How The Sixers Made The Playoffs
WELLS FARGO CENTER — From the beginning, this 76ers season has centered on Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand. Doug Collins, the new coach, immediately wedded himself to his two most important veterans, immediately understood that if they didn’t buy into what he was selling, no one would. And that the year would be a lost cause as a result.
But they did pledge allegiance to Collins. They produced. They led. And now they are going to the playoffs, having secured a berth courtesy of Friday’s 115-90 drubbing of New Jersey.
Iguodala, who is in his seventh year, said this postseason trip feels no different than the other three he has made. As he put it, “I feel like our success is based largely upon how effective I am on the court — whether scoring or making the guys around me better.”
And while it is something special for Brand, who has appeared in the playoffs only once in 11 previous seasons (2005-06, with the Clippers), his mission remains entwined with that of Iguodala, his approach very much the same.
Collins awarded them both the Ace of Spades after Friday’s game, a player-of-the-game honor he hands out every time the Sixers play. It was based not so much on what either of them did against the Nets, even though Iguodala got his team off to a quick start by scoring 12 of his 14 points in the first 5:44 and Brand finished the night with 21 points, his greatest output in his last 15 games.
It was based more on what they have provided all year long. For their leadership and hard work. For, Collins said, “the way they do their job on a daily basis — the model of consistency that they bring.”
Iguodala was the one who, according to Collins, offered “an uplifting voice” after the Sixers fell to 3-13 with a 99-90 loss at Miami on Nov. 26 — and a much-needed voice, at that.
“We were pretty rock bottom at that point,” the coach said.
“I really just let them know,” Iguodala said, “that if we continue to play at the level we played that night, we’re going to have a lot of success. We had a lot of slip-ups. We had breakdowns, but that particular game we played as well as we could in a loss. That’s the type of basketball we (had) to play in order to win in this league, if we just continued that trend.”
Which they did. In time Iguodala was moved into a playmaking role — Collins called him “one of the most unselfish players (he’s) ever been around — and he flourished.
“We have a lot of guys,” Iguodala said, “their confidence is based upon if they make a shot. So I’m out there to help them be the best basketball players and the most effective basketball players.”
Brand, besides rediscovering many of the skills that had made him a 20-point/10-rebound performer earlier in his career, offered another voice of reason. He was one of those who spoke up, for instance, after the Sixers played raggedly in losing last Sunday afternoon to Sacramento, on the heels of the Lil Wayne concert fiasco the night before.
“I wanted to get across that we can’t take games for granted,” he said. “I know these young guys, whatever happened Saturday, that’s not indicative of their work ethic or how focused they are. These guys don’t party. They don’t drink. I said, ‘Your mind has to be on the task. You can’t take a game and not be mentally ready, so let’s go and beat the Bulls (on Monday)’ — which seemed like a tough task, but we did it — (and) let’s come home, protect that home court.”
They did that, too, beating Houston Wednesday in addition to Friday’s victory.
Brand was unavailable when the Sixers reached the playoffs two years ago, a shoulder injury having ended his season — his first after signing with the Sixers as a free agent — after 29 games. He was underused by coach Eddie Jordan last year
He is 32 now. No telling how many more shots he might have at this.
“It’s different (than the last playoff appearance),” he said. “I’m more of a veteran. I’m more of a leader. But it’s exciting. I’m pumped up. I’m pumped up for the city. I’m pumped up for the young guys. I think we can do some damage.
“You see guys like (Nets point guard) Deron Williams tonight or another guy on another team, and they don’t even have a chance. They’re not even in the playoffs. They’re not playing for anything. Just to be playing for something right now as a vet, I’m very appreciative of all the hard work the young guys put in.”
And eager to make the most of this.
“Now the fun starts,” he said. “Let’s see how good we can be. … We’ll see where we’re at. We might be a piece or two away, but we might not. Let’s go out there and see.”
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