And by should be I mean, if it’s not I will be somewhat disappointed.
While I don’t think the Sixers will fire Eddie Jordan before the season is over, racking up embarrassing loses still does help the cause. The next four games provide ample opportunity for Eddie Jordan cluelessness to be center stage against: the Lakers, Magic, Hawks and Celtics.
As always we are looking at good match-ups. The obvious: Kobe vs. Iguodala. The problem: I am not sure we will see that match-up too often because the Sixers are super weak and small at shooting guard with Louis Williams and the Lakers also have Ron Artest.
So here’s what I am looking for:
- Jrue defending Kobe. This is the ONLY possibility to start the game right? Jordan can’t possible start Lou on Kobe right? Would he put Jrue or Lou on Artest?
- Artest and Kobe defending Iguodala. He seems to really get his ego going in games like this. So I will be interested to see if he brings his A++ game tonight against two really strong defenders.
- Can Brand defend anyone? He will probably end up on Odom, Gasol and Bynum throughout the game. So he either has to defend a good perimeter PF in Odom or two bigs who dwarf him in size. Conversely, will he be able to get shots off in the paint against the length of the Lakers front court?
This is your game thread.
I look forward to this game, but it could get ugly. I hope last year’s magic at Staples comes back. If anything, I will be seeing which stars came out to see the game, as well as see Kobe!
GO SIXERS!
This is the only team I will root for the 6ers to beat the rest of the season. I HATE the Lakers, and I HATE Kobe.
My guess is Lou on Fisher ; hopefully Elton gets up for this but it may be time soon to limit his minutes and increase Marreeses, it will look like we are giving the young guys some experience while helping our lottery chances.
Last year’s game against the Lakers was one of the high points in the season for a fan. If this game is anything close to like it was last year… it would be THE ONLY high point so far this season.
turned out to be good competitive game. good team defense. Sammy picked his day to showcase some skills. another loss but team played hard. all you can really ask for right?
I agree with you jkay and a good crowd of stars witnessed that as well:
-Denzel Washington
-Jack Nicholson
-Ron Howard
-Will Ferrell
-Rob Lowe
-Alyssa Milano
-Lou Adler
-John C. Reilly
Anyway, I think the Sixers ran out of gas trying to handle Bynum and Gasol. It’s hard when a team is running with 8 players only, without Iverson, Green, Smith, and Elson. More and more though, Holiday keeps getting better and better on both ends of the floor.
GO SIXERS!!
Well Elton Brand looked completely worthless against strong opposition. Makes you wonder even if this team was good, would he be able to compete against the top front courts. I doubt it.
Gasol and Bynum didnt even leave the floor most of the time. they just stuck their hands above the rim and put back putback after putback. Sammy with his pogo stick was barely keeping up. ridiculous. they are so freaking strong. 25% of their FGs were freaking lobs!!
Jkay – “Sammy was barely keeping up.” Really? 24-11 on 55% shooting is more than barely keeping up. Without him this game is as much of a laugher as Brand’s sorry performance.
Like most games teams run pick and roll involving Sam to get him away from the basket so they can destroy an unprotected basket against the Sixers or he is forced to help and no one covers his back.
Dannie.. I thought basketball wasn’t all about scoring and numbers… I get your point but I also get his point.. their were about 20 times Sammy just stood their while gasol or Bynum tipped it in over him
I think they’re going to have to play Brand in shorter spurts. 8 minutes max then bring in Speights, Smith(when healthy) or Young depending on the matchup. He looked so tired with 3 plus left in 3rd qtr. He was wasted out there. Should’ve been removed from the game.
Dannie: was referring to defensive rebounding on Sammy’s apart as opposed to their put backs. got zero help from Mr. Earthbound.
Brand is definitely gassed. absolutely nothing. its only been 47 games so far. still 36 more to go.
hmm this tanking thing may not be so hard after all.
Aircraft carrier fires 22 shots from bow, helps Lakers defeat Sixers
Not Brand new direction: Elton going south
Carney: broken Rod when turning corner on 4th lap
Iguodala Airball: coming soon to a theatre near you *bonus featured animation: Daffy Duck’s Sufferin’ Succotash, No Chaser
Holiday & Williams audition: “next”
Jordan crossing river of doubt – so far
Sixers and playoff imprecations: a natural development
5th loss in 7 tries: has team reached another eddy?
Chuck said, “their were about 20 times Sammy just stood their while gasol or Bynum tipped it in over him…”
More like, Sam helped on defense, casue a missed shot and none of the other Sixers could get the rebound. Sam was pretty much alone in the frontcourt. PF’s Brand/Young combined fro 5 defensive rebounds all game. Sam had 5, Iguodala 9.
Savagely mocked Nets only 16 wins behind “yaw Philadelphya Sevendy-Six-zuzz” after besting Celtics in Boston today. Are now 6-52. Need to go 4-20 rest of way to avoid infamy. It bears watching, but just barely. Choosing from both rosters, I’d take Brook Lopez first in a draft and go from there.
On offensive end, Odom, Gasol and Bynum did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. Sam was Swiss cheese “force” inside, admittedly with weak flanks.
Upset Saturday, next it is Nova!s turn!!!
Brand calf strain. Maybe, that’s the reason for his recent decline?
Sure, that’s it.
Why is it hard to admit that Sixers players can’t play?
S.F.W., good to here there may be a reason for him being earthbound recently, because we need him to be a rotation player at least for the next 3 years after this. Jumpin, he isn!t what he was but has contributed till recently, hopefully less minutes will produce better results.
like Willie Green; reducing his minutes will create better efficiency.
A fallacy, jkay. Actually, Willie Green’s shooting percentages have been greater in starting role/extended minutes this season.
JJG – I find that comment interesting because when others have made the point that Sam also plays better in extended minutes your comments were not positive.
With that said Willie is having a career year shooting the ball.
Whether you give Brand big minutes or a short leash, he’s a limp PF against league’s best, one who Stefanski failed to thoroughly examine, according to reports, before signing to a $40,000 per diem (x 365) contract. He may have been the most tantalizing FA item on the shelf in July ’09 due to his playing resume and
personal reputation, but that’s no excuse for organizational impulse buying and the waiving of the strictest due diligence re achilles injury. Philly’s been ready; he hasn’t been – the detrimental bottom line.
Dannie, I admit to a critical predisposition regarding the willowy “Haitian Sensation” as his perceived casual and erratic approach to the game turns my stomach. I probably expect too much from a guy making 12 million and change this year. He has his moments but doesn’t sustain nearly enough.
A strained right calf = one not feeling perfectly fine. I think everyone reading has experienced such discomfort. Elton: “Definitely, I don’t want to miss any games; we [??] are going to try to play through it for sure.” Another profile in courage … PT 109 & EB 14 & 6.