Sixers lose to Hawks

by jsams on Nov 27, 2009 7:36 PM PST Comment 9 comments

Tonight the Sixers played well enough to keep it interesting, but ultimately lost their fifth straight game. The way they hung in there reminded me of the 07-08 team, which was good to see. They have no business playing with teams like the Celtics, Hawks and Cavs -- especially with 3 of their best players out with injuries -- but as long as they play with as much effort as they did tonight, they'll steal a few wins here and there. At least good teams aren't blowing them out anymore.

Andre Iguodala continues to struggle, and I'm beginning to lose my patience. His jump shot is flat-out painful to watch, and I wish he'd just stop taking them. I'd rather see Thaddeus Young shoot 30 times a game. After watching him put up brick after brick, complain about every foul and non-foul call, make behind the back passes in traffic, and have Joe Johnson back him down with ease, I'm starting to question my once passionate man-crush on Andre Iguodala. I understand that he doesn't have much help on the offensive end, and I don't care.

Jrue Holiday was equally painful to watch. The defensive stud himself was torched by Mike Bibby. However; this was his second career start, and he's the youngest player in the NBA -- he's entitled to these types of games. For much of the game I had to remind myself that Royal Ivey and Jrue Holiday did not switch numbers, because that's who Jrue looked like. If you're a Sixers fan, no further explanation is needed, but if you've never seen Royal Ivey play, YouTube him. If you don't find a single highlight, there's a reason for that.

Even though Andre and Jrue stunk, the other young fellers impressed. Carney and Smith were all over the place, and look like legitimate bench players. I'm convinced that both of them could play key minutes for a contender right now. And Thaddeus Young was fantastic on the offensive end.

The Sixers gave their best effort tonight, and I'm pleased about that. But after three straight years of "We tried really hard, but still lost," as the team's motto, I'm enjoying watching this team less and less.

Player of the game: Jason Smith.

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AI9

Did my rant on DP so I will spare ya’ll. IMO, he is not the same player as last year that I love. He appears cocky.

It looked like Jrue was set up by Atlanta as a few times they used our guys as picks to give Bibby open shots! I still love Jrue!

by DeanH on Nov 27, 2009 9:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Jrue needs to learn not to pass the ball to Sammy!

As the rest of the team has learned! He can’t catch!

by DeanH on Nov 27, 2009 9:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Iguodala is struggling with his shot. He played a solid floor game for the most part and very good defense on Joe Johnson. He is still an all-around stat-sheet stuffing beast. I mean, when you can say about a 25-year old swingman putting up 16-9-8 with 2 blocks and 2 steals had a solid to mediocre game, you are talking about a great player. But he is not lead scorer material. There is a reason why this team took off last year when Thad was dropping 20+.

Jrue is going through growing pains, no biggie. The team is too small right now, because the Eddies passed on pursuing a guy like Sheldon Williams, who actually can spell both rebound and hard foul, and signed Brezec because they liked his jumper, even though he does nothing else. Why bother signing a guy who, when you are even down 2 bigs, gets no clock for good reason?

Jason Smith(or Smallville, as I like to call him), has improved a lot. He is an energy-guy with legit deep range, a rarity.

This team is not ready for primetime, their core is still a couple years away. I watch for individual progress right now. They are still rebuilding to me.

by MojoPharoah on Nov 27, 2009 10:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Iggy

Yeah like I said before, I don’t like the on-court demeanor and his jumper is a mess, but he’s still a stat stuffer and plays elite-level defense, so it’s important not to overlook those facts. He’s miscast, and will continue to be so with the current state of the team out there.

This is because even with Thad picking up more of the scoring load now (he has unfortunately completely forgotten how to rebound), without Speights, Brand and Lou, Iggy is going to take bad shots because the shots have to come from somewhere in his mind — probably putting a lot of pressure on himself as well.

I’m kind of indifferent to the Iggy situation because I can yell at him for taking jumpers, but I think the team as a whole is falling in love with the jumpers. They are not hitting the glass like they did last year, the fastbreak isn’t there to the same degree (probably because Thad isn’t at the four for one), and they are not getting to the foul line.

by Slizeezyc on Nov 28, 2009 12:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

First off, Iguodala is a great all-around player, but isn’t the kind that can carry a team offensively by himself. Part of the reason for that is his outside shot isn’t where it needs to be. He’s still a great player to have and I’m sick of all the criticism about him which diminishes his contribution, with all the assists and rebounds. You want all that and 30 points a game too!

Frankly, with two starters out and their best bench player also out, this team is too thin to compete with good teams like Atlanta and Boston. There really isn’t enough offense with Andre, Thad your only real scorers. Sixers could have won this game, had Willie Green scored better or Carney or Smith also stepped up, but none of these players are used to putting up 20 points a night, and probably never will, although I’m still holding out hope for Carney and Smith, and maybe someday Jrue.

Most of all their rebounding was in trouble when Sam was out of the game. Say what you want about him, but with Smith in the middle Atlanta had a field day, but with Sam in there the Sixers were the stronger inside team.

The most annoying thing about this loss was that Atlanta was so lucky with their outside shots. They had trouble getting inside or doing what they wanted but were able to stay in the game by their shooting, and of course, the refs. For a team playing at home, the Sixers get nothing from the refs, no matter what the other team does, they get no calls or calls against them.

I’m not sure what the problem with the refs is, but Jordan’s unwillingness to get in their face about these non-calls and illegal defenses that other teams are playing is one more thing that I can’t stand about Eddie. I’d rather see him get a technical than just sit there, while his players get mugged on play after play.

Sixers need more players at this point with Williams out they are very thin at guard and with Speights and Brand out their inside game is much less capable. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit for them to go after Iverson. A rotation of Iguodala, Holdiday, Green and Ivey isn’t going to get it done, but add Iverson to that mix and they’ll be able to generate enough points to win even without Brand and Speights.

by RickoT on Nov 28, 2009 4:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

First off, Iguodala is a great all-around player, but isn’t the kind that can carry a team offensively by himself.

Well, maybe Andre should realize that and stop taking retarded jumpers all game.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by jsams on Nov 28, 2009 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Part of that is schematic, the PO is predicated on the mid-range jumper. Though I’ll admit that he does settle too often on his own accord.

Remember though, Mo had a consistent philosophy of relentless driving. That was the tone he set, and that’s why they were living at the line. This team, from EJ on down, does not. There is no attack philosophy on either end, hence our current malaise.

by MojoPharoah on Nov 28, 2009 5:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That summarizes my thoughts, perfectly! If IA9 played within his means, he would be an awesome player!

by DeanH on Nov 28, 2009 8:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The team needs someone to take those outside shots, and in case you didn’t notice Thad’s outside shot has been worse than Iguodala’s. These players should be driving the lane more and shooting outside shots less, but until Jordan forces officials to call illegal defense, opponents are keeping 3 players camped out in the lane to stop this. Hard to drive the lane when there’s no room!

Andre isn’t settling for the jumper, it is the shot other teams are conceding. He has to make them to pull the defense out. When he gets the ball with 5 sec. left there’s nothing else to do but put up the shot.

If we can get Iverson back the Sixers will have a much better chance of scoring enough to win games.

by RickoT on Nov 29, 2009 7:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs