Even though he is coming off the best 3-game stretch of his short career in the Turkish Basketball League, it appeared earlier today that Allen Iverson was ready quit the Besiktas Black Eagles and ride off into retirement.

Reportedly “The Answer” was set to have a news conference today to announce his retirement from basketball.  That press conference never happened.

He recently missed two games because of an undisclosed injury, but returned from that absence to play solidly in three straight games for Besiktas, so we found it odd that he was suddenly going to retire. 

We read online that an ankle injury which would require him to return to United States for surgery was the official reason behind Iverson’s sudden retirement. 

“Leaving the basketball world makes me sad but, sometimes, we have to accept things like they are. I can say goodbye to basketball,” Iverson allegedly told the Turkish newspaper Ajansspor. 

Well, apparently not all of that is true…

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A deflating pair of losses.  After defeating a tough Chicago Bulls team 105-99 on Friday, the Sixers have now been tripped up against two weaker teams.  The Detroit Pistons on the road and against the Indiana Pacers at home 111-103.  The game marks the first 76ers home loss in the New Year and brings their season record to 10-7 at home.  The Pacers on the other hand snap a nine game road losing streak that dates back to November 30^th when they defeated Sacramento. 

In January you never stamp a game as a ‘must-win’, but this game was important.  Indiana is one of the likely opponents in the Eastern Conference that’ll be challenging the Sixers for the final two seeds in the postseason.  The first six seeds being virtually a lock for Boston, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta and the new-born New York Knicks.  The last two fixtures that get to dance in the playoffs will likely come down to us and the Pacers, as well as Charlotte, Milwaukee and possibly Toronto. 

The contest dropped the 76ers to tenth in the Eastern Conference standings at 15-23.  The Pacers crawl up to 7^th behind the Knickerbockers at 15-20 and hold a puny lead over the Bucks and Bobcats who trail a game behind.  The Sixers-Pacers season series now tilts in favor of Indiana at 2-1 with one contest remaining on March 8^th. 

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This Tuesday edition of “Fo’ with the Foes” — Philadunkia’s advanced scouting series which with the help of an accomplished journalist from around the NBA beat or blog world, previews upcoming 76ers opponents — features tonight’s opponent Danny Granger and the currently struggling Indiana Pacers as well as a glimpse at the keys to a successful 3 game homestand. 

Tonight’s contest against the Pacers begins the first home stand since December 4th – December 12^th, where the Sixers went 3-1; the lone loss coming in tearjerker fashion against the Celtics on TNT.  The three wins during that span came against staggering opponents (Charlotte, Cleveland and New Orleans). The Sixers find themselves in an eerily familiar situation as they take on the Pacers, Bucks and Bobcats over the next six days.

Calling games in mid-January “must win” is a little over the top.  So instead I like to call these games “Stock Market Games.”  Starting with a W tonight over the sinking Pacers, the 76ers have a chance to rise up to 18-22 inching closer towards the gap the Knicks have created at the six seed with MVP candidate Amare Stoudemire.  Or starting with a loss tonight, the Sixers could potentially tumble out of the playoff picture and rumors regarding trades will intensify among the disgruntled and outspoken pocket of the fan base.

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As a Sixers fan I’m torn.  Yes the wins are exciting, but does anyone else feel like we’re running in place?  Recent word out of the organization is that the front office feels so good about the improving play of the squad that they’re planning on postponing the shopping of Andre Igoudala until the summer, which makes me want to grab a loud speaker, climb to the top of City Hall, and scream,

WHYYYYYY ?????

Do they really think that it is worth postponing the future of the franchise for a potential first round flame out to the likes of Miami or Boston?  Quality wins such as the other night over Chicago show what the squad is capable of, but if anyone in the front office thinks this team is championship-caliber or more realistically capable of winning a first-round playoff series, than they are kidding themselves. 

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When we last checked in on Allen, he had returned with a vengeance from missing two consecutive games by dropping 26 points in 34 minutes during the Black Eagles  94-72 road loss to TBL opponent Tofas.  Allen was 7-11 from the field, hit two 3-pointers and was 6-9 from the charity stripe.  He also dished out five assists. 

In his next game, Iverson again hauled over 30 minutes (36), but did not have as effective of a night scoring the ball.  Allen was 2-6 from the field and 1-4 from deep, finishing with 11 points.  Iverson did grab 5 boards and hand out 4 dimes, but it wasn’t enough as Besiktas lost again — 73-71 to TBL foe Galatasaray. 

Well we are happy to report that Iverson played his third solid game in a row for Besiktas and hopefully has found his groove over in Turkey.

