Sixers Take Down Mavs For 4th Win In A Row

If anyone thought the Sixers could not beat the Mavs last night, you need to re-evaluate your devotion to this team. This is not the same team that started this season and found ways to lose. This team has come together and rallied around the idea that everyone counted them out. They have Andre Miller playing some of the best basketball of his life, they have Dalembert focusing on the defense we've always wanted, they have Reggie Evans working ceaselessly to pull down rebounds, and Iguodala stepping up and hitting jumpers at a rate we have not seen. Not to mention the fact that Thaddeus Young is now starting and progressing at an amazingly quick rate. Did anyone see him matched up on Dirk last night? That's confidence in the rookie. Yes, the Sixers benefitted from the Mavs playing the night before but who cares? Everyone has to deal with schedule challenges through the course of the year.

What I especially liked last night was how the Sixers found a way to answer every Mavs run. They did not get overwhelmed or discouraged but rather had a will to win. Those of us in the sparse crowd were behind them and gave rousing ovations to Evans and also the whole team after it was clinched. Amazing how they held the Mavs to 76 points total by frustrating shooters and not giving up easy offensive rebounds. Getting back to the crowd, I always wonder where all the people are who said we just HAD to get rid of Iverson. Why aren't they coming out to more games? Also, I'll state very plainly that I want this team to make the playoffs. It would be great for the psyche, it would be more attractive to free agents, and it would give Cheeks some of the credit he deserves for what he's gotten out of this team.