Sixers On A Tear

In case you haven't been following, allow me to enlighten you to the fact that the Sixers are one of the hottest teams in the league right now. They have currently won 12 of 15 overall and 4 straight. Over those last 4, their average margin of victory is almost 22 points. This is some of the best team play they have exhibited in many years. At this point, they are 1/2 game out of the 6th seed in the playoffs and are playing as if they think they are the 3 seed. What has honestly amazed me each night is the play of Thaddeus Young. Sometimes I feel like I am beating a dead horse but he is awesome. Every time he is on the floor he creates in some way. Breaking up plays on the defensive end, pulling a tight rebound, drilling a baseline jumper, flushing a dunk in the lane in traffic. The best part is that not one play is ever called for him. He does everything in the flow of the game and just by being smart. He doesn't back down on defense even though he is still inexperienced in some ways with the NBA game. He truly is something special for this team and becoming a draft steal. I said it, a draft steal. Now it surely could happen that he gets into a funk (i.e. Jason Smith) and his progress gets stunted, but I'm expecting big things in every way down the line. Credit Ed Stefanski for realizing his need for more minutes and pushing for that. Yes, the Korver trade helped this and, while it was sad to see Kyle go, the growth of Young has been evident since taking over his minutes.

Not all of the credit is due to Young. Perhaps the most credit is reserved for Andre Miller and this is nothing new to anyone. Miller is enjoying the finest season of his career and is perfect to have on this team at this time. He provides veteran leadership and the uncanny ability to get guys good shots. That's a skill that very few true point guards in the league have. The NBA has recognized this twice already by recently awarding Miller with Eastern Conference Player of the Week. They see him as that true catalyst of the Sixers recent surge in play. The schedule gets little difficult in the near future but this team should set their sights on attaining that 6th seed....dare we ask for more? What a confidence builder for a young team. I won't be naive and sit here and claim that we are something we are not, but this team had next to no expectations set for them and because of that have quietly been one of the biggest surprises of the year. I don't want years of missed playoffs and gambling on draft picks. I want guys like Young and Williams and Smith to develop and Evans and Green to play their roles and improve each year. We have a great young core and the ability to add to it and it is an exciting place to be with this team. Now let's take down the Celtics tomorrow and really create a buzz. I'll be there cheering for it!