Collins tries to inspire Sixers with vintage video

WATCHING the video from the Sixers' Game 5 loss on Monday night was going to be unpleasant, like Snooki trying to portray Margaret Thatcher instead of Meryl Streep.

So Sixers coach Doug Collins, in order to soften the blow and change the negative vibe, went to the archives and also popped in footage from when the Sixers beat the Celtics in the 1982 Eastern Conference finals.

The rivalry with the Celtics was at its best when Wilt Chamberlain traded elbows with Bill Russell in the 1960s, first as a Warrior and later as a Sixer. It had a strong resurgence when the Sixers and Celtics met for the Eastern Conference championship for three consecutive seasons starting in 1980. Their current series is the first time the rivals have met in the playoffs since 2002 and only the second time since 1985.

The Sixers had blown a 3-1 series lead on Boston in 1981 and were on the verge of doing the same the following year. They were beaten badly in Games 5 and 6 and were faced with the task of winning Game 7 at the Boston Garden, something no team had ever done.

Collins said his team watched the 10-minute documentary "Ghosts of Celtics Past," which dealt with the rivalry at that time. Collins' last active season was 1981, before knee injuries forced him to retire.

Celtics fans came to the 1982 Game 7 dressed as ghosts, as in the ghosts of Russell, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek. They left it chanting famously "Beat LA," as the Sixers destroyed Boston, 120-106.

"It talked a lot about how the Philly fans had thought the team had let them down once again," Collins explained. "I let them listen to [coach] Billy Cunningham and how they had rallied around one another and how they won that game. We have that same opportunity. Let's give ourselves that chance. Let's go back to Boston for a Game 7 and let's see what we can do."

The Sixers' dilemmas of 1982 and 2012 aren't exact, but the sentiment is understandable.

"Sometimes I think it's good to go back and let guys see the history of the franchise," Collins said. "They're watching Julius and Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones and Andrew Toney. They're seeing McHale and Bird and Parish and that group of [Celtics].

"It was good for our guys to see. I just want to let them know that if we win Game 6, we'll have that same opportunity to go back and maybe have that happen for us as well."

The task at hand

The Sixers, down, three games to two, are 4-0 after losses this postseason. They were an ordinary 16-13 in the regular season.

"We can't really take comfort that we've won four games after losses, because we don't know what's going to happen," said Elton Brand. "We need to bring our 'A' game. We're on the edge right now. We're fighting for our playoff lives literally."

Point guard Jrue Holiday is leading the Sixers in scoring this postseason, at 15.5 points a game, but was held without a point in the second half of the Game 5 loss as counterpart Rajon Rondo controlled the game.

"This is a crucial game for us and for them," Holiday said. "I remember last series. Maybe it was Doctor J or coach [Collins] came in and said the fourth game, the one to [clinch] the series is the hardest game to win. We're going to make it as hard as possible."

Challenge of the day

Andre Iguodala is the closest thing the Sixers have to a star. His status as the team's highest-paid player and his selection to this year's All-Star Game are two of his credentials, but Iguodala also has had a few clutch moments in these playoffs. His eight-point outing on Monday is not among them.

So the Sixers might not have a star, but they do have several secondary options and Iguodala needs to see more from them, especially after watching Brandon Bass torch the Sixers for 27 points in Game 5.

"You can make minor adjustments … but a lot of it has to do with will and having second and third options has been key," Iguodala said. "Our second and third options haven't been as good as theirs, and it has shown a little bit."

Oh, baby

Collins turned himself into a ball of sweat with a workout of his own following Tuesday's practice. "Have to stay in shape," he said, panting, "to keep up with the grandkids."

Doug's daughter, Kelly, gave birth to Riley June Romanczuk, a 9-pound, 10-ounce girl on Monday. Kelly is married to Paul Romanczuk, the boys' head basketball coach for Archbishop Carroll. It is the fifth grandchild for Collins, who turns 61 in July. n

Contact Ed Barkowitz at barkowe@phillynews.com.