Things are pretty calm in Philly with no Eagles football this afternoon so let’s talk some more basketball. I am working on a long “what’s going on with the Sixers” post, but I am holding true to my personal 10-game waiting period before I really get worried. So look for that shortly after the November 15th game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I am going to start sprinkling some “Sixers Quick Takes” in with all the game coverage and in-depth analysis. Just a quick thought, interesting link or question I think is a good discussion point surrounding the Sixers. This is the first installment.
The Philadelphia 76ers – Whose Team is it?
I was catching up on some Philly.com articles and came across a statement by Kate Fagan that really caught my attention.
As his [Andre Iguodala's] new team – yes, it is still his team – struggles through a confusing 2-4 start, the worries about Iguodala have only heightened. – Philly.com
Really? This is Andre Iguodala’s team? If you were to have someone unfamiliar with the NBA watch the Sixers’ first 6 games and ask them who the leader and dominant player was on the team would they point to #9?
Personally I don’t think anyone has established himself as the leader of this team, let alone Andre Iguodala. And I am not of the belief a player should get that title by default, whether it be Brand as the new big dog in town or Iguodala because of previous performances. It’s something that must be earned year after year. There are no guaranteed multi-year terms with regard to the leadership position on a basketball team.
To add to that I don’t even think Maurice Cheeks has the level of control over this team that he should have where the players are an extension of the coach on the floor. You could point to all the turnovers, sloppy play and poor decision-making for evidence. Also, if you’ve been paying attention to his statements in-game and in the media he has been saying everything we’ve been discussing on the blog. Floor spacing, better ball and player movement, decision-making and reducing turnovers etc. But his preaching to the team has not translated to much on court success thus far.
The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. – Henry Kissinger
With that quote in mind who do you think is the leader on the Sixers. Or who will rise to the top and become the leader?
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{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Dannie: I think you hit the nail on the head. This team is playing without a sense of purpose or direction. I’ve made my opinion clear that the fault for this situation lies with it’s coach.
To answer your question directly, I think the leader has to be Igoudala. He is the team’s most multi-talented player, and as such is able to affect the game in all facets. I know he may not be excellent in any one single area, but he is above average in most, and at least competent in all. Thus, it should be his place to take responsibility.
Dannie, I!d say the only possible answer is Ed Stefanski. No one player fits the bill because the longest term guy ,Iggy, is probably, by years end, going to be the 4th best player on this team. Elton, if used properly, could be that guy next year after a series or two in the playoffs this year. Mo, not sure he will be here when we get where we want to be.
Dannie, last year I thought it was A.Miller!s team but he may be gone by the time this years finished.
There can be arguments made for only three players, at this point:
Iguodala: Has been with the Sixers for a few years, and was one of the top players on last year’s playoff team.
Brand: Veteran, has had more success than any other Sixer.
Miller: Veteran point guard, beginning his second full year with the team.
Of course, there are also reasonable explanations why none of the three has established themselves as a clear leader. Iguodala is, himself, still trying to find his role with this new team. Brand hasn’t even played 10 games as a Sixer. Miller just seems apathetic and without the requisite fire and intensity.
I think by the end of the year, assuming things go well and the team is winning, Brand and Iguodala will each be playing the way we expected them to, and they will be the figurative “co-captains.”
great post dannie. probably no one can answer this. last year it was the andres guiding a young team with no sense of direction. this year; it would have to be no one. Miller was a leader last year because he could control the situation and came up with a bucket everytime they needed it. now he has “better” players around him. their go to offensive player this year could thad or brand, but i’m thinking they, AT BEST, would be like the wizards where jamison is out one night, butler the next and they just find a way to win games with a gamestyle that dosnt change no matter who is in.
if that guy ever comes it’ll have to be iguodala (sorry); miller may not be in the future, brand just got off the plane, young is too young, iggy’s strengths are supposed to be what this team is built on to win games. Right?
We have no leader. Unfortunately.
I’ve never seen Iguodala as one. Miller is too quiet, and leads only by example (fine in other situations…not in ours). Mo Cheeks I’ve always felt has never been emphatic about really cracking the whip and imposing his will. Sammy D…the mere fact of bringing up his name in this category is a joke. Thad is obviously young. Reggie Evans might bring a certain intensity, and can play the role of “grizzled vet to set the tone”, but he’s certainly not a leader.
