Tweet
Jim Feist
(701) TORONTO RAPTORS
(702) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take "(701) TORONTO RAPTORS"
The Sixers look to start this season a bit better than they did the last one, where they went 18-30. The Sixers got their act straight and did make the playoffs, though they lost in six games to the Pistons. The big off-season move was the signing of forward Elton Brand. They also brought over Royal Ivey and three-point specialist Karem Rush. The latter is expected to help the Sixers who were dead last in three-point shooting (31.7%). "I don't worry about my role," Rush said. "But I know I'm out there to make shots."
The Sixers will be a bit undermanned entering their opening game of the season on Wednesday. Center Samuel Dalembert has missed most of the week's practice with a sprained right knee, forward Thaddeeus Young strained his back and is listed as day-to-day. In addition, guard Royal Ivey will have to miss the first two games of the season with a suspension from the end of last year. That means the Sixers will likely only have 11 men in uniform on Wednesday.
Toronto finished the preseason with a 4-4 record. The big acquisition for the Raptors in the offseason was that of Jermaine O'Neal. And, HC Sam Mitchell has been very careful during the preseason not to overwork his star player. O'Neal averaged 35 minutes a game in Indiana, but Mitchell will be very happy to get 30 per game out of his big man. Another player Mitchell will be depending on is Chris Bosh. And, if his attitude this preseason is any indication, Bosh may be in for a big year.
"His practices are unbelievable, unbelievable," Mitchell said. "In the past, Chris would just come in ... not go through the motions but just do enough. Now, everything, every possession, every play is 100 per cent all out.
Raptors have the nucleus to go far this year, while the Sixers have lots of new faces that will take time again to jell. We'll start the season with the Raptors and the points here.
(701) TORONTO RAPTORS
(702) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take "(701) TORONTO RAPTORS"
The Sixers look to start this season a bit better than they did the last one, where they went 18-30. The Sixers got their act straight and did make the playoffs, though they lost in six games to the Pistons. The big off-season move was the signing of forward Elton Brand. They also brought over Royal Ivey and three-point specialist Karem Rush. The latter is expected to help the Sixers who were dead last in three-point shooting (31.7%). "I don't worry about my role," Rush said. "But I know I'm out there to make shots."
The Sixers will be a bit undermanned entering their opening game of the season on Wednesday. Center Samuel Dalembert has missed most of the week's practice with a sprained right knee, forward Thaddeeus Young strained his back and is listed as day-to-day. In addition, guard Royal Ivey will have to miss the first two games of the season with a suspension from the end of last year. That means the Sixers will likely only have 11 men in uniform on Wednesday.
Toronto finished the preseason with a 4-4 record. The big acquisition for the Raptors in the offseason was that of Jermaine O'Neal. And, HC Sam Mitchell has been very careful during the preseason not to overwork his star player. O'Neal averaged 35 minutes a game in Indiana, but Mitchell will be very happy to get 30 per game out of his big man. Another player Mitchell will be depending on is Chris Bosh. And, if his attitude this preseason is any indication, Bosh may be in for a big year.
"His practices are unbelievable, unbelievable," Mitchell said. "In the past, Chris would just come in ... not go through the motions but just do enough. Now, everything, every possession, every play is 100 per cent all out.
Raptors have the nucleus to go far this year, while the Sixers have lots of new faces that will take time again to jell. We'll start the season with the Raptors and the points here.
Comment