In what is becoming known as the “Take Back the Park” campaign, the Washington Nationals have decided they are intent on preventing Philadelphia Phillies fans from entering their ballpark.

If you haven’t noticed, the Nationals ballpark has essentially become a second home for Phillies fans in recent years considering several factors:

1) The Nationals don’t really have any fans
2) The Phillies have the most passionate fanbase in the world
3) Washington is close to Philadelphia

A home game for the Nationals might consist of 75 percent or more Phillies fans with the occasional Ryan Zimmerman or maybe Stephen Strasburg shirt. This has led the Nationals management to open ticket sales for the May 4-6 series against the Phillies, but only to fans whose credit card is from the following states: Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Virginia.

Nationals season ticket holders are encouraged to prevent Phillies fans from getting into their ballpark.

“Frankly, I was tired of seeing it,” Nationals COO Andy Feffer said. “Forget you, Philly. This is our park, this is our town, these are our fans, and it’s our time right now.”

Feffer has got to be kidding.

Does he really think this will stop Philly fans from getting into his ballpark? This only fuels the intensity. Sorry, Washington, that no one cares about your team.

The Nationals have long been a little sister to the team that has won five straight NL East division titles, and moves like acquiring Jayson Werth for an outrageous contract or Brad Lidge won’t make them a contender again.

Phillies fans pride themselves on being loud, outrageous, and passionate. This series will get ugly. You’ll hear about it in the weeks and days leading up to the game. Remember the rivalry between the New York Mets and the Phillies in 2007? If the Nationals get good, they become public enemy No. 1.

And they started it.

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Article source: http://www.rantsports.com/philadelphia-phillies/2012/02/04/washington-nationals-determined-to-prevent-philadelphia-phillies-fans-from-entering-their-stadium/

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The Flyers will look to reverse their recent fortunes against the Rangers in a matinee this afternoon

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Feb 5, 2012 – (Sports Network) – The Rangers are enjoying a solid run of success as of late over the rival Flyers. After all, in the past year they have beaten them in New York and Philadelphia as well as indoors and outside.

New York seeks a sixth straight win over visiting Philadelphia this afternoon, one that would pad its lead atop the Atlantic Division.

The Rangers have outscored the Flyers 19-6 over their current series winning streak, one that includes a pair of shutout wins in New York and, of course, a 3-2 win when the teams last met outdoors in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. The Blueshirts got a pair of goals from Mike Rupp at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park and 34 saves by Henrik Lundqvist, including a huge stop on Danny Briere on a penalty shot with 19.6 seconds remaining.

Lundqvist was again the star in the Rangers’ most recent trip to the ice, backstopping his club to a 1-0 shootout win at Buffalo. Lundqvist made 34 saves through overtime and stopped four of the five skaters he faced in the tiebreaker. Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan had shootout tallies on the Sabres’ Ryan Miller.

“I could tell halfway through the first (period) that Miller was playing really well, and I knew I had to be focused and make good decisions out there,” said Lundqvist after his sixth shutout of the season and 41st of his career. “It was a fun game, lots of back and forth action. And I am really happy we got the win.”

New York bounced back from a shootout loss to New Jersey the previous day and has points in four straight (3-0-1). The Blueshirts open a three-game homestand with this divisional clash and could have defenseman Steve Eminger back in action.

The blueliner was cleared to return after missing 19 games in a row with a separated shoulder, though New York head coach John Tortorella said he isn’t sure if Eminger will in fact play today.

The Flyers head to Madison Square Garden after a frustrating 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Devils on Saturday in which they fell behind early before battling back to make a game of it. Philadelphia gave up the game’s first six goals, including two in the final minute of the first period, and seemed to lose its composure on the Devils’ second goal.

Skating on the power play, Claude Giroux appeared to be tripped by New Jersey’s Dainius Zubrus at the point. No call was made and Zubrus started an odd-man rush that ended in a short-handed goal by the Devils’ Ilya Kovalchuk with 57 seconds left in the opening frame.

“I’m pretty sure it was a penalty,” Giroux said about the play that led to Kovalchuk’s tally. “I actually like those two refs, so I don’t want to rip them.”

The Flyers eventually got goals from Wayne Simmonds — his career high-tying 16th of the season — Jaromir Jagr, Giroux and Jakub Voracek in the third, but couldn’t extend their five-game point streak (3-0-2). Philly outshot New Jersey 24-1 in the third frame, setting a new franchise mark for largest single-period shot differential according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Sergei Bobrovsky got the start and gave up six goals on 23 shots. Ilya Bryzgalov halted all eight shots he faced in relief.

The Flyers, who will try to avoid losing two straight for the first time since Dec. 23-27, fell to 12-8-4 at home compared to a road mark of 18-7-2.

