* The Sixers continued their winning ways last night, beating the Pistons at home. The Sixers got another big lead, then blew it, then ended up winning by five points. Joel Emniid led the way with 25 points.
The team continues to take care of opponents who are equal to lesser level. This will get them into the playoffs, as their current record stands at 13-9. Ina mediocre NBA, with only a few really good to great teams, the Sixers can stock up on the wins until they meet a top-notch team like Boston, San Antonio or Cleveland.
The 76'ers stay at home on Monday night, taking on the Phoenix Suns.
* OK, I was wrong. I really thought the Flyers would beat the Bruins yesterday afternoon at home. After thinking about their 9-game losing streak all week, the Flyers had an afternoon game at the Wells Fargo Center against Boston,and a perfect chance to snap the losing skid.
Instead, the Orange and Black were shut-out, 3-0, in a horrible showing, losing their 10th contest in a row. That's two shy of a franchise record. They have a good shot at setting a new record of futility this week, as they embark on a three-game road trip to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
They are a dead team walking, showing no life. Unless there's a shake-up at the top, or a major trade, expect more of the same. So disappointing.
* The Holy War continue Saturday, when Villanova visited St. Joseph's in a Big Five classic. Only, it was the same ol' story, as the "Cats slaughtered the Hawks by 41 points ( at St. Joe's).
I've been a proud St. Joe's fan all my life. I grew up rooting for players like Matt Goukas, Cliff Anderson, Danny Kelly, Mike Banton, and then later Jameer Nelson and the great team that almost made the Final Four in college basketball.So it saddens me to see the hawks get beat so bad by their hated rival.
I've said it here before- Hawks' coach Phil Martelli is so overrated, it's not funny. He may win an occasional Atlantic 10 title, go to the NCAA tourney every few years, and keep the boosters happy. But he can't recruit and he can't beat Villanova.
He can't even come close anymore. Nova's freshmen class looks great, so are we to expect another four years of dominance of Villanova over St. Joseph's?
No one really cares, other then alumni and boosters, so Martelli stays. But he's no Jay Wright. I get it. St Joe's is a smaller school and doesn't have the financial backing of a Main Line school such as Villanova. But at least come close.
It used to be a more intense, competitive rivalry, and I suppose for the current students, it still is. But to guys like me, fans who love the Hawks, their never-give-up attitude, and their "The Hawk Will Never Die" philosophy, there's no comparison anymore between schools or basketball teams.
I give Villanova credit for what they've done and what they are still doing. I despise them as a rival but you gotta admire the way they win and recruit.I jsut wish St. Joe's was a little more competitive with their once and always biggest city rival.
Maybe the separation will never change. But one has to hope, sometime in the future, the difference between the squads shrinks and the games have meaning again, and the Holy War becomes relevant again.
* Another day of football without the Eagles. It's great having the Birds in the national spotlight, but it sucks having to wait all day, especially to see the best team in football play.
We need to keep an eye on several key games today. Minnesota at Atlanta will be an interesting contest. You have a surging Falcons team, trying to keep pace in NFC South with the Saints and Panthers, taking on a 9-2 Vikings team with a great defense. Seeing Minnesota lose would be great.
Carolina at New Orleans is the other big game that involves the Birds. The Saints are trying to get back on track after losing to the rams last week. Carolina continues to seek a playoff berth, so this will be a huge match-up.
In theAFC, not involving the Eagles, we see the Patriots travel to Buffalo. The Bills' playoff destiny is in their own hands, as they take on New England in the first of three home games in a row.
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