Views from 116: 2018-19 Home Opener

Original Post: October 19, 2018By Eric Marturano

Well, the season is finally underway! Hard to believe we’re here…welcome to Views from 116. In case you forgot, this column is a perspective from the stands for the fans. Let’s get to it.

Sixers vs. Bulls – Thursday, October 18, 2018

Last night was the 2018-2019 season home-opener.

Pregame:

Trying to shake off the stark reality-check from the Celtics on Tuesday, I made my way down to The Center for last night’s tip-off at 8pm – an hour later than usual due to the primetime national TV matchup with the Chicago Bulls (who stink but play in a big market).

My section (116) is right in front of the Care Auto Insurance Bar, so that’s where I tend to enter. The bar is always hoppin’ and even more so when the game tips-off late…but for the home opener? The buzz was nearly PLAYOFF-level and the concourse was super-populated. People clearly bought tickets way ahead of time – it was a far-cry from the home opener two seasons ago when some goofus fan flipped off Russell Westbrook.

Free shirts light up the stadium

The pregame buzz in the stadium in stands was around one player and one player only: Markelle Fultz. I heard comments all over the map – from along the lines of “what’s Fultz’s rope?” to “why can’t he just shoot?” to “they need to play him as many minutes as possible” to the ever-optimistic “listen buddy, we already got a third star.”

Fans in attendance were lucky enough to get some free shirts, which lined the seats.

There was your typical weirdness in pregame, with one ref stretching in a very strange fashion and Sixers Mascot Franklin playing some sort of hangman flipchart game with Robin Lopez while mercilessly taunting the Chicago big man.

Ron Brooks belts out another stellar anthem.

By the time of the anthem, it was a packed house – and the masses were rewarded with Sixers fan-favorite Ron Brooks for the anthem. Meek Mill rang the bell, Embiid addressed the crowd, and Sixers in-arena announcer Matt Cord got some well deserved camera time.

First Quarter:

As soon as Markelle Fultz caught the ball on the 1st possession, everyone in the building was screaming for him to shoot. He was certainly open, but this was a trend throughout the whole quarter anytime Markelle touched the ball -“SHOOOOOOOT IIIITTT!!” I’m very curious to see how much patience our fanbase will have with his development. The Sixers ended the quarter down 38-41.

Other 1st quarter observations:

• Our defense looked good on possessions but somehow gave up 41 points. I’m not sure the Bulls missed.
• The Sixers Stixers drumline put on a nice show halfway through the 1st quarter – drumlines should be at more sporting events.
• I got on a rare 1st quarter Carlton Cam – I’m 1 for 1 on the season.
• As many threes as Robert Covington can miss, I think he almost always hits the 2nd chance three on the same possession – as some say, Cov is always better the second time around.
• The Chick-Fil-A Challenge (make a layup, free throw, and three pointer in 1 min) participant was an able-bodied bro who just couldn’t sniff the basket from three. I mean these shots were EMBARRASSINGLY short. Accordingly, this bum was booed.

  
  “YARRRRGH I GOT YUENGLINGGG”

• ShopRite had a promising “Price is Right” promotion, but the fan contestant lost due to the fact that ShopRite’s price was consistently higher for whatever item the contestant was guessing for. I now believe that all ShopRite prices are too high.
• There’s a pirate man (complete with fake parrot on shoulder and fake pirate voice) who sells beer in my section – I just wanted to share this with you.

Second Quarter:

This was a nice quarter from #OurGuys. JJ Redick had a four-point play, Landry Shamet looked good, and most importantly – the Cov, Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, and Redick lineup got long minutes together. I was intrigued by this lineup possibility when scrolling through the roster, and they seemed to play well together. I’m hoping that the Sixers are able to continue testing out different strategies with Fultz on the floor, particularly against bad teams like the Bulls. The Sixers ended the half up 65-58.

Halftime:

Speed-painter David Garibaldi is all about the Benjamins

The halftime show was a speed painter named David Garibaldi. He’s done Sixers’ games before, but I was surprised to see him at the home opener. He threw on some fun music and speed-painted the Benjamin Franklin Sixers logo in just a few minutes. Speed painting is a solid halftime activity – it’s not super-high energy so you can chat or get up from your seat, but it’s also entertaining enough to hold your interest. I hope one day to develop advanced metrics on professional basketball halftime shows, but for now I’ll settle for the eye-test.

Third Quarter:

Robert Covington found his 3pt stroke this quarter and, let me tell you – when Cov is hitting his threes, the Sixers are gonna win. We also caught a nice stretch of our “old starters” from last year – which happened to be the best 5-man unit in the league! I hope Brett Brown continues to utilize this lineup while also developing talent (read: Fultz) during games against bad teams. The Sixers broke away here, ending the quarter 102-76.

