After dropping five of their last seven games and losing Marreese Speights for almost two months with a knee injury, the Sixers needed something to go their way so they could get this season moving in the right direction again. Last night against the Charlotte Bobcats, they got just that with an 86-84 victory.
I said when Speights went down that Elton Brand was going to have even more pressure put on him, and last night, he didn't disappoint. The former All-Star played his best basketball of the season, scoring 19 points and bringing down 11 rebounds in 42 minutes. Honestly, that might have been the best game that Brand has played as a member of the Sixers, and that is going to have to continue for now. Without Speights, Brand saw a lot more playing time in the fourth quarter last night, and he made it count. It's nice to see the big investment for the Sixers actually working the way that they need it to, but I'm not going to get too excited yet. One game doesn't define an entire season, and Brand is really going to have to put up similar numbers for a stretch to get into my good graces. That's the just way things are.
Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams had good games as well, with Williams draining the game winning layup with just three seconds to play in the fourth quarter. The Sixers' backcourt has been playing relatively well, even in defeat, and last night they got to show what they can do in a winning effort. Iguodala led the team with 25 points and five rebounds, while Williams scored 19 and dished out six assists. That's the kind of play that will move a team in the right direction, and that's what the Sixers are going to need if they want to make an impact this year. The Bobcats aren't a very good team, but the acquisition of Stephen Jackson gives them a very good player that should start moving them in the right direction as well, despite his off the court issues.
Last night's game wasn't perfect, but the Sixers needed a win, and that's what they got. Elton Brand showed that he might have a little bit of that All Star talent left in him, and even with the defense losing a 52-43 halftime lead, the Sixers were able to claw back into the game and get the W. That defense is still a pressing issue for this team, and I hope they can find a way to work it out. Luckily, the Memphis Grizzlies are next on the horizon, so the Sixers could find their way back to a .500 record as long as they can keep getting production from some of their big names. It's the only way they can get this team going to where they need to go.
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