Sixers Love
If You Don’t Know Now You Know
By Khalid Salaam
Lately I’ve been inundated with complaints that I haven’t been supportive enough of my Sixers. That I was focusing on the negatives instead of enjoying what has become the most satisfying season the Sixers have had in years. Well everyone is wrong. Admittedly I was quite hostile and I had a right to be hostile, my fandom has been persecuted.
But I’ve always supported the team, since I was a kid. My involvement with the Sixers occurred right around the time I first started growing a peach fuzz stache and first kissed a girl. We’re talking two decades here and recently my mentality with the Sixers (and Eagles too) is that they owe me a championship. I’ve been through way too may games, era’s, players, coaches and whatever else and looking at the roster coming into the season there didn’t seem much reason to expect anything good happening. For most of the season I was dead-on as they struggled to compete. It’s only been within the last month that they’ve played well. My thing was I didn’t want to make the playoffs with a record 10 games under .500, to me that is not respectable. This upcoming draft is waist deep and I hoped to find a star there because there isn’t anyone on the Sixers roster who has the potential to be a number 1 guy. There is no franchise player. That’s just the truth how I saw it. The numbers backed it up. Just making the playoffs doesn’t impress me. My team isn’t the Hawks or Clippers, we’ve been in the post-season before. So the eff what. I’ve watched thousands of games in my lifetime; I didn’t care about just making the playoffs.
I started watching the Sixers hardcore a couple of weeks ago and the game against Boston earlier this week was for me a watershed moment. I’ve never seen Iguodala play better. Andre Miller was amazing and Mo Cheeks made the right adjustments and substitutions, which considering how he’d been doing since he took over as Head Coach was shocking. But most of all I saw someone with ability, someone who has that upside word that sports fans love to hear. Thad Young looks like the future of the franchise. I don’t want to get too excited but I saw bits of a scoring ability and of a rebounding prowess and even a basketball IQ that shows how good he can become. You never know with some guys, some people never get better and some get comfortable where they are. But at least he seems to have “it” that extra ability that makes careers with All-Star appearances a regular occurrence.
The team still needs a lot though so don’t get it twisted. For such a intelligent guy Dalembert still plays like he rode the short bus as a kid and the team is lacking a consistent outside shooter (Korver was dope but his contract was expensive) and a low post scorer but at least things are looking up. I mean at least we’re not the Knicks. If we give the Pistons a fair one and lose in 5 or 6 games I’ll be happy,
One more thing I’ve been meaning to bring up but I’ve been busy with work, shaking my head at Eliot Spitzer and wishing that Jeremiah Wright worked in the SlamDome is that I’ve thought of a nickname for Chris Paul.
Here it is: The Definition.
As in Paul’s the absolute definition of what you would want in your point guard. As in the definition of making the players around you better. As in the definition of a franchise player. Yes Kobe is the best player in the world and Bron and Tim Duncan are right behind him but right now Paul is the guy who is the most dominant. I don’t care what anyone says, the Hornets roster is highly flawed. Paul makes them this good. They have the best record in the hardest conference in modern history. He’s playing at the highest level possible. He’s Nas right after Illmatic dropped. I said months ago that he was the most improved player (in a real sense its easier to go from scrub to good in comparison to good to great) but he’s been even better since I said that. This guy went to the next level and then to the next and then incredibly to the next. He’s the MVP fam, stop with the politics and be honest.
91 Responses to “Sixers Love”
Mar.28 at 1:38 pm
Ron says:
The Sixers have totally overachieved this season, but there are some pieces that we can build on. But I serious hope Ed doesn’t give Iggy a max deal. As long they manage the money right this off season, things will be looking even better in 2009-2010.
Mar.28 at 1:39 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Great stuff, Khalid, from the PE paraphrasing at the start to the Sixer analysis. Re. MVP I’m still riding with LeBron. Things have twisted so much that’s it’s like I’m supposed to feel guilty for thinking he deserves it, but 31-8-7 on a team that doesn’t score much and has little other talent but still could be heading to its second straight Finals is too much to ignore. CP is great, too, though, and I like that nickname. You could even call him “Black Star,” since it fits his race and status and plays off their great song, “RE: Definition.” One snide remark, though: who are these Eagles you mention?
Mar.28 at 1:49 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
CP3 MVP, no question. Or, given the subject of the column, should that be no Answer?
