In just one season Doug Collins has transformed the Sixers from one of the worst records in the NBA to a playoff team. With their 115-90 rout of the Nets at Wells Fargo Center the Sixers clinched a spot in the postseason and remain two games ahead of the Knicks for the sixth seed. Philadelphia faces the Knicks next Wednesday in a game that could very well decide the six seed.
Thaddeus Young continued his strong run of play with 24 points while the Sixers also got 17 from Jrue Holiday and 14 from Andre Iguodala. After the game, Nets coach Avery Johnson called Thaddeus Young the Sixers MVP.
Doug Collins says he couldn't have predicted the turnaround the Sixers have had this year, but there was belief, "Did I think we could be where we are now [after the 3-13 start]? I wasn't sure, but I sure hadn't given up hope. We weren't going to change what we were doing, because I believe in what we're doing. I believe that when you do the things we're doing, that good things will happen. So, We weren't going to change, and I think the guys knew me well enough to know that I'm pretty stubborn, and that the way to the playing floor was to competitive, be unselfish, work hard and defend, and be a good teammate."
After a 3-13 start, the Sixers have gone 37-23