Another disappointing performance for our Philadelphia 76ers tonight. They dropped to 2-4 on the season and are the only four loss team in the Eastern Conference. Not much positive to talk about in this game, and honestly all of the bad play we saw in previous games just carried through into this. I plan to write a post separate from this game on what is going on with this team since they now have 4 days of practice to figure some things out.
Sixers vs. Orlando Game Notes
The first play of the game is a post-up opportunity for Andre Iguodala. He did a good job of attacking the middle of the floor and getting fouled rather than settling for a jumper. It also looked like Mo had Igoudala running the offense to start the game as well to get him more involved. He started off pretty well, but that was cut short because of foul trouble for the second straight game. When he got back in he did a good job of penetrating and finding Sammy for some easy buckets, but he still can’t shoot. His jumper looks worse than it did last season.
Dwight Howard might have only played 5 minutes in the first half, and the Sixers trailed by 11 at the break.
I really wish I could ask Sammy “what the hell is wrong with your hands?” He bobbles or drops the ball like 75% of time he gets a hand on it. He had 14 boards, and if his hands weren’t broken, he probably would have had 18 or 19. With that said Dalembert was clearly the player of the game. He played very good individual defense on Howard and cleaned up a lot of terrible perimeter defense by blocking or altering shots. He was also only one of two players to shoot 50% or better in the game among Sixers who took 6 or more shots (Rush was the other). Stat line: 10 points on 5-8 shooting (guys please stop making such a big deal of his one or two MAX questionable shots a game – that is the least of the Sixers’ problems) 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist and only 1 turnover. Good game, Sammy.
Tonight the first guard off the bench is Willie Green. WHY?!?! Bring in Kareem Rush and use that as an opportunity to surround Brand with another perimeter shooter. He had Rashard Lewis defending him all game, and Orlando was double-teaming him as soon as (sometimes even before) he caught the ball, even at the high post!
In 5 games I have not seen one perimeter player cut to the basket when Elton Brand has the ball in the post. If I am a guard on this team (with some common sense), I would cut to the basket right behind my man as he doubles Brand and get easy looks in the middle of the lane. Exactly like Mickael Pietrus did when he got that monster dunk in the first half.
Elton Brand hasn’t handled double teams well, which is 50% of the reason he is leading the team in turnovers at 3.6 per game. The other half is the Sixers players have no clue how to play with a post player that gets doubled-teamed. Guys are literally hiding in corners or bunched next to each other when he gets doubled, and there aren’t any passing lanes for him to throw the ball out. Doug Collins did a very good job of showing this using the tape. Brand needs to get rid of the ball quicker for sure. But I can understand why he is forcing things as well because often times there isn’t anyone to pass to. I’ll have more on this in my next post as well.
Andre Miller looks like crap. He can’t buy a bucket. He finished the game 7-24 from the field. When I saw his shot attempts I was shocked. That is until I thought about it more. He was WIDE OPEN all game for 15-footer and in. He simply couldn’t find the bottom of the net. He wasn’t taking bad shots at all, he just looks like he can’t shoot. What’s new? The perimeter players that play the majority of the minutes can’t shoot.
Willie Green was back to the old player we have come to know and loathe. First half stats: 0-1 from the field, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls (see below on this) in 8 minutes. Kareem Rush, Kareem Rush, Kareem Rush.
Speights looks to be in the regular rotation which is good. He got a block and then passed out of a double team to Rush for an open three. He is another strong rebounder especially on the offensive end, and I hope Mo continues to use him sparingly early with increased minutes as his performance dictates.
Pick-and-roll defense is horrendous which was an issue last season. Orlando used the high pick to get in the lane and do what they do best, kick out for open threes. The Sixers all season have not looked good defending on the perimeter.
Who gave Louis Williams the ultimate green light to shoot whenever he wants? That is not a good idea. He has become a complete gunner – and not a good one. Mo needs to put the reins in him now before this gets even more out of hand. I’ll have some ridiculous stats on this in my next post.
Quick note on Thad. He had a bad shooting game tonight but did it look like he had a really poor game? This kid even makes a 7-18 shooting game not look so bad. The reason I came up with is his shot selection. He was 1-5 from three, which is going to happen. But all his shots were good ones. Not forced, not terribly off-balanced and none of his shots were missed badly. I’d much rather Young have these unavoidable type of offensive nights than Iguodala. Which again suggests a shuffling of roles between the two players.
Last two possessions of the half almost made me pop a blood vessel. Willie Green tries to use the Sixers’ foul-to-give, and Nelson smartly gets a three-point shot up. Better judgement, Willie. The Sixers were only down 8 and in a good situation to go into the half on a positive note. Nelson knocks down all three, and we are back down double digits. What’s much much worse in my opinion is something very subtle. That was Willie’s third foul, and Cheeks decides that Royal Ivey should come into the game in a clear single-offensive-possession situation. WHAT!?!?! You have Williams sitting on the bench and Donyell Marshall, two guys that are more likley to hit an open shot if the ball lands in their hands. Well, that is exactly what happened, the ball ends up in Ivey’s hands, the last guy on the floor you want taking that shot. What the hell was Mo Cheeks thinking? There in lies the problem; I don’t think Cheeks thought at all. All he did was point to the first guard he saw and motioned to go get Green. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE COACHING!