Read More: Ryan Callahan (RW – NYR), Henrik Lundqvist (G – NYR), Wayne Simmonds (RW – PHI), Ilya Bryzgalov (G – PHI), Marian Gaborik (RW – NYR), Danny Briere (C – PHI), Ryan Miller (G – BUF), Jakub Voracek (RW – PHI), Dainius Zubrus (C – NJD), Mike Rupp (LW – NYR), Steve Eminger (D – NYR), Claude Giroux (RW – PHI), Ilya Kovalchuk (RW – NJD), Sergei Bobrovsky (G – PHI), Jaromir Jagr (RW – PHI), New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers

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Article source: http://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-flyers/2012/2/5/2772988/flyers-vs-rangers-philly-hosts-ny-in-pre-super-bowl-matinee

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The Human Highlight Blog

Kris Willis

Article source: http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/2/5/2773358/atlanta-hawks-philadelphia-76ers-2012-final-score

Three Philadelphia firefighters were injured, one critically, when they became trapped on a third floor while fighting a rowhouse fire early Sunday in North Philadelphia.

Three or four residents of the multi-family house in the 1600 block of North 20th Street, including a baby a few days old, were also injured, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said. They inhaled smoke and were treated at Hahnemann University Hospital, he said.

Ayers identified the seriously injured firefighter as Lt. Marvin Melvin, a member of the department since 1999. He is assigned to Engine 27, located at 19th and Master streets.

Melvin was in critical but stable condition Sunday night in the burn unit at Temple University Hospital. Ayers said he was alert and talking to his family, and “doing well.”

Bill Gault, president of Local 22 of the firefighters’ union, said Melvin was burned on both arms and his back.

Two other Engine 27 members, identified by Ayers as Francis Dougherty and Matt Johnston, were treated at Hahnemann and released.

Ayers said Sunday night he did not have identities of the residents who were hurt, but he said they were alerted to the fire at 5:58 a.m. by a smoke alarm.

Firefighters, whom Ayers said arrived at the scene within three minutes, explored the house looking for anyone still inside. The three who were hurt found themselves above the fire when they got to the third floor. They became trapped.

Dougherty and Johnston were able to make it down a fire truck ladder, Ayers said. Melvin stayed back until his men were clear, then tried to get out through a window and onto the ladder. He fell to the ground.

Ayers said the origin of the fire was uncertain Sunday night, but he said there was suspicion of arson.

Contact staff writer Tom Infield at 610-313-8205 or tinfield@phillynews,com.

Article source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/138750754.html

The carefully preserved and stuffed raven named Grip — later the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem — is perhaps the quirkiest part of the Philadelphia public library’s valuable Dickens collection, now on display to celebrate his bicentennial.

Aden Halpern, 12, left, with the help of Alessandra Brown 7, both from Philadelphia, places a wreath on the head of the bronze statue of Charles Dickens as they celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens in Clark Park Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia public library and Friends of Clark Park are among numerous groups worldwide celebrating the novelist’s 200th birthday. He was born in Portsmouth, England, on Feb. 7, 1812.

The British author, who created unforgettable characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and David Copperfield, visited The City of Brotherly Love only twice. But two local benefactors bequeathed major collections of Dickensiana to the library, including 1,200 letters alone. And a rare statue of the author sits in a neighborhood park.

The library and Friends of Clark Park are now among numerous groups worldwide celebrating the novelist’s 200th birthday. He was born in Portsmouth, England, on Feb. 7, 1812.

“(It was) the ideal opportunity to share our literary treasures with the community and celebrate the fact that Dickens’ clever characters and engaging plotlines transcend time and are as relevant today as they were when he created them,” library director Siobhan Reardon said in a statement.

Among the items on view in the rare book department are first editions of his novels and original artwork for the tales; dozens of letters to colleagues; the desk where he left unfinished his 15th book, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”; and an 1846 manuscript of the “Children’s New Testament” — Dickens’ own version of the life of Jesus, which he read to his children each Christmas.

Also on display, safe in a terrarium, stands Grip, the pet raven that Dickens preserved through taxidermy. Grip appeared as a minor character in Dickens’ book “Barnaby Rudge,” which Poe reviewed while living in Philadelphia. He criticized the bird’s small role, and penned “The Raven” four years later.

The library’s yearlong celebration also includes regular book discussions and readings by a Dickens impersonator, who won the role through an “American Idol”-style contest. A birthday party was held Sunday.

Dickens first visited Philadelphia in 1842 and received a rock-star welcome, shaking hands with fans for hours in a hotel lobby. When he returned in 1868, people camped out for tickets to his readings and scalpers commanded high prices for the sold-out performances, according to research by the Philadelphia chapter of the Dickens Fellowship.

His work remains popular today because Dickens is a great storyteller who uses energetic language to create unforgettable characters, said John O. Jordan, a literature professor who directs the Dickens Project at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Article source: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700222392/Philadelphia-celebrates-Dickens-200th-birthday.html

The Rangers beat the Flyers for the fourth straight time this season and sixth straight overall. Marian Gaborik, Michael Del Zotto, Brandon Dubinsky and Ruslan Fedotenko also scored for Eastern Conference-leading New York.

“I think we know how important these games are,” said Gaborik, who scored his team-leading 26th goal of the season with five seconds left in the second period. “We have played very well against them this year and this game was one of them.”

Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds scored for the Flyers, which lost for the third time in four games. It was their first game against the Rangers since the Winter Classic in Philadelphia on Jan. 2.

“Our team could play better than we did,” Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. “It’s just frustrating. We had an opportunity to win a game and we didn’t.”

Lundqvist’s career-best shutout streak ended at 182 minutes, 37 seconds when Schenn scored in the second period, but the All-Star goaltender still improved to 24-14-4 on the season as fans at the Garden serenaded the Flyers with chants of “You can’t beat us” as time elapsed.

“Any time you can beat such a skilled team, it’s a great feeling,” Lundqvist said. “The fans were ready to go and everybody was excited to play Philly.”

Philadelphia was playing its fourth game in six days and the final of a weekend back-to-back. The Flyers lost 6-4 at home against New Jersey on Saturday.

“We just have to keep working, be more lucky and win the next game,” Flyers goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov said. “We didn’t deliver today.”

Anisimov opened the scoring at 1:04 of the first period. He also assisted on Gaborik’s second-period goal and Del Zotto’s go-ahead score at 1:33 of the third, which came 36 seconds after Simmonds tied it at 2. Dubinsky added an insurance goal at 12:15 and Fedotenko had an empty-netter at 18:44.

The Rangers are 16-4-1 in their last 21 games. Physical play, dynamic penalty killing and strong goaltending have led their surge. They’ve allowed a league-best 102 goals through 50 games.

“We are a sum of parts, that’s how we play and that’s the only way we can win,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said. “That’s the way we have to play and when another team joins in, it mounts.”

Gaborik’s goal — moments after he lay stunned on the ice behind the Flyers net following a hard check — put the Rangers ahead 2-1. Gaborik got up and slipped a backhand past Bryzgalov after defenseman Andrej Meszaros had leveled him with the hit.

Anisimov’s goal was his eighth of the season and came on a tip in of Dan Girardi’s slap shot. Anisimov’s previous point had been an assist Dec. 22 against the New York Islanders.

“I enjoy every shift on the ice,” the soft-spoken Anisimov said. “It was a huge game for us. Every game is important.”

Schenn tied it on a picture-perfect breakaway goal at 12:02 of the second. Just out of the penalty box, the 20-year-old center took a pass from Jakub Voracek and beat Lundqvist by lifting a backhand over his glove hand.

The game was feisty as usual between the two rivals, who had the weeks leading up the Winter Classic chronicled by the cable network HBO.

Rangers defenseman Stu Bickel fought Simmonds in the first period and Tim Sestito in the second. Sestito also fought Dubinsky in the first and Brandon Prust in the third. Sestito was given an automatic game misconduct after his third fight.

“We were ready to play right from the start,” Bickel said.

The teams meet in Philadelphia on Feb. 11 and April 3.

Lundqvist’s shutout streak went back to the 19:11 mark of the second period Jan. 21 at Boston. The Swedish goaltender recorded consecutive shutouts for first time in his career with wins over Winnipeg Jan. 24 and Buffalo last Wednesday.

As far as Super Bowl plans, Lundqvist’s were aligned with most of the football-frenzied New York population.

“I’ll be watching with a buddy who is a huge Giants fan and I’ll be eating a lot of food,” the winning goaltender said.

NOTES: Philadelphia Fs Danny Briere and James van Riemsdyk remained sidelined because of to concussions … The Rangers wore their Winter Classic white sweaters for the first time at home. … The Rangers are a league-best 24-1-2 when scoring first. … The Rangers have outscored the Flyers 24-8 in winning their last six contests. … Lundqvist has held opponents to two or few goals in 26 games this season.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/capitals/anisimov-leads-new-york-rangers-past-philadelphia-flyers-5-2/2012/02/05/gIQAPiAHsQ_story.html

A city that cherishes superstars when they win and berates them when they lose, Philadelphia has been rather noncommittal on these new 76ers. Of course, fans were once accustomed to Chamberlain, Erving, Barkley, and Iverson. The current roster has no real star power.

The rest of the NBA may beg to differ. Philadelphia, not Boston or New York, is the leader of the Atlantic Division. Overlooked before the season after a successful playoff appearance in 2010-11, the 76ers have developed into a potential Eastern Conference factor faster than expected.

They have raced out to the fourth-best record in the conference with a collection of youngsters, aging veterans, and the much-criticized Andre Iguodala, who was never able to pick up the mantle left behind by Allen Iverson but now doesn’t have to.

The strength in their attack is versatility. Eight players average at least 9 points per game, and 11 players average at least 11 minutes. Coach Doug Collins has battered opponents with depth and variety.

Philadelphia’s leading scorer comes off the bench: Lou Williams, drafted out of high school as an Iverson clone, has found a home as a volume scorer in a reserve role.

The resurrection of the 76ers comes with a change in philosophy. In a town that has high-profile sports stars in Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Claude Giroux, the NBA team has played in near-anonymity until last week when the Bulls and Heat came to town.