Mar.28 at 1:49 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Ron i agree totally
Mar.28 at 2:06 pm
TADOne says:
Wow, where to start? I was one of those people deriding Khalid the other day for a negative post after we had be showing the Sixers some love. All good, I understand the passion of Philly fans. They ride or die. Thad Young does look to be that dude. Who knew? I certainly didn’t see it. As for CP3: I love the nickname! The Nas right after Illmatic dropped comparison was point on. Hopefully, Paul doesn’t hit us with It Was Written as his follow up.
Mar.28 at 2:08 pm
killa myke says:
How is Chris Paul MVP? If you think he deserves it just because his team is at the top in the west then thats stupid. Theres only like 5.5 games separating the 1st and 8th seed, so its not like N.O. is blowing everyone else out, they all have a really close record. Next week they might not even be the 1 seed. And how do you factor in injuries? Look at how many key people Cleveland is missing. And the Lakers. So its not fair to give the mvp to someone just because they have the best REGULAR season record. Remember what happened last year? I like Chris Paul, but i refuse to believe that CP deserves a MVP before Lebron or Kobe. I mean really, what is CP gonna do in the playoffs that Kobe and Bron havent done?
Mar.28 at 2:15 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Khalid’s actually from Pittsburgh. Fake-@ss bandwagon jumper.
Mar.28 at 2:22 pm
John E. Sanford says:
CP3 or The Definition is the MVP in my book as well. Have you seen that roster? That team really shouldn’t will more than 45-47 games. They’re gonna end up winning about 56-58 games in the West. If this squad was in the East they would be challenging Boston for home court advantage. He probably won’t will it, but he definitely fits the what an MVP is.
Mar.28 at 2:24 pm
Toney Blare says:
I got a letter from the government, the other day,.. Jones: no one from Pittsburgh ever, EVER jumped on a Philly bandwagon. Never happened. And I know it’s only about on-court, but this dude saved hoops in New Orleans. Really. Regardless of an All-Star game or a recovery or marketing, no CP3 = no Hornets. That’s the Definition of “valuable.”
Mar.28 at 2:27 pm
what says:
Wikipedia says Martell Webster is already The Definition, because his last name is Webster (get it? get it?)
Mar.28 at 2:39 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
I’ve been waiting for this, Khalid. Your boys are absolutely must see right now and I liked Thad even more once I read MTill’s q&a’s with him. Their game against the Suns a few weeks back was when I really got interested. I’m pulling for you and I think they’ll do better than most are expecting.
Mar.28 at 2:40 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
CP3’s on pace to average 20, 10 and 2.5, which no player has ever done. It’s about this season and this season only, not legacy.
Mar.28 at 2:41 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
and anyone dogging on Paul has got to start watching more ball. The kid is ridiculous.
Mar.28 at 2:41 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I love the PE recognition…Tad It was written is a dope album. Its just not as dope as illmatic…jones, i know people from the burgh and i root for the steelers when they aren’t playing the eagles so that would be cool. Certainly better than scranton…and myke, comparing what happened last yr with dirk to this season is ridiculous..also co sign on what toney said
Mar.28 at 2:44 pm
TADOne says:
Kha: My bad, I meant God’s Son. But Nas will never top Illmatic, nor should he.
Mar.28 at 2:46 pm
TADOne says:
And co sign what Holly and Russ said. You just can’t hate on Paul’s game. It’s not his fault that there are 2 other players playing exceptional this year as well.
Mar.28 at 2:48 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Chris Paul is to basketball as Chris Paul is to ball-punching. Yeah, I said it.
Mar.28 at 2:49 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
tad you must mean nastrsdamus
Mar.28 at 2:51 pm
John E. Sanford says:
HAHA. That’s a helluva analogy Ryan.
Mar.28 at 2:52 pm
Eboy says:
King K get’s the nickname award for The Definition. Great work as always, and anytime a PE reference comes up, it’s got to be a good day. Like Chuck said “When I get mad, I put it down on a pad, give ‘em something that they never had.” Except this was mad good, Khalid.
Mar.28 at 2:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
PS, I finally just watched J. Wright’s “Chickens came home to roost” sermon. I’d totally go to that dude’s church.
Mar.28 at 2:55 pm
albie1kenobi says:
people who dog Paul has a name: haters. i’m no kobe’s fan and i’ve been rooting for kobe to get his overdue MVP, but i think it’s getting harder everyday to deny The Definition that trophy. who’d even have thought CP3 will even be in the MVP discussion in december?
