Net Worth

"I keep that nine on me, ala Iguodala..."

Fabolous - The Way (Intro)

Tonight the Philadelphia 76ers enter their 21st game of the year as they host the Orlando Magic, and while that may not sound overly exciting, it's games like this that can make or break a season.

The test

If the NBA were a college or university, then this week could easily be the Sixers mid-term exams. They will play the likes of the Magic, Bulls, Heat, in Philadelphia...travel to Atlanta to face off against the Hawks, and then they will once again defend home court against the Lakers next Monday, San Antonio next Wednesday, and the Clippers to round out that week on Friday.

Philadelphia is a good team, however the knock on the young squad is that they have beaten the best of the worst from around the league, including the Washington Wizards twice by large margins. Okay so the schedule has been fairly kind, but if the 76ers are going to advance further than the first round of the playoffs, then this upcoming stretch will provide a glimpse of their future possibilities.

They play a fast-paced run and gun style with a decent half-court pressing defense. Things have continued to change for the better under the direction of Doug Collins, and while most teams have at least one All-Star, the 76ers have established a good team first philosophy with some emerging names and tough role players. Time will tell if this is a recipe for success in South Philly, but with a 14-6 record at the time of my writing this piece...that's not such a bad start.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Ubiquitous

"They never leave, they're here to stay..."

Mos Def - History

Nobody remembers who came in second place...so when you talk about the 2009 NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic have become can afterthought.

Definition

If the season ended today, many people would pencil in the Lakers and Cavaliers in a highly anticipated Kobe versus LeBron, Nike Most Valuable Puppets championship...however basketball like everything else in life has no guarantee.

The Magic with a pillar in Dwight Howard and floor general in Jameer Nelson have the components to make return trip to the promise land. Atlanta, Boston, and Cleveland are playing well, and because of that fact, the reining conference champions are left without their proper respect.

I asked a few of the Magic players what their thoughts were on the topic:

AXG: What's the state of this team?

Dwight Howard: It's a different team from last year for one...and now we're starting to gel together, so the biggest difference from last year's team is that last year we had all been together for a long time so we had great chemistry, and now we're just trying to learn to play with each other.

AXG: Where is the love and respect for this team?

Dwight Howard: We are still the only people who believe in us. There are still people that think we won't get as far as we did last year, but our main concern is finishing out the regular season strong without any injuries. I don't think they respect us...we still have to get that respect from people. We are the defending Eastern Conference champs and you let everybody else tell it...it's like we didn't even win it. We understand that, we are just going to continue to work on our game, and come playoff time we're going to be ready.

AXG: Jameer...you and Dwight sat and watched the Lakers celebrate the championship last year...can you speak on that?

Jameer Nelson: I did it with him...he wanted me to stay out there to soak it in...because you don't want anyone to celebrate on your home court, and we don't want that feeling anymore. What we did was try to soak it in, and use that as motivation.

AXG: How will that help your team as you make this run into the playoffs?

Jameer Nelson: Well we know the feeling...and we don't want that again, so like I told the guys earlier...each time we step on the court, it's a different experience and it prepares you for another game, and another situation similar to it.

AXG: Can you explain your last meeting against the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant specifically?

Matt Barnes: With great players like that you have to make them work. I think a lot of attention came to it because it was the Lakers and they [Magic] played each other in the Finals last year. I just thought it was a physical game...back and forth and the fact that it was Kobe and someone was standing up to him...everyone made a big deal about it, but you have to really make someone like him work. He's the greatest player in the world and you can't let him have the mental advantage over you as well. So I tried to stay in it and make him take as many shots as possible to get his points.

AXG: What do you bring to this team?

Matt Barnes: I'm trying to change the mentality around here. You know word on the street and around the league was that Orlando was soft, and it's nothing that one person is going to change, I think it's a team overhaul and mentality that you're not just going to come into our house and push us around. I think the team has taken to that and that's a good thing to roll with.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Imagaes

Varsity Blues

"It's not how you start...it's how you finish..."

The playoffs are right around the corner and with some recent erratic play, a few Eastern Conference teams seem ill prepared for the championship hunt.

Green with Envy

The Celtics and Cavaliers played earlier, and while they didn't match up against one another...they both lost their respective contests. If the playoffs started today, the Eastern Conference favorites range from Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Orlando...however only one can win.

LeBron James has emerged to repeat as the league's MVP, but I am sure he would much rather have a championship trophy. With or without the Cavs' trade, it's in my opinion that they are a very tough club, and once the regular season is over...they will be a team that no one wants to play.

Boston on the other hand appeared to be a clear cut contender at the start, as they added Rasheed Wallace to an already proven winning roster, however I'm not sure that defensively they can hang with the likes of their post season nemesis Atlanta, not too mention the Chicago Bulls.

Atlanta has several weapons in Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Jamal Crawford off the bench. What is tricky about playing the Hawks is that they are youthful enough to run you out the building, and now they have enough experience to close out a series.

As for my sister's team...the Magic had what it takes last year...obviously as they won the east and played in their first NBA Finals. They did it with dominance from Dwight Howard in the front court, and finesse from Hedo Turkoglu at point forward, and Rashad Lewis on the perimeter. Their inability to resign Turkoglu may prove costly in the long run, but basketball is a business, and they must adapt to newcomers Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, and Jason Williams.

In the Western Conference I believe the last two teams standing will be the Nuggets and Lakers...and I don't want to go any further than that, but I do know that if and when these teams play, it's going to be nothing less than spectacular.

The questions will soon play into answers and then the focus will switch to the free agency class of 2010, and World Championship Games.

I love this game!

Photo: Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images