This was one of my big worries with our team from the time of the Brand signing splash…who would be “the guy” to get all our soldiers lined up and on the same page. To motivate, to call people out, to turn to in crunch time (for mental just as much as on the court play)…we have no one right now. This SHOULD be Brand’s role. Not saying paying a man makes him “it”…but it should make him want and need to earn it.
Mo Cheeks and Elton Brand really need to step up and take charge of this team. We need someone to start growing some nuts of steel, tell it like it is, and laying their ass on the line. Brand has always been knocked for not being assertive enough within the own lockeroom, and taking control of the reign of his teams (hence the Sam Cassell signing finally pushing the Clips up a gear and into the 2nd round).
It’s time for him to change that. We handed him 80 million dollars. He is a 20/10 all star. Whatever his personality is or has been previously in the lockeroom, he needs to change this immediately and assert his will and set up a level of expectation for the way things need to be done from now on.
Dave T., its tough to change the way you are [Brand]; me and S.F.W. were discussing B. Gordon and how he has the cockiness and attitude to take the big shot at the end of games, to me that should be part of what a leader does. That is why L.Will., if ever getting to the starter type and 20 p.p.g. or more level could possibly be that guy. We are built like the Pistons and their two championship teams were lead by guys [I.Thomas/C.Billups] who could win it at the end.
suede; stop dreaming bout ben gordon. lol. the bulls desperately want to trade him but they wont take iggy and his contract unless they REALLY love him. i think the emergence of thad makes iggy more expendable but its null now.
Iguodala does have the maturity you want, unfortunately his play is the opposite. williams would have to put on 20 pounds and/or raise his defense to be a starter.
there can’t be one leader on this team; it has to be miller, iguodala, brand, heck even dalembert cos they are the veterans.
I’ll still be rooting for iguodala; he has been differing to Brand on every play almost and even to Lou who should really play 2 guard when he replaces Miller. He needs to pick up his defense and start playing more point. What do we have to lose?
JayK., just comparing Gordon and L.Will. as guys that can take the last shot. Elton seems to have difficulty with bigger post players; Garnett,R.Wallace,Bosh and D.Howard may be covering him at the end of a game and Ijust don!t like those odds. Iggy turns the ball over too much to trust at the end of a game, though he would have the guts to try. A.Miller is an option but would rather set someone up. That leaves Thad and L.Will. as, hopefully the guy or guys that grow into our go to guy at the end. I just like L.Will.!s confidence, that!s all.
The obvious leader for this amorphous 76ers team is salaried Mo Cheeks. It’s his job to shape, direct and challenge the team regularly. Stefanski has set him up with ample (albeit quirky, somewhat overrated) talent. Gotta deploy it smartly; command it; maximize it. Has come up short thus far.
Sixers’ defensive work has been uninspired to say the least. Their offense has been a bog of ineptitude, including stagnation and indecision in the halfcourt sets. Each player seems to be playing on their own island without respect to any coordinated purpose, particularly so on offense. Team conditions mentioned are the result of ineffective coaching and/or resistant personnel.
Mo has gotta give minutes to players who will bust it, toe his lines of design (if he’s drawn discernible lines) and play sound, no-frill, winning basketball. Right now he’s coaching a roster
of untamed egos operating at cross-purposes with court harmony. Certainly no player has earned the designation of
‘leader’ to date. Am not sure the roster contains a player who will adequately fill that void. Leaders are born, not made.
As smarts as Ed Staff. Is he still put out a starting backcourt of Miler and Iggy. Easily the worst outside shooting backcourt tandem in the league, there range goes all the out to a whole 10 feet. Iggy was a waste of money, and Miller will be traded at the mid season mark. They have to for the reason that I stated aboove. And another thing, no one will ever win a title with Sammy SHit in his brains Dalambeart.
Has anyone else noticed how often Sammy runs down the court and quickly attempts to post up? How dumb are you Sammy, this is all CHeeks fault. Sit that moron down, and tell him to worry about playing D, and rebounding. STOP SHOOTING JUMPERS MORON. THAT INCLUDES FADEAWAYS. WHEN YOU GET AN OFFENSIVE REBOUND KICK IT OUT.