The line-up that got the Sixers back in the game in the second half was Brand, Young, Miller, Iguodala and Rush. Besides that Mo Cheeks has no clue what he is doing. He has no go-to line-up. No go-to offensive set. And clearly has not prepared this team for the season. He has 4 days off to prepare this team for a tough 3-game stretch against Utah, Toronto, and Indiana. I gotta believe with each poor performance like this his leash gets cut shorter and shorter. I would say Stefanski would tell him to do this or do that. But quite frankly why do you pay a coach if the GM is going to dictate game strategy and player rotations? I think Stefanski will begin to think the same way, and that could spell the end for Cheeks.
Next game: Home against the Utah Jazz. I will be at that game to see first hand if adjustments have been made.
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Gaaah%$#&@&^ Willie Green get out of here!
6 minutes into the game, and so far:
-When Brand receives a double team, the other Sixers seem completely ignorant of floor spacing.
-Sam Dalembert has already jacked up a 15 foot jumpshot, which he should never, EVER be doing.
-Willie Green substitutes in, the first time he touches the ball, immediately drives straight into a wall of Orlando players in the paint, turning the ball over.
-Our defensive rotations are looking truly awful.
-The team’s body language does not seem hungry in the slightest.
-Iguodala and A-Miller have bricked jumpshots.
Is anyone else just as depressed as I am watching this?
They look completely clueless and Willie Green thinks its HIS job to turn the ship around. Absolutely terrible. And the turnovers are already piling up.
this is quite possibly the worst 5 quarters of basketball I have ever witnessed.
- it looks like we are playing 5 on 6. when brand gets the ball. NO ONE GETS OPEN. and Mo doesn’t seem terribly concerned about this.
- also, Elton Brand is playing as if he is Reggie Evans. Where are the post moves? Why can’t he jump? Is this his first time playing organized basketball?
- Willie Green sucks. He sucks. He sucks. He shoots well on occasion. As a basketball player he sucks. Many many basketball analysts have said he shouldnt be in the NBA.
- How about Andre Iguodala complaining about a foul during the play and walking backwards out of bounds, turning the ball over to the Magic? $80 million ladies and gentlemen!
- The best part? For most of these games, we have been dominated with Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade on the bench.
End of the 1st quarter:
- Passes are not crisp around the perimeter, ball movement is slower than molasses
- Off the ball movement is horrendous. Thad or Lou gets the ball, looks around for someone to make a play, then settle for half-assed jumpers or doomed drives.
- Defensive rotations is, like always, a huge problem
That last dunk my Pietrus is EXACTLY what the Sixers have not done to take advantage of Brands presence. CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE WHEN BRAND GETS DOUBLE TEAMED AND YOU WILL GET EASY BASKETS!!!
Not ONLY did Iggy make that boneheaded turnover stepping out of bounds, watch him stand there doing nothing on Howard’s dish to an unabated Pietrus.
Dannie you’re spot on…I’ve been bitching about the same thing. If we’re getting doubled, we should have our high flying athletes cutting to the basket or weakside for easy dumps…or at the very least to create openings for quick ball movement.
I honestly cannot take one positive thing from this game so far, except for the fact Thad hit one jumper and Speights brought some nice energy.
Also…is our starting lineup comatose? Did someone slip roofie’s in their gatorade? They look like they’re asleep out there. Just pathetic that Reggie Evans and Speights brought more energy then our entire first unit.
It’s a shame our starters seem so unmotivated. I’m loving the (minimal) contributions from Ivey, Rush, and Speights.
Iguodala is horrendous. Painful to watch. Wow, he’s been terrible.
I believe this is the first game Elton Brand has been double teamed….oh, its not? because it sure looked like it.
I’ve always been a fan of Iguodala, but his jump shot looking atrocious right now. Not oven remotely close to being on target. Is it too soon to start playing around with trade proposals?
ugh.
Pete: Agreed…it’s like Brand is playing in a middle school rec league for the first time, having the big realization, “Wh-whoa! TWO people are going to guard me now…this is going to be trouble…”
I lost track of the amount of times Jameer Nelson…I mean I love the guy but c’mon 5′11-6′0 JAMEER NELSON…was flat out intimidating and flustering Elton Brand in double teams coming over from the top of the three point line. In the 4th quarter there were a couple moments when Brand started to show some swagger, and have the mindset of treating defenders and double teams like flies on his back…but at that point, it was too late.
As was a huge problem last year, it looks like Mo Cheeks is going to have to get these guys to actually start playing hard, coherantly, and giving 100% effort in the first half. I’m sorely dissapointed in tonight’s game…the score doesn’t reflect at all how horrendously we played.
Our defense: Flat out atrocious. No communication, no rotations, guys frozen in place just letting Magic wingmen waltz into the lane. Sammy and Elton taking forever to arrive in the paint to help when any Magic player (especially Jameer and Hedo) would drive into the lane. This game was an insult to the enormous contracts Iggy & Brand signed.
