[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

I was kind of upset to see so many people quickly write off Philadelphia even after Derrick Rose went down, they struggled late in the season and fell all the way to 8th place in the East and they deserve to be held accountable for that BUT they were also a very good squad early in the season and have one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, not to mention they are very deep and young for a team that feels like they’ve been there/done that before

I think they should have been given more credit for that second half of game 2, I think they played together for the first time in a while, they looked ready to take the Bulls out in round 1

If Holiday, Turner and Lou Williams score and assist like they need in Game 2 for the next 3 games, it’s going to be hard to see them lose to the Bulls without Rose in the lineup

Where I think the Sixers have to focus is on rebounding and defense, if they force tough shots and rebound the ball like their lives depended on it they’ll be fine…

BTW, Allen and Thad Young have been huge for us off bench, Lavoy looks like a poor mans Udonis Haslem and Thad has provided a different look

They are making Iggy and Brand more and more expendible at this point…

The Bulls will win this series if the Sixers let Rip, Deng or Boozer go off for huge games at the same time…With Holiday now chasing Rip, Iguadola locking on to Deng and Brand checking up Boozer I’m very confident the 76ers will move on…Hawes and Turner can’t allow Noah and Watson to have good games offensively, Noah will be Noah and rebound but he can’t be allowed to score like he did in game 2, Watson’s speed worries me, I don’t want to have to switch Jrue on him or put in Lou for extended time…

[I May Be WrongParticipant]

 Question: Can the Sixers win this series?

My answer as a bias fan: 

My answer as a sensible fan: Yes, they have a very good chance especially if they are clicking on offense like the last game. I love what Evan Turner has been doing and him and Jrue have put up some good numbers. The bigmen of the Bull worry me (as you mentioned) but I think Thad’s versatility makes him a mismatch for Gibson or Boozer. Also, Spencer Hawes needs to start being a threat (either on the boards or hitting that 15 footer) because Noah was chumping him out there. Luckily, the Bulls don’t run an offense through Noah all the time so we didn’t get burned but Spencer was looking iffy

[CynthiaParticipant]

 I think the 76ers deffinitely have a legit chance of winning this series. But just because the Bulls don’t have rose doesn’t mean they’re a cake-walk. They proved in the regular season without him they could still win, and easily for the most part.

I’m actually pretty torn between who I’d rather win because I genuinely enjoy both teams.

[TheBigEasyParticipant]

I think they do. But you mentioned that Iggy is getting more and more expandable, but I think that he´s really the key to them beating the Bulls. If he´s successful in his defense on Deng, the 76´ers already put the Bulls first or second option down (since Rose isn´t around). This in combination with their scoring depth, I think there´s a 50/50 chance that the 76´ers pull it off. The problem with the 76´ers though is that there are always two or three players per game that don´t bring their A game every game. And those are never the same two or three players at the same time (which makes it extremely difficult to coach for Doug Collins).

[JoeWolf1]

 Yes, Game 2 was huge for Philly.  If they would have dropped that game then I think Chicago would have wrapped it up pretty quickly, but now it’s 1-1 going home for the 6ers.

I still predict the Bulls in 6, but the 76ers are not out of it at all.  It also appeared Chicago took a much bigger morality hit than I expected.  

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

None-Biased and straight forward

@ Cynthia, without Rose in the Lineup I’d honestly rather see a team that’s at full strenght advance, if Rose were there even as a Huge 76ers fan I’d want the better team to advance(after a n Epic 7 game series though LOL) 

@ The Big Easy, I like the point you make about Iguadola, I also believe he’s a huge part to our success, I’ve made thread in Iguadola’s defense, I believe Iggy is one a rare few that can make it hard on a LBJ,KD,MELO,Kobe, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger or Paul Pierce on defense…looking at This series, he’s had to guard Deng, next series he’ll check up Joe Johnson/Josh Smith or Ray Allen/Paul Pierce …So yes Iggy is key to these playoffs games, but long term Thad Young and/or Evan Turner could be our starting SF

@ I May Be Wrong, I love that energy brother, our Team is going to need that same type of energy against Chi Town(who I still view as the Team to beat in The East, they have a great coach, tough D and a very good 4 big rotation)

[Krypt GussParticipant]

 With D-Rose out of the picture, Iggy and the gang have to win this series.

I mean, so long as they shut down Deng. They also need their bench to step in EVERY game to stop the offensive rebounding that Gibson and Asik bring to the table. That would limit their bench scoring from second chance pts.

You get those two points done, and they have the series won. Unless, Korver goes for 20+ PPG. Highly unlikely…

[DondiJohnParticipant]

They now have home court advantage in the remaining games. Im not counting out Chicago because they already showed they can play with out Rose. Defensive wise, its a big gain for the Sixers on Rose’s injury due to the fact that inside defense in a weakness of the Sixers. They dont have that potent 2 bpg player they can count on. Sixers need to control Deng and Boozer, also defensive rebounding would be a key for them because of the depth of the Bulls’ frontline.

[omphalosParticipant]

Does it really matter? A win over a Roseless Bulls doesn’t mean a whole lot, and no matter who they face in the next round they will be looking at a quick exit (I might be a bit biased as a Celtics fan).

For what it’s worth, yes, I think they’ll win this series, they can sense the weakness in Chicago.

[CynthiaParticipant]

[kobyzParticipant]

Iguadola killed Deng last night on the defensive end, not easy thing to do, for me it’s remind that Iggy was the one that should have won the DPOY Award!

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

Since rose is out i have the 76ers making it to the conference finals.

Jrue Holiday will have his official coming out party 11-15 26 points. WATSON CAN NOT HOLD HIM

Lets really think about this…

The 76ers have the most tradidtional starting lineup in the 

holiday-a true 1

Even Turner- the highest drafted true 2 since….dwayne wade?

Iggy-Athletic up and down the floor true 3

Elton can’t play any other position but the 4 at the stage in his career

Spencer Hawes….SUCKS hahahahaha.(fact spencer hawes JR year at seattle prep which was martell websters senior year DID NOT MAKE STATE hahahah..anyways he’s a true 5 with ability

Luo williams-A true scoring 6th man

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@omphalos

Yes, it still matters. There’s no sympathy in basketball and advancing is advancing.

I think the 76ers will beat the Bulls in 6.

I think they’d have a chance to beat the Hawks in the 2nd round, but not the Celtics.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@Cynthia

Lmao… That looks like one of the exact suits he wears too.

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 Lets face facts, if Rose were playing, Chicago would easily win. But hey if Philly pulls it out now it’s still got some merit to it, Chicago is till tough on defense, takes good shots, have solids players like Noah, Deng, Hamilton, Boozer, Watson, Gibson, and were up 1-0 coming into game 2.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Chicago played well without Rose this year.  His loss is big and crippling for a title contender, but I don’t think it means they are doomed to be a early out.  The Sixers do have a very good chance to win, but I would predict that the Bulls take it in 7.  They are still an outstanding defensive team that is competent offensively.  Their offense will take a big step back without Rose, but their defense alone may be enough for them to make the conference finals.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

This isn’t the regular season anymore. You can already see the difference of intensity.

[Ghost01Participant]

 Everyone is acting like game 2 entirely exposed the Bulls without Rose. Sure, in the 3rd quarter they couldn’t buy a shot, but they lost this game because of how bad their defense was, especially in transition. If Philly continues to shoot 58% from the field, of course they will win this series. But that wont happen. Bulls in 6. 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

I’m just hoping for a long and exiting series, either way the Sixers have a chance to upset the 1 seed and maybe generate a Buzz throughout the league, one that we hope reaches the Superstar’s soon to be Free Agents… 

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