Mar.28 at 2:57 pm
Eboy says:
Good to know you have no sense of moral judgement, Jones. I’d prefer to go the preachers church that claimed “Obama got his start on a pair of titties.” and also spouted “Obama pimps black women AND white women.” That dude is gangsta dumb in a Steph/Zeke/J.R. Rider sort of way.
Mar.28 at 3:00 pm
TADOne says:
Yeah, Nastradamus was it. I have Friday on the mind.
Mar.28 at 3:01 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
Everything Albie said, minus the “I’m no kobe fan” part.
Mar.28 at 3:06 pm
TADOne says:
Everything Albie said, “including” the Kobe part. Yes, i’m a hater.
Mar.28 at 3:09 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
eboy i know of the guy you’re talking about. dude is nuts……Whens the last time we had a mvp race this good? anyone remember?
Mar.28 at 3:09 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
tad: you do give kobe props on being great though right?
Mar.28 at 3:10 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Have you heard anything of him beyond soundbites, Mr. Eboy?
Mar.28 at 3:11 pm
Eboy says:
Yes, Mr. Jones. Wait…….which one are you talking about, Wright? Yes to him then.
Mar.28 at 3:12 pm
TADOne says:
Kha: Oh yes, Kobe is ridiclous with the talent, just not a fan of the person is all. Holly knows this, just wanted to get a rise out of her. And no, I have never seen an MVP race this good that I can remember.
Mar.28 at 3:15 pm
Eboy says:
There has not been a race this compelling in my 30 odd years of NBA viewing.
Mar.28 at 3:15 pm
TADOne says:
Eboy is a “Garlic Nose”.
Mar.28 at 3:16 pm
Eboy says:
TAD is a “Moist Meatball”
Mar.28 at 3:20 pm
TADOne says:
Was that in the sermon? I must have missed it.
Mar.28 at 3:46 pm
Michael Tillery says:
We’ll see how the Sixers roll tonight. They’ve beaten a lot of good teams lately and have stayed humble. Tonight should be very interesting. They don’t have a good record when teams score over 100, so Mo better have em locked on D. Kobe Bryant is MVP. There’s no question. Paul is mean and gets me charged every time I see him go off, but like I said on TSF, I’m still heated over Nash getting two before Kobe gets his.
Mar.28 at 3:51 pm
BETCATS says:
Khalid, its nice to see your boys doing good. Do you think Iggy and / or Dre will come back?
Mar.28 at 3:51 pm
Myles Brown says:
Jeremiah Wright has done as much for his community in Chicago as Chris Paul has done for the Hornets. Stop trippin.
Mar.28 at 4:00 pm
Eboy says:
That’s extremley nice and should be commended of course, but his conspiracy theories and his views on racial divide sure don’t jibe with the word of GOD and the presence needed to be the spiritual advisor to the next possible president of this country.
Mar.28 at 4:01 pm
TADOne says:
I think the Sixers give the Suns a run tonight and win a close one in Philly. I see Iggy going for 30.
Mar.28 at 4:03 pm
Eboy says:
I’m not sure if the Sixers can’t pull it out. Shaq’s distraction may be enough to get the Phily boys another win.
Mar.28 at 4:08 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Eboy: Are you sure? Not about the Sixers…
Mar.28 at 4:10 pm
Myles Brown says:
Yes, Obama faithfully supported that church for more than 20 years because he didnt know any better than to run far from that bigoted charlatan masquerading as a pastor. Shame on both of them.
Mar.28 at 4:12 pm
Ryan Jones says:
…unlike Hillary, who sure as hell knew to run from those snipers!
Mar.28 at 4:13 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Sorry. Billy Clint was on campus last night, and Barack’s speaking here on Sunday. It’s flattering to live in a suddenly important primary state.
Mar.28 at 4:13 pm
illydiva says:
Khalid, excellent as usual. Much as I love my Sixers, this could go either way (obviously). Payback is on the mind of the Suns…and the playoff race. Question: How long can Iggy and Thad co-exist? Not personally, but professionally. Thad can’t come off the bench forever. Surprisingly, Rodney Carney has played well of late too. And Lou has been impressive as well. I even think Dalembert has been more focused then we’ve seen him. He may never develop basketball IQ, but I think he can play well if he keeps his head in the game.