Mo needs to step up and get these guys on the same page…and his soft spoken “player’s coach” BS is not going to cut it right now.
I actually feel less frustrated than last night; Sam did less stupid things and was a factor; Thad showed a very good mid-range game; A.Miller looked tired out there though, he used to dominate Nelson. Wish our team had an aerial view of the spacing of the Orlando players when we doubled Howard. We need to keep a 10 man rotation and keep the energy level higher; seemed like we got better shots tonight but just didn!t hit them.
I’ve seen more cohesive teams at the Y. 30-16 1st quarter effort following previous night loss? Can’t have that. Came alive after it was too late. They’re presently a schoolyard team; and that’s on Mo. Missing shots is one thing. Missing effort (and defensive assignments) to start game, another. There’s a clear reason Orlando had an improved shooting night: Sixers aren’t hungry or smart on defensive end with any consistency.
Iggy is a bum plain and simple, his play in the fourth quarter was awful as it has been all season, most of ya probably had the game off by then but did any of you see the shots he put up they were worse than normal, they weren’t bricks they were cement blocks, why wasn’t he at the same shooting camp as Thad. His stepping out of bounds while complaining about a call was unreal. He looked like a whiny bi@ch all night
Iggy needs to be moved its obvious that Thad is the future at the 3 and that Iggy cannot play the 2 or play for a team with any expectations. As another poster sd these two games have been some of the worst basketball I have ever watched.
The entire team has been a let down not one player has been good. I don’t blame Brand for what’s going on. His teammates are not helping him. Andre Miller looks awful, Lou Wil is gunning too much I think Willie Green has been showing him how to play as of late which is not good at all. Speights has been ok, he gets rebounds but than gets stripped alot or gets his shot blocked. Sammy been Sammy, bench players have been as sporadic as their mins have been, so thats on Mo.
Mo has been awful where is the pick and pop with Brand or Speights they can both shoot! Defense is terrible teams are always getting open shots and layups on us. If the team is still playing like this by the end of the month heads will roll and it will be Mo’s first. As I said before Iggy needs to be moved I am so disgusted with him I don’t wanna watch his weak ass one dimensional game anymore. I am disgusted
What a let down, not only have we been losing but the way we have been losing is so bad that watching them play is painful. I dont think I have seen worse basketball cause if I wasn’t a Sixers fan I would turn the game off 5 mins in. Its so sad but when the Sixers are only losing by 12 points I was like oh wow thats a surprise.
Two words, train wreck. I want to look away, but just cant seem to. I said in the offseason to sign and trade Igoudala for Maggette. Not looking so bad now huh? He’s averaging 18 ppg, and Igoudala 11ppg. I couldnt believe how many layups were missed last night. Game would have been a whole lot different if the easy layups were made, much less any jump shots. Igoudala, Miller, Lou, Willie all missed easy layups. To much is being put on Brand right now. Of course he is trying to do too much, he has no one to pass to and is getting the ball at the end of shot clocks. They are completly misusing Brand’s talents right now.
Some of the few positives from last night. Lots of open shots, if they can begin to knock them down, and I know thats a big if, then the offense will dramatically change. I like that Speights is getting a few minutes in the rotation. Hopefully he can earn a few more. I like the post up Thad had of Rashard Lewis, think it was third quarter, he completly dominated Rashard on that. I love the fact that he was calling for the ball on that play, Thad is growing up right before our eyes.
I too will be at the game Tuesday, though I am not expecting a positive result.
Dannie, agree and disagree about cutting to the basket. There seems to be no room in the lane area, Elton has no option but to look outside for a release.Teams have NO reason to step out and defend and IF we make the playoffs that will get worse. The team as a whole seemed to be looking for Thad more, a good thing. I would like Iggy coming in with the second unit, make it a positive by saying the offense will run through him like last year. Spieghts,Evans,Iggy,L.Will., and [Ivey,,Green].Start Rush and Thad and go to Marshall and Thad [at the 2] sometimes. The biggest issue is we aren!t defending as well as last year so we are getting less easy baskets so we look worse on offense. Reggie hardly played and our energy level really suffered.
Suede – I plan to cover this at length in my next post. Yes, there have been times when the lane is packed because guys relocate too slow and often to the wrong area. But there have been countless times when the ball gets entered to Brand and guys simply become paralyzed. All they do is stare.
Not only do they stop and stare, they all stack up on the weak side. Thus nowhere for Brand to go with it when he is doubled.
Coaching, coaching, coaching. Did they actually have a training camp and preseason? I thought I remembered that occurring…
if Iggy jumps into the air with nowhere to go late in the game one more time….
What Clicheguevara said in #9, I agree with the contributions of Ivey, Rush, and Speights. I think Marshall should have been in the game as well. I know he was inactive, but the way he hits those threes– the Sixers needed and still need a shot in the arm.
