The race for the #8 seed in the east is heating up too.
Just when you thought the Orlando Magic had the playoffs wrapped up the Ides of March tripped their team up. Orlando's recent play has been better, but a 6-10 month of March let the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets back in the playoff picture. The three teams are separated by 1.5 games with less than 2 weeks left. March was very unkind to Orlando. They lost G/F Hedo Turkoglu for the season to wrist injury, SG Doug Christie to bone spurs in his left ankle, PG Jameer Nelson to a ribcage injury, SF Grant Hill missed some time to a calf injury, and G Steve Francis to a 3 game suspension. When you look at that it is a welcome surprise that PF Dwight Howard is having a remarkable rookie campaign. I'm not sure which Orlando tame will show up from night to night, but they might be looking forward to next season. If they play consistently the can make up the distance between themselves and the 76ers.
The Philadelphia 76ers are an oddity. They had a good thing going before Sacramento got the better end of their trade. The 76ers got F Chris Webber, along with F Matt Barnes and F Michael Bradley, in exchange for F Brian Skinner, F/PF Kenny Thomas and F/PF Corliss Williamson. Webber has not really contributed much except whining and injury time. This week he injured his shoulder and is going to be out for a week to ten days. That might be a blessing in disguise. While Sacramento has enjoyed consistent production from Skinner and Thomas in place of injured C Brad Miller.
If it weren’t for the AI's production on both ends of the floor, Philly would be on the outside looking in. Iverson and Igoudala are a great one two punch. Igoudala is emerging as one of the premier defenders in the NBA during his rookie season. He has shut down Kobe and Paul Pierce recently in 76ers wins. Iverson hasn't seen a shot he doesn't like, but they have been better shot selections lately. Without Webber than can run up and down the floor effortlessly with their guards that like up-tempo play. The 76ers still struggle in the half court so transition and fastbreak points are all they can score. If SG Kyle Korver, or C Samuel Dalembert can consistently contribute the 76ers won't miss Webber at all.
The New Jersey Nets are going to be a force to recon with next year. PG Jason Kidd, SG Vince Carter, and SF Richard Jefferson and a bunch of #1 picks at their disposal they are going to make the playoffs next year. When SF Richard Jefferson was lost for the season to a wrist injury the Nets hopes dimmed. Lately they have played their way within 1.5 games of the #8 seed with eleven games on their schedule. It is sad that a team at or less than .500 will make the last seed in the eastern conference again, but it isn't much of a surprise anymore. The poor play of the bottom third of the conference has opened it up to a lot of underachieving teams with playoff dreams. The NBA really needs to do something about sub .500 teams making the playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers are an oddity. They had a good thing going before Sacramento got the better end of their trade. The 76ers got F Chris Webber, along with F Matt Barnes and F Michael Bradley, in exchange for F Brian Skinner, F/PF Kenny Thomas and F/PF Corliss Williamson. Webber has not really contributed much except whining and injury time. This week he injured his shoulder and is going to be out for a week to ten days. That might be a blessing in disguise. While Sacramento has enjoyed consistent production from Skinner and Thomas in place of injured C Brad Miller.
If it weren’t for the AI's production on both ends of the floor, Philly would be on the outside looking in. Iverson and Igoudala are a great one two punch. Igoudala is emerging as one of the premier defenders in the NBA during his rookie season. He has shut down Kobe and Paul Pierce recently in 76ers wins. Iverson hasn't seen a shot he doesn't like, but they have been better shot selections lately. Without Webber than can run up and down the floor effortlessly with their guards that like up-tempo play. The 76ers still struggle in the half court so transition and fastbreak points are all they can score. If SG Kyle Korver, or C Samuel Dalembert can consistently contribute the 76ers won't miss Webber at all.
The New Jersey Nets are going to be a force to recon with next year. PG Jason Kidd, SG Vince Carter, and SF Richard Jefferson and a bunch of #1 picks at their disposal they are going to make the playoffs next year. When SF Richard Jefferson was lost for the season to a wrist injury the Nets hopes dimmed. Lately they have played their way within 1.5 games of the #8 seed with eleven games on their schedule. It is sad that a team at or less than .500 will make the last seed in the eastern conference again, but it isn't much of a surprise anymore. The poor play of the bottom third of the conference has opened it up to a lot of underachieving teams with playoff dreams. The NBA really needs to do something about sub .500 teams making the playoffs.
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