A loss tonight will be 12. The last time the Sixers lost 12 straight games was under Maurice Cheeks at the beginning of the 2006-2007 season.
For your information the longest losing streak in Sixers history is 20 games from January 9th, 1973 to February 11th, 1973.
The game will come down to three match-ups and 1 key.
1. Andre Iguodala vs. Trevor Ariza/Shane Battier – Tonight might be Iguodala’s toughest match-up offensively. He will be hounded by two very strong defensive wing players and I fully expect him to loss this battle. That is unless he is white hot on his favorite shot: the 20 footer. Ariza and Battier aren’t going to allow him to cut through the defense easily or bully them in the post. He is going to have to work for all his points tonight. Being that we are down Lou and Speights that really hurts the Sixers offensively.
Sixers need Iguodala to outplay Trevor Ariza to even have a chance in this one.
2. Allen Iverson/Jrue Holiday vs. Aaron Brooks -Holiday should be playing today. Key word: should. Eddie Jordan could pull out a DNPCD. But Allen needs to set the tone scoring the ball. The Sixers brought him in here to sell tickets and put the ball in the hole. Brooks is going to do that for the Rockets we need Iverson to hold serve on his end. Jrue comes in defensively. When he is in the game it’s up to him to slow Brooks down and not allow him to dictate the game with his speed and penetration.
If at the end of the Brooks has more points and assists than Iverson and Holiday combined the Sixers likely lose.
3. Elton Brand vs. the Rockets undersized front court (Scola, Landry and Hayes) – Plain and simple we need a vintage Elton Brand performance. That means impact on offense and defense. Efficient scoring, rebounding, blocks, individual stopping power everything. Otherwise that trio on the other side will dominate this weak Sixers front court.
20-15-3 on 55% or better shooting from Elton Brand gives us a good chance to win this game.
The key: Rebounding.
I’ll be here during the game chatting.
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Don’t know anything of Ariza’s defensive capabilities but Battier focuses well, keeps his feet on the ground and isn’t easily intimidated. Agree, Dannie, Igoudala won’t have an easy go tonight.
Sam is grabbing every board right now.
5:30 mark Sixers up 18-5. Sammy picks up 2nd foul. Noted.
Dannie, know a good live feed?
TT32 – Sorry I don’t. I never watch the games online.
http://www.atdhe.net/#.
They show pretty much every sport on here.
Nice, 12th in a row!
Hate to say it but I root for an L every time they play. I’d much rather be rebuilding than be stuck in mediocrity (which is what we were stuck in the last few years of AI’s initial tenure here).
What a bullshit play. Aaron Brooks throws a horrible pass off of Iverson’s leg and luckily gets it back for the fadaway shot. Damn this is hard to watch.
The bench had a whopping 6 points tonight. Always something with this team.
Oh and I forgot to mention that tonight’s game fired up my anger about the team not buying a second round pick or two to get a guy like Chase Budinger. Between him, Blair, Thornton, Dante Cunningham, etc.
Wow, will it ever end. Serious question though. Have the Sixers won a game since Speight’s was injured?
Game can be summed up very easily. Carl Landry, Chase Budinger and Kyle Lowry.
Dannie, can you offer any explanation of why Willie Green can’t hit a jumpshot when he comes off the bench, but when he starts he seems like he makes around 50%? The one thing that I thought would really help the Sixers with the addition of Iverson is that Willie going to the bench would at least provide our second unit with someone who can hit a jumpshot. He has completely fallen apart.
I’m sorry but I didn’t mean the 50% thing. Only a 50% average when he’s having a good night shooting the basketball. I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from.
Willie Green has never been a reliable jump shooter off the bench or as a starter. He is streaky and just happened to go on a short streak the couple games he started. He is back to normal now, missing more than he makes.
Interesting to watch the Rockets running a similar Princeton style offense with marginal talent. Also was trying to see Houston’s defensive schemes- since I think Elston Turner should get a look at the Sixers coaching job when it next opens up.
1 loss and 4 more to go. lose the next 4 and I’m done. I’ll look to this site for updates if they go 5 more losses in a row. Thad on the bench for about the last 4-5 minutes of the game when they need offense. Why? Oh yeah Eddie Jordan is the coach.
Recipe for lottery success- hire discarded Wizard coach (while they are still subsidizing most of his salary.)
E.S.’s biggest moves to date:
1. Sign a PF coming off of injury who will be making 18M at age 34.
2. Hire a coach who was recently fired by the Wzards.
3. Sign a 34 year old form team legend.
Sounds like all the right moves if you are a young, rebuilding team who wants to build a foundation for a winning future!
Eddie Jordan coached teams (Sixers+Wiz): 8W and 33L in last 41 games. It is impressive he’s only been fired once in that span…
Dannie what was it that you called Buddinger before the draft a Pussy or a punk or both?
Kudos to Eddie J. for having Willie on the floor during crunch time over Thad. Nothing can stop our lottery momentum not even the signing of a HOF guard.
COMPARISON
Allen Iverson at 34: 3 G 35.3 min .359 FG .737 FT 3.3 R 4.0 A 2.7 PF 14.0 PPG
Hal Greer at 34: 81 G 37.8 min .431 FG .805 FT 4.5 R 4.6 A 3.6 PF 18.6 PPG
Golden Hal Greer’s game (played both ends well) declined precipitously from there (’70-’71 season), retired after 2 more (bench) seasons at 36, feeling underused and underrespected.
Wonder how much AI really has left in the tank. So far, a neutral court effect, has been a sideshow, no sidestepper of Ls - at least not yet. Father Time is beginning to appear in his court visage.
iverson looked good last night, i suggest you hold off your opinion until he’s totally back in game shape
Adam, Good news – FREE POSTAGE. The postmaster has determined your suggestion has no weight when pomposity is removed. Greetings of the season.