Also, why didn’t the Sixers encorporate the “Hack A Howard” strategy? Reggie Evans didn’t play much and could have wrapped Howard up. Theo Ratliff didn’t play until the 4th quarter, he could have hacked Howard. Mo needs to establish a rotation and react better to situations ASAP, or else this could be a long season. I’m not panicking yet, but there is some concern if they want to improve their playoffs standings!!!
What was the lineup in the 2nd quarter that got the Sixers back in the game, before Willie’s ill-advised foul on Nelson? Mo better remember that combination in case we get into any funks like yesterday.
There were some points that killed us in the game despite these wild, incredible surges when it is all said and done:
-Willie Green’s bailout foul on Nelson at the end of the 2nd quarter
-Howard’s incredible “Magic” act of escaping Brand and Ratliff in the 4th quarter.
-Magic hitting key threes near the end of the 4th quarter.
The Good:
-The Bench Players (Lou and Rush)
-Turnovers have reduced greatly (PHI: 14 ORL: 10)
-Rebounding Edge ( PHI: 54 ORL: 46)
-Thaddeus Young creating buzz on national television
-Slammin Sammy connecting on lobs after a couple of butterfingers the previous 5 games
-Andre Iguodala getting a near triple double
The Bad:
-What it TOOK Iggy to get that near triple double!
-Starting Lineup Lacking the Amp Power in Florida
-Sixers not helping out Brand with those double teams
-Willie Green’s mini slump (total of 4pt in last 2 games)
-Not playing Donyell Marshall (The Magic’s ”3″ cannot defend)
-Cold shooting from our starters (PHI: 37.1% ORL: 45.7%)
Both starters from each team attempted 70 shots!
-Not using the “Hack A Howard” strategy. (2 of 8 at the FT)
Howard managed to burn us when it counted in the 4th quarter, but give Tony Battie a lot of credit for filling in!
Mo better figure out how to help Brand out of those double teams or else everybody will be doing that, even the worse teams! Luckily, the Sixers have 4 days to prepare for the physically intimidating Utah Jazz, a team without Deron Williams but is undefeated thus far as a team. (Most of their games were at home, only one road game thus far!– v.s Den, v.s Lac, @ Lac, v.s Por). After the Jazz take on the Thunder tonight AT HOME, they start an East Coast Trip starting with the Knicks on Sunday, then they play us on Tuesday. Also, Korver’s return–will you cheer? I will to some extent!
Boozer v.s Brand– key matchup and a battle of the Dukies
Will Deron Williams play?
Is it just me or does it feel like we have played more games than every other team?
Also, what do you think of Doug Collins’ analysis especially with the Sixers? I think he was spot on and genuine about the team with the good and the bad without bashing the team!
Doug– former Sixer!
I had no problems with Doug Collins’ analysis either, felt it was pretty fair. Nice to see one of our teams get a fair shake with the national media.
I actually thought everyone’s analysis of the Sixers was on point. I agreed with pretty much everything Kenny and Charles said. And like I pointed out in my post when Doug Collins used the game film to depict what is happening when Brand gets the ball he was dead on. We can only hope Mo and his assistant coaches are breaking down the film the same way with the players over the next few days.
It is amazing how similar the start to this season is the same as last. Remember Miller taking too many shots and Igoudala turning the ball over like crazy? What does Mo actually do again?
For the Sixers it is not the end of the world, but based on the high expectations, they have to develop a better sense of who they are before the “Disney On-Ice” Tour begins.
I still have Phaith in the Sixers (maybe a little Phillies spirit can translate it)!
This Sixers team has shown some similiarities to Charlie’s Phillies. Don’t give on the Sixers fans, continue following the Eagles, but don’t give up!
Anyway, Miami and Orlando were well prepared on the defensive end against the Sixers. Prior to their games with the Sixers (Miami- 11/5) and (Orlando-11/6), Miami’s last game was Last Saturday (11/1 @ Bobcats) and Orlando’s last game was Last Monday (11/3 v.s Chicago). That was just a great case of GREAT PRACTICES and EXCELLENT EXECUTION that was well prepared. Hopefully, the Sixers can translate that with 3 more days until their next game against the Utah Jazz.
It’s like reviewing for an exam– if you study for a good number of days with meaningful productive hours, the odds of doing well are much better than cramming it all the day before the exam! If you know what I mean!
SO Sixers– PLEASE STUDY THE JAZZ!!
I mean 4 meaningful days of practice!
Now, here is a comparision of last October/November and this one:
2008-2009 season:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/schedule?team=phi
2007-2008 season
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/schedule?team=phi&year=2008
I’m jumping in here pretty late. Great comments and points well taken guys. I feel the same way. I especially agree with Morty. What is Cheeks doing? It doesn’t appear that he is doing anything. We didn’t just pick up Brand (Rush, Speights, and the rest) yesterday. We DID have a training camp.
Even if everything could not be incorporated and everyone integrated during training camping, one would expect to see progress going forward. We appear to be regressing.
Also, even if we are still having difficulty running set plays and such, EVERYONE should know to move without the ball, slide to open areas, go to the rim if your defender leaves you to double someone else, and to go to the ball and give a passing lane to Brand when he is doubled, among other things. Instead, as has been said many times here, we have 4 guys on the weak side STANDING STILL while Brand is doubled.
