We Don't Walk Slow

76ers Mid Season Scouting Report

I’m not as die hard as some but I have a pretty good knowledge about the game of basketball and want to take a few moments to explain why the Sixers are destined to come up short this season without any major changes. I’m going to give an evaluation of each player in order of importance and then sum up why they won’t win the championship.

The Sixers have lost 6 of their last 8 and they’ve played some decent teams out West (Clippers, Spurs, Mavs, TWolves, and Grizzlies). This has been a little bit of a rough stretch on their otherwise strong record of 20-13. Problem is they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat and losing to the better teams. Let’s look into the make up.

Head Coach
Doug Collins – Great coach for this group of young players and has them playing good, hard, team basketball. A perfect fit for this team.

Andre Igoudala – The Sixers best all around player but not the go to guy the team needs. He is the nucleus behind the team.
Jrue Holiday – The most potential of any of the Sixers. Good jumper and can provide the team with some offense. He’s young and will continue to develop. He doesn’t have the leadership quite yet to take this team to the next level but will become their best player.
Lou Williams – He should be the Sixer to take the last shot of the game. He’s proven he can make big shots and isn’t scared to take them. He is far too inconsistent with his jumper and takes poor shots on occasion.
Thaddeus Young – Takes good shots. Plays with intensity. Fantastic role player but will never develop into the superstar he seems like he almost is.
Elton Brand – Getting old but can still score. He’s playing harder than ever but is getting close to running on empty. I’m not sure how much to expect out of him down the stretch.
Evan Turner – Lacks confidence and is still learning his role. Not the best outside shot either.
Spencer Hawes – Consistently hurt but provides a big body. He is not a starting center in the NBA.
Nikola Vucevic – A big body but he’s not going to bang with the big boys. An ok outside shot and decent offensive moves but still green.
Jodie Meeks – The most overrated Sixer who provides nothing but the ability to hit an open 3. Kyle Korver was better.
Lavoy Allen – A good jumper but not a real big man.

Without a go to seasoned pro to rely on, the Sixers will be a 2nd tier team in the East. Currently the Heat, the Bulls, and the Knicks all sport better rosters. These 3 teams have legitimate SCORING all stars and will handle the Sixers in a 7 game series. I actually think it’s a shame the Sixers have played so well because they will get the impression they are ok heading into the playoffs. Problem is they are completely undersized and even with their hard play and great team chemistry, I feel they will lose because of sheer talent of the opposition. I want to believe in the Sixers, I really do, but this is where I think they stand at the mid way point and it’s not enough.

By Tom Stortz|2012-02-22T21:39:39-05:00February 22nd, 2012|Sports|7 Comments

Frostbite 5 Mile Results

At 9 am this morning the Frostbite 5 miler went off. Both my pre and post race thoughts were the same, this is a well run race. I know that’s a corny pun but this is organized to perfection and I give it two thumbs up. They divide the runners into sections of your mile time expectancy and that had me near the front without having to jockey for position. Compared to last year the weather was perfect. It was frigid and windy last year and this year it was probably 40+ and sunny. I started the race in fine form with a 5:30 mile which is probably a little faster than I want but not far off. I caught the two mile split at 10:50 but I think I probably misheard it. I was feeling pretty good at this point and running with a group of 6 people which made it easier. Around this point I started losing the group and was on my own. I heard 16 something (I’m sure it was 16 high) at the 3 mile and I knew I was on a good pace to run a good time. This is where things started to get interesting. At mile 4 I started to find myself in some trouble. Basically in races when people start coming from behind and passing you, you know you’ve fallen off pace. I had 2 guys pass me and then a girl at the start of 4 and I was starting to cramp up in my stomach a little bit, plus my legs were giving out. Once another girl passed me I knew I just had to finish. With 400 left I had yet another girl pass me and but fortunately I out kicked her. I finished with a time of 29:05 or so which was about 45 seconds better than last year. This was a good time but the conditions were ideal so I expected more. I’m still pretty happy with it though. Here are the results.

