Sunday, December 06, 2009
Eagles inactives...
Reid extension almost done
Williams survives in Atlantic City
By John McMullen
Atlantic City, NJ (The Phan) - He's billed as one of the most feared fighters in the world but the tables were turned on Paul Williams last night at historic Boardwalk Hall.
After Williams and Sergio Martinez dueled in a classic 12-round slugfest that had Fight of the Year written all over it, Williams had to be concerned, maybe even scared, at the prospect of hearing the scorecards.
When it was over Williams could breathe a sigh of relief thanks to judge Pierre Benoist. The athletic left-hander earned a majority decision over Martinez with Benoist inexplicably scored the razor-close fight 119-110 in favor of Williams.
Lynne Carter had it 115-113 for Williams and Julie Lederman scored the bout 114-114. The Phanatic Magazine also scored it 114-114.
Benoist's strange scorecard especially upset Martinez's promoter, Lou DiBella, who exploded after the announcement.
"Either he's incompetent -- or worse," DiBella said of Benoist, "because there is no explanation for that score. I'm not going to cry because I had my guy winning by one point but come on. That's corrupt. I'm glad I don't know what he looks like because I might punch him myself."
Martinez (44-2-2), the junior middleweight champ, went down at the 1:57 mark of Round 1 from a glancing blow before recovering to knock Williams silly in the final seconds of the round.
The 28-year-old Williams began bleeding over his left eye during the fourth round after an accidental head butt from Martinez, who often resorted to clinching to overcome Williams' huge reach advantage.
Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) was the much busier fighter throughout throwing a high volume of punches, while Martinez' plan was to counter and he was far more accurate and cleaner with his punching.
According to the CompuBox numbers, Williams threw as many power punches (631) as Martinez had total punches (638) but Martinez landed 40 percent of his blows to 31 percent for Williams.
"They called (Williams) the most feared man in the world, but I didn't have any fear at all in this bout," Martinez said.
Williams, who was originally supposed to fight middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik on Oct. 3, a bout that was postponed twice due to a staph infection on Pavlik's left hand, has now won five straight fights since his only career loss -- a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Quintana in February 2008.
The undercard was headlined by a pair heavyweight bouts. Chris Arreola (28-1, 25 KOs) defeated a game Brian Minto (34-3, 21 KOs) with a fourth-round TKO and veteran Tony "The Tiger" Thompson (33-2, 21 KOs) stopped Philly native Chazz Witherspoon (26-2, 18 KOs) in the ninth round of an entertaining fight.
In non-televised action former welterweight titlist Carlos Quintana (27-2, 21 KOs) suffered a second-round knockdown but rebounded for a third-round TKO of Jesse Feliciano (15-8-3, 9 KOs) in a junior middleweight bout while junior featherweight prospect Jorge Diaz (11-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Luis Paneto (5-7-2, 2 KOs) in the first round.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Caps steal the show in Laviolette's debut, crush Flyers
The Phanatic Magazine
Nicklas Backstrom posted a goal and four assists as the Washington Capitals thoroughly embarrassed the Flyers, 8-2, at Wachovia Center, in the first game for new Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette.
Mike Green contributed two goals and two helpers for the Capitals, who tallied seven times over the first 40 minutes to pick up their fifth consecutive win. Tomas Fleischmann lit the lamp twice, while Brooks Laich, Chris Clark and David Steckel scored once each.
Jose Theodore stopped 34 shots for Washington, which missed a handful of regulars -- including Alex Ovechkin who was serving the final game of his suspension -- but managed to score four times on the power play and record the most goals in one game at Philadelphia in franchise history.
Scott Hartnell and Mika Pyorala provided the offense for the Flyers, who put together their worst home performance of the season.
Laviolette was brought in on Friday evening, just hours after the club fired John Stevens who had been behind the bench since October, 2006.
Starter Ray Emery was tagged in the loss for five goals on 17 shots in 31-plus minutes. Brian Boucher yielded three scores on 13 shots over the remainder of the game for Philadelphia, which suffered its seventh loss in eight contests.
