Thank heavens for Sergei Bobrovsky and the Flyers for providing some diversion early in this the season of no baseball. Bobrovsky, the 22-year-old rookie goalie with the cat-like reflexes, has so far sparkled. He's an amazing story, plucked from a bad team somewhere in Russia and plopped down into a high-pressure situation in the NHL. The rest of the team, too, has pretty much sparkled. Amazing, too, considering that they are coming off a Stanley Cup defeat. Of course, the Flyers always seem to nosedive in mid-season, setting off a flurry of trades and an inevitable goalie controversy of some kind. For the time being, they are keeping cool and, like Bobrovsky, "just chillin'".
Not to shortchange the Sixers, but they have a long way to go. Some good things early in the season: the developing play of Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, the intensity of Andres Nocioni, the rejuvenated Elton Brand, the defense. Yes, under Doug Collins, the Sixers are playing defense. Still baby steps but good to see. Cheers, too, for Doug Collins, who is nothing if not dedicated to his team. He's like a tough old mother hen.