Other 3rd quarter observations:

• There was a hotly contested game of musical chairs, which is really one of the best ongoing break entertainment gags in the stadium. As always, people forget to box out and it costs them!
• When the Sixers play nationally, there are slightly longer TV breaks, which provides ample time to make a speed run to the bathroom. I did this twice during the game and both times didn’t miss any game action. Not all heroes wear capes.
• Throughout the night more than one person in my section was eyeing up #2 on the Bulls wondering who it was…in the third quarter one wondering fan realized loudly it was Jabari Parker, which…well…doesn’t say a whole lot about the state of Jabari Parker’s career.
• Robert Covington is my favorite Sixer, but I recognize he is also a very polarizing Sixer. He sort of reminds me of Asante Samuel in that when he’s good, people notice, but when he’s bad people, seem to notice a lot more. I’m still work-shopping this take, so bear with me.
• Landry Shamet hit a few threes this quarter and I’m very much thinking about doing a SHAM WOW gimmick at some point this season.

Fourth Quarter:

Since the Sixers blew the game open in the 3rd quarter, the final quarter was mostly garbage time. Fultz stepped into a 3 which brought the house down

This fan nailed the Dario dance

and prompted many “FULTZ” claps. Dario not only starred in a fun 76ers Showdown Jumbo-tron dance-off, but found a bit of rhythm on the court from 3, and to top everything off, the Sixers popped the Kork(maz). The only thing that irked me was Embiid staying in the game a bit too long, despite it being very nice to see both him and Simmons get a curtain call with a 30 pointt double-double and a triple double, respectively. All in all, a solid night taking care of business at home against a bad team.

Sixers WIN 127-108. Say it with me: “Fresh water. $1 pretzels.”

Next time I’m in 116, I’ll share some more views. Until then: 1-2-3-4-5-Sixers!

NBA Win Totals: 2018-2019 predictions for every team

Original Post: October 5, 2018
by Eric Marturano

A few years back, one my pals and podcast partner Mike Pizza and I began posting our NBA Win Totals on Twitter. We did this because we pretend to know a whole lot about the league and also because it’s really fun.

However, now that legal sports betting is only a quick drive down the Atlantic City Expressway for me, I can finally put my money where my mouth is. This past weekend, I bet on 26 teams at Bally’s Wild Wild West Sportsbook in Atlantic City. I would have bet on all 30, but four – the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Phoenix Suns – were pulled from the books for various reasons (Jimmy Butler trade rumors, Russell Westbrook minor surgeries, etc.). While I’m planning on making a trip down next month to get some action on those teams, I still had to set win totals for each of them now, since it was needed for both the benefit of my entire system and also because if I’m doing this thing….well, I’m DOING this thing. If you’re curious about the not-so-complex system I use to set win totals, feel free to @ me on Twitter (@TheEMart).

Without further ado, let’s get to the picks and hopefully make some money. Note that all bets were made at -115, so there were no added benefits to taking one side or another:

Eastern Conference

15. Atlanta Hawks – 19 wins (UNDER 24.5) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: There is no win-total low enough for Trae Young’s shot selection crossed with your best player being Kent Bazemore. Shout out to the still-employed Vince Carter.

14. Orlando Magic – 23 wins (UNDER 30.5) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: Bamba No. 5, Jonathan Issac, and Aaron Gordon might end up being fun to watch, but this directionless team feels prime for trades.

13. Chicago Bulls – 25 wins (UNDER 30.5) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: You can Markkanen da Bulls down for another disappointing year.

12. Cleveland Cavaliers  – 28 wins (UNDER 30.5) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: How many wins is LeBron worth in 2018? 22 seems low, but here we are. Even though they won 50 games last year, this team will be lucky to get 30 this season.

11. Brooklyn Nets – 30 wins (UNDER 31.5) – $10 to win $18.70

Tweet-length rationale: A who’s who of who the hell is that, the Nets are going nowhere fast.

10. Charlotte Hornets – 33 wins (UNDER 35.5) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: Predictably stinky, the Hornets have had exactly 36 wins the last 2 years. I think they’ll be a little worse this year.

9. New York Knicks – 34 wins (OVER 29) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: This is a fun team, and I believe in Kevin Knox. If they get anything out of KP, they should bank some wins in the terrible East. I also fully expect to lose this money because James Dolan is involved.

8. Detroit Pistons – 41 wins (OVER 38) – $30 to win $56.09

Tweet-length rationale: The anti-Process, middling bastion of mediocrity should make the 8th by default in a weak East with Dwane Casey at the helm.