Sammy D, in my 27 years of watching Sixers Basketball has the lowest basketball IQ that I have ever seen. If you can’t play for Canada you idiot then you surely don’t deserve to be playing in Philly. What a waste of atleticism and length.
The Sixers need someone to stand-up on the defensive end, to make that play that shifts momentum. That’s the “leadership” we need right now.
On the offensive end, jjg said it best “Each player seems to be playing on their own island without respect to any coordinated purpose, particularly so on offense.”
It is part coaching and part players reverting back to negative habits, (Iggy dribbling too much, Lou not passing, no ball movement, Sammy thinking he’s a jump shooter).
Cheeks has until the All Star break to get it together or he may be the one on his way out.
Dalembert’s feel for basketball is largely imaginitive; he’s hard to watch, especially after he’s been given years of development time and shown patience. But Iguodala is fast attracting a sideshow audience too. And where did Andre Miller get the idea that 24 shots (7 made) are rightly his? Cheeks. Lynam. Ruland. All played game at distinguished level. What is going on at practices?
Get this– the Knicks beat the Jazz at MSG for Utah’s first loss!!!
Zach Randolph had 25 pts 14 rebounds
Jamal Crawford had 32pts (10-17 FG) (5/7 3pts)
Maybe Elton Brand could get it going if Randolph could. Now who will be that Crawford for the Sixers?? But the Jazz road woes still exist, but they better be prepared for an angry Jazz team!
This might be relevant in the leadership role, but WHO on this team thrives on pressure situations, especially in the 4th quarter? The only guy I can think of is Lou Williams. He reminds me of someone, hmm, but who? Last year Andre Miller would be the go to guy with the game winning FGs. Andre Iguodala hit some last year, like the one at home against the Blazers and the buzzer beater at Memphis. Lou Williams hit some game winners, like the one at New Jersey in April and the game winner that should have won the game against the Cavs before the controversial late call on Dalembert. There is no definite guy who will take over games for this team. We had that in the original AI. Iverson had more game winners and a buzzer beater for the Sixers than those players I mentioned combined!! He loved those moments and I as a Sixer fan always had a great feeling that with AI in a close game, we could and would win those games!! Always felt that we had a chance will AI on the floor! He is the ultimate warrior who played with his heart and played big! Perhaps this is the ultimate part where we miss Allen Iverson, for the big moments!! That is the only part where teams sorely need All-Stars and Superstars, for that essential 4th Quarter and Beyond– to CLOSE out games! Oh yeah, Lou Williams is like a mini-Iverson in terms of scoring!
Role players play big at home, but it is the all-stars /superstars that carry their teams on the road!! A common cliche said by many commentators.
Now for getting through 4th quarters, get the perimeter shooters ready and get an established inside-outside game. That is the only way, the Sixers can really get out of those tense jams if a go-to guy has yet to be established!
The Greek– as raw and unpolished as Dalembert’s Basketball IQ is, could it be that he is heavily distressed and distracted by the many things going on in his nation of Haiti? This is just a theory, but you are right about Sammy in terms of sticking to his limits though.
Lou Williams is like a mini-Iverson in terms of gunning, jacking up bad shots - especially this season. Has shown other-awareness of ostrich. And he’s shooting .389 % to boot.
jjg: This is getting to be habit, as I agree again. Let’s not get anything notarized, because 6 games is still an awful small sample size, but Lou has regressed to start this season. His turnovers are up a touch, and his assists are down, big time.
Also up are his shot attempts, while also down are his trips to the FT line. Not an appealing combination.
Morty, I agree with you. Lou is simply not prepared to be the #1 option at PG. He is more of a SG, a min-Iverson. I think the Sixers as a team need to continue doing what they are comfortable doing and the new pieces need to do what they are specialized at doing and not go beyond their capabilities just to fit in. The team just has to calm down and hopefully those “trying to do too much–be too unselfish” turnovers will reduce.
Ever heard someone say this before? –”To be too unselfish is to be selfish!”
If there is a better look for yourself, take it! There were some games where Elton had some open 12 footers, but instead decided to pass to someone else and winds up going out of bounds. Sammy cannot throw long passes, he is no Chris Webber. He needs to know his limits! Iggy needs to stop overdribbling and going behind the back and giving those tricky assists to the big men. Big men have a tough time bending their knees to get all those low balls–that is a Big Man Rule– No passes below the knees(the big man’s).
