Sixers Newsroom

Tom’s Take on 10 To Take In This Season

To say this has been an exciting and busy off-season would be accurate, if nothing else.  The team has been reshaped with the acquisition of six new players, including two-time All-Star Elton Brand and fan favorite Theo Ratliff.  Two of the team’s young stars, Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams, were retained while Head Coach Maurice Cheeks agreed in principle to a contract extension. 

 All the energy put into this off-season will play itself out over the course of the season. The map they will use to navigate it comes in the form of the 2008-09 schedule.    

 Every game carries its own set of importance – the team routinely never looks past the game they are playing that night – but there are some that jump off the page. 

 SIXERS.COM asked the team’s veteran radio voice Tom McGinnis to scour the schedule and pick 10 home games that you should have circled on your calendar this season:

76ers vs. Toronto

Date: October 29, 2008

SEASON-OPENER

Tom's Take: "It's the home opener of an NBA season, there's always excitement in the arena, a lively atmosphere.  For the basketball team, it's always important to start the home schedule off in a positive way.  It's imperative to beat a division rival on our floor with the first opportunity.  It’s also the first chance to see the new look Sixers with Elton Brand.  One area of the game to watch is the frontcourt battle between Brand and Jermaine O'Neal and the duel between [Sam] Dalembert and [Chris] Bosh.  Can Toronto stay near the top of the Atlantic Division has they have in the last two seasons and can the 76ers jump in front of them in the Atlantic.  A win in the first game would help to set that precedent."

76ers vs. Utah

Date: November 11, 2008 

Tom’s Take: “It's the first game back for former Sixer Kyle Korver, a fan favorite in his short time with the franchise.  The Jazz will once again be among the contenders in the West.  If you hope to be a top echelon team, then you've got to knock off some of those teams, particularly at home.  We lost both games to Utah last year.  Match-up of interest:  The point guard battle between Deron Williams and Andre Miller.  Williams is as fast off the dribble as any guard in the league.  Miller will have a lot of options this year and he was so good last year, this figures to be a key area to determining which team wins.”

Sixers vs. Lakers

Date: December 3, 2008

Tom’s Take: “The Lakers coming to town with Kobe Bryant will always be a huge draw.  Kobe is arguably the best player in the world and following his second half performance in the gold medal clinching game against Spain during the recent Olympics there shouldn't be a whole lot of disagreement.  Andrew Bynum's return to the Lakers will only make them stronger up front.  The match-up to look for is Bryant against Andre Iguodala.  These two have developed a nice friendship over the last few years and have similar stat-packing, all-around games.”

Sixers vs. Cleveland

Date: December 10, 2008 

Tom's Take: "The Cavs made it to the Conference finals last year and the NBA Finals two seasons ago.  Will Lebron be able to break through and punch his championship ticket with his hometown team?  These two teams have had some terrific ballgames in the last couple of years.   Sixers fans will remember the final 0.02 of last year's game at the Wachovia Center.  A controversial reversal sent Daniel Gibson to the foul line for two freebies to win the game.  Are you kidding me!  Match-up to watch:  Lebron James vs. Iguodala.  Again this pair is part of grouping of elite players that register numbers across the board."

Sixers vs. Boston

Date: February 3, 2009 

Tom's Take: "The Celtics first appearance in South Philly since winning the NBA championship.  By this point in the season, the division race will have some clear markings as to which team will lay claim to the Atlantic banner.  The rivalry has a chance to re-kindle with the Sixers on the rise and the Celtics a squad everyone will want a piece of.  Match-up:  Kevin Garnett vs. Elton Brand.  This duo met often the west in years past and Brand doesn't give up too much to KG overall.  Hopefully Brand's leadership and play can have a similar impact on the 76ers as Garnett's did with the C's."

Sixers vs. Denver

Date: February 18, 2009 

Tom's Take: Allen Iverson's second ever appearance in our building wearing another jersey.  Last season's game was highly anticipated and didn't disappoint with the fan reaction and the thrilling game.  Some of the hype will have simmered down by this time but the competition should be just as intriguing.  Match-up:  The Sixers vs. Iverson.  AI commands a team defensive effort and he'll be pulling out all his tricks to win in a place where he played for ten seasons.

Sixers vs. Orlando

Date: February 28, 2009  

Tom's Take: "The Magic had a break-out season last year and will look to build on that.  Plus, as a conference rival this is a team the Sixers could conceivably be battling for playoff position.  Dwight Howard has had impressive numbers against us, but Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu have thrown in a few outside shots that counted and hurt in a big way.  Match-up:  Samuel Dalembert vs. [Dwight] Howard.  Sammy fares quite well against Howard and yet will have to work to get him in foul trouble and send him to the line where Howard is still a suspect foul shooter."

Sixers vs. Chicago

Date: March 13, 2009

Tom's Take: "This game is going to be a hot ticket!  The Sixers will play one final time in the Wachovia Spectrum. Memories will flow, primarily for the fans.  So many of the devoted season ticket holders have been with the team for years and that of course includes the many great season's at the Spectrum.  My first season as an announcer for the 76ers was the final season of play at the Spectrum.  The Bulls will be better this season.  I'm not real familiar with Vinny Del Negro as a coach, it's his first season, but the talent is there and the Bulls should be back in the mix this season.  Match-up to watch:  Luol Deng vs. Thaddeus Young.  Both of these young forwards can really run.  This should be an exciting battle in the midst of a memorable night for Sixers fans."

Sixers vs. Detroit

Date: March 4, 2009 

Tom's Take: "A match-up of last season's playoff rivals.  Oh and don't start counting the Pistons out of any race just yet.  They've racked up hundreds of victories in recent regular seasons and will certainly win their share again this year.  Match-up to watch:  Rasheed Wallace vs. Elton Brand.  Again these two forwards met many times in the West and Wallace is a tough cover for anyone, but maybe Brand's presence can put the 76ers over the top against the long time rivals from Motown."

Sixers vs. Boston

Date: April 14, 2009 

Tom's Take: "This is the final home regular season game and part one of a wicked back to back to close out the campaign.  (The Sixers travel to Cleveland the next night .) One would think this game would play a role in determining playoff seeding.  If everything goes to plan by this point the 76ers will have created a major buzz around the city and the NBA in general and a packed house will await another exciting duel between Philly and Boston.  Match-up to watch:  Paul Pierce vs. Andre Iguodala.  These guys can score when it's needed most and have gone toe-to-toe in the past couple of years."

Season tickets start at just $516 and are on sale now by calling 866.913.9783 or visiting SIXERS.COM.  Individual tickets for the Sixers regular season and preseason home games at the Wachovia Center will go on sale at a later date.