Cleveland and Boston.

Unlikely that Washington sees Philly.

[nate33]

Philly has team speed, a floor general who can post up at PG, terrific rebounders in Dalembert and Evans, a couple scorers with little conscious in Green and Williams, a good shotblocking C, and some really athletic players like Iguodala, Young, and Carney.

They DO have the talent, but the talent is mostly too young to be expected to sustain this level of play. Lou Williams and Thad Young are very talented but very young.

I think the Sixers have a great shot to beat Detroit in 6 games. Miller's outplaying Billups badly. The Sixers are quicker at almost every position. Philly's way better on the boards. Dalembert's exploiting the donut in the middle for the Pistons. Sheed's not a true C.

I agree with Nate that they don't have ENOUGH talent to beat Boston, but I think Philly can beat Cleveland or Washington in a series the same way they're ahead of Detroit.

Boston's defense is too fundamentally sound to not force turnovers by the Sixers. Pierce will destroy them, too.

Philly certainly has athletes who can defend and run the floor, but they don't have scorers in the half-court set. I don't see how they can score enough points to be Washington or Boston. Cleveland would be an interesting matchup though. Philly might be able to grind out some 85-80 wins over Cleveland as long as Dalembert stays out of foul trouble.

I still expect Detroit to win this thing.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

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Philly certainly has athletes who can defend and run the floor, but they don't have scorers in the half-court set. I don't see how they can score enough points to be Washington or Boston. Cleveland would be an interesting matchup though. Philly might be able to grind out some 85-80 wins over Cleveland as long as Dalembert stays out of foul trouble.

I still expect Detroit to win this thing.

I agree that Philly can beat Cleveland. I'd even venture to say that they would beat them. Cleveland needs to keep the game at a half court pace... Philly is very good at forcing their tempo on teams. Cleveland only has one positive match up in that series (of course, that one match up is LeWhine).

Come to think of it... what am I saying... The Sixers are going to have to go through the Wiz to make the finals.

[TheKingOfVa360]

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I agree that Philly can beat Cleveland. I'd even venture to say that they would beat them. Cleveland needs to keep the game at a half court pace... Philly is very good at forcing their tempo on teams. Cleveland only has one positive match up in that series (of course, that one match up is LeWhine).

Come to think of it... what am I saying... The Sixers are going to have to go through the Wiz to make the finals.

I agree on that. The Sixers if they beat the Pistons (which I think they will) they will still have to beat the Magic or Raptors. I don't think they can beat the Magic.