Andre Miller’s backdoor passes will hopefully connect. When they do of course, it is a thing to watch!!
Andre Miller will get a better sense of where and what he needs to do as the main PG. Last year, it took him a while to realize his position and situation in certain games.
Mo, you are the coach with the X’s and O’s– please get your rotations set and be sharp with your reaction time!!
Play Rush and Marshall more to establish Perimeter Shooting Surges!!
Settling Down and Realizing Who They Really Are As A Team Are Perhaps the Biggest Mental Keys for the Sixers.
I really can’t wait for Tuesday, it is such a long layoff, but hopefully a beneficial one for the Sixers!!
Morty/JJG – Not at all happy with the progression of Louis Williams. Funny part is if you read some other Sixers blogs they seem to be happy and impressed by him this season. Pointing out his ability to score as the reasoning. Making baskets at a sub 40% clip doesn’t seem all that impressive to me.
I remember him saying he is flexible in his role on this team. So if coach needs him to come in and score and be more of a shooting guard he does that. If coach needs him to facilitate and get others involved as the point guard he will do that. Well he has been focused 100% on scoring – and not doing it well. I wonder what the coaches are telling him to go in their and do. And I see no semblance of a point guard in his game right now, so whether the coaches tell him to go in their and distribute I question is capabilities in that area.
Hopefully things change for the better. But it’s very disappointing to see the two resident free agents on the team get rewarded and paid handsomely and come in and play below their salary level.
From John Hollinger’s lastest chat box:
Jimbo (Chootiya, PA): What in the name of Elton Brand is going on with my 76ers? Are they missing a 3 point sniper so badly? If so, who should they trade for?
John Hollinger: (1:25 PM ET ) I think we have a few different things going on — Miller usually struggles in November, Brand is being too nice while he tries to fit in, and Iggy is having some trouble figuring out what his role is supposed to be. They’ll be fine in the big picture, but it might be like last year where it takes half a season before they really hit their stride.
Is that a fair answer? I think so, but why does Miller struggle in November though?
Dannie: lets just repeat “small sample size, small sample size” until we feel better.
I’m wondering if Mo tells any player, anytime, “stop doing that”? Sam: you are looking for your offense: stop doing that. Lou: you are dribbling too much, and not involving your teammates enough: stop doing that. Miller: you are shooting too much, stop doing that.
Excellent obervations, Morty. Your Franklin bi-focals are Windexed I see. And I agree, it would be premature to move to documentation at this point in season.
Rob - It’s well documented that Andre Miller disappears and takes the summer off to relax so it takes a bit longer for him to fully get back into it. Some players get right back in the gym and start training and preparing for next season after a much shorter summer break.
“obervations” n. Ye Olde English synonym of ‘observations’,
often used when writing on blog
Dannie- It’s true about Miller and he is a California guy. This is not a knock on Californians. There’s something cool and laid back about the people in California– cool, calm, laid back, knowledgable/educated, and has two different sides of the state- tinsle on one and the calm,serene, hippy side on the other. Overall, a great state–northern or southern. Sunshine is often!
Brand is also on that laid back fashion, after many seasons with the LA Clippers. Although Brand is a little more awake than Miller.
Iggy spends time in Cali, also that is where Rob Pelinka, his agent is, the same agent to many of the Laker players, including Kobe!
Anyway, we need all three players to get back to the East Coast and in Sixer mode, ASAP if this team wants homecourt in the 1st round and maybe more!
Dannie Iguodala and Williams might be trying to justify their gigantic contracts with every move, pressing themselves right out of more sensible game performances. Can you imagine
each player’s interior monologue when hearing their respective
agents relay closing Stefanski figure? It probably went beyond
“yippee”.
Right on, jjg! This team is doing too much, going beyond what they can do. Other teams with new acquisitions are doing the same as well! It’s not just us. Give this team till Christmas time to settle down and hopefully we will be consistent and not helter skelter. Mo will get a rotation going. I still have faith in Ed and the Sixers!
Rob You’re a good Philly fan. Keep the faith and pass the ammunition.
Maybe it’s me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we beat the Jazz on Tuesday! Somehow I feel it. Home court has been great thus far and our bench has been efficient at home!
