Sixers Win Again, Inch Painfully Towards Playoff Spot
by Michael Levin on Jan 23, 2010 11:00 PM PST
42 comments
I don't have much time tonight so I'm gonna cop out with some quick bullet points of their victory over the Pacers.
- Elton Brand played perhaps his best game as a Sixer, hauling in rebounds, displaying his top-notch midrange game, and dishing out his most assists (4) this season. Start him some more? K.
- Jrue Holiday got hurt early, getting faceplanted onto center court by Earl Watson's leg. After 12 stitches, he came back out to play 11 decent minutes. I can't really blame Jordan for not playing the kid more after he got hurt. No reason to risk more discomfort.
- Thad strung together his second great game, scoring 22 points again in 26 minutes, this time pulling down 10 rebounds, the 6th time he broke double digits in rebounds this season. He played mostly the 4 against Troy Murphy, and held him to 4-10 shooting. Keep it up Thaddeus.
- Willie Green got 30 minutes. Uhh.
- I'm pretty sure Lou and Iverson are the same person. Why we have both on our team is still beyond me. The combination allowed backup point guard AJ Price to score 17, including 4-4 from beyond. I'm a big Price fan, but come on man.
- We forced 21 turnovers. That's how we used to win ball games. That's what we need to continue to do in order to win more.
- Samuel Dalembert continues to rebound and defend well despite his offensive inconsistency (generous?). 12 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and a 1-6, 4 rebound night for Roy Hibbert.
- Despite not scoring 25+ in every quarter, we won again. I don't know how we do it, there's some sort of conspiracy going on.
- This was our 4th two-game win streak. We're 5.5 games from the 8th seed, and currently tied for 6th worst record in the NBA. After a day off, we take on Indiana again, this time at home. Hopefully Jrue is all taped up and ready to play more than 20 minutes.
- Royal Ivey hasn't played in 2010.
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Looks a little like a younger Steve Nash with shorter hair.
by chillicothe20 on Jan 24, 2010 8:50 PM PST up reply actions
I feel like its someone more snooty looking. Snooty? Snotty. Snotty?!
by Michael Levin on Jan 24, 2010 11:00 PM PST up reply actions
MURPHY LOOK-A-LIKE
Remember the Star Trek episode where Spock has to return to Vulcan cuz he has an itch to get laid and he ends up fighting Kirk for that cute,Vulcan piece of as*? Remember the weird-looking Vulcan stud that the chick wanted instead of Spock? That`s who Murphy looks like!!
I figured it out!
He looks like Stephen Baldwin.
by chillicothe20 on Jan 25, 2010 5:18 PM PST up reply actions
They still scored over 100 points, so their average per quarter was over 100. And in case no one noticed the Pacers came within 5 in the 4th, the Sixers weakest quarter offensively. If a crappy team like the Paces can close down that gap, imagine what a team like LA could do.
What is painful about them winning some games and playing like a team? As though a high draft pick would be the magic panacea for a bad team?
The Sixers are a much better team than you realize, much better than Eddie Jordan realizes. I said from the beginning the line-up was too small. It’s not a coincidence that they started to win with Elton starting. Just as importantly, when he goes out, Speights comes in, so there is always someone to maintain pressure on the other team’s rebounding and scoring, and we always have someone to throw to on offense.
That at least gives us relatively sound line-ups without serious glaring weaknesses- most teams do not have a 2nd string 4 who can handle Thad. Now that they are all healthy, we do have too many guards. The problem being that they are all short, except for the rookie and swing man Iguodala. This shouldn’t be a problem but our coach likes to go small, and ends up putting two short ones on the floor. At least he did away with that in the starting line-up. starting Jrue.
Your “proof positive” fanpost was not about scoring over 100 points, it was about scoring at least 25 in every quarter. Therefore, you’re changing your argument again.
by Michael Levin on Jan 24, 2010 7:09 AM PST up reply actions
As though a high draft pick would be the magic panacea for a bad team?
In the NBA the only way to get better is to get a high draft pick and have that pick work out (unless you are a team with money like the Lakers, Celtics, etc.). You cannot be a mediocre team. You get stuck in a cycle of either losing the first round of the playoffs or you get a low lottery pick.
The Sixers have as much money behind them as those clubs. Boston brought in two free agents to get the title, LA got a sweatheart deal for Gasol. We bought temporarily damaged goods in Elton Brand, and drafted Speights. This isn’t a bad team, just one that’ s been miscoached. Don’t assume that this a mediocre team, stuck in limbo. At least not yet.
Don’t assume that this a mediocre team, stuck in limbo.
Then can you explain how this team is different from the past two years?
The coach is worse, but the bench is now better :)
by jemagee on Jan 25, 2010 12:47 PM PST up reply actions
A healthy Brand, and a drafted forward, Speights, both of whom can score in a half court game. A drafted point/combo guard in Jrue Holiday who has sufficient height to give the backcourt a better defensive presence. The rest is the continuing development of some young players. Iguodala, Williams, Young.
A bad coach to be sure, but this team has a lot of potential even if it will take him longer to figure it out.
They may have “talent” on the roster but they are still a mediocre team and have not done anything to make me think that they are different from the past two seasons. If anything they will finish this year with a worse record than they have the past two seasons.