After the race I puked twice which was the first time that’s ever happened to me. I think it might have been from the gum I was chewing which is strange. I left immediately after the race and went to McDonald’s where I spent 7.19 and got a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel and a vanilla milkshake. While drinking the milkshake I was driving on the PA turnpike and I had an open road because all the other cars were in lanes 1 and 2. I’m not sure why drinking the milkshake has anything to do with this story but I floored it up to 120 which is one of the few times in my life I’ve eclipsed 120. I made it home safely and that brings me here typing on my keyboard about typing on my keyboard. I should have a good night tonight.

By Tom Stortz|2013-03-15T03:39:09-04:00February 18th, 2012|My Life, Running|1 Comment

Frostbite 5 Miler 2/18/12

Tonight is one of the few weekend nights I will spend completely sober. I will be racing in the Frostbite 5 miler in Ambler tomorrow and I trained somewhat for this race. Running is such a weird “sport” because the only thing you have to worry about is staying in shape. You can’t make up for running with skill. It’s strictly how good of shape your in and how hard you can push your body. What I’ve found interesting in these past few weeks is that I was in my best shape 3 weeks ago and the times I was running this past week weren’t as good. I can’t explain it because I’ve been consciously aware of this date to be in peak performance. Nevertheless, I think that diet comes into play sometimes when you eat something unhealthy, go for a run, and are disappointed because you didn’t think you were where you thought you should be. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be in as good as shape as 3 weeks ago but that’s just how it feels. It won’t really matter though because I know I’m going to run a strong 5 miles and whether it blows 29 minutes out of the water or I barely break 30, I’ll be somewhere in that range. I’m excited to see because it’s such a question mark in my mind of how good of shape I’m in. Things like “should I eat this doughnut” are popping into my mind like it will really make a difference.

The other thing to note was the unbelievable event that is called the Broad Street Run. I knew registration started at 10am and I sat there patiently as thousands of other runners would be signing up at the same time. It took me about a half hour to complete the registration while I probably waited 5 minutes on each screen. 30,000 runners signed up in a 5 hour period which is just incredible for a race. I feel bad for anyone who wants to do this and has no idea what type of event it has become. It’s the biggest 10 miler in the country which gives the race some prestige. I missed it last year but hopefully will turn 12′ into a PR.

By Tom Stortz|2013-03-15T03:39:21-04:00February 17th, 2012|Running|4 Comments

Eli Reigns Supreme

Eli gets it done. Being from Philadelphia there is constant hate from any teams inside the division. The bottom line though is that Eli is a top level QB and there’s no point denying it anymore. If his success in this postseason wasn’t enough to turn this tide then you just aren’t being real. If you watch football to any degree and can say honestly answer the question “is Eli Manning a top tier QB” with a no, your opinion should never count from here on out. In the first playoff game against the Falcons Eli was 23/32, 277 yards and 3 TD / 0 INT. Against the Packers he was 21/33, 330 yards, 3 TD / 1 INT, ON THE ROAD AT LAMBEAU. Against the Niners he was 32/58, 316 yards, 2 TD / 0 INT. Last night in the Superbowl against the Pat he was 30/40, 296 yards and 1 TD / 0 INT. This comes to an average of 304 yards a game and 9/1 TD to INT ratio. SICK!

Just to ride his nuts a little more, if we discount his first season where he played 7 games, he is 68-44 never having a losing season in 7 years. He threw for 4,900 yards this year which is 900 yards more than the last two years of 4,000 yard seasons. He still throws too many picks but his decision making is improving and he’s earned the reputation for 4th quarter comebacks. I make this post because I’ve heard so many people in the past few years say how bad Eli was (I was probably one of them) but to continue to think that is ludicrous. Eli can be on my fantasy team next year and I bet he drops to somewhere as far down as the 3rd-4th round even though he’s a legit #1 starter. Throw up Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and you have chemistry that will be around for years. Eli, my hats off to you.

By Tom Stortz|2012-02-06T23:18:01-05:00February 6th, 2012|Sports|0 Comments

Bow to Tebow

I rarely jump on an athlete’s band wagon but this guy is an exception. With 4 minutes left in the game and the Broncos down 10-0 I said I would start going to church if Tim Tebow leads them to victory. Obviously he did. From his Wikipedia page I learned that he was born in the Philippines and was home schooled. His ability to win is unbelievable and the way he does it is even more so. It’s like he doesn’t try until the last possible moment to make it as dramatic as possible. The crazy thing is too that there are moments when he completely stinks. His passes are erratic and there’s no way this guy should be an NFL QB. Yet he wins week after week. It honestly makes me think that all his Jesus talk is working. He has someone or something guiding him. I just can’t figure it out. I am a fan though because I just can’t figure it out. Maybe he’s on to something.

