* The Sixers lost at the buzzer last night at home to the dreaded LA Lakers by 3 points. It seemed like the 76'ers were again taking theit opponent lightly. This is a team that until only recently won a total of 10 games in a single season. the Sixers aren't good enough yet to take anyone lightly.
They are a young team and are still learning how to play in big games and how to close out games. Give them credit for coming back from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter to make it a tight game.
They commit too many turnovers They can't shoot free throws.They shoot too many 3-pointers.
Joel Embiid had a decent game agains tLA, but certainly nothing like the 46 point, 15 rebound game he had against the Lakers in Los Angeles.Dario Saric was out with an eye injury. And where is Markelle Fultz?
They lost two home games this week- to the Suns and Lakers- they were supposed to win. Growing pains. This year will be all about jelling. Making the playoffs and gaining valuable experience will be crucial to "The Process."
The organization finally traded center Jahill Okafor yesterday to Brooklyn for journeyman player Trevor Booker. He is on the last year of his contract, so Booker brings back flexibility and experience for the remainder of the season.
GM Brian Colangelo did screw-up however, as he reportedly could've gotten more for Okafor if he had traded the young center last summer. For a once no. 3 overall pick, a trade to the lowly Nets was definitely a bust for the Sixers.
For Okafor, it's a chance to play and get a fresh start. He probably will average 20 points and 10 rebounds because who else on the nets will get those kind of numbers?
* Go figure. The Flyers lose 10 game sin a row and then embark on a Western Canada road trip, with games in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. But instead of the losing skid extending, the Orange and Black actually won all three road games, coming back home with a three-game winning streak.
Five straight home games await, starting on Tuesday vs Toronto. The Flyers are still at the very bottom of their division, but their resurgence on the road is a start in the right direction.
* Atlanta beat New Orleans last night in Thursday Night Football, 20-17, good for the Eagles. the loss drops the Saints to 4 losses. The Falcons saved their playoff hopes and are now 8-5. They meet again in two weeks in New Orleans.
For the Eagles, beating the Rams on Sunday in LA is a must. Carolina defeating Minnesota would be great as well. But the Saints' loss last night was step No. 1 to a good weekend.
One note for Sunday- Head Coach Sean McVeigh was 5-1 against Philadelphia when he was an assistant with Washington. Just saying. but I still like the Eagles- big- 34-13. I'm not surprised that most so-called experts are calling for a close game.Big game for the Rams to stay in the playoff hunt, but in reality, their really big game is next week when they travel to Seattle.
* In Baseball news, as the Winter Meetings draw near, the Orioles are reportedly taking calls for third baseman Manny Machado, who will be a free agent after the 2018 season. I guess Baltimore will investigate what the market holds for the power-hitting, slick-fielding Machado, rather than lose him for nothing after this upcoming summer.
What would the Pihllies give up in a potential deal? Certainly the Orioles can have Mychael Franco back in return. I'm sure they will want young pitching as well. I wouldn't give up Sixto Sanchez or any of the power arms in the lower minors. Of course, that's exactly what Baltimore wants, not the Eflins or Thompsons of the world.
Machado would give them the stable, young third baseman they organization had hoped Franco would be. It will be interesting if Machado is up for sale, how involved the Phils will be.
Dee Gordon was traded from Florida to the Seattle Mariners. The speedy Gordon will play center field for the M's. The Marlins got back the Mariners' best pitching prospect. Obviously, the new Florida ownership, headed by Derek Jeter, wants to slash the payroll. If true, look for Giancarlo Stanton to go this winter as well .Boston or St. Louis, organizations with deep farm systems rich in young talent, would be logical fits for Stanton.
* The 118th meeting of Army and Navy happens Saturday afternoon at the Linc. If it snows, it will make the scene even more magical.
Navy leads the series, 60-50-7. Army broke its' 14-game losing streak to the Midshipmen last year, winning 21-17. The 14-game streak was the longest in the history of the rivalry.
Even if the game doesn't mean as much as it did when I was a kid, or even before that, it's still a special game and is part of tradition in Philly.
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