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Sixers cut down Nets, secure playoff berth
Posted: Friday, April 1, 2011 11:24 pm | Updated: 12:52 am, Sat Apr 2, 2011.
By TOM MOORE STAFF WRITER
PHILADELPHIA - Elton Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first
nine NBA seasons.
He was selected to two all-star games.
But he had only played in the playoffs once in 11 seasons.
He'll get a second chance this spring, as the 76ers secured an Eastern
Conference berth with a 115-90 victory over the Nets on Friday night at the
Wells Fargo Center.
"It's a great feeling," said Brand, 32, with a smile. "It means a lot.
There's a lot of young, talented guys on this team and they'll have many,
many chances. For me to come here and finally be a part of (a playoff club),
I'm elated right now."
The Sixers made the postseason in 2008-09, which was Brand's first year here
after signing a five-year, $80 million free agent contract, but Brand was
sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.
"I told EB, ‘This is why you came to Philadelphia,' " said Sixers coach Doug
Collins. "If there's anybody who's about Philadelphia, it's EB. He's
blue-collar. He's undersized. He's overachieving. He's hard-working. He's
played through injuries and done everything we asked."
Eighth-year pro Andre Iguodala will be appearing in his fourth postseason in
seven years. He's battling right knee tendinitis that limits his quickness
and explosiveness, but got the Sixers on their way Friday with a 12-point
first quarter as the Sixers built a 35-point lead over the 23-52 Nets.
"I'm glad he made (the playoffs) with me on my team," said Iguodala of Brand.
"That means a lot to me. It makes it that more special."
Key reserve Thaddeus Young will be playing in his third playoffs in four
seasons. He's playing the best ball of his career, having scored 20-plus in
each of the last three games, each of which the Sixers have won.
Young, who Nets coach Avery Johnson called the Sixers' MVP before the game,
had a game-high 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
Not only did Young, Brand, Iguodala and company overcome a 3-13 start this
season, but they bounced back from a miserable 2009-10 campaign in which they
went 27-55 under Eddie Jordan.
"Last year left a funny taste in my mouth and a funny taste in everybody's
mouth," Young said. "There was a time last year where I was like, ‘We need
to make some changes to get our mentality back.' Once we made those changes,
look at us now."
The 40-36 Sixers are one win or one Pacers loss away from clinching the
seventh spot. They lead the No. 7 Knicks by 2½ games with six to play.
Starters Jrue Holiday, Jodie Meeks (each in his second year) and fourth-year
center Spencer Hawes will be playing in the postseason for the first time in
their pro careers.
"What a great night for our group," Collins said. "To get this tonight in
front of our home fans was an accomplishment. This isn't about stats or
anything - it's about heart and competitiveness and the will to make
something happen."
While clinching was an important step, the Sixers insist there is plenty of
work to be done this season. Although they'd be facing the Celtics, who are
one-half game behind the No. 2 Heat, in the best-of-seven first round if the
season ended today, the Sixers believe they're good enough that they can play
with anybody.
"Now, I think we're a real contender," Young said. "I think we've got a real
shot at doing something special here this year."
Tom Moore can be reached at tmoore@phillyBurbs.com
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