Who Are the Philadelphia 76ers?

The only people who have given the Sixers a chance in the playoffs have been the Philly fans. This wasn't the case at the beginning of the year, but since the midway point we've seen a totally new team.

It is tough right now to support this team properly, because Philly is following the Flyers' playoffs run. The fans think the Flyers could win it all. But if the Sixers keep having rallies selling gas at 76 cents, it might be a different story.

Many people around the country are asking who these guys, are like rookie Thaddeus Young and talented young gun Lou Williams. These are the guys who have chipped in throughout the season.

When Ed Stefanski was hired after GM Billy King was fired, he told coach Mo Cheeks to play the young guys. Mo had to change his thinking, because he always believed the young guys had to learn before they ever got into meaningful games.

The Sixers are last in free-throw percentage and three-point percentage, but they are third in fast-break points.

In the halfcourt, Andre Miller is the Sixers' leader. He can drive to the hoop as well as shoot the fade-away 17-seventeen footer. It seems like his tough shots always go in for him, and he's shooting 50.9 percent in the playoffs.

Miller also has just 2.5 turnovers per game this season. He also leads the league in consecutive games played.

Who is the man that has the crowd chanting his name?...Reggie Evans! He gives the team a tough guy underneath who is a rebounding machine.

He has played the best basketball of the season during the playoffs and is now playing the most important minutes down the stretch. 

But why has the crowd been so quiet in Philly? Take a look at the Pistons playing style. It is boring basketball to watch, with a slow tempo and jump shooting with all of their old players.

The Sixers are the complete opposite, running up and down the floor playing athletic basketball with their young team. 

The Sixers' defense is their weak spot. They switch whenever they are picked and it always ends to someone getting a wide-open look. They cover the basket inside well, with Samuel Dalembert blocking shots.

Unfortunately, teams who can shoot well burn the 76ers. Rasheed Wallace was a killer in the first two games, shooting 43 and 60 percent. In game three, he shot 16.7 percent.

Even though Detroit has contained Philly's best player in Andre Iguodala, they are losing the series. He has shot just 21.2 percent from the field and has yet to score his season average of 19.9 points per game.

But he is not the key to the Sixers. Stop the other Andre, and you will win the game.

My thoughts: Play Lou Williams a little more and Willie Green a little less.