The Vet Imploded

(PHILADELPHIA) The infamous Vet was imploded today, brought down by about 3000lbs of explosives and the depression of losing three straight NFC Title games. The area will now be made into a parking area with a painted outline of the Vet.

Iverson, Me, Offended

(PHILADELPHIA) While Mr. Iverson might be offended that he wasn't named a starter for Sunday game against Detroit, I believe some of the fans might be offended as well. Since he was cleared to play I'm sure many a ticket holder was eager to watch "The Answer" play, but were left "questioning" why someone who was healthy would return to the locker room and change into street clothes.

We all know Iverson is good. Scoring titles. Played in some Finals games. That's great. But tell that to the 10 year old sitting in the stands.

"Daddy, why isn't Iverson playing?"
"Well son, he feels disrespected."

Try selling the respect thing to John Salmons, a guy who Stephen A. Smith says is a 76'er who "actually believes in playing defense." Ouch.

Iverson either needs to start actually playing, even if asked to come off the bench, or play somewhere else. Some days at the office I feel disrespected but that doesn't mean I make it "Casual Tuesday" and drink hot cocoa in my sweatpants.

Iverson Can't Play Through Injury

(Philadelphia) Interim coach Chris Ford says Iverson's latest right knee injury is an injury that, "you can't play through." Perhaps someday the Sixers will surround Iverson with some good players so Iverson won't have to drive to the basket every other possesion. This type of play usually finds AI on the floor a couple of times a game and, wow, he gets injured now and again. Go figure.

NBA| Sixers Score a Lot, But Not Enough.

(Philadelphia, PA) - Allen Iverson was back in AI form scoring 32 points and earning 10 assists in a 105-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Samuel Dalembert contributed 20 points and a pair of blocks before fouling out of the game. But it wouldn't be a Sixers game without bad news. Glenn Robinson played just 12 minutes and scored just 4 points before coming out of the game. Some local sports talk hosts are saying that Robinson is just going through the motions.

Chris Webber had 24 points and 10 assists in his second game back for the Kings who continue their total ownership of the NBA.

The Sixers are back in action tomorrow night against the woefull Chicago Bulls (18-43). Should be a good game.

Temple Takes 2 OT's to Beat Minutemen

(Philadelphia, PA) David Hawkins dropped a career high 41 points on the Minutemen in a double overtime heart-stopping 98-92 win for the Temple Owls. Mardy Collins added 30, and Keith Butler grabbed 17 boards. The Owls and Minutemen are ships passing in the night, Temple has won seven of their last eight and UMass has lost six of it's last seven. Temple had chances to win the game at the end of regulation and at the end of the first overtime, but missed shots forced extra sessions. David Hawkins passed the 2,000 point plateau, the third in Owls' history. Temple's 15-11 on the season, and still have an outside shot at an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament.

Marbury lights up the Sixers

(New York, NY) Ouch. What's that sound? That's the sound of Stephon Marbury spanking the Sixers - 36 points 10 assists, leading the way to an 88-77 victory. Kenny Thomas scored 21 for Philly, and Samuel Dalembert added 19 points and 11 rebounds, but with Allen Iverson shooting a dismal 2 for 21 from the floor things just weren't quite normal. Said Iverson after the game, "guys on the other team were asking me if I was all right. I couldn't understand it."

Korver ain't a Throwback Guy

(LA, California) NBA.com interviewed Sixer forward Kyle Korver during the All-Star weekend, letting you in on such secrets like he doesn't like throwback jerseys. Lame. How about the fact that he's shooting .416% from 3pt land? And what about the 18 he dropped on the Celtics in December?

Villanova Shut Out in Last 6:18

Though Allan Ray scored 27 points and Mike Nardi shot 4-9 (44%) from behind the arc the Wildcats failed to score a field goal in the final 6:18 of play, leading to a 59-56 defeat to Miami (FL). Villanova plays 6th ranked Pittsburgh on March 6th and will need a win or two wins in the Big East Tournament if they're looking forward to post-season play.

UNDEFEATED!

(Philadelphia, PA) - "We want Stanford!" Chants poured out of Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse as the number 2 in the nation St. Joseph's Hawks completed their regular season undefeated. Running the table winning 27 straight games. The last opponent was the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, the last Atlantic 10 team to go undefeated. The Hawks beat up on St. Bona 82 - 50 and became the first team since the UNLV Runnin' Rebels of 1991 to go undefeated in the regular season.

Senior guard Jameer Nelson dropped 25 points and had his number 14 retired. Nelson sits just 5 points shy of becoming St. Joe's all time leading scorer. He left the game at the 8:08 mark. Brian Jesiolowski ends his college career on a high note, scoring two points in four minutes of play...the only points of his career. The Bonnies shot just 21% with Patrick Lottin and Andy Smith leading the team with 10 points a piece.

St. Joe's has a week to reflect, recover, and prepare for the A-10 tournament, which kicks off on March 10th. Then onto the NCAA tournament.

Sixers Take a Blow to Their Lottery Hopes, and Win

(Philadelphia, PA) - The Sixers begrudgingly took an 81-74 win over the T-Wolves in a game nobody really wanted to win. Aaron McKie paced the Sixers with 18 points, and Kenny Thomas contributed a double double (11pts/12reb). Eric Snow hit a jumper with 20 seconds left to put the game out of reach. Interim coach Chris Ford played a short bench again with Allen Iverson missing his fourth game with a shoulder injury, Glenn Robinson sat out with an elbow, and Greg Bucker was a DNP-coach's decision. Kevin Garnett had 27 points for the Wolves and was 11 for 11 from the line. Eric Snow hit a jumper with 20 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

The troubles between Chris Ford and Allen Iverson continue, and Ford used the media to call out his star guard. He said, "There are guidelines that we handed down...I'm very disappointed. In time there will be something levied." Iverson missed Sunday's game with a bruised shoulder and a tummy ache. AI failed to notify Coach Ford personally, instead telling team doctors he would not suit up.

Derrick Coleman, who has been out since late January, participated in the pre-game shootaround. Coleman could return to the line-up in the next few weeks. The Sixers desperately need to get healthy, I saw Chris Ford point at a ball boy and tell him to take off his warm-ups late in the third period.

The Sixers have two days off and play this Wednesday against the Knicks at the Mecca, MSG.