7. Milwaukee Bucks – 44 wins (UNDER 48) – $40 to win $74.78

Tweet-length rationale: Too many people love this team to make another leap in a weak East. I’m going the other way – I don’t believe in Giannis or new coach Mike Budenholzer.

6. Miami Heat – 45 wins – BET PULLED BY BOOK

Tweet-length rationale: A well-coached rec league team that plays with pride. Even if they can’t wrangle Jimmy Butler, they’ll be an interesting lower-half playoff team.

5. Washington Wizards – 48 wins (OVER 44.5) – $30 to win $56.09

Tweet-length rationale: This hot-mess of a roster is crazy….so crazy it just might work.

4. Toronto Raptors – 50 wins (UNDER 55) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: Growing pains with a new coach and big question marks surrounding Kawhi’s health, motivation, and fit are my reasons to slam the under here.

3. Indiana Pacers – 53 wins (OVER 47.5) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: Absolutely love the addition of Tyreke Evans to a team that was trending upward under the leadership of Victor Oladipo. I would not want to face this team in the playoffs.

2. Philadelphia 76ers – 57 wins (OVER 54.5) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: #RunItBackWithUs SZN approaches – with improved Simmons, Embiid, and Fultz leading the charge. Sky’s the limit, baby!

1. Boston Celtics – 59 wins (OVER 58.5) – $10 to win $18.70

Tweet-length rationale: This group of bums should clean up in a weak East. Even I’m excited for Jason Tatum’s second year of being only 19, now with gym-rat Gordan Hayward and sneaky-good Kyrie Irving. Here’s to a locker room implosion!

Western Conference

15. Sacramento Kings – 22 wins (UNDER 26) – $40 to win $74.78

Tweet-length rationale: The Sacramento Kings – where the whole is somehow consistently less than the sum of its parts.

14. Phoenix Suns – 26 wins – BET PULLED BY BOOK

Tweet-length rationale: The Suns will be a fun League Pass team. They’ll also play in the loaded West. If they can land Jimmy Butler without giving up too much, they’ll be intriguing…but for now, they’ll stink.

13. Dallas Mavericks – 33 wins (UNDER 35) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: Doncic will be fun, but this team will have growing pains in a rough conference. Take the over at your own risk.

12. Los Angeles Clippers – 33 wins (UNDER 37.5) – $40 to win $74.78

Tweet-length rationale: Everyone on this team is either too old, inevitably hurt, or both. Doc Rivers ain’t it. The development of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is about the only thing to be excited about.

11. Memphis Grizzlies – 35 wins (OVER 33.5) – $10 to win $18.70

Tweet-length rationale: This line seems a bit too low for a team led by vets Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, infused with the youth & talent of Jaren Jackson. Barring injury, I think they’ll clean up against the bad teams in the league.

10. New Orleans Pelicans – 41 wins (UNDER 45.5) – $40 to win $74.77

Tweet-length rationale: 45.5 wins is a little high for a team that will likely miss the playoffs in a highly competitive West. Take the under.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves – 42 wins – BET PULLED BY BOOK

Tweet-length rationale: I was low on this team even before the Jimmy Butler trade request because I don’t trust Thibs in the NBA in 2018. Maybe moving him will change things, but I’m not optimistic.

8. Portland Trail Blazers – 45 wins (OVER 42) – $30 to win $56.09

Tweet-length rationale: Rip City benefits from stability – while the rest of the West has changed, they’re about the same team that won 49 in a tough conference last year. More importantly, their cohesion allows them opportunity to steal games from talented but newly formed teams. 45 wins seems right.

7. San Antonio Spurs – 46 wins (OVER 45) – $10 to win $18.70

Tweet-length rationale: In getting nothing out of Kawhi last year, this well-coached team essentially swapped Danny Green for DeMar DeRozan. I think they squeak the over –  the competition is better but so are they.

6. Denver Nuggets – 46 wins (UNDER 47) – $10 to win $18.70

Tweet-length rationale: Jokic is fun, but I don’t see this team out-faring others in the a difficult conference. They might not get anything out of Michael Porter Jr. Also…who is Paul Millsap?

5. Oklahoma City Thunder – 51 wins – BET PULLED BY BOOK

Tweet-length rationale: There is a lot to like about OKC, or “Sixers West” as I like to call them, due to the additions of Nerlens Noel & Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to a team that already employed Jerami Grant. Russ & PG13 are hungry and should compete, even in a loaded West, barring injury.

4. Los Angeles Lakers – 52 wins (OVER 48.5) – $30 to win $56.09

Tweet-length rationale: In my opinion, it is free money to bet that a team with LeBron James on it will win at least 50 games.