The long night for the home team began with just 57 seconds played, as Brendan Morrison connected with Fleischmann for an easy tap-in.
Pyorala then snapped the Flyers' long scoreless streak, slamming home the rebound of an Oskars Bartulis point shot with 7:54 left in the first, but the contest took a decisive turn a little more than two minutes later.
Philly enforcer Dan Carcillo was given minors for cross-checking and instigation, a fighting major, a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct for knocking down Caps forward Matt Bradley with one punch. Bradley had not been prepared to meet Carcillo's challenge, then was bloodied a split second before he was able to drop his gloves and steady himself.
Armed with a nine-minute advantage, the Caps struck for a pair of scores 20 seconds apart by Fleischmann and Green for a 3-1 game.
Still on the extended power play, Laich's fluttering shot eluded Emery 36 seconds into the second period and Washington led by three.
Clark then sent a blistering shot home from the right circle with 8:46 left in the second for a 5-1 game just after a Flyers power play expired. Boucher came on for Emery but Backstrom converted a rebound from the top of the crease 48 seconds later.
It was 7-1 for the visitors when Backstrom fed Green for a one-timer in the slot at 15:23 and the Caps took the six-goal bulge to intermission.
Hartnell's one-timer off a dish from Jon Kalinski at 6:09 of the third period brought the Flyers' deficit to five once more, but Hartnell's slashing penalty led to Washington's eighth and final goal, from Steckel, at 10:57.
The Capitals sat back for the remainder of regulation but the Flyers were unable to put a further dent in their deficit despite a 15-5 shot advantage.
Notes: Washington's most decisive prior triumph in Philadelphia came on January 8, 1984, a 7-1 win where Bengt Gustafsson scored five goals...Pyorala's goal snapped a scoreless string of 172 minutes, 10 seconds dating back to the end of the first period in last Friday's home game against Buffalo...Pittsburgh was the last club to score eight against the Flyers at home, in an 8-2 victory on October 28, 2006...Philly hadn't lost a home game by six goals since a 6-0 setback to Tampa Bay on January 28, 2006.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Flyers fire Stevens, hire Laviolette
The Phanatic Magazine
The Philadelphia Flyers on Friday fired head coach John Stevens and brought in Peter Laviolette to take the reins.
The move came less than 24 hours after the club was shut out for the second
consecutive contest. Following Thursday's 3-0 defeat against Vancouver at
home, the Flyers have dropped six of their last seven games and are tied with
the New York Rangers for last place in the Atlantic Division with a 13-11-1
record.
Laviolette, a Massachusetts native, last coached with the Carolina Hurricanes
from 2003-2008. He led the 'Canes to a Stanley Cup Finals victory over
Edmonton in 2006, the lone season he guided the team to a postseason
berth. Prior to that, he was bench boss for the New York Islanders for two
seasons (2001-03), taking the Isles to the playoffs both years.
Over parts of seven seasons behind the bench, Laviolette holds a 244-188-30
regular-season record with 25 ties in 487 games, along with a 20-17 playoff
mark.
The 44-year-old also won a Calder Cup in 1999 with the Providence Bruins of
the AHL and was head coach for Team USA in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Stevens was named head coach on October 22, 2006, taking over for the fired
Ken Hitchcock. He presided over the transformation of a club which posted the
worst record in the NHL for the 2006-07 campaign into one which advanced to
the Eastern Conference finals in 2008.
However, although the club made the postseason last year, Philly fell in a
six-game opening-round defeat to eventual champion Pittsburgh.
Despite free-agent acquisitions of goaltender Ray Emery and defenseman Chris
Pronger, the Flyers have played inconsistently this season. Win streaks of
three games to start the season and five straight from October 31-November 12
were offset by losing five of seven from October 8-27 and the current slide.