We are ridiculously out of sync on offense. There are way too many times where there is NO PASS MADE AT ALL. Whoever brings the ball up simply dribbles to one side or the other and shoots. On the few occasions when someone does decide to pass, they force it and turn it over.
The last two games remind me of the Eagles-Steelers game. Unfortunately the Sixers are playing the part of the Steelers. In that game the Eagles kept blitzing and the Steelers never adjusted and corrected their blocking schemes. The Sixers are doing the same thing. Brand is getting doubled, sometimes even before he gets the ball, yet the Sixers are making no adjustments. Not with personnel on the floor. Not with movement. Not with screening. Not with play calling. You get the idea.
Mo has to recognize this, doesn’t he? Something has got to give pretty soon one way or the other.
A lot of great comments in this post…I love the fact everyone posting about the Sixers on here really knows their stuff.
When Brand gets the ball in the post: Wanted to add in my two cents here since this seems to be the popular subject after our Sixer’s puke of an effort the last two games. I think what’s wrong when Brand gets the ball…doubled or even just single covered…it’s more then just spacing.
Often times it looks like the spacing is half decent. One player slides to the strong side corner, another slides weakside, one will be high post, and another at the top of the key. There were a lot of times when the spacing was actually ok. The problem is…that would be ok IF WE WERE RUNNING A TRIANGLE LIKE OFFENSE!!! Or some kind of zone busting offense. The problem is, we’re not, and don’t have the type of team to be able to do that because of our lack of 3 point shooting. There was also no v-cutting done once IN the correct space, and our players seemed content with just standing still and two Orlando defenders arms blocking the passing lane.
The key to me seems more then just floor spacing…it’s getting proper spacing once the pass into Brand is made, and then moving without the ball instead of standing there, as someone put it nicely, “paralyzed.” Because of Iggy and A-Miller’s deficiency of not being able to hit shots beyond the arch, we need to make up for this by having constant movement. The amount of standing around we do when Andre Miller, Elton Brand and Iguodala have the ball in their hands is inexcusible to me. The blame here rests on Mo.
If Brand gets the ball in the post, there should be all kinds movement and screens being set. Iggy is of no use just sitting there not moving…he needs to fly down the court to Sammy on the block, and curl around him to be open for the 1.0 seconds it takes to catch the ball 5 feet from the basket, and flush that @!#$ on the opposing team. Miller should be screening weakside for Thad cut open from the side or top of the key for 12-15 foot jumpshots, and then A-Miller should be coming off a Sammy D screen down low to set him up in the opposite corner for an easy catch of a pass and then drive hard baseline to the basket.
This isn’t rocket science Maurice…and while he might not be an X & O’s coach, he WAS an incredibly savvy PG, and should know better then anyone how to move efficiently without the ball when it’s dumped to the low post scoring presence.
I did not think I would be in throwing-remote-control-at-the-TV mode this early in the season…but I am. Argh!
Just got back from a memorable Punta Cana trip(Wife’s ‘FREE’ trip???, won on 98.1) . Missed 5 days of BBALL. Sounds like I didn’t miss much. Read through the Blogs, newspapers and viewed the box scores. Just got to give them time. We have some players who just don’t let the game come naturally(Sammy, Iggy, Willie). It will take time, I’d say 15-20 games for this to come together. Speights in the rotation is a great thing. Keep Donyell on the sidelines. Need more than he can give at this stage of his career. If we could just replace Willie with a shooter who plays ‘D’ it would be a great thing. Like the idea of starting another player and having TYoung or Iggy off the Bench. Lou Will does have to just play not just monopolize the ball and shoot.
Good to be back. Really forced to rely on the resort’s activities at night since it is not recommended to leave the resorts at night. Spoke to another tourist on flight home. He went to a nighttime baseball game and found the atmosphere of the game amazing(Like those futbol games). After the game 2 large locals were sitting by his car holding baseball bats. He gave them a couple dollars and went on his way………………. Good to be back.
hey i believe this was a blessing in disguise. Now the sixers can look at the tape and fantasize about what their offense should look like if they even wish to be competitive. Guys i dunno about wasting your time analyzing the mistakes cos frankly i think there’s too many. i think it’s obvious; the sixers need to learn to play professional basketball. it’s gonna be a long season. they will turn it around but REALLY how good can they be now? sorry to get pessimistic but this is ridiculous.
ok i feel sorry for not sayng anything productive, here goes; execute plays – seriously the sixers are unable to execute or in Mo’s case draw up one decent play that doesnt involve an andre miller backdoor pass. that said it would only be effective they could actually shoot the ball. so forget the pick and roll cos it would never work. i think what everyone has been hinting at is perpetual movement and cuts to the rim when brand or miller has the ball. now their pick and roll defense…wow i can’t do this anymore they’ve just got too many issues.
Shouldn’t the pick and roll, and pick and pop, be staples of our 1/2 court offense, now that we have a big man who can execute both plays? I mean, this isn’t rocket science, it’s basketball.