By Tom Stortz|2011-12-11T23:15:11-05:00December 11th, 2011|Sports|0 Comments

Ambler Bball Playoffs

An unusual thing happened to me last night. When I got home from work I decided to go to the gym. I did a workout and then ran 5 miles at 28:55. When I arrived home I saw CK4 dressed up in his bball uniform and was like wtf. I had about 5 minutes to get changed and get ready for the game. My foot had this nice chunk of skin coming off and I really didn’t want to play. Nevertheless we went to the game to play a team we lost to earlier in the season. From a talent standpoint they weren’t a better team than us. However, our team doesn’t play good basketball. There’s no other way to put it. Soft defense, bad shot selection, no movement, no boxing out and a general lack of chemistry. This might be a tad harsh but we lost this game for the aforementioned reasons. People like to blame the refs but that wasn’t the case at all. If you’re the better team, you don’t let the refs decide if you win or not. My favorite play of the night was Ck4 getting a lane violation by charging in from the 3 point line on a foul shot. Were you planning on dunking the miss? This cost the team a huge point late in the game. We had plenty of chances at the end too but it wasn’t happening. If a winter team is trying to be assembled we either need new recruits or some team practices. Not a good way to finish the season.

By Tom Stortz|2011-12-06T09:20:58-05:00December 6th, 2011|Sports|0 Comments

Running in the Cold

Aside from that one freak snow storm on Halloween, we’ve had pretty warm weather in Philly so far heading into December. I’m noticing that starting to change a little bit and I suspect freezing weather is soon to follow. When I drive up Kelly each morning I see people all bundled up running in the cold and I wonder “why on earth would you do this?” There are a number of reasons why I wouldn’t put myself through this:
1. The cold in general is uncomfortable.
2. Your hands and toes start to freeze.
3. You don’t sweat properly.
4. More clothing leads to slower times.
5. It doesn’t feel like you’re getting a work out

I suppose people feel like a champ after completing a run in the cold and having that sensation of running in brisk weather but I just prefer perfection conditions. Now maybe I’m biased because I can’t feel my left foot in the ice cold but you won’t find me running in any weather under 50. Technically I shouldn’t be writing this post because it will lead to more people running indoors but I really would appreciate any comments on why you run outside in cold weather if you don’t have to.

By Tom Stortz|2013-03-15T03:40:09-04:00November 30th, 2011|Running|2 Comments

Football Recap

On Saturday, Primetime played the Eskimo Brothers in our weekly co-ed football game. The game started off rocky with Bake throwing a pick on the 2nd or 3rd play of the game. Our defense let up a TD and then, if my memory serves me correctly, Bake threw another pick and they scored again. Down 12-0, the offense kept it together and ended up scoring to bring the game closer. I think it then went score, score to have the game at 19-14 and then a fluke play with 13 seconds in the half happened. They threw a hail mary into triple coverage and the ball was tipped right into their players hands for a TD. Down 2 scores we went into halftime a bit dejected. A defensive adjustment made at the half proved to work well and I caught a lucky break for a pick 6. The defense held again and Big Steve got in the endzone to bust his TD cherry for the team. Toward the end of the game with us being up a few points, Kope picked off their QB near our end zone and the offense sealed the deal. It was probably a closer game than it should have been. Lets of course not forget that CK4 injured his shoulder on a play over the middle and will be sidelined until he feels he’s ready to come back.

Big ups to the Shee for his anything but “lock” of the century in the Denver Broncos heroic comeback with 3 minutes to play. I was giving 2 points and they were down 15-0 with probably 7 minutes left in the 4th. They scored, recovered an onside kick, scored again and Tebow converted. A fg in OT netted me 150 bucks on a big bet on the sure fire “lock”. My fantasy teams have been pretty inconsistent but it looks like I’m going 2-2 this week with a 5th game a toss up. I need Anquan Boldin to score less than 10. This has been an ok season with my teams being 2 5-2’s, 2 3-4’s, and a 1-5 (hopefully 2-5). Hopefully the Run DMC injury isn’t serious. Nothing else of any interest this weekend though.