The 43-year-old, who also coached the Philadelphia Phantoms to a 2005 Calder
Cup championship, finished his tenure behind the Flyers' bench with a
120-109-34 record, including an 11-12 record in the postseason.
In addition, Jack McIlhargey was relieved of his duties as an assistant,
replaced by Kevin McCarthy, who left his assistant coaching post in Carolina
to join Laviolette.
Former WWE Star Umaga dead at 36
Former World Wrestling Entertainment star Edward "Umaga" Fatu died today at age 36.
Fatu suffered a massive heart attack while watching television at his home in Frisco, Texas. Several hours later his wife found him unresponsive with blood coming out of his nose and he was rushed to a Houston-area hospital.
Fatu was then removed from life support earlier this afternoon after suffering a second heart attack.
Fatu had just returned from Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamania" tour of Australia.
Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting that prescription pills may be the cause. Umaga was released from his WWE contract in June after failing the company's Wellness Policy for a second time and refusing a trip to rehabilitation.
Fatu, along with Bobby Lashley, headlined the biggest money event in pro wrestling history, Wrestlemania 23 from Ford Field in Detroit, although the real drawing cards were their seconds for the match, Vince McMahon and Donald Trump.
Lashley posted a message on his Twitter saying: "Very sad day today. A good friend is gone."
WWE also released a statement: "WWE would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr Fatu's family, friends and fans on his tragic passing.
"Mr Fatu was under contract with WWE at various time periods and most recently performed under the name Umaga. Mr Fatu's contract was terminated on June 11, 2009."
Afa Anoa'i, Fatu's uncle and a WWE Hall of Famer, released a statement on Saturday.
"On behalf of my family, the Anoa'i and Fatu family, we are devastated and shocked by the loss of our Eki (Umaga). Our son, nephew, brother, cousin, husband, father. Our hearts are broken, and words can't express what each of us are feeling. It is so comforting to know how loved Eki
is by his family, peers, friends, and most of all his fans.
"When I received that AM phone call that my nephew was in the hospital, I dug deep and prayed and cried and begged for a miracle. When we lost Eki, I knew it was God's will, and that he is with my sister, his mother, who passed just a year ago.
"We are making our plans now for our farewell to Eki, but I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for all of the thousands of posts, emails, letters, and cards. Although I have not been able to bring myself to answer them personally, your kindness does not go unnoticed. I want to especially thank our WWE family and Stephanie McMahon for everything, and her phone call was very comforting to me in my time of sorrow.
"God bless each and every one of you, and I've said it a hundred times, the best people in the world are our wrestling people. You'll never find a more dedicated group of people.
"Be safe and be healthy, and love one another."
Loads of other wrestling personalities have checked in with their condolences:
Lilian Garcia: "Just heard news about Eddie aka Umaga. So sad. Loved him. Prayers 4 him & family."
TNA President Dixie Carter: "On behalf of everyone at TNA, our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Fatu family."
TNA's Pope D'Angelo Dinero (Formerly WWE' s Elijah Burke): "This is rough, very rough. My heart and prayers goes out to Umaga's wife, his boys, and family."
WWE's Maria: "So sad. Eddie was a friend. He loved wrestling and was a great entertainer. My prayers go out to Eddie's beautiful family. A great loss."
WWE's Chris Jericho: "Eddie Fatu was an awesome guy and one of the brothers. I trusted him and that's a rare thing for me. I am devastated. Safe travels Oos"
WWE's Chavo Guerrero Jr.: "Thank u 4 your prayers 4 Umaga. He will be missed!"
Former WWE star JBL: "Had a ball tag teaming with Eddie Fatu (known as Umaga in WWE) in some of my last house show (non TV) matches, I will miss my friend."
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Eddie Fatu (formerly known as Umaga). He was a great performer and a wonderful person."
WWE's JTG: "RIP MY FRIEND"
WWE's Tyler Reks: "My condolences to the Fatu family."
Former WWE star Shannon Moore: "R.I.P Ecki....Mad love and respect.We will miss you and I will cherish the times we had togeather."