Morty, agree totally. D. Collins!s description of E.Brand was great;” not a great low post player whose strength is the 15 foot jumper.If Iggy!s strength is posting up smaller 2 guards and Elton!s strength is the short jumper than run pick and rolls with an Iggy post up or Elton jumper as a result. With the other 3 players weakside and the defensive 3 second rule in place this seems to be a good starting place for our offense.
By the way, A.I. !s first game with Piston!s, D.Harris career high in points and Pistons first loss [to Nets].
Note to Pete, re #4: Get a grip. “Willie sucks” - quadruplely?
I know you were responding to game in the moment, but
such unconstrained emotionality undermines the credibility of your statement. “I hate Willie when he doesn’t play like Rip Hamilton or Dwyane Wade” I can buy. Your stance on Green is ridiculously dismissive and pejorative though. And you attempt to substantiate it with “many many basketball analysts have said he shouldn’t be in the NBA” - lacking specificity,
argument by (presumed) authority; specious reasoning. [A relationship to a microphone doesn't preclude one from being a dope.] Of course, your opinion is your opinion; I’m not writing to change that. I do suggest that there are other much more-deserving Sixer roster targets for high criticism in the season to date – take your pick.
jjg: We can finally agree about Green: he is not high on the list of the Sixers problems at the moment.
Would that he were.
A prediction from the sports guy. He may be right.
7. You will regret thinking Philly is a sleeper contender in the East.
In a league in which you’re only as good as your best three guys, the 76ers are paying a second banana (Elton Brand) and a third banana (Andre Iguodala) first banana money, and they’re paying a role player (Sam Dalembert) third banana money. In a league in which you need a proven crunch-time guy to battle the other proven crunch-time guys in the last three minutes of close games, they don’t have a proven crunch-time guy. (And don’t tell me it’s Brand. I watched him for four years on the Clippers; he’s not that type of player.) Fundamentally, this can’t work for anything beyond 45-47 wins and maybe a second-round appearance … and that’s before you factor in the skewed level of expectations already in place, or the fact that, again, they just spent $83 million to reunite the best two guys on a 27-win Clippers team from 2003. I just don’t see it.
So far, by the looks and sounds of it, NBA analysts weren’t kidding when they said that the Eastern Conference is showing signs of improvement!
-Miami is very impressive defensively (#1 in Steals). Look at what they did against the Spurs (from the get-go even before Tony Parker left the game.) Tonight they take on the Hornets on NBATV! (3-2 thus far: 2-0 home 1-2 road)
-New Jersey beat the Wizards AT Washington and they beat DETROIT!! (2-2) record thus far
-Atlanta is 4-0 thus far including the comeback win against the Sixers and a WIN against the Hornets AT New Orleans.
- New York is 3-2. One game above 0.500. Will it continue?
It’s early, but the East is showing some signs of great competition!
Again, BY CHRISTMAS, we should all get a better indication of where all these teams are going, including our beloved Sixers!!
We should have an AROUND THE LEAGUE SECTION and briefly discuss all games for each day. Your thoughts??
Mo has to REACT better to situations. Every situation is different based on the teams they play. Plus Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall need proper playing time. They are vital for making the ultimate surges in which we can fully come back and win the games. But we have to strike first and maintain the leads, though!!
Also, keep an eye on Detroit– this could change the shape of the East, even though Dumars is looking to retool in the offseason!!
Deron Williams is going to miss more time. That is good news for the Sixers.
http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_10927046?source=rss
But the Sixers should not be fooled by this, so far the Jazz are 5-0 thus far and will play the Knicks this Sunday at MSG.
Ronnie Price and Brevin Knight, the backups for Williams have been decent, but it is their bench play that has really helped the Jazz , including an effective Kirilenko off the bench in his proper role of 6th man, something he hasn’t been since 02-03 when Stockton and Malone were around.
C.J Miles and Ronnie Brewer have been the starting lineup as the SG and SF. They have been OK, nothing great. The Sixers have to test them tremendously. Hopefully the Sixers will remember C.J Miles from last season AT Utah. I thought the way he played in that close game, was the ultimate difference along with Korver’s clutch FGs.
Boozer, has been tremendous, even without Williams by his side. Which is impresssive, but not his defense though. The Boozer-Brand matchup should be fun and interesting. Offensively they are both great, but Boozer’s post up is slightly better. Defensively, Brand is better than Boozer straight up!
I will go out on a limb and say the Sixers win a close one at home and give the Jazz their first loss of this young season, thanks to many days of preparation and rest.
The Sixers after a couple days rest (4+ days), have responded nicely. Last season, they were 6-3.
Hopefully the “rest” has yet to come!!
I too have been very disappointed by the play of the Sixers. Andre Miller is missing shots he made consistently last year, spacing has been terrible, the combinations on the court often don’t seem right, AI2 seems to be shooting worse than last year, Lou W seems to bee taking too many quick shots. However, I’ve thought all along that it will take 20 games for them to get comfortable with each other and for Mo to get the rotations figured out. If they can break even in those first 20 games they could be in good shape and might be able to meet our preseason expectations of 48-50 wins.