Nothing like that Wachovia Energy and PA Matt Cord, the only man who can introduce Allen Iverson properly!!
Curious what people think of the following with Iguodala:
Let’s say A-Miller becomes the floor general he was 2nd half of last year, Brand puts up regular 18/10’s, Sammy concentrates on rebounding/blocking, Thad continues his improved J and overall game, and Lou becomes a capable 6th man. Aka: the ship naturally starts righting itself after another 10 games go by, and we start gelling a bit on both ends of the court.
My question: If Iguodala’s role is slowly reversed…where Thad starts being groomed to be our main wing scorer, A-Miller chips in 14-15 ppg, and Iggy is the 3rd scoring banana on our offensive unit (maybe even fourth)…but he becomes an integral piece to our team in that he is our versatile “do everything guy”…clamps down on defense, gets 15-16 ppg, 6 asts, 6 rbs, and helps the chemistry of the team out…and we win…would people be happy with his performance, or feel he’s not earning his contract?
I ask because given our “offense” we’ve seen so far, this is a pretty viable scenario to happen. Not saying it will, but it could. If Iguodala somehow turned himself into a Super-John Salmons, and I mean that in the best way possible…how happy/upset should we be?
…just wanted to add to my above post, something to keep in mind: in Iguodala, we might very well have ourselves a Joe Smith. I don’t mean in terms of similarities in games, but in “hype + pressure vs. actual substance”.
Joe Smith (before Kandiman and Bargnani) widely regarded as a huge bust as a #1 pick. For a good seven years the media and fans ate the guy alive because he never turned out to be a 20/10 or guy that so many projected he would be…especially after a monster 18/9 season on a not so great Warriors team back in the day.
But as his career went along, Joe Smith simply kept playing, and found systems where he was allowed to cater to his strengths (Minnesota, Milwaukee, us for his 2nd stint, Chicago, Cleveland). Once he had the pressure and stigma of “failed #1 pick” off his back…it’s generally agreed Joe Smith has turned out to be one of the best veterans in the league, and a dependable role player great at what he does (mid range jumpshots, effective offense in the post, solid rebounding and individual defense).
It could be that with the 20 ppg, 5 rbs, 5 apg season last year, plus this ridiculous contract we handed him…the fact his shooting sucks and that his role on the team would have been diminished anyway with Brand + Thad emerging have hit at the same time he’s coming off what was probably a year averaging #’s he won’t get again.
But if, in the long run, Thad turns out to be a 17-18 ppg scorer that can hit threes and has a nice jumpshot…Iguodala, while VASTLY overpaid, might turn into one of the best all around 3rd-4th option players in the league. tough to chew given the money he earns, but Just some food for thought.
Good news in the land of the Sixerville, the Celtics beat the Raptors in Boston and Miami beat New Jersey in Miami!
Now we have to do our part!!
Dave T., I would be more than happy if he could become a lockdown defender [Bowen], a guy who makes solid ,quick decisions, and especially a guy that gives the team on any given night what it needs, whether it is points, rebounds, assists, etc..I think numbers are not the issue with fans but how he gets them, we are just not sure if his game, unselfish as it may be, can help a team win a champiionship. I, personally think, he is what he is and won!t change much more because of his time already in the league. You are right about perceptions though; where a guy is picked and what he makes both weigh on peoples minds.
Dave T….You got me thinking. About the “money thing” and whether or not a player, in this case Iguodala, “earns” his money or gives a level of performance commensurate with the size of his contract. I have had this conversation with Zack (sixerzguy) with regard to baseball, but I have the same philosophy regardless of the sport.
Here is the way I look at it. A player’s performance has absolutely nothing to do with how much he is getting paid. They are two completely separate issues. That’s not to say that certain players (many players) are not overpaid. I’m only saying it is not their fault that they are overpaid.
I look at it like this. These guys get paid what the market will bear. The owners want the fans to see the players as greedy bastards but, when you really look at the situation, I don’t feel that this is the case. Players in all sports put their bodies on the line every day and they have a limited window of time to make their money. I don’t blame them for trying to get what they can while they have the opportunity to do so.
The players might be millionaires, but the owners are billionaires. The owners own for a reason…they have more money. They would not spend money on players if they did not have it. Since they do spend it, they do have it.