“The competition here is very stiff, because virtually every team is very, very good,’’ said 76ers president Rod Thorn. “I would have said last year, during the early part of the year, that the fans had sort of turned the Sixers off. The Sixers had had a really poor year the year before [27-55] and had really lost a lot of cachet they had with their fans.

“When Doug Collins came in as the coach last year, one of the first things he said was that he was going to try to change the culture. Philly is a kind of city where you need a team that is tough, willing to do all the little things to help you win games.

“As we started to win games, we started to get some more attention. And we were very hopeful that would carry over to this year.”

The 76ers are 22d in the league in attendance at 14,999 per game. The locals are not yet convinced.

“Well, we had a lockout,’’ Thorn said. “We were starting over. In the past couple of weeks, as people have seen that we have built on what we had last year, our crowds are getting bigger and we’re getting a lot more attention.’’

After facing Atlanta last night, the 76ers will play the Lakers, Spurs, and Clippers this week, which should help NBA observers determine how much of a threat they are.

Williams may be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and the 76ers have also won with defense, rebounding, and steady point guard play from Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s more overlooked young players.

Elton Brand, though he may not prove to be worth his $90 million deal, has been a stabilizing force in the paint.

Iguodala has been heavily chided for his large contract and lack of All-Star appearances. He is a multi-skilled player with freakish athleticism, but not on the level of the game’s great players.

He has heard those criticisms for years and spent considerable time on the trading block, but he has carved out a niche with his all-around play, particularly defense.

“He can do anything on the court,’’ Thorn said. “He’s a very smart player.

“Probably the weakest part of Andre’s game is his shooting, and over the course of time, he’s more than anybody else been the go-to guy late in ballgames. He’s certainly had some success with it, but probably not as much as he would like.

“Now, he doesn’t have to do that every night. I think it takes a little pressure away from him. Now I think he realizes we have others who can do good things, too.

“To me, he’s gotten a bad rap here. From where I’m sitting, contracts should have nothing to do with it, because you’re not paying yourself. It’s not like he signed himself. Appreciate him for what he is.’’

The 76ers were blasted by the Heat Friday night, so there is definitely more work to do. And Thorn points out that they have capitalized on a home-heavy schedule against some lesser opponents. This week should show where the 76ers are in their climb back to prominence.

“There’s different ways to win in this league,’’ Thorn said. “The sum of the parts is better than the individual parts. That’s the way we have to do it.

“For me, it’s fun to see a team do it like this. It’s a breath of fresh air.’’

HOPE FOR CLEVELAND

So far, Irving right on target

The Celticsgot a long look at rookie Kyrie Irving over a 72-hour period last week, as the Cavaliers point guard beat them with a layup Jan. 29 at TD Garden, then spearheaded a furious rally that almost brought Cleveland another win two days later.

There was mystery surrounding Irving when Cleveland made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. While he was an impact player during his short time at Duke — he played in just 11 games because of a foot injury — there was uncertainty about his ability to compete at the NBA level.

But the Cavaliers, desperately trying to move away from the LeBron James debacle, have another potential franchise cornerstone whose transition to the pros has been flawless. Through 21 games, Irving leads NBA rookies with 18.0 points per game, to go with 5.0 assists and 49.8 percent shooting.

Not only has he adequately run Byron Scott’s Princeton offense, he has developed a knack for taking — and making — big shots. During Cleveland’s comeback against the Celtics last Tuesday, Irving canned a running layup against three defenders.

Six weeks from his 20th birthday, he is making the Cavaliers’ rebuilding plan more feasible.

“He’s young and I just think he plays the right way,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “Cleveland made a good pick. He’s a terrific player.

“I just like how he plays. He’s really serious about the game on the floor and he makes flashy plays but he’s not trying to be flashy. He makes those plays because that’s what the game dictates.

“To me, in some ways, although he’s flashier than the throwback guards, he is one of those.’’

Rivers, whose son Austin Rivers was a prep phenom, got an extensive opportunity to watch Irving during his AAU days.

“He comes to the game to compete,’’ Rivers said. “He doesn’t come to the game to put on a show. He understands it’s a competition. He’s feisty. Chris Paul is like that, too. They’re just feisty, tough guards who compete.’’

There was far more pressure on Irving than other rookies because of his No. 1 overall status and the comparisons to James, who became a superstar and two-time MVP after being taken first in 2003. James made a bitter departure from Cleveland in 2010 to sign with Miami, and that taste lingered over the city for more than a year.

But Irving is sweetening things for the fans.

“I want to become a leader, but more on the example side,’’ he said. “Every game, my teammates just tell me to compete and that’s what I do.

“There have always been doubts about my game throughout my whole entire career, my high school and short college career. Coming to the NBA is about motivation for me.’’

He knows there were questions as to whether he made the right decision to declare for the draft after his injury-shortened freshman season in college.

“I was a high draft pick, played only 11 games, Cavs fans didn’t know what to see, NBA fans didn’t know what to expect,’’ he said.

