Midnight’s Children

The 76ers clinched their first playoff berth in 3 years last night in Atlanta. Andre Iguodala led the way with 30 points in a stellar performance while Andre Miller tossed in 24 points for the winners. Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 32 points and Atlanta still has a good shot at making the playoffs, The Sixers remain the comeback team of the year in the NBA. If you would have said in mid-February that they would make the playoffs there would have been a lot of skeptics. Coach Maurice Cheeks has turned this team completely around in a short period of time. The Kyle Korver trade combined with the arrival of Ed Stefanski as GM and his orde rto play the younger players has been key to this turn around in Philadelphia.

The game tonight in Pittsburgh will be a good one for gans to watch as the Steelers will out play the Jaguars. They remember a few weeks ago when the Jaguars beat them at the last minute and Steelers have some revenge to exact. Ben will be sharp tonight and the Steelers will prevail. The outcome of this game is really irrelevant as the Patriots will not be beaten this season by any team in the NFL. They are as close to perfection as you can get.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that 2008 is a year in which we all learn to live in peace. We need to learn from the mistakes of 2007 and strive to improve our relationships with others. The world is ours to share and if we learn to appreciate the needs of others we can all live in harmony. Happy New Year!!!!

The Eagles have a chance to end the season at 8-8 when they face the Bills on Sunday at the Link. The last two games have proven the Birds were only a feather away from having a good season. The offense and the defense looked spectacular against Dallas and New Orleans. I guess you could just say they ran out of time to turn it around. A win on Sunday will be a real confidence booster for a team that did not fulfill its potential this year. Just about the entire roster is signed for next year so this is the time to begin.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is a special time of the year that should be spent with family enjoying their company. We need to remember that nothing in the world is more important than spending quality time with your children. You must enjoy them while they are young because before you know it the time will come when they will be grown and on their own. Have a safe and happy holiday.

The Flyers gave a goal with 7 seconds left in regulation in route to a 6-5 losss to Buffalo at home last night. Defensive collapses late in the period have cost the Flyers dearly over their current 6 game losing streak. The goal really should not have happened but with the hlep of a bad icing call by the linesman a faceoff in the Flyers zone took place. Of course they lost the faceoff and ultimately the game. I can’t figure out what is wrong with this team. They have gone from first place in the division to not making the playoffs if they started today. I hope a shrot break for the holiday’s rejuvenates thier winning form because right now they are very frustrating to watch.

The Flyers make their first trip to Buffalo this year tonight. Past experience says it shluld be a tough game. The Flyers have lost 4 in a row and have not been playing good hockey for some time. This will be the first game for the newly acquired Jim Vandermeer. His presence should bolster the defense considerably. They are nicked up back there with Hatcher, Timmonen and Smith all playing with nagging injuries. Vandermeer is good for a solid 20 minutes a game and should take some pressure off. The offense needs to finish on their chances and cut the defense some slack. A solid effort by Biron in the net is also needed to stop this major skid.

The Flyers came away from New Jersey with the usual loss last night. They played a pretty good game but can not win in the Devils building to save their lives. Antero Nittymaki looked sharp in goal making a lot of key stops to keep them close. They just can’t beat Marty Brodeur. Danny Briere had a penalty shot that could have been the turning point but as usual Marty stopped him. Maybe next time.

The Eagles saveed their best defensive effort of the season for Sunday. They totally outplayed and shutdown the Cowboys offense. Ton y Romo did not look like the all pro he has been all season as he was 13-36 passing and intercepted 3 times. The Eagles defensivee scheme wa perfect and you could see the frustration on T.O.’s face all day. That was a Christmas present in itself for all Birds’ fans.

The Kings came to town winless on the road. They left after ending the 76ers 4 game winning streak. A good 2nd half enabled them to pull away from the Sixers to get the road win. Sacramento was led by Brad Miller with 25 points while Philadelphia was led by Andre Miller with 24 points. Ron Artest played a great defensive game and seemed to be in postion for every Sixers pass in the 2nd half.