TNA's Daniels: "RIP Eddie Fatu. I'm glad I got to know you in the short time you were here."
WWE's Savannah: "I am saddened by the passing today of Eddie Fatu, a.k.a. Umaga. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."
WWE's Maryse: "prayers for UMAGA and all his family!"
Former WWE star Torrie Wilson: "Much love my friend. Much love"
Former WWE star Gangrel: "Have a good journey ecki see you soon you where a ray of light in dark time one love u."
TNA's Matt Morgan: "Me and my family's condolences to Eckie(Umaga)'s family. This just plain out SUCKS! Yet another great guy taken from us too early."
TNA's Jeremy Borash: "RIP Eddie Fatu"
Former WWE personality PAUL HEYMAN: "The world is minus one very cool Samoan tonight. We offer our most profound condolences to the Fatu Family."
WWE's Howard Finkel: "I am saddened by the passing today of Eddie Fatu, a.k.a. Umaga. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."
D-Jack out for Eagles
Sixers shopping Brand
However, even with several teams, including Golden State and Charlotte, desperate for low-post threats, no one believes Brand has enough left to merit taking on that contract.
Andrews surgery update
Akers is NFC Special Teams Player of the Month
SPECIAL TEAMS: K DAVID AKERS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
- Akers converted all 13 of his field-goal attempts and scored 50 points, both tops in the NFL.
- Four of his 13 field goals were from at least 40 yards, including a season-long 52-yarder in Week 9 versus Dallas. He also had the game-winning field goal with 1:48 remaining in Week 12 against Washington.
- This month, Akers kicked at least one field goal in all five games and had three games with three-or-more FGs.
- Akers leads the NFL with 101 points scored and 24 field goals.
- In his 11th season from Louisville, this is Akers’ third career Player of the Month Award. He was honored in November 2000 and October 2007. He joins RANDALL CUNNINGHAM (4) and DONOVAN MC NABB (4) as the only Eagles to be honored at least three times.
Own Iverson's Pen
The Sixers willbe auctioning off the Cross pen Allen Iverson used to sign his contract on Thursday afternoon via Sixers.com to benefit Sixers Charities and the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation.
The auction begins on Friday, Dec. 4 at 12 p.m.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Bryant is NBA's best player; Sixers have two of top 50
Bryant beat out Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James for the No. 1 spot and received 62 first-place votes. James received 34 first-place votes, and Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who was third on the list, received 11 first-place votes. Magic center Dwight Howard was fourth, and Spurs
power forward Tim Duncan fifth.
Rounding out the top 10: 6. Hornets PG Chris Paul, 7. Celtics PF Kevin Garnett, 8. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki, 9. Nuggets SF Carmelo Anthony, 10. Celtics SF Paul Pierce.
Among the NBA legends who filled out ballots for SN were 28 Hall of Famers: Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy, Bill Bradley, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Joe Dumars, Harry Gallatin, Cliff Hagan, Tom Heinsohn, Bob Houbregs, Bailey Howell, Bob Kurland, Earl Lloyd, Bob McAdoo, Dick McGuire, Earl Monroe, Bob Pettit, Jack Ramsay, Frank Ramsey, Arnie Risen, Oscar Robertson, Bill Sharman, Jack Twyman, Dick Vitale, Bobby Wanzer, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens.
"I think what we've seen from Kobe in the last two, three years is that he has become an incredible leader," former Lakers great Magic Johnson said about Bryant. "That was the only thing he had to do that was left on his resume. Before, there was no question that he was the best basketball player in the world, like he is now. He was dominant every night, but he didn't take on that leadership role. ... Now, he is the total package."