Mar.28 at 4:14 pm
Myles Brown says:
Obama was forced to choose that church under heavy sniper fire. Its a rough neighborhood.
Mar.28 at 4:15 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Word, word.
Mar.28 at 4:16 pm
Anon says:
It must be nice to be 2 games above .500 (literally just reach the .500 mark at the end of the season) and get love. Meanwhile teams out in the West that are 10-15 games over .500 get critisized. SMH, anyhow, I agree that this team has overachieved but has some parts they can build on. They no longer have a superstar…so wether the 76er fans like it or not the appeal won’t be there for the vast majority. I feel like 76er fans are grasping for straws and anything else, after Iverson left…but the fact is that team still has a long way to go before they are even remotely relevent again. I wish them luck, but just reaching the .500 mark at the end of the season in a weak eastern conferense is hardly anything to call home about. The media has had so many “flavor of the weeks” this season, its hard to even keep up at this point….as far as MVP, i’m still going with K.G.
Mar.28 at 4:16 pm
TADOne says:
You going to the speach Jones?
Mar.28 at 4:16 pm
Ryan Jones says:
No, Tad, but I am going to the speech.
Mar.28 at 4:16 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Typical Michigan grad.
Mar.28 at 4:18 pm
TADOne says:
Ahhhh, typos. Get there early. I was in line almost 3 hours.
Mar.28 at 4:18 pm
Anon says:
Oh and Khalid, this was a good piece…I like the way you broke it down, its a lot more realistic then what I have seen from some Sixers fans.
Mar.28 at 4:22 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Betcats: yes i think they will come back but they need to upgrade so if one of them is trades i wouldn’t be surprised at all. Ryan: whats the obama vibe on campus? Myles: can i ask who you are voting for?
Mar.28 at 4:25 pm
Myles Brown says:
The guy giving the speach.
Mar.28 at 4:28 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bill Clinton? He’s not running this year, Myles.
Mar.28 at 4:30 pm
Myles Brown says:
No, the black guy.
Mar.28 at 4:31 pm
TADOne says:
Bill’s white?
Mar.28 at 4:31 pm
Ryan Jones says:
TAD: Thanks for the advice. Gates “open” at 11:30 (which should be interesting considering he’s speaking on a giant open lawn, but I’m sure the Secret Service will have it locked down) and the speech doesn’t start til 1:30. Yeah, two hour wait. Luckily, we got super-select advanced tickets which will hopefully guarantee us a seat or something. I’m looking forward to it.
Khalid: Very strongly pro-Obama among the students and locals right in town, most of whom work for the University. Go five miles in any direction, as Lang, Ben, Russ can attest, and it gets real rural and real white. Guessing those folks might not be loving Barack Hussein as much as the college folks.
Mar.28 at 4:33 pm
Myles Brown says:
When he spoke at the Target Center, the line stretched about 30 blocks away from the door.
Mar.28 at 4:34 pm
TADOne says:
Ya’ll had to buy tickets? Or is my sarcasm meter running on “E”?
Mar.28 at 4:36 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Ok. Just curious is all. there was no judgement attached regardless of what name you gave me. Do you think that Rev Wright’s words are random or do you think that the percentage of blacks who agree with what he said is substntial? tad, myles and ryan or anyone can answer
Mar.28 at 4:40 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
I saw him speak at NYU a few months ago. There was no line, no snipers, thousands and thousands of groupies.
Mar.28 at 4:43 pm
Myles Brown says:
I think that theres a portion of people in that community that believe what he said in those particular statements, but I also know that he made a lot more sensible statements than that. My grandmother went to that church and her funeral was there. Pastor Wright gave the eulogy. I also went to service there a couple times and I dont remember anything that inflammatory.
Mar.28 at 4:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Didn’t have to buy tickets, but they had 5,000 free “reserved” tickets which got snatched up in about 12 hours. You just had to go pick them up, which we did. I assume it guarantees us a spot, which, if the crowd is as big as expected, late-comers won’t be able to count on.
Mar.28 at 4:44 pm
TADOne says:
Hard to say Khalid. I do agree with the Clinton’s preacher in saying that not everyone is going to agree with what you say in the church.
Mar.28 at 4:45 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Khalid: I have no idea how to answer your question beyond a guess at some random numbers, but based on what I’ve read, what Myles said makes sense. And you know how rarely I agree with that retard.
