Isn't It Nice...

...when your playoff positioning can improve so much on a night when you don't even play? The Sixers had off last night but key losses for both Washington and Toronto moved them into a 3-way tie for the 5 seed. Every game here on out is critical. People like to say at the beginning of seasons when a team loses that "there are plenty of games left". I hate that statement because it's clear every year how many teams are needing every win they can get on the final stretch. Sixers must take care of business against Atlanta (twice), Indiana, and Charlotte. Their tougher games will be against Detroit, Cleveland, and a possible very important game in Washington (on no rest). The defensive play that Dalembert has been exhibiting must remain at this high level. When he is able to pull down 12+ boards and 3+ blocks each game, and spark the Sixers fastbreak offense, they are a very dangerous team.

Another thing that is impressive is how our rookies are not hitting the "college wall". That's a reference to the final stretch of the NBA season where a lot of the young players are used to their college seasons ending and they have a difficult time dealing with the physical and mental demands at this point. Thad Young seems as if he's better than ever right now and maybe it was the slow phase-in they used with him. we will certainly need his contributions from here on out.