I don’t see the players as being any different than us. When you take a job you will always try to get the highest compensation (salary, benefits, etc…) you can. When you sell your house you will always try to sell it for the most you can get for it. If someone offered you $100,000 over market value for your home would you turn it down? Would you tell the buyers that your house really isn’t worth that much? I doubt it.
The players are literally selling themselves. As such, I don’t blame them for trying to get the most they can. It’s up to the owners, GMs, etc… (just like the buyer of your home) to determine the true value of a player and put a price on it. The player is the same. He has the same skills and he will give you the same productivity, regardless of what he is paid. The true error is not on the productivity side, it is on the value placed on a certain level of productivity.
An organization may decide to pay above what they feel is market value for a guy’s level of performance with an eye toward his level of performance improving, but we know there are no guarantees there. While we can be disappointed that his performance did not improve to the level we thought it would, we have to understand that every player has his ceiling.
What I’m saying is that I view this as a case where the organization made an incorrect evaluation. They overvalued the player and overpaid him as a result.
What if your company doubled your salary, would you turn it down? Now, what if, as a result of your huge pay increase your company expected you to double your sales? Who’s fault is it if you don’t come through? You might be busting your butt trying to double your sales but you just can’t get it done. Now you’re the overpaid bum. You see what I mean?
I have never said that a guy isn’t “earning” the millions he is making. That is not my determination to make. I will say that a guy is a great player, a good player, or a lousy player. As a result, I will also say that a guy is overpaid or underpaid for his level of performance. The difference for me is that instead of blaming the player for not playing up to his contract, I will blame the organization for poor evaluation and for giving a big contract to a guy who’s performance shows he shouldn’t be paid so much.
Now I’m not talking about a guy who’s just dogging it. I feel that most guys want to be the best player they can be and they work hard toward that goal. The thing is, like I said before, every guy has a ceiling. It’s up to the talent evaluators, front office management, etc…to determine the level of each player and place a value on it. If they are not good at it, it’s not the players fault.
All of that brings me to this. I am not happy about how Iguodala is playing. I am disappointed that he has not developed the way I thought he would. Since he is still young and just entering the prime years of his career, I am hopeful that he will still develop further and improve his game. That said, I could certainly live with him being our “do everything guy” like you said in #33. He could be a valuable foundation/glue/chemistry guy that can do many things on the floor for us. We may just have to face the fact that that is exactly what he is (Iguodala himself may actually have to face this fact as well in order to be successful and help the team.) If you think about it, that is the role in which he has been the most successfull thus far in his career so maybe we really should just keep him in that role.
I will admit that if that is what he turns out to be for us, he will be overpaid, but I will not blame him for that.
i second that bski. for this team the best kind of leadership anyone can provide is stability. if they have one guy they can count on every night to show up (used to be Miller) not offensively but just in terms of being ready to play. Iguodala is what he is, that might be the verdict, if so or not he just better start playing good defense and all the other intangibles and worry bout the offense later. at this point this team just needs someone who can show up every night with the same thing. everyone seems to overlook the fact that their D has been just as horrendous as the offense. Hey we may even have to start playing zone if this keeps up. Sorry Jim O’Brien!
This I like. From today’s Inq: “When the 76ers walked onto their practice court on Sunday morning, they had to laugh.
On 10 spots on the hardwood – five on each end – the Sixers’ coaching staff marked X’s on the floor using white tape.
“We walked in and laughed,” said Kareem Rush, smiling. “We said, ‘What is this, elementary school?’ ”
The Sixers are going back to basics: working on their spacing around power forward Elton Brand.”
Morty, love A.Miller!s comments. I!m getting tired of the media always bringing up the “dip” in Iggy!s scoring average, its not about that, its about everything but that with him.
Morty, yeah that’s absolutely fantastic. At least it shows that Cheeks knows what he needs to get across to the players, understands that he has not been able to get it across up to now, and that he is not concerned about what he needs to do (as far as possibly embarrassing the players) in order to finally get it across to them.
On the other hand, I have to say that I am somewhat disappointed that players at this level need a coach to use biddy league techniques to get them to understand where they need to be and what they need to do.
