The Philadelphia 76ers Myth

Let me begin this article by listing a number of scores:

Chi Win 96-85
NJ Loss 88-93
Cha Win 94-63
Tor Loss 103-105
NO Loss 72-93
Dal Loss 84-99
NO Loss 76-95
Por Win 92-88
Was Loss 101-116
Det Loss 78-83
GS Loss 98-100
Mil Win 114-99
Uta Loss 95-106
Was Win 85-84
NJ Loss 92-94
Atl Loss 79-88
Bos Loss 103-113

Now from those score listed, is this team a HORRIBLE team? It it a team without potential?

Now, let me list all of the scores from the Seattle SuperSonics.

Pho Loss 99-106
LAC Loss 101-115
Sac Loss 98-104
Mem Loss 98-105
Uta Loss 101-103
Det Loss 103-107
Orl Loss 76-103
Mia Win 104-95
Atl Win 126-123
Cha Loss 84-100
Mem Loss 108-125
NJ Loss 93-98
SA Loss 101-116
LAL Loss 99-106
Orl Loss 94-110
Ind Win 95-93
GS Loss 96-109
LAC Win 95-88

Very similar teams, eh? Both of them have close games versus experienced teams, both of them fizzle out in the 3rd Quarter. But, the first team seems to do a better job of it. Both of them are young and have talent. The second team is the Seattle Supersonics. Can you guess the other?

The Philadelphia 76ers.

Now, most people see Seattle and think: "Oh, an up and coming team! With Kevin Durant, anything is possible! Think of the roleplayers, and Jeff Green! A couple more years, and they'll be right where Cleveland is now!"

So you say Okay, and ask about Philadelphia. They say: "Ugh, that craphole? They're nothing without Allen Iverson. All they've got is Andre Igoudala. They'll remain in rebuilding mode for a couple years with Minnesota."

So, why all of the 76er hate? Misconceptions.

Lets compare their stars head-to-head.

Point Guard:

PHI: Andre Miller
PPG: 15.6
RPG: 4.4
APG: 5.2
SPG: 0.8
TO: 2.2

SEA: Earl Watson
PPG: 15.6 7.7
RPG: 2.4
APG: 6.1
SPG: 0.8
TO: 2.3

It's clear who's the better all around player. Watson has to share time with 2 others, yes, but they've been injured enoguh to where his point totals shouldn't be bothered. He has another assist, but it is the only slight advantage. More season, and it'll even out.

ADVANTAGE: Philadelphia

Big Guns:

PHI: Andre Igoudala
PPG: 18.1
RPG: 6.5
APG: 5.2
SPG: 1.9
BPG: 0.8
TO: 2.4

SEA: Kevin Durant
PPG: 19.5
RPG: 4.4
APG: 1.9
SPG: 1.0
BPG: 1.1
TO: 3.4

All around, except for a couple less points, Igoudala IS the better all around player. And even if you did want to argue points, Kevin Durants shooting percentage is slightly less. Now of course, Andre Igoudala is almost fully developed while Kevin Durnat is only in his rookie year, but you have to understand that Kevin Durant has been given the KEYS to the franchise. He can do whatever he wants out there, because this season will be basically written off as "rebuilding". Andre Igoudala has to cooperate with two other proven talents on his team (Miller, Dalembert). He is such a more efficent and effective player. In closing, the final verdict is:

ADVANTAGE NOW: Philadelphia
ADVANTAGE LATER: Seattle

Big Men:

PHI: Samuel Dalembert
PPG: 10.9
RPG: 8.7
BPG: 2.2
TO: 1.7

SEA: Chris Wilcox
PPG: 15.7
RPG: 7.5
BPG: 0.5
TO: 1.2

The players are about evenly matched big man wise. Chris Wilcox has a better offense, while Samuel Dalembert has a better defense. Chris Wilcox has slightly better non-big-man categories (AST, STL), so I'll give the slight edge to him.

ADVANTAGE: Seattle

Now it is clearly seen that the teams are evenly matched. Yet people are still skeptical.

Hell, this same Philly team almost rallied back for the playoffs last year WITHOUT Allen Iverson!

And don't even talk to me about the future. Andre Igoudala is a good player, and while he may not be as good as Kevin Durant, he can definately hold his own. Both teams have their draft picks for next year. They have roughly the same Salary Cap (not to mention Philadelphia will get out of cap hell a year earlier when Chris Webber and Aaron McKies contracts expire, and Seattle will have to wait two years to get under the cap while having to resign some essential players.)

So, I've spit out all of this information, and made it clear that Philadelphia is in the same/a better situation in the long run than Seattle. You may be wondering: What's the point? Why have you done this, are you a 76ers homeboy or something?

Okay, here it is:

If Sam Presti has done such a great job with Seattle, than why in the HELL was Billy King, who's lead Philly through thick and thin and set them up nicely for the future, fired?

I rest my case.

(Good comeback article, eh?)