Word is Thad will miss 2-3 weeks and there is no time to sulk with the Sixers in the middle of a playoff race and a tough home stretch to the season. So what do they do? Starting Speights is a no brainer in my book but we know the Sixers brass don’t listen to us most of the time. With that said I think you have two options…
Offensive Line Up
I see two main options with this approach.
- Insert Speights at PF and run with a traditional line up. This would be a perfect fit if I had any confidence Speights could rebound or defend with any consistency. But he hasn’t shown he can. The positive he brings is offense both inside and outside with a little bit of shot blocking when he finds himself in position to do so. The concern is foul trouble, defensive lapses and being abused when faced with tough individual defensive match ups. For me that is all moot. The Sixers were only really expected to win much past the regular season by the most optimistic of Sixers fans so it isn’t like they are losing out on much in terms of winning playoff opportunities. Anything more than a tough first round series resulting in a loss would be a surprise to me. Seeing what the kid has makes this a no brainer for me.
- Start Donyell Marshall at the 4. Provides some leadership, calm amongst the chaos and much needed outside shooting. He should be fresh at this point considering he has only played a total of 20 games and 144 minutes. Furthermore I think he can actually be a decent rebounder and OK defender in spurts just off his experience and smarts.
Defensive Line Up
I’ve read and heard many people say you must start Speights (or maybe Marshall) because the Sixers would fall apart offensively without another scorer. I agree with that somewhat but do not agree going that route is the only winning strategy. I think the Sixers can be successful with less offensive so long as they can make up for it with their defense and rebounding (on both ends). Put a team out there that defense rebounds better and you immediately cut down your opponents second chance points. Add a shot blocker, make the directive for perimeter players to force the offensive off the line into the lane and that could be a winning proposition if executed well. All I am saying is thinking 100% as the only way to go isn’t basketball. There are two sides of the ball to consider. With that said…
- Give Twin Towers a Try. Anyone give thought to starting Ratliff at power forward? This clearly would be the best defensive and rebounding line up the Sixers could put on the floor right and you wouldn’t be giving up any more offense than having Reggie start either, right? Hell I think Ratliff is actually better and less “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING” offensively than Reggie Evans. You don’t have to play him Thaddeus Young minutes obviously but having Sam and Theo on the court at the same time for stretches would be an interesting way to mix it up
- Start Reggie Evans. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Reggie in the line-up with the Sixers attempting to run with a familar starting squad from parts of last season. I wouldn’t mind it as long as Evans isn’t playing more than 15-20 minutes per game. To me having him on the floor any more is a losing proposition because there is more time for teams to take advantage of his gimmicky defense and poor offense.
There are other options like going really small with Iguodala at the 4 and either Lou, Rush or Ivey. In the end the starting line up doesn’t matter all that much right now. What does matter is how Dileo coaches and handles
- Minute allocation
- Player mix
- Game situation
I don’t think going with a set in stone approach is wise. Play it by feel (hopefully Dileo and the assistants have or can find it) and make decision based on game situation, match ups and current player performance. Maybe that means playing Sam and Theo at the same time for spurts, or putting Iguodala at the 4.
The goal is still to make the playoffs. Get the highest possible seed. And go as far as possible when they get in. I have said before and will continue to say winning is one of the best experiences for young players and their development. The Sixers need to do whatever it takes to keep winning and put this team in position to keep gaining experience. Floundering with the loss of Thad and by some crazy chance not making the playoffs would be devestating and extremely detrimental to the development of this team.
With that in mind how would you handle the next 2-3 weeks and why?
I agree this is not the time to hope for tanking. Maybe if Thad or Iguodala were knocked out (along with Brand) earlier in the year I would consider going all young and risk losing the playoffs (sort of like tanking.) But they need to do whatever neccessary right now to make the playoffs, and hope Thad is ready to return.
I’m hoping they can mask their weaknesses for a couple of weeks. If anything, this takes some pressure off, as there are now no expectations for beating out Miami. This could actually play in their favor.
I’m hoping Miller, Iguodala and Lou can step up on offense. marshall will probably be needed to add some shooting. And if Speights comes out of his funk it could end up helping them in the long run.
There si never a good time to get hurt, and really bummeed it happened when Thad was breaking out. hopefully Speights can break out some, and Miller regains his game. At least the playoffs are still 2 1/2 weeks away, and there is a chance for the 5th seed and Thad returning.
As defense should be priority number 1 for playoff success hinges on it, you could start a ferocious line-up of Ivey, Green, Iguodala, Ratliff & Dalembert. (Where is it written that Andre Miller has to start?) The line-up makes a statement to opponent but, more importantly, to the Sixers’ players … “defense/rebounding/loose balls is our focus.” Then hope Ratliff & Ivey give you 20-25 strong, Dalembert & Willie 25-30,
Andre 35-40. Fill in remaining minutes with remaining talent according to needs, match-ups and reads. Pull defensive knuckleheads and rebounding laggards quickly. With Sixers’ taking better care of the basketball lately, limiting opponent possession-success strengthens their chances, no matter the opponent. Okay, where does offense come from with that starting 5? Iggy, Green & pray for good screens. Offshoot: Miller wouldn’t want to sign here next year (a plus in my book). Of course, there are other variations with which you could enter Young-less battles.
Does E.S. step in and make a suggestion? Does Thad!s early prospering last year give the organization the hope that Spieghts can do the same this year, I hope so. It is put up or shut up time for our bench and E.S.!s summertime acquisitions will now get their chance on the big stage and please don!t rush Thad back too soon and take away from what he was doing of late.