Opinion: A. Miller is a jaded vet, not really excited to be in Philadelphia; lacks off-season fitness motivation; a clear
detriment on defensive end; plays best offensively in annoyed, desperate or opportunistic rushes upcourt; a riddle wrapped in an enigma; a mismatch with Sixers. I surmise that he’s not happy with this year’s “crowd” and ramifications as it pertains to him.
X marks the spots. Mo decides to play “Twister” at practice?!
Should’ve gone with “Paintball, Part II (the Salvador Dali Sessions).”
Gilbert Arenas calls Iggy “Scotty Pippin” on his blog. Always #2, he recounts one story in AZ when Iggy shot something like 7 for 9 and apologized for shooting too much.
Iggy doesn’t seem to have what it takes to “own” this team.
Mike – That’s old news.
Iguodala never has been considered a #1 player or at least in my opinion never should have been considered as a top dog in this league because to be a great player you have to have more than talent and athleticism. You have to have a wide and very polished skill set.
Honestly Arenas comparing him Scottie Pippen is major compliment because Iguodala isn’t even close to Pips level yet/ever. Just look at the 9-year stretch for Pippen between 1989 and 1998 and it becomes very clear Iguodala has a lot of work to do before he reaches Scottie’s level in terms of production and versatilitiy as a wing player. I would take Scottie over Iguodala any day of the week. Hell Arenas should talk, I think many people would take Scottie over him any day of the week.
Iguodala is to Scotty Pippen as Arenas is to Oscar Robertson.
Hypothetical question: Which 76ers would start on present Lakers team?
jjg: Definitely Thad or Igoudala over Radmanovic, and maybe Miller over Fischer. Although given the way Jackson uses a PG, Miller would probably not be the best fit, and in anycase, Farmar off the bench seals it against Miller. Sometimes Brand vs. Gasol could be a push, but right now the edge goes to Gasol.
JJG – Good question. I think Thad starts over Radmanovic for sure especially considering Jackson coming very close to starting Trevor Ariza instead of Radman. Iguodala doesn’t have the requisite jumper or basketball I.Q. (evidenced by the necessity for Mo Cheeks to draw on the floor to make a point) to start in the Lakers offense. Kobe will be dominating the penetration and wing player post up opportunities which would relegate Iguodala to a spot up jump shooter/offensive rebounder and we all know he isn’t great at either.
Miller also doesn’t have the jumper for that offense or defense consdering the strong Western point guards. Jackson has made sure his point guards on the Bulls/Lakers were able to hit open shots when Jordan/Kobe draw tons of attention.
Brand would be a great pick and roll partner with Kobe, but lacks the size Gasol has at the high post as a passer. Which in my opinion changes it from “a push” as Morty stated to advantage Gasol.
Morty I was thinking just Brand. Or Brand & Young. And Iggy & Miller quick off the bench. Think our guesses are telling about Sixers place in NBA hierarchy though. Jackson wouldn’t tolerate Iggy’s ballhandling sloppiness or forced shot selection.
Dannie Interesting analysis. I think you assessed things realistically. But what’s it say about Sixers’ chances for deep playoff run when their banner players (from whom much is expected) wouldn’t start?
Jumpin, you bring up something that is bothering me with the more I read on Elton; it seems even if Thad becomes an allstar level talent, not a given, that we aren!t at the level talent wise as most of the top teams. So I ask the question,”can this TEAM be greater than the sum of the parts?”. I.Q. wise I don!t feel confident in that which means E.S.!s job is far from done.
everyone is saying its too small a sample to judge. True!! but who had ever thought that even without ANY chemistry or cohesiveness, that they would play this badly. newsflash; Orlando played a terrible 2nd half so the score isn’t telling. Today’s game should be interesting. Hands Up if anyone expects a change in the starting Five?
JJG – I think it means this team isn’t good enough on paper compared to Boston, LA and the Hornets who I consider the top 3 teams in the game right now. And so far they haven’t proved through six games they could be bigger than the sum of its part on the court either.
In the off-season there was a lot of talk about the Sixers looking good on paper. And I would agree, but we never really got into “how good on paper.” Did anyone really consider this team championship caliber even on paper? I didn’t. I thought Stefanski did enough to raise the expectations of this team to a strong competitor in the East but still behind Boston by a wide margin and Detroit and Orlando to a lesser degree. Now had this team come out and played with harmony and gelled quickly I could consider them a much bigger threat to Detroit and Orlando but still not on Boston’s level because we still lacked a “Paul Pierce” type go-to player. They have the potential to be a really good team, but still need that dominant player to be a title contender, history just says you gotta have him.