“I knew I made the right decision. “I used the lockout to the best of my advantage, to be one of the most prepared rookies. That’s what I wanted to do, is hit the ground running.’’

Scott, who played with one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Magic Johnson, as well as Mark Jackson, had no hesitation about praising his rookie.

“For a rookie, and all the stuff he’s had to learn in this short period of time, and not having the type of basketball experience that most rookies come in with, I think he’s adapted well,’’ said Scott.

“He’ll continue to get better. He’s handling the situation pretty well. He has a long way to go in a lot of departments. Right now, he’s on a very good pace of being exactly what we think he could be.’’

RUST IS SHOWING

Lockout effect visible in spots

The Eastern Conference is beginning to round into form at the one-third mark of the season, with expected contenders Miami and Chicago rising toward the top, while downtrodden teams such as Charlotte, Washington, and New Jersey sink toward another lottery appearance.

But the 76ers and Pacers have made surprising splashes, while the Knicksand Celtics have struggled. The effects of the lockout are surfacing, with a rash of injuries and inconsistent play.

Going into the season, eight teams were seen by many as playoff locks: Chicago, Miami, Indiana, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, and New York. Of them, only the Knicks are not in playoff position right now.

With the Knicks struggling mightily, the eighth spot appears to be the most intriguing race, with Milwaukee, Cleveland and even New Jersey having an opportunity to nab it.

“It just feels like Miami and Chicago is a foregone conclusion in the conference finals,’’ said TNT analyst Steve Kerr. “Obviously, so much can happen injury-wise this season because of the schedule. If LeBron [James] or [Dwyane] Wade went down, there could be changes.

“But assuming teams stay healthy, it would be really difficult to see anybody other than Boston crack that echelon at the top. Boston would have the best chance.

“There are some interesting teams in the East. Philly looks like they are really making some strides. Indiana is a better team now.

“Of course, Chicago and Miami just look like they are head and shoulders above everybody.’’

The lockout had a definite effect on teams that were older or entered the season with several new players. The Celtics fit both categories.

“I felt before the season started that the teams with the advantage with this lockout schedule are the ones that combined continuity and youth,’’ Kerr said. “Chicago and Miami fit that bill. They have the same continuity from last year, the same coaches, the success, really good blueprint, and a roster full of young talent that can withstand the rigors of the season.

“And if you look at the West, you could say the same thing about Denver, Portland, and Oklahoma City. Teams that have young talent that’s been there and probably able to deal with the grind. It’s a big factor for Miami and Chicago for sure.’’

The basketball hasn’t been pretty this season — as expected — but it has become apparent that the teams with the most cohesion and chemistry have flourished after the abbreviated training camp. The question is whether those disheveled teams will catch up by April.

ETC.

Finish line for Hughes?

The career of Larry Hughes may be over after he was released by the Magic last week so they could sign someone named Ish Smith. Hughes left St. Louis University after his freshman season in 1998 and played 13 seasons for eight teams. Hughes never quite reached his lottery pick potential but was a strong defender during his years playing with the Wizards and Cavaliers.

The book on Brooks

Another player to watch on the free agent market in the next month is former Rocket and Sun Aaron Brooks. He went from being a rookie sensation with the Rockets to being traded for Goran Dragic a few years later. The Suns did not pick up the option on his contract, and he bolted for China during the lockout. He can shoot from distance and create his own shot, although his leadership at point guard has been questioned.

Layups

Toronto coach Dwane Casey is disappointed in the recent play of forward Amir Johnson, who has appeared confused with his role since Andrea Bargnani went out with a calf injury. The Raptors thought Johnson may have a breakout year after signing a $35 million contract two years ago . . . Jimmer Fredette experienced the first DNP-coach’s decision of his NBA career Thursday in Sacramento’s victory over Portland. Fredette is shooting just 36 percent from the field. His minutes have been soaked up by former University of Washington standout Isaiah Thomas, the final pick of the 2011 draft. Thomas has scored in double figures for four straight games serving as Tyreke Evans’s backup at point guard . . . Teams are taking note of what’s happening in Detroit, where the Pistons had money to spend in 2009 and used a combined $80 million on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva has played all of three minutes this season because of injuries. Like Villanueva, Gordon has hardly been the impact player the Pistons expected. Team president Joe Dumars invested in Villanueva and Gordon hoping they would develop into cornerstones, but he probably should have saved his money for the summer of 2010. The Pistons entered last night’s game 5-20 under new coach Lawrence Frank.

Try BostonGlobe.com today and get two weeks FREE.Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.

Article source: http://bostonglobe.com/2012/02/05/ers-take-early-lead-but-are-they-for-real/F6toJuHZXbW4syxutm5PmM/story.html

A city that cherishes superstars when they win and berates them when they lose, Philadelphia has been rather noncommittal on these new 76ers. Of course, fans were once accustomed to Chamberlain, Erving, Barkley, and Iverson. The current roster has no real star power.

The rest of the NBA may beg to differ. Philadelphia, not Boston or New York, is the leader of the Atlantic Division. Overlooked before the season after a successful playoff appearance in 2010-11, the 76ers have developed into a potential Eastern Conference factor faster than expected.

