The Battle of Who Could Care Less
by Michael Levin on Jan 18, 2010 11:30 AM PST
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PrintPhiladelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves, Jan 18, 2010 12:30 PM PST
While this Ben Folds song refers to a competition between people to show the least effort, while also double entendre-ing to mean a battle that nobody cares about, referring to the audience. Well anyway, that's all for this music lesson, let's get to the game shall we?
Minnesota is a putrid 8-33 at their halfway point in the season, while we boast a 13-26 record, good for a .333 winning percentage. The Wolves, however, have some fat contracts coming off the books after this season that could allow them to pursue a decent free agent. Mark Blount, Brian Cardinal, Antonio Daniels, and Damien Wilkins have expiring contracts totaling 23,876,080 of space. Add in the 5 or so million dollars if they decide not to renew Pecherov, Pavlovic, Alandoooooooo Tucker, and Chucky Atkins and they're up to almost 30 million dollars of disposable contracts.
Despite the Ricky Rubio screwjob this past offseason, Minny did quite a nice job for themselves assembling the young talent they have. Although they would've been thrilled had Indiana accepted their AlJeff-Granger swap, there are quite a few bright spots on this team. Jefferson and Love are a pretty formidable frontcourt, and Flynn and Ellington could be the at the guard spots for the next 5 years. There's talent there. Ryan Gomes always intrigues me, Corey Brewer has stepped it up this season, and Aussie big man Nathan Jawai is a wild card to keep an eye on the next few years. I still don't get the Ramon Sessions signing or playing Wilkins at all, but should they get a guy like Evan Turner in the draft, I think this team could contend in the next few years using what is now referred to as, "the Oklahoma City shuffle." Completely revamping your team and letting the expirings run out so the young guys can develop is a strategy not worshiped by fans, but, with a good draftnik, mostly effective. If Rubio ever comes over, this could be scary.
Anyway I like seeing young teams play and hope the Wolves provide an example for Eddie of how to rebuild a franchise. Although 8-33 isn't a fun time, a few championship runs in 3-4 years will make it plenty worth it. My apologies to Jordan for the whooping Dallas received, but I can't say I wasn't rooting for it, even as much as it pains me to cheer for Brett Favre, my most hated professional athlete (especially since Plax is out and Vick has no significance).
Go Sixers, although a loss to the Wolves may slingshot Jordan out of town. Hope for the best.
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Cap room is nice, but with no really possibilty of contending any time soon, no real night life and lousy weather, who wouldn’t rather go to texas with no state income tax or NY with the night life (seriously – these things matter, teams in Texas, and possibly florida? have an unfair advantage with no income tax and the NBA should work to fix that)
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 11:40 AM PST reply actions
Hard to imagine the Sixers blowing this one, even if they do start Thad as a 4. I really want more playing time for Speights, and improvement in his defense and rebounding justify it. His per 40 min. stats are exceptional, and it makes no sense to squander talent by keeping it on the bench. Motivation is an important part of a players development, but it’s clear that Speights wants the time as revealed by his effort.
The team is so much better with two big men on the floor, it’s a real wonder why Eddie has been so resistant to it. Not starting Brand or Speights is just plain stupid, and I can’t understand how management tolerates it.
If I thought a loss would mean the end of Eddie Jordan I’d root for that, but if losing to the Knicks didn’t do it, I don’t know why losing to Minnesota would.
Holy crap – brand and speights at the same time…
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:02 PM PST reply actions
Not the worst thing in the world to platoon them together. Against this team they only need 1 big. Two makes them so much better it isn’t even close. What they give up on the one end , they more than make up for on the other. Rebounding and scoring and half-court flow are 10X better with Speights and Brand on the floor.
Strong first quarter except for the poor work on the defensive glass – not shocking that that still sucks
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:03 PM PST reply actions
Jrue
Do not imitate Willie Green on the break – thank you
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:14 PM PST reply actions
Jrue Holiday and Iguodala both have excellent court vision -s ome day soon they’ll make an amazing back court
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:28 PM PST reply actions
They could make Eddie Jordan’s vision of a no point guard Princeton Offense a reality. Best defensive back-court the Sixers have.
Great passing on the offensive end, along with good penetration. Excellent size and length to defend passing lanes and quickness to get steals.
Except that Jrue Holiday is a point guard so i’m not sure what the hell your ‘no point guard’ statement means
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
No offensive rebounds for the wolves in the second quarter is good
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:37 PM PST reply actions
And defend outside shots so they aren’t so easy
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
Great coaching by Eddie. Keeping a bad group in way too long. When will he realize his starting line-up isn’t a good group.
If they got out played in the first half you might have a point – but since they didn’t
the problem isn’t the starting 5 so much as one team adjusts at half time and one team never does
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 2:08 PM PST up reply actions
Just becasue they outplayed the other side in the first half doesn’t mean they’re a good group. They always start the 2nd half with the same group, and they always give up the lead. Haven’t you noticed that pattern yet? Get a clue.
ALmost every NBA team starts the same 5 in the second half as the first unless there’s a visible reason not to – bitchslapping the t’wolves in the first half doeesn’t indicate a reason to.
If you wanna talk about being slow to adjust, that’s fine, but if you want to criticize eddie jordan for what pretty much every nba coach does in every game – then maybe the clue is for you?
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 2:22 PM PST up reply actions
Eddie starts a bad line-up other teams figure out how to exploit it and Eddie doesn’t react until it’s too late. Truth is, he should start a different group that is stronger executing in a half court set.
And now you change the direction of your point…I see
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
Its such a joke how no huge lead is ever safe. Theres always a comeback every time, no matter how good or bad the opposing teams or lineups on the floor are.
Im not too upset about it. Im still rooting for every loss, but it shows the talent and some potential thats here right now. Not to mention continually making EJ look bad
Just another lights-out first 20 or so minutes, followed by an abysmal 3rd quarter…
by chillicothe20 on Jan 18, 2010 2:20 PM PST up reply actions
So it seems that Eddie Jordan has gone back to ‘his’ rotiations?
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 2:22 PM PST reply actions
Holiday did not play the second half
The old eddie jordan is back
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 2:57 PM PST reply actions
Strong rebounding there at the end
Seriously at this point you just HAVE to laugh
by jemagee on Jan 18, 2010 3:05 PM PST reply actions
Just a note – the song title in the posting comes from an awesome album – and it’s not even the best song, there’s a wonderful little ditty about breaking up with a girl who won’t give you back your stuff (much better than the hardest part of breaking up (is getting back your stuff) )
Plus a song about 500 angry dwarves
by jemagee on Jan 19, 2010 11:27 AM PST reply actions
Yeah this song is decent, my favorite song on the album is Kate or maybe Steven’s Last Night in town. Song for the dumped is always fun. Ben Folds much better with the 5 than he is by himself — too poppy by himself, although some songs are enjoyable (Army comes to mind)
by Michael Levin on Jan 19, 2010 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve only ever listened to the one album…anyone who can work the franklin mint into some songs is just good
I want ben folds and jason mraz to work together
by jemagee on Jan 19, 2010 1:22 PM PST up reply actions
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