It’s too soon to panic, but I agree it’s not too soon for us to start worrying. It’s what we do.
Morty Gentlemen’s agreement is accepted. But let’s get it notarized.
Utah is a tough customer to dismiss, even on the road, mainly
because of head coach Jerry Sloan and his leadership. I saw him play guard for 60s Bulls up close at Convention Hall. Scrappy as all get out. ‘Nasty’ even better defines. As competitor, gives no quarter, takes no prisoners. Career average of 7.4 rebounds supports the characterization. His #4 represents first Bulls’ uniform retirement. Tuesday: Even with extended rest & homework preparation, won’t be easy for Sixers.
OFF TOPIC
Curious…B. Gordon and some pieces for A. Iguodala.
I haven’t heard any rumors, just something I’ve been mulling over in my head. I know Hinrich was hurt tonight and the Bulls will need him now, but I dont think they look at him long term and its obvious they love wing players and we need a 2 that can score. I know he isn’t the best “D” man in the league but it could be an option if our lineup doesn’t pan out. Not saying trade IGG now b/c its early and I’ve been one of his biggest supporters but it may be a good option, right?
It’s late Sat and I just got home after a long night, so if it sounds horrible…blame the ideas on the sauce.
Hopefully after a few days off the team gets out of their own way and figures out how to play and my ideas wont even need to be considered.
Ryan, coincidently, Suede & I were just talking about that Saturday. Let’s see how the team develops over the next couple weeks. We were thinking Gordon & Sefolosha for Iggy but as you say it’s a bit early to panic. Plus, if he has issues playing shooting guard for us, how would that work in Chicago? They are set at the small forward position.
Again it’s early like you guys have said but I might be interested in some sort of Gordon trade – IF that includes a contract extension as part of the deal so we don’t lose him at the end of the season to free agency.
I am sure midway through the season if the Sixers are .500 or worse tons of trade proposals will come up. Here is a quick trade thought. I would keep Iguodala and trade Willie Green and Louis Williams for Ben Gordon and Sefolosha. I would start Ben Gordon and have Iguodala coming off the bench providing us with a legit back-up small forward. I can also see Iguodala running some point forward while Andre Miller sits (something I am writing about in a post now). That would open up room for Kareem Rush to come off the bench and get quality minutes at shooting guard and get’s rid of Willie Green which would make everyone but JJG happy. Sefolosha would be a defensive 3rd guard like Ivey. And Marshall would be a 3rd SF and PF. Now we have suffciently surround Elton Brand with some good shooters who already understand floor spacing and thrive in catch and shoot situations.
I tried to run this through ESPN’s trade machine but it wouldn’t let me because there are restrictions on both Lou and Gordon. First off neither player could be traded until December 15th or 3 months from the date of their new deal (whichever is late) because Lou and Gordon are in the first year of a new contract. Second because Gordon is on a one-year contract and eligible for early bird right he must consent to be traded (which I don’t think he would refuse if he was given a decent extension and told he would be a starter).
Another consideration is the long-term view at the point guard position. If we signed Gordon to a healthy extension we would almost certainly be stuck having to resign Miller since we can go over the cap to do so. If we don’t we won’t have any money to sign a good free agent point guard even with Millers $10 off the books.
Ok that’s enough getting way ahead of myself here.
Dannie, again it is early but I think A.Miller may be the first option at the trade deadline. I think a L.Will./ Ivey pt. guard combo would eleviate the need to move Iggy somewhat because both could hit the top of the key shot that this team needs from the point guard spot. I told S.F.W. that the last play of the Orlando game A.Miller hit a long 3 pt. set shot and its a real shame he can!t extend 3 to 4 ft. his foul line area shot. It is a flat set type shot and he is fairly strong yet he seems to have a very limited range and then it is short every time, but at least, unlike Sammy, he knows his limits.
Dannie, according to DRAFTXPRESS.COM/FEATURES/NBASALARIES Willie is partially guaranteed and an expiring contract next year yet hoopshype doesn!t say that. Don!t know what “partially guaranteed” means but if you could find out I would love to know.
Suede – The more I watch Lou the more I do not want him being the everyday starting point guard. I actually think he has taken a step backwards this season. We all knew he could score, but I think we all were looking for him to take a step forward in his point guard ability. So far this season he hasn’t grasped the concept of being a facilitator at all and I am not sure he ever will. He is a shoot first, second and third player at this point and moving him to the point now would be a catastrophe for the offense in my opinion. I have seen way too many possession where no one touches the ball when Williams brings the rock up. That should never happen. He shouldn’t be considered as a starting point guard until he proves…
Look I like Lou and his scoring ability is very good. But I think if you have him running the show a large portion of the game the offense will be stalled from the start.
I’d much rather have Iguodala play more of a point forward role because we know he is willing to be a facilitator already and he in the few moments when he has looked good this season it was when he was penetrating and passing.
Dannie, agree about a step back from L.Will. but it seems to be encouraged from the coaches, maybe I!m reading it wrong. The perfect scenerio, if he could cut his turnovers , is Iggy in that role with a shooter at the other 2 perimeter spots, but I think a second deep threat, to go with Thad, at the 1 or 2 spot is everyone!s hope.