By Tom Stortz|2011-10-24T09:23:55-04:00October 24th, 2011|Sports|0 Comments

Where does the loyalty lie?

While watching the Eagles/Bills game this Sunday, Fred Jackson scored a TD and I was happy because he is on my fantasy team. Steve, a much more dedicated Eagles fan than me, took this as a sleight and asked me where is my loyalty? My answer was first to money (betting) and next my fantasy team. I don’t root for a Philadelphia team like they are “my” team. Now don’t get me wrong, if I’m attending a game I’ll cheer for the Philadelphia team (unless I bet against them and mostly just to fit in), but I’m not a fake fan like the thousands of other people out there. You won’t see me at the end of the season jumping on the bandwagon during a playoff push. I’m indifferent at the beginning, middle, and end of the season. There should be nothing wrong with this and people shouldn’t think any less of me because of my dedication, or lack thereof, to a sports team. Personally, I think it’s moronic having thousands of fans who only support you when your good. The Phillies are the perfect example. In 2002, 20,000 people a game was the average attendance at the Vet and they finished a hair under 500. After 5 straight NL East titles, they sell out every game at 40,000+. It just shows that people become fans when the team is good because it’s a status thing. I’m a bigger fan than you, let me pretend show you how much I like the team. I also don’t care if you get joy out of liking a team. There’s nothing wrong with filling your life void with an enthusiasm for a sports team. It’s social, fun, and it’s a common bond amongst a city. If it makes you happy, do it. But, you will never see me getting emotionally upset at a Philadelphia sports team. These losses don’t ruin my day. I also can’t wait to see how many Eagles fans support “their” team when they are 4-11 limping to the end of the regular season.

By Tom Stortz|2011-10-11T00:28:09-04:00October 11th, 2011|Sports|0 Comments

Miserable

I watched the games over at the Shee’s place which is about 10 minutes away from the Philly Stadiums. After the Eagles loss, we were watching RedZone and Scott Hanson referred to being in South Philadelphia as miserable. Little did he know that the city would be in even worse shape after the Phillies game and devastated would probably be a better word.

I just want to take a minute and explain that we predominantly watched the Eagles game over RedZone (not my choice) and I watched basically the entire Phillies game which is almost unthinkable. Both of these teams had eerily similar game trends and outcomes. The Eagles got up early and then basically handed a game over to the Niners whose offense looked way better than it is. Two idiotic plays in the game cost the Eagles dearly. Ronnie Brown trying to throw the ball while on the ground inside the 5 yard line was moronic and Maclin coughing up the ball in a crucial spot sealed it. People will blame the kicker for 2 missed field goals inside 40 yards but for some reason I have a hard time blaming the kicker when you are up 20-3 at half time. The inability to stop the run at the end of the game seems consistent at this point and the other team can just run out the clock without giving the birds a chance. I’m not saying I didn’t tell you so but this post pretty much finishes with me saying “don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”

The Phillies game just confirms why baseball isn’t for me. The game started at 8:30 and ended at 12. In the last few innings the game basically screeches to a halt as every batter gets a new pitcher. The Phillies, like the Eagles, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first and things looked like they were in the bag with Cliff Lee on the mound. Adding another run in the second was more confidence. But for some reason the Cardinals were able to hit Cliff Lee who gave up something like 12 hits which is a big number. They scored 3 runs in the fourth, almost 4 but a good throw by Ibanez stopped that. A 4th run in the 6th tied the game and Lee gave up a hit to Puljos in 7th for their 5th and game winning run. A big game on Tuesday with Cole on the mound will determine their season most likely.

I’m sure there are a lot of people from Philly who went to both the Eagles and Phillies game and that really has to be a shitty day. Most likely they get up early and tailgate and starting from 1pm till 12am, you get no gratification from our sports teams. Just euphoric ups to start the game followed by dreams crashing down at the end. I will add though that this isn’t anything new to teams from Philadelphia, especially the football team. Getting yourself emotionally invested in these teams is forewarned with caution.

By Tom Stortz|2011-10-03T08:36:38-04:00October 3rd, 2011|Sports|0 Comments