Elton Brand was the right move. But signing Iguodala to an escalating contract starting at $11M+ was a very very very bad move especially considering we are already saddled with Sammy’s contract. Stefanski and Cheeks needed to have better foresight to see Iguodala should have been paid based on his expected and most realistic role if the Sixers are a championship team – a top tier 3rd level player, borderline 2nd level guy at best. I actually think they paid him as if he was already at a Scottie Pippen level, which was a mistake.
Had that did that, to me that means they recognized they need to leave some money in the budget to make a play for the superstar player we need to really move ahead of the current NBA powers.
Winning in the NBA is so hard because talent ultimately wins and there is such a finite # of top tier players necessary to win championsips. And you have to be smart and lucky. The Sixers have not been very smart in the past and making smart basketball decision always seems to attract better luck.
suede With Mo doing his softshoe coaching? With Sam, Iggy and Miller as mainstays? Don’t see it happening.
As for starting 5, a shake-up would serve notice, do them some good.
Without Williams and Okur, Jazz at big disadvantage. No excuses for Sixers tonight. Unless Dr. Dunkenstein makes an unexpected return.
The Jazz are probably THE team in the NBA right now that is the 180 of our Sixers team in terms of how they are coached, and with the type of chemistry they play with. Here’s a team where they have a top 10 NBA guy hurt; another major big man (Okur) with injury trouble, Kirilenko (kinda like Iguodala right now) massively overpaid after being relegated to the 3rd-4th option on offense and constantly whining about it.
And yet, due to Sloan’s incredible ability to get people to buy into his system, and Sloan and O’Connor being on the same page with the types of guys to acquire, they are at a point where they can plug in a Brevin Knight, a Ronnie Price, a CJ Miles, a Paul Millsap into their starting rotation…and the team doesn’t even miss a step.
Those guys have mastered things like floor spacing, moving without the ball, proper fundamental pick setting, etc, so that the sum of their parts very often exceeds their talent. Sometimes I just chuckle when I compare Mo’s overall coaching ability to a Phil Jackson, Popovich, Sloan or LB types. Mo knows the game in and out, but his ability to effectively communicate, take true command, and get the team on the same page I just can’t see ever being there at a high level.
Some players and coaches can learn skills, physical and mental, over the years. Being a TRUE leader, as a coach, is one I just don’t see Mo Cheeks having in his personality makeup. Maybe Scott Skiles can lend him a gene or two.
Dannie Your post, a good read. Sixers do lack the go-to. I’m not convinced Brand was the right move. Has a lot of miles on him for age, never viewed him as dominant (a Super). His response to defense swarming has been less than impressive – good player, far from awesome. ‘Dala dollars, big mistake (said so at the time). Smart begets luck … Red Auerbach proved that.
Dave T Good post. You’re right about interchangeable Jazz system and Sloan’s coaching acumen and force. They’re enjoyable to watch.
Just my take, but I think Cheeks’ personality and values are such that he needs or wants to be liked, first, and secondarily needs or wants coaching wins. Has the fabric of a good assistant coach. Fish out of water to some degree.
This has been a very good post to read and I see many common threads. The main one we have no go to guy, no PTPer, no one to take over the show in the 4th. etc…
There was a question of who what start from the sixers on the current lakers… the answer should have been “it doesn’t matter” kobe and 4 high schoolers could take this sixers team out… Look at the C’s 3 All Stars…. Championship… While everyone will argue they may not have been the most well rounded team in the NBA… They have not only 1 all star they have a bunch and WON…
Ive been a Sixer fan for 20 years… We’re not going past the first round till we get an all star again.
The only way this team looks good on paper is if it is a blank one… Blank, so they can start over… again… What will they do? In order to just compete in the league they need a dominate player and they will probably surround him with mediocre talent. (See The Barkley era “no real guards to free him up in crunch time” to the Iverson era “no DAMN CENTER or REBOUNDERS accept ummm maybe 01?”)
OR they get an allstar and surround them with the RIGHT talent (See the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics…)