Have you ever noticed that the teams that have their exhibition games in Europe /Asia have benefitted from it? The chemistry is made from the start and their is the bonding factor. Normally, for most teams the bonding factor first occurs when a team goes on a big road trip.
- Boston went to Europe last season and that was perhaps a huge reason why they started off so well, along with having the new pieces and Tom Thibodeau as the assistant coach.
-Miami this season went to Europe to play the Nets twice, even though they lost those two games. They look like a team that has bonded and wait until James Jones and Jamal Magliore return.
-Even New Jersey has looked good thus far this season. They played the Heat twice in Europe and Vince Carter is so far accepting his role as a leader. (2-3 record this season, including a win over Pistons)
The Point is that The Sixers need to Understand One Another if they want to be the team people expect them to be. The players don’t spend all 24 hours a day with the team. The bonding normally happens for teams when they are on those long road trips.
The style they do play results in a lot of turnovers. But perhaps with the familiarity and the bonding, those “unforced-trying to do too much-trying to fit in” turnovers will reduce considerably. Those are the turnovers they really have to reduce.
Anyway, point is that we should be somewhat concerned, but not overly concerned!!
-The key from here on out is to have: Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala & Elton Brand going. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mo gets these guys going early in the game this Tuesday. I think Thad will be fine no matter what position he plays or whether he is coming off the bench.
- As for Willie Green, Ed will have his thermometer out and measure his temperature to see his efficiency– hot or cold. Two cold games in a row, but let’s see if the rest can help him and now that he is back home! Home has been great for Willie. The road games have been where Willie has struggled, that is the real problem!!!
-Play Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall more. They are natural shooters that can give this team the shot in the arm they need to make the ultimate rallies and the ultimate runaways in games.
Also, injuries on other teams are beginning to mount up. So, what is a season without injuries for other teams? There is plenty more in a season, so please be patient everyone and I still trust Ed Stefanski!! He is perhaps the second best GM in the East to Joe Dumars. I can’t wait for Tuesday and the rest of this season!!
Suede – I always wondered about that as well but never got around to looking it up. Here is what I found about NBA contract guarantees…
Are contracts always guaranteed?
Not necessarily. There are a few specific types of contracts that must be guaranteed. All other guarantees are a matter of individual negotiation between the player and team when the contract is signed. Only a player’s base salary can be guaranteed — not bonuses or incentives. The percentage of base salary that is guaranteed cannot increase from one year to the next (e.g., if 50% of a player’s salary is guaranteed one season, then no more than 50% of the player’s salary can be guaranteed in any subsequent season of the contract).
There are actually several types of guarantees: lack of skill, death (insured or non-insured), injury/illness (insured or non-insured), mental disability (insured or non-insured), and non-insured basketball-related injury. So, for example, a contract might be fully guaranteed for any injury or illness, but not for lack of skill. Some guarantees are for a partial amount of the player’s salary, and the amount can change on specified dates. For example, $2 million of Vlade Divac’s $5.94 million 2005-06 salary with the Lakers was guaranteed through September 30, 2005. Had he remained on the Lakers’ roster after that date, his entire salary would have become guaranteed. Since he was waived prior to that date, he was only owed $2 million. – NBA Salary Cap FAQ
What this means with regards to Willie Green’s contract I interpret as Green being under contract through 2010-2011. There is no player or team option. But, if the Sixers were to waive Green a portion of his base salary would not be guaranteed as negotiated when the contract was agreed to. The question is what guarantees does he have and which ones does he not have? Is it purely based on a date like the Divac example above or could it lack of skill or injury related? Gotta be an insider to know that level of detail. But I am willing to bet it is injury related because if you remember when Green was about to re-sign with the Sixers in 2005 he got hurt right before the deal was done, only played 10 games in 05-06 and didn’t sign until July of 2006.
Hope that helps.
Morty: I hope you’re right bout the pick n’ roll. heck that’d be one positive thing to build fragile hopes on. Now if they could actually execute it….?
Anyone talking trade of Iggy? NEVER happening. 6yrs/$75plus . no idiot will take that.
Lou Williams is a trigger happy less stellar version of Iverson. It’d be against his nature to be a point guard. We need him badly cos he can put up points quickly unlike our starting five. Mo just needs to keep a leash on him and rein him in before he starts to go off like he did in the 2nd half of the orlando games. i love him but passing is not in his nature AT ALL.
I’m not that basketball savvy but the moment i see a well executed play in the game on Tuesday I will drop an analysis about it.
Dannie “… get rid of Willie Green['s minutes] which would make everyone other than JJG happy” - overstatement of inaccuracy. Do you actually believe the rooting populace clamors for unknown commodity Kareem Rush to succeed established trouper Willie Green? Fans want a product of which they can be proud, whomever that may include in the evolving formula that requires ingredients both obvious and subtle. Keep your eyes open; “the Wachovia experiment” will fascinate as it unfolds - unpredictably.