The Spurs were tied (with Boston) for the second most player in the top 50, with four overall:
How other teams fared:
- Four players picked: Celtics, Spurs
- Three: Hawks, Pistons, Rockets
- Two: Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Jazz, Magic, Mavericks, Nuggets, Raptors,
76ers, Suns
- One: Bulls, Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, Thunder,
Trail Blazers, Wizards
- None: Bobcats, Kings, Knicks, Timberwolves, Warriors
SPORTING NEWS' TOP 50 PLAYERS
1. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers
2. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers
3. Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat
4. Dwight Howard, C, Magic
5. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs
6. Chris Paul, PG, Hornets
7. Kevin Garnett, PF, Celtics
8. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks
9. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Nuggets
10. Paul Pierce, SF, Celtics
11. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
12. Deron Williams, PG, Jazz
13. Tony Parker, PG, Spurs
14. Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers
15. Yao Ming, C, Rockets
16. Shaquille O'Neal, C, Cavaliers
17. Pau Gasol, PF, Lakers
18. Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors
19. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns
20. Chauncey Billups, PG, Nuggets
21. Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder
22. Manu Ginobili, SG, Spurs
23. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks
24. Tracy McGrady, SG, Rockets
25. Joe Johnson, SG, Hawks
26. Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls
27. Ray Allen, SG, Celtics
28. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards
29. Ron Artest, SF, Lakers
30. Vince Carter, SG, Magic
31. Danny Granger, SF, Pacers
32. Baron Davis, PG, Clippers
33. Devin Harris, PG, Nets
34. Ben Gordon, SG, Pistons
35. Al Horford, C, Hawks
36. Carlos Boozer, PF, Jazz
37. Nene, C, Nuggets
38. Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics
39. Andre Iguodala, SG, 76ers
40. Josh Smith, PF, Hawks
41. Rudy Gay, SF, Grizzlies
42. Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Raptors
43. Lamar Odom, SF, Lakers
44. Shane Battier, SF, Rockets
45. Elton Brand, PF, 76ers
46. Richard Jefferson, SF, Spurs
47. O.J. Mayo, SG, Grizzlies
48. Charlie Villanueva, PF, Pistons
49. Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
50. Andrew Bynum, C, Lakers
Phils to Bring back Polanco
At least A.I. is interesting
The interest in Allen Iverson and the Sixers showed an astonishing jump at the team's website (Sixers.com). The team announced it had 327,657 page views to its site on Wednesday, December 2, the day it was announced Iverson agreed to terms to rejoin the team. It compares to the 36,000 page views the site had the previous Wednesday according to Lara Price, Sr. Vice President of Business Operations for the team.
Not if they could just solve that pesky losing problem.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Hopkins dominates Ornelas
Philadelphia, PA (The Phan) - For a boxer closing in on the age of 45, a 14-month layoff isn't exactly a prudent game plan but Bernard Hopkins is no ordinary fighter.
The Philadelphia native ignited his hometown Wednesday pitching a virtual shutout against Mexican Enrique Ornelas in a non-title light-heavyweight bout from the Liacouras Center in North Philly on Wednesday.
Hopkins really took over the nationally televised bout in Round 7 battering Ornelas (29-6) with body blows and a succession of right hands. By the 10th the only question was of Ornelas could hang on and the Mexican, who came into the ring wearing a "Death B4 Defeat" T-shirt proved to be game if not competitive.
The final scorecards read 120-109, 119-109, and 118-110 for Hopkins.
"I'd like to give Ornelas a lot of credit, he didn't come to lay down," said Hopkins, who improved to 50-5-1 (32 KO's). "He hung in there, he took some great shots. I took some great shots. I think for 44 years old, my energy level was fantastic."
Hopkins also made some news after the fight saying he plans to step up to heavyweight and fight WBA champion David Haye of Britain.
"I'm going to be the heavyweight champion of the world in 2010," Hopkins said
Hopkins had been set for a long awaited rematch in March with long-time rival Roy Jones Jr, who defeated him in a middleweight title bout in 1993 but Jones was dismantled in the first round by IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green in Sydney on Wednesday.