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More than likely, the Detroit Pistons are not going to make the playoffs.  They’re in the middle of finding a new owner which visibly has affected effort among the veteran squad all season.  But Saturday night the Pistons rallied together in the fourth quarter, capitalized on dire Sixer mistakes and ended up prevailing 112-109 in overtime.

This loss is unforgivable for a team playing as well as the 76ers (15-22), coming off their best win of the season against a streaking Bulls team.  Since the 3-13 start, the Sixers have gone 12-8 during the hardest part of their schedule, mostly by protecting the basketball and forcing tough shots on defense.  Somehow the Sixers lost without trailing once the entire fourth quarter

A revealing statistic so far in the 76er season shows why a playoff run might be too much to pull off from such a young team.  Philadelphia is 1-7 in games decided by less than five points.  Far too many times in each of these games Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand evaporate in the clutch by not demanding the ball enough.  Too many times Lou Williams begins to play one-on-one basketball.  It is a combination of coaching too.

The Sixers late game struggles almost fall more on the strategy part.  It’s clear this team isn’t on the same page when the score is close late in games.  There was still a chance to get off a good look with 3.5 seconds left in regulation and it seemed the Sixers didn’t even have a play drawn up.

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Did Jodie Meeks read my article? 

Did he happen to come across it while surfing on the web? 

Not sure if he did but against the Chicago Bulls Meeks finally had a much needed breakout performance.  Jodie led the ball club with 24 points including four three pointers.  He really set the tone early on in the ball game by being assertive in the offense and attacking the basket.  Going after the rim eventually opened shots for him on the perimeter. 

Hitting his first jump shot off a screen and getting to the free throw line in the opening minutes bolstered his confidence.  It was the type of performance Meeks has lacked in the last four games seeing less than 20 minutes on the floor and collecting fewer than seven points a contest.  The same player I ridiculed during my piece was the major reason for the 76ers (15-21) upset of the Chicago Bulls. 

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The Philadelphia 76ers are in it to win it!  I’m not talking about a lottery pick; I’m talking about that sexy 8^th seed in the East.  Chicago has used the last playoff spot the last two seasons to grow their young team, and the year before that it was the Atlanta Hawks.

The last road trip ended in a respectable 3-5 record and majority of those games were without Andre Iguodala.  Jrue Holiday is gradually becoming the best player on this team.  His decision making and invasion of paint are helping create a winning mentality in the 76ers locker room.  The Sixers should be looking for some more consistency though throughout January.  Jodie Meeks has been unreliable and a two point guard lineup with Lou Williams may have to be considered

Rebuilding a franchise in the NBA can start the exact opposite of other sports.  Doug Collins theory is simple: You have to start somewhere.  Few teams work harder on both ends of the floor then the Sixers.  So what if the Sixers are swept in the opening round against the Celtics? The experience alone of overcoming the odds could change the entire climate of Philadelphia’s worst current sports franchise.

The next upcoming games are mostly at home and I’d say all but two of them could end with W’s.  Ideally the Sixers will make a solid push closer to a .500 record and bolster their playoff hopes before all-star break.    

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I believe at this point of the year we all understand the story of Jodie Meeks.  We understand his role and what his capabilities are at the NBA level.  Meeks is a shooter, someone who can knock down open shots and can get hot at any time.  He is also limited thanks to his smaller frame at 6-4, 208 pounds and doesn’t have a true knack for attacking the basket.

Meeks started off the season on the bench, not seeing playing time in any of the first six ball games.  With Doug Collins struggling to find rhythm and a winning formula, he gave Jodie a shot in the lineup while stealing minutes from the likes of Jason Kapono, Andres Nocioni and rookie Evan Turner.  Kapono eventually worked his way out of the rotation completely, while Meeks, Turner and Nocioni battled for the remaining minutes and starting spot. 

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An abundance of things have changed since November 23^rd, the date of the 76ers previous heartbreaking loss to the Wizards in Washington DC. Most glaringly, the Wizards now have Rashard Lewis instead of Gilbert Arenas, a move deemed by the Wizards chief decision maker Ted Leonsis as a move for the future.  The outlook for Washington presumably loos like another top five pick in the June NBA draft, while Philadelphia’s on the other hand could entail some home playoff games at the Wells Fargo Center.

But if you take a deeper look under the microscope of change you may say the biggest difference in the last 44 days since has been the growth of Jrue Holiday, whose 26 point, nine assist performance helped carry Philadelphia (14-21) to a 109-97 victory; a win that pushed the Wizards road record to 0-17, the worst since the 2001-2002 Chicago Bulls.

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