* The Sixers lost to the Cavaliers last night at home, 113-91, once again proving they are not quite up to championship caliber.
They lost to Golden State twice recently, beating everyone else in their way. When they run into quality teams like Cleveland or the Warriors, they show promise but are not ready yet for the solid teams.
Maybe by the end of the season, when the playoffs begin in the spring, maybe then the 76'ers will show more than flashes of brilliance and will have the experience to give a good team a fight in the post-season.
The Sixers shoot too many 3-point shots, missing 25 of 28 against the Cavs. Other than Reddick and Covington, is there another reliable, consistent 3-point shooter on the Sixers? You live by the sword, you die by the sword. I like when a team is aggressive and runs. The Sixers on the fast break are dynamic, with Simmons leading the way. But they also need to play smart. Thye're young, and, as they did against Golden State, they tend to lose their composure at the end of close games.
Experience should solve many of these problems. Hopefully the Sixers learn from losing a game to LeBron James and the Cavsnow rather than later.
Speaking of LeBron, would he come to Philadelphia next season to play with Embiid and Simmons? James always tends to go to places that are close to championships. The Sixers are on that path, more so than the Lakers, the other team James may head to. Philly doesn't have the glitz and glamour of LA, but if James wants another ring after this season, he may want to think Philly.
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* The Flyers lost their 8th straight game, an overtime loss at Pittsburgh.Earning one point for an overtime loss ( a stupid rule) isn't good enough. The team gets ahead, loses it's composure and blows late leads. Once in overtime or in a shoot-out, forget it.
Ed Snider must be rolling over in his grave. Coach Dave Hakstol needs to go. Something needs to change. You can't gut the entire team, especially with all the young players now on the club. The whole idea of hiring a college coach like Hakstol was for the kids to grow with a young coach who has worked with ( and had success with) young players.
It hasn't worked. Hakstol is in over his head. GM Ron Hextall is too patient and needs to act before the season is lost. Hakstol shows no emotion, and I'm afraid his team is taking on his personality.
Who is running the show in the Flyers organization now that Snider is gone? Someone needs to step up.
The Flyers return home tonight to play the Sharks, then don't play again until Saturday at home vs Boston.
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The Eagles start preparing for their upcoming west coast trip. starting this Sunday night at Seattle. I'll make my pick later this week. The Seahawks aren't what they used to be, but , despite losing at home recently, still are a dangerous team, especially in Seattle.
The Birds will stay on the west coast next week to practice while getting ready to take on the Rams in Los Angeles.
* A correction from yesterday's blog: The Eagles fumbled a total of four times on Sunday against the Bears, not just two times. Ina season where everything seems to be falling right for the team, the fumbling issue is something Coach Pederson and his staff can work on with the players.
Wentz is doing a great job not throwing interceptions, especially in the Red Zone.Overall, one of the keys to the Birds' success and their 10-1 record is not turning the ball over. They force giveaways, not turn the ball over themselves. Yet, even with the fumbles, the Eagles blew away Chicago.
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Ex- Eagles coach Chip Kelly was introduced as head coach at UCLA yesterday, and basically handed out the same BS he has been shoveling for years. He claims that one of the keys to winning championships ( even though Kelly himself has never won a championship)is communication. Funny, when Kelly was in Philly, he would ignorant many people within the Nova Care Center.
Because he is basically a college coach and nothing more, and can recruit, Kelly may do well with the Bruins. But listen LA: take it from a city that knows the truth- get ready to hear a lot of excuses when things don't go well.
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Eagles' GM Howie Rossman deservedly is getting his share of credit for the 10-1 resurgence of the team. Owner Jeff Luire needs a lot of praise as well, for getting rid of the destructive Kelly when he did, and for bringing back Rossman. Pederson may be Coach of the Year, and has pretty much erased many doubts of his abilities.Defensive Coordinator Jim Swartz has great defensive players and are using them effectively.
But give Personnel Director Joe Thomas, who came to Philadelphia from Baltimore, a lot of credit too. He clearly is great at evaluating talent, and seems to have Rossman's ear when he comes to players, trades and free agent signings.
Finally, I'm starting to think the only sort of team that can derail these Eagles is a team with a great quarterback. Someone like Drew Brees, who won't be fazed by anything a defense throws at him, worries me more than Minnesota or even an inconsistent Cam Newton and Carolina.
Matt Ryan and the Falcons could be a concern in the playoffs- if they make the playoffs. Russell Wilson, the QB that the Eagles face this Sunday night, can scramble away from pressure. I'm not worried about Jared Goff. The Rams may get into the playoffs, but will their inexperience hurt them in big, pressure-packed games?
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