The undercard featured a distinct Philadelphia flavor. Philly's Danny Garcia (15-0, 10 KO's) stayed undefeated and won the WBC Youth Intercontinental Junior Welterweight Title with a second round TKO of Mexico's Enrique Colin (23-5-3).
In the other televised match on Versus, Texas' Guadalupe De Leon (8-9, 4 KO's) upset the previously unbeaten Derrick Wilson (5-1-1) of Florida by split decision in a four round featherweight bout, taking two of three scorecards, 39-37. The third judge also saw it as a 39-37 fight but in the other direction. The Phanatic Magazine also scored the bout 39-37 for Wilson, the busier fighter.
Non-televised matches saw Newark's Mike Perez (6-0-1, 3 KO's) stay unbeaten with a second round TKO of journeyman Ron Boyd (6-10) in a lightweight bout. Boyd went to his knee twice from vicious body blows before finally succumbing.
Philadelphia junior welterweight Karl Dargan (6-0) also remained undefeated with a unanimous decision over Samuel Santana (2-4-2) of Puerto Rico, while Lamont Barnes (3-3) took a majority decision from Teneal Goyco (3-1) in a battle of Philly cruiserweights.
Meanwhile, the opener saw Jessie Vargas (7-0, 3 Ko's) of Las Vegas score a second round TKO over Missouri's Travis Hartman (10-16-1) in a welterweight tilt.
Flyers sign D Bartulis to extension
"Oskars has developed nicely over the past two years and fit in nicely with our team,” said Holmgren. “We are happy to have him under contract and are pleased to know he is part of our defensive group for the next several years."
Bartulis, 22, has two assists and six penalty minutes in 10 games with the Flyers since being recalled on Nov. 9 from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. He made his NHL debut on Nov. 12 vs. Ottawa. With Adirondack this season, Bartulis posted two goals and two assists for four points, and 14 penalty minutes in 12 games.
“At first I was surprised they offered it to me because it was such a short period of time,” said Bartulis. “I didn’t think about it a lot. I said ‘yes’ because the Flyers are such a great organization and I am very happy to be here.”
In 2008-09, he appeared in all 80 regular season games with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, where he posted 13 points (2G,11A) and 59 penalty minutes.
In parts of three seasons with the Phantoms (2007-08 to 2009-10), Bartulis has registered 38 points (5G,33A) and 115 penalty minutes in 149 career games. He has also appeared in four Calder Cup Playoff games with the Phantoms.
A native of Ogre, Latvia, Bartulis was originally selected by the Flyers in the third round (91st overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Independence to play at WCU
The Philadelphia Independence announced today that the team will play its 2010 home games at West Chester University’s John A. Farrell Stadium, 20 miles west of the city in Chester County and 15 miles north of Wilmington, DE.
The stadium is also less than ten miles from the team’s training home at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown. According to Independence Owner/CEO David Halstead, “during the past few months we have worked hard to deliver to Philly a roster of exceptional soccer players that fans are proud to support, a youth program that delivers connectivity to every youth athlete in the area, a responsive and affordable outreach and ticketing program, and now through this partnership with West Chester University, a playing venue that gives 7,500 screaming fans a terrific game day experience. This stadium agreement completes our road ahead toward the 2010 season’s start. Now we have to fill the seats with fans eager to welcome our great players to the city.”
West Chester University has a proud sports tradition that spans the University’s 24 NCAA Div II athletic programs. Its largest playing venue, John A. Farrell stadium, was upgraded in 2006 with new Field Turf and hosts the school’s football, soccer, and lacrosse games. The stadium sits in the middle of the WCU campus, with close proximity and traveling convenience to Philadelphia, western PA, Delaware, and southern NJ, and boasts convenient parking for attendance as high as 10,000, although official stadium seating is 7,500.
Eagles sign CB Roberson to practice squad
Roberson (5-11, 190) spent most of the 2008 season with the Lions after being signed to their practice squad on 10/9/08 and promoted to their 53-man roster on 12/16/08. He was released by the Lions during their final roster cut down on 9/5/09.