They have raced out to the fourth-best record in the conference with a collection of youngsters, aging veterans, and the much-criticized Andre Iguodala, who was never able to pick up the mantle left behind by Allen Iverson but now doesn’t have to.

The strength in their attack is versatility. Eight players average at least 9 points per game, and 11 players average at least 11 minutes. Coach Doug Collins has battered opponents with depth and variety.

Philadelphia’s leading scorer comes off the bench: Lou Williams, drafted out of high school as an Iverson clone, has found a home as a volume scorer in a reserve role.

The resurrection of the 76ers comes with a change in philosophy. In a town that has high-profile sports stars in Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Claude Giroux, the NBA team has played in near-anonymity until last week when the Bulls and Heat came to town.

“The competition here is very stiff, because virtually every team is very, very good,’’ said 76ers president Rod Thorn. “I would have said last year, during the early part of the year, that the fans had sort of turned the Sixers off. The Sixers had had a really poor year the year before [27-55] and had really lost a lot of cachet they had with their fans.

“When Doug Collins came in as the coach last year, one of the first things he said was that he was going to try to change the culture. Philly is a kind of city where you need a team that is tough, willing to do all the little things to help you win games.

“As we started to win games, we started to get some more attention. And we were very hopeful that would carry over to this year.”

The 76ers are 22d in the league in attendance at 14,999 per game. The locals are not yet convinced.

“Well, we had a lockout,’’ Thorn said. “We were starting over. In the past couple of weeks, as people have seen that we have built on what we had last year, our crowds are getting bigger and we’re getting a lot more attention.’’

After facing Atlanta last night, the 76ers will play the Lakers, Spurs, and Clippers this week, which should help NBA observers determine how much of a threat they are.

Williams may be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and the 76ers have also won with defense, rebounding, and steady point guard play from Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s more overlooked young players.

Elton Brand, though he may not prove to be worth his $90 million deal, has been a stabilizing force in the paint.

Iguodala has been heavily chided for his large contract and lack of All-Star appearances. He is a multi-skilled player with freakish athleticism, but not on the level of the game’s great players.

He has heard those criticisms for years and spent considerable time on the trading block, but he has carved out a niche with his all-around play, particularly defense.

“He can do anything on the court,’’ Thorn said. “He’s a very smart player.

“Probably the weakest part of Andre’s game is his shooting, and over the course of time, he’s more than anybody else been the go-to guy late in ballgames. He’s certainly had some success with it, but probably not as much as he would like.

“Now, he doesn’t have to do that every night. I think it takes a little pressure away from him. Now I think he realizes we have others who can do good things, too.

“To me, he’s gotten a bad rap here. From where I’m sitting, contracts should have nothing to do with it, because you’re not paying yourself. It’s not like he signed himself. Appreciate him for what he is.’’

The 76ers were blasted by the Heat Friday night, so there is definitely more work to do. And Thorn points out that they have capitalized on a home-heavy schedule against some lesser opponents. This week should show where the 76ers are in their climb back to prominence.

“There’s different ways to win in this league,’’ Thorn said. “The sum of the parts is better than the individual parts. That’s the way we have to do it.

“For me, it’s fun to see a team do it like this. It’s a breath of fresh air.’’

HOPE FOR CLEVELAND

So far, Irving right on target

The Celticsgot a long look at rookie Kyrie Irving over a 72-hour period last week, as the Cavaliers point guard beat them with a layup Jan. 29 at TD Garden, then spearheaded a furious rally that almost brought Cleveland another win two days later.

There was mystery surrounding Irving when Cleveland made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. While he was an impact player during his short time at Duke — he played in just 11 games because of a foot injury — there was uncertainty about his ability to compete at the NBA level.

But the Cavaliers, desperately trying to move away from the LeBron James debacle, have another potential franchise cornerstone whose transition to the pros has been flawless. Through 21 games, Irving leads NBA rookies with 18.0 points per game, to go with 5.0 assists and 49.8 percent shooting.

Not only has he adequately run Byron Scott’s Princeton offense, he has developed a knack for taking — and making — big shots. During Cleveland’s comeback against the Celtics last Tuesday, Irving canned a running layup against three defenders.

Six weeks from his 20th birthday, he is making the Cavaliers’ rebuilding plan more feasible.

“He’s young and I just think he plays the right way,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “Cleveland made a good pick. He’s a terrific player.

“I just like how he plays. He’s really serious about the game on the floor and he makes flashy plays but he’s not trying to be flashy. He makes those plays because that’s what the game dictates.

“To me, in some ways, although he’s flashier than the throwback guards, he is one of those.’’

Rivers, whose son Austin Rivers was a prep phenom, got an extensive opportunity to watch Irving during his AAU days.

“He comes to the game to compete,’’ Rivers said. “He doesn’t come to the game to put on a show. He understands it’s a competition. He’s feisty. Chris Paul is like that, too. They’re just feisty, tough guards who compete.’’