Gotta go! Happy weekend! Go Bruins! F*ck Liverpool! Peace!
Mar.28 at 4:45 pm
TADOne says:
Damn, that must be a pretty big “open” lawn.
Mar.28 at 4:48 pm
Myles Brown says:
Ryan is about as funny as TBS.
Mar.28 at 4:49 pm
Ryan Jones says:
It is.
Mar.28 at 4:49 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I am!
Bye.
Mar.28 at 5:03 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
fair enough everyone. thanks
Mar.28 at 5:39 pm
albie1kenobi says:
am i late again? damn. well since we are talking about obama, anyone else sick of the mudflinging by the two camps? i’m just hoping that by the time real election come, the public isn’t already completely tired of their hoopla and decided to go for the war hero instead.
Mar.28 at 5:57 pm
Bubbachuck says:
andre iguodola got NEXT
Mar.28 at 6:19 pm
Eboy says:
I did voice my vote preference during the Floriduh primary for Senor Obama, so I’m good with him regardless. Check the tape or the post to be sure.
Mar.28 at 8:39 pm
nick says:
Atleast they are a 500 team. I’m a t-wolves fan thats all i got to say
Mar.29 at 12:28 am
Co Co says:
It’s about time you wrote something Khalid. I was tired of inundating you with complaints!
Mar.29 at 3:59 pm
Maurice Garland says:
Khalid…you from the ‘Burgh for real? Or were they joking? I was born on the Northside/Charles St. myself… But yeah, congrats to your Sixers in becoming a true playoff team, as in getting in there with a winning record…im pushing for my Hawks to get in there too, but being under .500 and getting in, still doesn’t give me all the bragging rights I need…NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE…where below .500 Playoff Teams Happen.
Mar.29 at 5:44 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Lou Williams, most improved?
Mar.29 at 5:45 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Iggy, Toronto Raptor next year?
Mar.29 at 5:46 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Scranton sucks.
Mar.29 at 5:50 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Maurice i’m not from pittsburgh. i like the city tho as well as the people from the burgh
Mar.29 at 7:30 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
@ boing: y?
Mar.30 at 2:21 am
The Answer says:
I’m a die hard Sixer fan and being above .500 is a lot more than expected by anyone at the beginning of the year. Everyone had the Sixers dead last in the East at the start of the year. And now they have the possibility of finishing 5th? I don’t care how weak the East is, that’s pretty impressive.
Mar.30 at 5:30 am
hursty says:
Andrew Bogut MIP.
Mar.30 at 10:16 am
Bubba Chuck says:
Nuggets win! We are in the playoffs!!! K-Mart was a beast! JR Smith & Linas Kleiza were gooooood! I feel bad 4 ai. B-Diddy & Stack Jack r my boiz but i needed them 2 lose this 1! Seeing David Thompson was cool! I didnt know where else 2 post this so i posted it here bcuz this article has tha biggest picture on tha main page. Go Nuggets!
Mar.30 at 3:52 pm
bballer says:
KB24 for MVP!!!
Mar.30 at 8:42 pm
CMart says:
The Sixers will be good in the next few years. Andre Iguodala is good but he is no A.I. Thaddeus Young is extremley athletic and he just needs to make his game more polished. They either need to trade for an established star or pick one up in free agency. I agree with Khalid Salaam on it being disgraceful if they made the playoffs 10 games under five hundred. If they can get up to the 6th spot or maybe even 5th spot in the East I will be happy. Go Sixers!!
Apr.1 at 5:06 pm
B.Lee says:
LMAO. Yeah, Pittsburgh and Philly are even close… even though people always think they are. Burghers are NOT supporters of the Sixers. That’s like mixing the MIGHTY STEELERS with the lil’ Eagles. Thanks for the shout out though. I see you Maurice. I’m from the Hill.
Apr.6 at 2:09 am
Thomas says:
The Sixers are looking like a legitimate team w/o Allen Iverson for the first full season w/o him. With him they didn’t make the Playoffs since like 2004 (I think if not for sure 2003). Without him they look to have a legitimate fifth seed (Not much since its the East). But Andre Igudala (sp?) and Co. have played well this season and if they keep it up they have a bright future. Until the GM blows up the team because they cannot get over the “hump” to win in the Playoffs.