Post by Philadelphia 76ers on Jun 21, 2008 11:02:30 GMT -5
[/b](4) Philadelphia 76ers vs (5) New Jersey NetsVS
Kevin Garnett
21.0 PPG
Mehmet Okur
20.7 PPG
Kevin Garnett
11.1 RPG
Mehmet Okur
9.7 RPG
Gilbert Arenas
5.9 APG
Mehmet Okur
3.8 APG
Kevin Garnett
1.7 SPG
Tayshaun Prince
1.65 SPG
Kevin Garnett
1.93 BPG
Tayshaun Prince
1.35 BPG
This series features the two top teams in the Atlantic who have been neck to neck for the Atlantic title since day 1. Both teams have helped the Atlantic division rid themselves of the title "Titanic division". Last season both teams combined for an abysmal 69-95 record, one year later and they combine for a 180 95-69 record. An improvement of 26 games! It's been an interesting road to the playoffs for both the Nets and Sixers.
Season Recap:
After a dissapointing 06/07 campaign the Sixers organization fired GM Muarice Cheeks before the playoffs. Owner Eugene Melnyk broguht in close friend Bryan Colangelo to take over the vacant GM position. Colangelo promised Philly that the Sixers would be back in the playoffs in no time. The off-season was one to remember in Philly. The first deal BC pulled out of his hat was when he dealt the team's coveted 3rd overall pick for highflyer Josh Smith. A few days later Philly surprisingly emerged as the front runners in the KG sweepstakes. After a few days to hammer out the details, Colangelo struck a deal to acquire the league MVP. Things were looking bright with a core of Mike Miller- Josh Smith and Kevin Garnett. However, the team still had some holes to fill. Without a PG and C, Colangelo managed to fill those holes by bringing in Mike Bibby and Chris Webber. When the season began, the Sixers struggled out of the gate falling to the bottom of the Atlantic. What went wrong? There were not enough shots to go around. Chemistry wasn't there between Webber and KG and things were heating up in the lockeroom. Alas, Colangelo dealt away Webber to the San Antonio Spurs for their leading scorer, Ricky Davis and Shareef Abdur Rahim who was later dealt to Cleveland for Drew Gooden. The next move he made was ridding himself of Kyle Korver and Sean Williams for Dickembe Mutombo. This move has possibly saved Philly's season. By bringing in Mutombo and Walton, Philly's defence was better than ever, plus KG got his touches again. At one point Philly was on a season high 10 game winning streak. However, it's been Jeckly and Hyde ever since. The final move BC made this season was as big as any other. Hours before the trade deadline, fan favourite Mike Miller, Mike Bibby and Leandro Barbosa were traded in a blockbuster 3 way deal that landed Philly superscorer Gilbert Arenas, Cuttino Mobley, Linas Kleiza and Korver. Arenas was injured for his first two weeks in Philly but since his return the Sixers have returned to their mid-season form. Their 4 consecutive losses heading into the playoffs is a big concern however. Regardless, it's been a great turnaround in the City of Brotherley Love.
Like Philly, the Nets were a team that struggled last season but has turned it around this season. Unlike the Sixers however, the Nets made it to the playoffs (albeit with a 40-42) last season in the then weak Eastern Conference. There were major changes in the off-season which saw the Nets say good-bye to defensive studs Ron Artest and Jason Kidd. Both were traded to the Bucks for Stephon Marbury and Tracy McGrady. This was only the first of many moves. The next move may turn out to be the most crucial the Nets success this season. On November 17th, the Utah Jazz and New Jersey reached a deal that sent Brad Miller to the Jazz in exchange for Mehmet Okur. I think it's safe to say New Jersey benefited the most from this trade. The lineup was set and the Nets started off fairly well sitting on top of the Atlantic for the first few months of the season. Since, the Nets and Sixers have been going neck to neck for the Atlantic crown until the Nets finally clinched it in dramatic fashion, on the last day of the season Philly and Jersey faced off for the last time for the division crown and home court advantage in the playoffs.
Gilbert Arenas15.5 PPG
3.9 RPG
5.5 APG
Rafer Alston
8.0 PPG
1.2 RPG
3.5 APG
1.2 RPG
3.5 APG
Arenas
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Arenas: Agent 0 has had an injury plagued season. However, he has looked great with Philly down the stretch run and has given the Sixers someone who can score with the on the wire. Since joining Philly, Arenas has scored over 20 pts in all but 5 games. Look for him to extend his hot streak into the playoffs with the likes on Rafer Alston guarding him.
Alston: Picked up at the trade deadline to give the Nets a spark, Alston has done exactly that plus more. Skip to my Lou has been far and away the Net's best point guard this season. With the likes of Devin Harris and Randy Foye struggling to run the point, having a decent PG comes as a sigh of relief to Nets fans. Alston's playmaking ability and shooting touch has been crucial to a team filled with scorers. However, Alston is gonna have his hands full guarding Agent 0 in this series. He has to make sure he stays out of foul trouble because the Nets have no depth at PG and we all know you're not gonna do well without a PG.