3. Houston Rockets – 53 wins (UNDER 55.5) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: I think they got worse, and their window was last year. Additionally, there is dumpster-fire potential in the locker-room if things with Melo go south. The under feels right.

2. Utah Jazz – 55 wins (OVER 49.5) – $50 to win $93.48

Tweet-length rationale: Barring injury, the Jazz are a mortal lock for winning more than 50 games. Bet accordingly.

1. Golden State Warriors – 61 wins (UNDER 63) – $20 to win $37.39

Tweet-length rationale: This team should never lose. But they do. My guess is the 73 win chase isn’t worth it (and also, it didn’t work out, if you recall). A shade over 60 wins feels right.

So that’s it! Those are my picks. Now all that’s left is for the 2018-2019 season to get underway. Let’s go Sixers, baby!

Positional Storylines: Checking-in with the Eagles after Four Weeks

Original Post: October 2, 2018By Eric Marturano

This summer, while we were reveling in the afterglow of the Eagles’ first ever Super Bowl win, we took a look at some of the positional storylines for the upcoming season. After four weeks, here’s where we are with the 2-2 Philadelphia Eagles:

QB: Thanks Nick, but Carson Wentz is back.

After holding down the fort adequately for two weeks, Nick Foles took a seat in Week 3 and Carson Wentz took over vs. the Colts. Wentz shook off the rust and escaped the Colts game with a win despite 2 turnovers. Against the Titans in Week 4, Wentz was still shaking off some rust but looked better – largely thanks to the return of stud wideout Alshon Jeffery. Although he has yet to return to his dominant self, QB is clearly Wentz’s job to lose – although it is nice to know in the event of an injury that evidence exists that Nick Foles can have success with a healthy WR corp. Each QB is 1-1 through Week 4.

RB: Inconsistency limits an at-times promising squad

The law-firm of Ajayi, Clement, Sproles, and Smallwood have had flashes of brilliance but have yet to dominate. Separately, nobody has really stood out – Jay Ajayi is nowhere near his extremely productive 5.8 yards/carry last year, Clement and Smallwood have been explosive at times but have had trouble holding onto the ball, and Sproles is unfortunately injured again. My hope is that this unit finds some consistency in the coming weeks.

WR/TE: This unit goes where a healthy Jeffery takes them

After lackluster performances in the first three weeks of the season, the receiving corp took on new life with Alshon Jeffery in the fold during Week 4’s tilt with Tennessee. As the clear number one option, Jeffery’s size and speed opens up the rest of the field for Ertz, Agholor, and everyone else. Although the game resulted in a loss, a healthy Jeffery bodes well for the success of this unit as Carson Wentz rounds back into form.

OL: Jason Peters’ health woes continue

While Jason Peters hasn’t missed a game in its entirety, he’s been on-and-off the field a lot these past four weeks and something is clearly affecting him. While the rest of the unit maintains, Peters may have to sit and get healthy from whatever injuries are hampering him while Halapoulivaati Vaitai or Jordan Mailata step in for more stable reps. It’s understandable that the veteran and locker room leader wants to be in the fold in the title defense run after missing all of last year, but we may be at the point where it’s hurting both him and the team. Time will tell – hopefully we see Jason Peters hoist the Lombardi trophy at the end of this season.

DL: The best ability is reliability

The Eagles’ pass rush and run defense has been consistently strong and their saving grace on a defense that is struggling to cover the pass in the secondary. As hoped, Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata have been excellent support for an already dominant group of Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, and Derek Barnett.

LB: Stay healthy, stay strong

Bradham and Hicks have been solid against the run, although pass coverage in general has been a weak spot for the Eagles. If they can remain healthy, this unit should continue to succeed in supporting the efforts of a dominant defensive line and a struggling secondary.

DB: Where’s the coverage?

As if Week 2’s exposition against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn’t bad enough, Week 4 against the Titans was horrendous. Something needs to change with this unit and fast – whether that’s personnel, strategy, or overall execution is up to the wisdom of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Missed tackles and blown coverage by Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Malcolm Jenkins, Corey Graham, and Sidney Jones have marked many of the low-lights of the first few weeks.

Special Teams: Aussie RULES

P Cameron Johnston has been fantastic, currently averaging 51.5 yards/punt and consistently bailing the Eagles out of tight spots when the offense sputters. Any concern in losing the beloved Donnie Jones has been assuaged.

“It’s the whole team.”
As the season moves forward, I can’t help but think back on Jason Kelce’s emphatic statement that a championship run takes “the whole team”. That means each one of these positions, some of which are struggling more than others, matters. The most pressing issue for the Eagles early on is their secondary – if they can’t figure that out, then they’ll be hard pressed to repeat the success of last season.