FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Well, I just got back from the Summer League and in the Sixers third game they finally got in the win column. Wins and losses aren't that important in the SL, but it was nice to get one out of the way. It was also sweet that it was againt my least favorite team of all-time, the Lakers.

Philadelphia 81 Los Angeles 73. The Lakers started out on a 10-0 run and led for most of the game, but the Sixers chipped away and pulled away in the end. This game was both similar and different from the first game I watched against the Nuggets. Here's what I saw:

Likes:
-Marreese Speights. Mo responded by my "not hustling" comment by doing the exact opposite. Speights was all over the place, especially in the first quarter. He hustled less as the game went on, but I'll credit that to his conditioning. And I'd much rather him not hustle because he's tired instead of him not hustling because he's lazy. He also responded to the "no heart/passion" comment. He was cheering his teammates on the entire game. He was the first one to stand up and wave his towel while he was on the bench. He was the first one to high five his teammates or tell them "good job". The kid's jump shot is also a thing of beauty. He's going to be something special. He finished the night with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and only ONE turnover! He was 7-11 from the floor. The moment that sums up his night best was when I overheard the Maloof Brothers (Owners of the Sacramento Kings and the Palms casino. They we're sitting right in front of me) ask some guy in their entourage, "Hey, who's this number 16 guy?" At the two games I've been at, he's done nothing but impress me and everybody else watching.
-Thad's jumper. It looked much better tonight.
-Thad's ability to finish around the rim. He still amazes me with the shots he gets off and in around the basket.
-Better rebounding. 31-30 Philadelphia.
-Jason Smith's jumper and his free throw shooting (8-9).
-Obviously the win.

Dislikes:
-Pat Carrol got the start tonight instead of Junior Harrington. I liked that a lot, until I saw him play. He played like garbage. He made some bad passes, traveled, missed open jump shots. The Sixers staff saw what I saw, benching him for most of the game (only 14 minutes after starting the game).
-Jason Smith's lack of finishing around the rim.
-Thaddeus Young's horrible dribbling and lack of control. I'd never thought I'd say this, but he's been playing with less control than Rodney Carney. He had a double dribble tonight, along with numerous wild drives to the basket ending in the ball flying into the defender's hands. He really needs work on his shot and handles.
-Every other player's games except Junior Harrington.

Much better game for the Sixers tonight. It was a little less enjoyable for me since I had just finished working, along with the fact that most annoying kid in the world was sitting behind me, but Marreese Speights made it all worth while. I've seen him play twice and I've officially fallen in love with the guy. He should contend for some serious minutes come regular season, especially if Jason Smith continues to play like he has been.

That's all I have for the game itself, but just for fun here's some of the sights and sounds you might have missed if you watched it on TV.

-The Maloof's and their entourage of guys and beautiful ladies.
-Josh Childress. He created quite the buzz from the crowd.
-A Lakers' player flying into the stands and completely destroying a girl who was standing with her back towards the court. From first glance I thought she was seriously hurt, but she stood up and gave the wave to the crowd.
-One of the Lakers' guards thought it'd be funny to randomly scream and Jamont Gordon while playing defense at the top of the key. Well, he thought right. He scared Gordon enough to jump back a little. I thought it was funny.
-The play right after the girl, Rick Kamla took a ball off the forehead.
-James White asking one of the girls with the Maloofs to hang out after the game.
-A dude walked by Kevin Pritchard (Blazers GM) and said what's up to him. KP than proceeded to smile and take some of his popcorn.
-There were these two guys sitting directly in front of me and they knew every NBA player and exec. that walked by. I didn't recognize either one of them, but I came to the conclusion that they were scouts or former scouts when on NBA exec. said this to one of them, "Oh, so you can tell me why I shouldn't draft a certain guy and then I don't draft 'em and turn out to be a (bleep) up!" The dude proceeded to say, "No one will hire me." Whoever they we're it was cool to see all these NBA players and executives come up and talk to the guys right in front of me.

I'll be back tomorrow with game 3. Later.

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