There was far more pressure on Irving than other rookies because of his No. 1 overall status and the comparisons to James, who became a superstar and two-time MVP after being taken first in 2003. James made a bitter departure from Cleveland in 2010 to sign with Miami, and that taste lingered over the city for more than a year.

But Irving is sweetening things for the fans.

“I want to become a leader, but more on the example side,’’ he said. “Every game, my teammates just tell me to compete and that’s what I do.

“There have always been doubts about my game throughout my whole entire career, my high school and short college career. Coming to the NBA is about motivation for me.’’

He knows there were questions as to whether he made the right decision to declare for the draft after his injury-shortened freshman season in college.

“I was a high draft pick, played only 11 games, Cavs fans didn’t know what to see, NBA fans didn’t know what to expect,’’ he said.

“I knew I made the right decision. “I used the lockout to the best of my advantage, to be one of the most prepared rookies. That’s what I wanted to do, is hit the ground running.’’

Scott, who played with one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, Magic Johnson, as well as Mark Jackson, had no hesitation about praising his rookie.

“For a rookie, and all the stuff he’s had to learn in this short period of time, and not having the type of basketball experience that most rookies come in with, I think he’s adapted well,’’ said Scott.

“He’ll continue to get better. He’s handling the situation pretty well. He has a long way to go in a lot of departments. Right now, he’s on a very good pace of being exactly what we think he could be.’’

RUST IS SHOWING

Lockout effect visible in spots

The Eastern Conference is beginning to round into form at the one-third mark of the season, with expected contenders Miami and Chicago rising toward the top, while downtrodden teams such as Charlotte, Washington, and New Jersey sink toward another lottery appearance.

But the 76ers and Pacers have made surprising splashes, while the Knicksand Celtics have struggled. The effects of the lockout are surfacing, with a rash of injuries and inconsistent play.

Going into the season, eight teams were seen by many as playoff locks: Chicago, Miami, Indiana, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, and New York. Of them, only the Knicks are not in playoff position right now.

With the Knicks struggling mightily, the eighth spot appears to be the most intriguing race, with Milwaukee, Cleveland and even New Jersey having an opportunity to nab it.

“It just feels like Miami and Chicago is a foregone conclusion in the conference finals,’’ said TNT analyst Steve Kerr. “Obviously, so much can happen injury-wise this season because of the schedule. If LeBron [James] or [Dwyane] Wade went down, there could be changes.

“But assuming teams stay healthy, it would be really difficult to see anybody other than Boston crack that echelon at the top. Boston would have the best chance.

“There are some interesting teams in the East. Philly looks like they are really making some strides. Indiana is a better team now.

“Of course, Chicago and Miami just look like they are head and shoulders above everybody.’’

The lockout had a definite effect on teams that were older or entered the season with several new players. The Celtics fit both categories.

“I felt before the season started that the teams with the advantage with this lockout schedule are the ones that combined continuity and youth,’’ Kerr said. “Chicago and Miami fit that bill. They have the same continuity from last year, the same coaches, the success, really good blueprint, and a roster full of young talent that can withstand the rigors of the season.

“And if you look at the West, you could say the same thing about Denver, Portland, and Oklahoma City. Teams that have young talent that’s been there and probably able to deal with the grind. It’s a big factor for Miami and Chicago for sure.’’

The basketball hasn’t been pretty this season — as expected — but it has become apparent that the teams with the most cohesion and chemistry have flourished after the abbreviated training camp. The question is whether those disheveled teams will catch up by April.

ETC.

Finish line for Hughes?

The career of Larry Hughes may be over after he was released by the Magic last week so they could sign someone named Ish Smith. Hughes left St. Louis University after his freshman season in 1998 and played 13 seasons for eight teams. Hughes never quite reached his lottery pick potential but was a strong defender during his years playing with the Wizards and Cavaliers.

The book on Brooks

Another player to watch on the free agent market in the next month is former Rocket and Sun Aaron Brooks. He went from being a rookie sensation with the Rockets to being traded for Goran Dragic a few years later. The Suns did not pick up the option on his contract, and he bolted for China during the lockout. He can shoot from distance and create his own shot, although his leadership at point guard has been questioned.

Layups

Toronto coach Dwane Casey is disappointed in the recent play of forward Amir Johnson, who has appeared confused with his role since Andrea Bargnani went out with a calf injury. The Raptors thought Johnson may have a breakout year after signing a $35 million contract two years ago . . . Jimmer Fredette experienced the first DNP-coach’s decision of his NBA career Thursday in Sacramento’s victory over Portland. Fredette is shooting just 36 percent from the field. His minutes have been soaked up by former University of Washington standout Isaiah Thomas, the final pick of the 2011 draft. Thomas has scored in double figures for four straight games serving as Tyreke Evans’s backup at point guard . . . Teams are taking note of what’s happening in Detroit, where the Pistons had money to spend in 2009 and used a combined $80 million on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva has played all of three minutes this season because of injuries. Like Villanueva, Gordon has hardly been the impact player the Pistons expected. Team president Joe Dumars invested in Villanueva and Gordon hoping they would develop into cornerstones, but he probably should have saved his money for the summer of 2010. The Pistons entered last night’s game 5-20 under new coach Lawrence Frank.