Well, this can hopefully wake the Sixers up and understand that the job isn’t finished until it’s finished!
This could be a blessing in disguise for the Sixers:
-Andre Iguodala has been more assertive offensively and doing a better job on the free throws. Also, he has been on a shutting down streak defensively against some of the opponent’s leading scorers.
-Andre Miller has woken up offensively and is starting to look like the Andre we know and love. Love that pump fake on Flip Murray yesterday.
-Marresse Speights could break out of the rookie wall and score more in the inside and perhaps improve defensively with Ratliff on the floor.
-Willie Green could be more consistent offensively and for his underrated defense on Mike Bibby. He was a bit forgotten yesterday for his offense.
-Reggie Evans is perhaps the choice to play starting PF. He did it last year and give Jeff Ruland credit for improving him. His free throws look better and lately he has been making his layups and not traveling as much. Evans is one of those players that can provide energy, which we need from the start and it cannot be shown in a box score.
-Lou Williams’ attack the basket mentality must continue. Lately, I have seen him get a no-call and then establish his body better to better demonstrate to the officials the obvious contact. Keep it up, Lou!
-Now our veteran bench guys need to continue stepping it up. They could make THE difference and catch opponents off guard:
1)Royal Ivey- turn up the defensive volume; need to dial long distance to Iveyland!!
2) Theo Ratliff- secretary of defense in 10 minutes (nuff said!!); plus, he knows where he score, that’s a great bonus.
3)Donyell Marshall– I hope your batteries are charged because we need your range. Continue being professional!
4)Kareem Rush– He is my wildcard. In whatever spot minutes he gets, he needs to flashback to his days in LA. Opportunity scorers are a MUST. (Remember 03-04 Lakers, when Kobe, Malone, and O’Neal were injured during the regular season, Rush stepped it up during their absence.; remember Game 6 WCF). Prove Sixers fans that you belong!
Also, IN DILEO WE TRUST!!
His substitutions really throw opponents off-guard!!
Get well soon, Thad! In the meantime, enjoy some laughter. After all, it’s the best medicine. And you have to love Iggy’s poker face. He was funnier than Jimmy Fallon!
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=da75fe7f-41f3-4d55-b33a-6cb794cbfaa3
GO SIXERS!! SHOW THE NBA HOW STRONG YOU ARE!!
Some context for Young’s 7-game offensive tear, averaging 23.6: 4 gms in + plus/minus territory, 3 in – end; cumulative plus/minus number +17 (or +2.4 pg). Sixers averaged 105.8, opponents 106.0. Sixers record: 3 wins, 4 losses. Western Conference style of play, i.e. trading baskets, had something to do with his scoring bump-up.
lol jimmy fallon called him our starting power forward
I actually don’t think this is a huge blow to our 5th seed hopes. If this team can play with the energy and aggressiveness that I’ve seen them play with in spurts throughout the season, they will get the 5th spot.
The obvious decision to me is to start Speights and split minutes off the bench between Reggie and Donyell. We definitely need to increase Donyell’s minutes. If Andre Miller doesn’t completely suck during these 2-3 weeks, then him and Iguodala can carry the load on offense.
Getting the 5th seed is a must if we are going to get to the second round. And remember… we are 2-1 against the Hawks and that one loss we were up by 26 points at one time. We seem to have the Hawks number and we can only hope that would continue if we get matched up with them in the playoffs.
Here’s something to ease the pain– the Heat lost to the Mavericks by 2 in Dallas (and Miami has more road games to come)!! The Pistons lost to the Nets, so expect an angry Pistons team this Saturday.
Getting the 5th seed will come down to who performs better on the road. I think we might get the edge there with the depth that we have!
Also, watch out for the Charlotte Bobcats! They appear to be playing their most competitive basketball right now. Larry Brown and MJ are making quite a team there.
well Speights has a chance now, lets see what he does. or will it be Evans?
Looking a little ahead, but someone does not like the idea of coming off the bench. I don’t blame him for complaining, since he is treated like an expiring contract. However, this is not the right approach to earn more minutes. Next season, he could ”possibly” be reunited with “Coach” as a starter perhaps. hmmm.
Thank God Brand and Marshall do not act like that! They are true professionals!!
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/04/02/iverson.20090402/index.html
I think this is a no brainer, give the nod to Speights. Tell the kid to go out play smart, rebound and play defense and let his offense come to him. If he plays by the rules keep him there, if he doesn’t, go with someone else. Tonight would be the perfect opportunity, a weak Buck’s team who don’t play particulalry well on the road. I think tonight is a great chance to give this kid a confidence boost and a lesson if he doesn’t do it on both ends of the floor.
Sooner or later they have to see what he can do in a complete game. Next year there will be a “log jam” in the front when everyone is healthy and the team needs to figure out who is expendable and who isn’t.
I would definitely like to see Theo and Sammy on the court together, I don’t think the opposing team would enjoy it, but it would be probably the best “D” duo in the league.
jjg: It wasn’t a 7 game stretch against no-D-playing teams, but an entire month with an excellent FG% (54) and 3 point % (37) and well as getting to the line at an almost doubled clip to prior months. Plenty of Thad’s mid-teens games earlier this season could easily have been 20+ with some FTA. I know you always like to find the touch of grey in a silver lining, but Thad was demonstrating real growth.
Evans is starting tonight, as expected.