** Philadelphia 76ers ** | ** Position ** | ** New Jersey Nets ** | Advantage |
 Cuttino Mobley 15.5 PPG 3.9 RPG 5.5 APG | SG |
Josh Howard
17.3 PPG
6.8 RPG
3.3 APG
6.8 RPG
3.3 APG
Josh Howard
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Mobley- The sharpshooting Mobley seems to be progressing as the games keep coming. Mobley started off cold as ice and was bench in favor for Ricky Davis. Once Gilbert Arenas returned from injury, Mobley was inserted into the lineup because he was a better outside shooter than Davis and would give Arenas and Garnett more room to manuever with. Since, he's played a lot better. Why? With Arenas in the lineup, there's less pressure for Mobley to score and more open oppurtunities with both KG and Arenas doubled. In this series, Cuttino should have his fair share of shots but it's on the defensive end that's worrying fans. Mobley is gonna have to guard a much bigger Josh Howard. If this doesn't work out, don't be surprised to see a more atheltic Ricky Davis inserted into the lineup to guard Howard.
Howard- Howard's transition from SF to SG has made the Net's coach look genius. For most part of the 2007-2008 campaign, the Nets were getting ZERO production from the SG position. They were desperate enough to use Harris at SG. Let's just say that didn't work out too well. Howard was then experimented at SG and he's ran away with the job and never looked back. J-Ho has provided the Nets some much needed perimeter offence and solid defence. Look for him to attack the basket whenever he gets the chance too this series with a smaller Mobley guarding him.
** Philadelphia 76ers ** | ** Position ** | ** New Jersey Nets ** | Advantage |
 Luke Walton 13.2 PPG 5.4 RPG 4.7 APG | SF |
Tayshaun Prince
17.4 PPG
6.9 RPG
2.7 APG
6.9 RPG
2.7 APG
Tayshaun Prince
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Walton- Walton has quietly had himself a breakout season. Since being acquired from the Lakers, Walton has provided some much needed defence at the SF position. His intangibles compliment Garnett and Arenas well. He's been a big reason for the Sixers turnaround from their early season meltdown.
Prince- It's been a roller coaster season for Tayshaun. He's gone from scoring 30 pts on a consistent basis to under 10 in 10 consecutive games. When the new Pacers GM came in, he immediately got rid of Prince claiming he was too inconsistent to be the face of the Pacers franchise. Although he's no longer putting up 30 PPG for the Nets, Prince has been a key component of the Nets defence which is fairly weak. He's also a great player in transition and his huge wingspan is key in the Nets defence. Look for him to be the X- Factor in this series for New Jersey.
** Philadelphia 76ers ** | ** Position ** | ** New Jersey Nets ** | Advantage |
 Kevin Garnett 21.0 PPG 11.1 RPG 4.2 APG | PF |
David West
17.5 PPG
9.5 RPG
2.5 APG
9.5 RPG
2.5 APG
Kevin Garnett
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Garnett- KG has been hands down the MVP of the Philadelphia 76ers and single handedly returned respectability to Philly basketball. If the Sixers plan on making some noise in the post-season, KG is gonna have to continue posting the same numbers across the board. Look for the Big Ticket to put on a big show against a fairly soft New Jersey frontcourt (banged up David West and Mehmet Okur).
West- This matchup is one to definitely keep an eye on. West has been nothing short of exceptional since coming over from the Kings. However, he has had his fair share of struggles against KG and co. this season averaging only 10.2 PPG on 33% shooting. West is still not 100% after a late season injury and this could be a huge problem considering he can re-injure guarding the physical Garnett. How long will an injured David West be able to contain Kevin Garnett? We'll just have to wait and see.
** Philadelphia 76ers ** | ** Position ** | ** New Jersey Nets ** | Advantage |
 Dickembe Mutombo 10.8 PPG 8.1 RPG 1.43 BPG | C |
Mehmet Okur
20.7 PPG
9.7 RPG
3.8 APG
9.7 RPG
3.8 APG
Mehmet Okur
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Mutombo- At 40 years of age, the "Cookie Monster" looks as if he never lost a step. Mutombo has been the perfect bigman to pair up next to KG. He doesn't demand shots, still one of the premiere shotblocking/defensive centers in the league and has a boatload of experience. Deke is going to have his habds full guarding Jersey's MVP, Mehmet Okur. If Mutombo, can keep Okur at bay, it should be smooth sailing for Philly.
Okur- The Turkish sharpshooter is coming off a career year in which he led the Nets in points, rebounds, assists and field goal %. Like what KG has done for Philly, he's been a huge part of the Net's turnaround. It's gonna be a tough task to put up similar numbers against a Philly front line that consists of Garnett and Mutombo.
Bench
Philly- Depth is one of the Sixer's biggest strenght, With the likes of Ricky Davis, Drew Gooden, Kyle Korver, Linas Kleiza, Chris Duhon, Juan Carlos Navvaro and Ike Diogu, Philly has arguably one of the top benches in teh league. There is a good mix of scoring (JCN, Davis, Korver, Kleiza), rebounding (Diogu, Gooden), and defence (Duhon). This should give Philly a big advantage over the Nets this series.
Jersey- I guess having a great starting lineup does have it's costs. In this case, it's a lack of depth for Jersey. New Jersey's pine is consists of mostly SG's (Q-Rich, Mccants, Murray) and retired players (Robinson, Mckie, Murray). One has to wonder how long a team can last the wind and grind of the playoffs without a bench they can rely on.
Philly X Factor
Dickembe Mutombo
10.8 PPG
8.1 RPG
1.43 BPG
8.1 RPG
1.43 BPG
New Jersey X Factor
Tayshaun Prince
17.4 PPG
6.9 RPG
2.7 APG
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Josh Howard
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Cuttino Mobley
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