I Can't Remember The Last Time The 76ers Came Out With An Over .500 Record On A West Coast Road Trip

Anybody know?

Were any of the kids my age (20ish) alive?

Anyway, the 76ers ended their five game western road trip last night in Porltand with a 114-108 win in overtime! They went 3-2 on the road trip and their record is at 36-33.

Andre Miller led the team with 27 points.

But, you know what, the impression I am getting from a lot of people is this team is not really going anywhere. The impression is they suck. Although they are 36-33 and can't shoot, the fact remains they are capable of playing good defense and they rebound like crazy. The Sixers really are not THAT bad. They're not great. They're maybe not even good. But, they're not bad.

Right now they are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and 1 1/2 games behind the fifth place Miami Heat. Forget missing the playoffs for a draft pick. You have already drafted guys like Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights. The team is not that bad to have a legitimate shot at a top five lottery pick. They need to continuously make the playoffs, get people to want to come here and build from within the league. 

How do you think the Celtics won last season? By drafting? No! They got GIFTS and received Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. GIFTS. I am not saying the Sixers need to find a way to get gifts, but they need to get a shooter and a very good lock down defender.

OK, Elton Brand has not worked out so far, obviously. But, he is coming back next year and his shoulder should be alright. There is going to be a lot of negative talk around him and in my opinion, he will use that as a chip on his shoulder to succeed. Yet, that is neither here or there.

As far as this season goes, I hope the Sixers can catch the Heat and at least get the fifth spot. I do not want them to be playing either Orlando, Boston or Cleveland in the first round. If they play Atlanta, they have a chance to win.

If they make it to the second round, good players will be interested in coming here. Although the Sixers have no cap room, who knows what they could do if guys want to come here.

So, with the playoffs creeping up on us, here is what you should hope happens:

A. The Sixers make it

B. They are at least the fifth seed

C. They go further than last year

D. Someone on the team makes jump shots consistently (like Andre Iguodala)

E. Samuel Dalembert doesn't go to this "bum" state

F. Lou Williams plays smart off the bench

G. Marreese Speights gets the opportunity to contribute off the bench

H. Donyell Marshall gets more minutes so we can have that shooter on the floor

I. Thaddeus Young continues to play well, as well as Andre Miller

J. Willie Green goes you something

and

K. Royal Ivey can be that defensive stopper against the tough guards off the bench

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to playoff basketball (Knock on Wood). And even though the Flyers are playing inspired hockey right now, who knows what the Sixers can do.