Roberson, 26, was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round in 2005 and saw action in six games during his rookie season. He spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons on the Jaguars Injured Reserve list. He had a brief stint on the Dolphins practice squad in 2008 before joining the Lions.
A native of Farmington Hills, MI, Roberson played collegiately at Eastern Michigan University. A four-year letterman, Roberson played running back, wide receiver, and cornerback in 44 games for the Eagles. As a cornerback during his senior year he started ten games amassing 66 tackles and one sack.
Stefanski has no "Answer" for Sixers
 |
For the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, that means bringing back enigmatic guard Allen Iverson.
"He really wanted to come back to Philadelphia," Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said in a conference call. "He wants to show people that he can still play."
Iverson's return to the City of Brotherly Love will prove to be the defining
moment for embattled general manager Ed Stefanski, a now toothless front man
that has already expended all of the political capital he inherited when he got the job nearly two years ago.
Stefanski, a Philadelphia native, was hailed as a savior when he took over for
Larry Brown's caddy, Billy King. Now, he's the punch line of a joke, a guy
that makes BK look like Red Auerbach.
To this point, Stefanski's two major moves in Philly were overpaying a broken-
down Elton Brand and hiring his friend from New Jersey, Eddie Jordan, as the
team's head coach. Both decisions have turned out to be disasters, and
Stefanski clearly can no longer spin either to his bosses.
Brand was a great player until an Achilles injury robbed him of any explosion
or lift. I suppose Stefanski could always throw Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the team's
medical director, under the bus for medically clearing the former All-Star, but that's stretching things.
Meanwhile, despite ringing up a 6-23 record over his last 29 games as an NBA
coach, a number of NBA people, including Stefanski, still trip over themselves
while trying to fall on their swords for Jordan, claiming the disciple of the
Princeton offense is a solid mentor despite all evidence to the contrary.
Problem is, Stefanski's superiors, Ed Snider and Peter Luukko, aren't buying
what their GM is selling these days and the business people are now making the
decisions in Philly.
That's never a recipe for success.
Remember, it's not all about your record in the NBA. You are either a "have"
(championship contender) or a "have not". The Sixers are clearly in the latter
category so Stefanski's mindset should be building toward the ultimate goal.
If that means taking a step backwards to take two forward, so be it.
To be fair, Stefanski has amassed some young talent. Andre Iguodala, Lou
Williams and Thaddeus Young still have some upside, while rookie Jrue Holiday
and second-year big man Marreese Speights have shown flashes.
Of course words like "upside" and "potential" mean nothing to the notoriously
tough Philly crowd and the Sixers have been playing in front of half-empty
houses while losing. It is believed Stefanski was getting pressure from the top to boost the team's attendance, currently the second-worst in the NBA.
And what better way to do that then re-sign one of the franchise's all-time
most popular players?
"The first thought was basketball," Stefanski claimed. "Lou was our guy and we didn't need Allen. When Lou went down (with a broken jaw) that changed things. If that means we play better and bring more people in the building, that's great but we have to win."
The Sixers' brass met with the mercurial Iverson on Monday, hours before their
seventh straight loss against the Dallas Mavericks. They sealed the deal
Wednesday morning and are targeting next Monday's home game against the
Nuggets for Iverson's return to the organization.
Make no mistake, Stefanski is worried the 10-time All-Star will hinder the
growth of his younger players with complaints about playing time and late-night trips to the local after hours clubs or The Borgata in Atlantic City.
But, he no longer had the power to stop what was a runaway train.
"There was no guarantee from the organization or Eddie Jordan (about playing time)," Stefanski said. "We are bringing him to play basketball but there was no guarantee. He knows he has to play well to warrant the minutes. Allen knows where the organization stands and where I stand."
I'm sure he does...Iverson was forced on the Sixers' basketball chief.
Desperate for relevance, Snider, who couldn't wait to rid himself of Iverson in 2006, gave his general manager an "Answer" that will end up costing him his job.