Try BostonGlobe.com today and get two weeks FREE.Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.

Article source: http://bostonglobe.com/2012/02/05/ers-take-early-lead-but-are-they-for-real/F6toJuHZXbW4syxutm5PmM/story.html

Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty ImagesKobayashi won Wing Bowl 20 in Philadelphia on Friday, breaking the record by eating 337 wings.

You probably think everything important in American sports this past week happened in Indianapolis. Wrong, football breath. How could you forget one of our growing traditions, the 20th annual Wing Bowl in Philadelphia, which attracted 20,000 sports fans eager to see thousand of chickens rendered wingless — along with nearly naked women mud wrestling?

The hero was famed Kobayashi, who knocked down 337 chicken wings in 30 minutes (a little more than 11 wings a minute for the mathematically challenged).

It all reminds me of a visit years ago to the now-defunct World’s Chicken Plucking Championships that were held every October in little Spring Hill, Fla. Why this event is lost in history is puzzling. It included a guy who tried to jump a one-mile-wide lake on his motorcycle and fell short by all but the first 10 feet of the mile. Then there was the somewhat controversial Ms. Drumstick beauty contest that was judge purely on the contestants’ shapely legs. To guarantee objectivity about the, um, drumsticks, all the contestants wore burlap bags over the rest of their bodies.

The highlight, of course, was the chicken plucking. You haven’t seen anything until you see the feathers and blood start to fly. They always assured everyone that the chickens had been “put to sleep humanely” before being plucked. The chickens must have been grateful for that.

The closing was my favorite, however. A male-and-female choir dressed in formal attire would perform the “William Tell Overture” — by clucking it.

That’s entertainment.

There will be entertainment galore when we get to the main dishes in the Super Sunday Brunch, but first a few bits of tid, mostly about that Big Game in Indy.

• Not sure if anyone has mentioned this about the Super Bowl, but it’s possible that the health of New England tight end Rob Gronkowski may be important. You heard it here first.

• Madonna chose Eli Manning over Tom Brady. Somewhere Gisele Bundchen must be saying “Thank you, Lord.” (Not really.)

• The NFL sold 7,000 tickets for fans to watch 2,000 media work? Next year — Media Red Carpet! “Dan LeBatard: Who are you wearing?”

• Colts owner Jim Irsay, who is a member of the Super Bowl committee, says there is serious talk about taking the Super Bowl overseas. Does Qatar know about this?

• Dave Letterman: “Oh, you know what it is? Super Bowl Sunday, how about that? You know how much money Americans spend on snacks during the Super Bowl game? A billion dollars, and that’s just at Governor Christie’s house.”

• Tweet of the Week from Eagles QB Vince Young: “Twitter fam I have been invited to b on Dancing with the Stars what do y’all think about that lol.” — What we probably think is that “Dancing With the Stars” is in trouble when it’s going after second-string quarterbacks.

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• And taking a tip from Bill Belichick, I’ve been practicing my halftime break all week. I’m in and out of the bathroom in 38 seconds flat, a personal best. I’m game ready.

Ding ding. Time for the main courses of the Super Sunday Brunch. We’re staying away from the Super Bowl per se as you can find that in a thousand places. Not that it means we are staying away from America’s favorite pastime. Enjoy.

• What kind of two weeks has it been for Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay with two other teams in his town seeking Super Bowl glory while he continues to clean house? Judy Batista of The New York Times provides insight including Irsay’s claim that hosting the big game is the final piece in a “golden era” that is over now. Find out more here.

• Moving to the NBA, T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times compares and contrasts the Clippers and Lakers. Hint to Lakers fans: You won’t like it. He also works in a review of the flick “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” Anyone connected to that movie won’t like what he says, either. See for yourself here.

␊ How about some baseball? Drew Davidson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram gives us two lists: Top 5 and Bottom 5 offseasons. Hey, Mets fans, which list do you think you’re on? See both lists here.

• Back to the less fortunate side of the NFL on Super Sunday. The Jacksonville Daily Record provides a QA with new Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, who swears he would have drafted Tim Tebow without benefit of hindsight. Current Jags QB Blaine Gabbert probably doesn’t have this article displayed on his refrigerator door. Take a look here.

• We love to take you places you might not find yourself. So we close with an article by Roger Dooley for Neurosciencemarketing.com about neuroscience and the Super Bowl. Pay particular attention to the “brain movie” that’s included. How often do you see one of those? Well, see it here.

And whatever you may watch later on this Super Sunday, have a great time. Kobayashi and I recommend about 337 chicken wings even if you didn’t pluck them yourself.

Oh, one last thing: New England 34, New York Giants 20.

Jerry Greene is a regular contributor to ESPN.com and can be reached at osogreene@aol.com.

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Article source: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7542661/super-bowl-week-football-friends-chicken-wings