Unfortunately I’m arguing on perceived potential (my opinion) and you’re evaluating them on their current record. If the record continues to be poor, I’ll have to agree with you. I’m betting that the team will continue to improve, which means I’m also gambling on the coach. If it doesn’t translate into wins, something is wrong with my perspective. I have been consistent in blaming the coach for most of their problems. The line-up change is a big difference in the right direction. Imagine where they’d be if they started the season with this line-up!
The sixers starters clamped down on the pacers starters defensively setting a tone.
I’m wondering if you even watched the game?
by jemagee on Jan 24, 2010 8:53 AM PST up reply actions
I like how you failed to note how much better their offense was with either Brand or Speights in at all times. Or how much better our rebounding was. You make it sound like the Sixers never played defense the whole season. They are better on both sides of the ball with the line-up change. Their ability to score against a zone defense in a half-court game is the most significant change, by far!
I like how you failed to mention whether you watched the game or not.
I’m assuming you think the rebounding was ‘better’ cause they outrebounded (gross numbers) the pacers?
Let’s over react to a really terrible shooting game by the Mavs (who beat the Knicks by 50 last night missing their starting point guard and center) and beating the pacers…
That sounds about right
by jemagee on Jan 25, 2010 12:48 PM PST up reply actions
I watched the game. The biggest difference from earlier in the season is no dead-spots where the Sixers can’t buy a basket and start horking up outside shots. The other was a constant presence in the middle to deter the Pacers from going inside. and to secure rebounds.
I agree that the Dallas game was very strange- I don’t attribute their offensive problems to our defense. The Pacers are now crying that they were tired and think they can beat the Sixers. Personally, I think they’re delusional, but we’ll see tonight.
Jrue was ready wlling and able to play more than 20 minutes last night (and friday night) but the coach is still an idiot
by jemagee on Jan 24, 2010 9:15 AM PST reply actions
And might alwayz will be a clueless coach
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
very telling headline.
i have a feeling were going to be in 9th in the East, missing the playoffs and getting the 13th pick.
Chase Utley is so good that on one pitch he stole second, third and the shortstop's hat.
I know some Sixer fans really do want the team to lose
to get closer to a better draft spot, but it’s kinda getting a lil scary. Eddie J might be actually learning somewhat. Why did he take Lou out..becuz he sux at defense! And took that out becuz he wasnt producing period! And so far, only two games though, it’s looked like an alright new line-up! BUT, I still think Jordan is clueless beyond comprehension and reason. I dont support him nor the current management!! We still need a positive change top to bottom. Winning is good, but when it’s obvious that there are major problems (some talent, coach..) that are hindering us from really moving forward and being a legit contender, how can u hope the win. We will still have these major problems if we keep winning. Right now losing brings us more benefits than winning. Could bring in a new coach and could get a shot at better talent!! I always say I always support my team, but don’t support a negative problem (s) with-in the team!!!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
ment to say...
And took Thad out becuz he wasnt producing period.
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
What.. scared that Eddie J might actually be learning from his mistakes!
if that’s the case…im also scared!!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
The only ‘fear’ I have is that by making the moves he was told to, the coach saves his job
by jemagee on Jan 24, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
Course – there’s a portion of the fan base who thinks getting the playoffs, and losing in the first round, is an accomplishment and shows that the team is on its way uptown
by jemagee on Jan 24, 2010 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
That’s a good thing to be concerned about. Eddie still jacks around his players and still plays Thad as a 4. The team is still far from where it should be. A good coach would have this team in the playoff hunt already.
Any coach who coached the team the way you suggest probably wouldn’t qualify as a could coach.
by jemagee on Jan 25, 2010 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
So you say, but that’s just a bullshit opinion, completely disregarding anything I’ve written. But you do a lot of that, don’t you?
No, I have considered what you’ve written, and dismissed iit as nonsense and nothing worth taking seriously because you don’t understand even the basics of analysis, hypothesis or research.
You have proven nothing, as much as you think you have, you keep talking with the air of expertise and knowledge and insight and expect everyone to treat you as such, but just because you talk a lot doesn’t mean you’ve said anything. You are full of sound and fury signifying nothing. You come here to get responses because in dereks world they just ignore you.
Everything you write is opinion, and you’ve written nothing that demonstrates I should respect your opinion (and it’s not like it’s just me). If you ever say something worth taking seriously – I’m sure it will be taken seriously, for now – keep ranting
by jemagee on Jan 25, 2010 1:46 PM PST up reply actions
As the Sixers have done what I suggested they have improved. You haven’t made any suggestions at all.
You’re emphasis on defense is the same thing the idiot coach was doing, yet you claimed I was on his side!
I’ve already caught you in lies and distortions, but never mind that. Never mind being insulting to people in a way you would never do face to face, or that you enjoy making snide comments. It’s a serious character flaw.
I respond to valid criticism and logic. You clearly know these things, you just don’t always use them.
You’re emphasis on defense is the same thing the idiot coach was doing, yet you claimed I was on his side!
Ignoring the grammar mistakes – at what point do you think Eie Joran was emphasizing defense? Here’s a hint, the sixers only really have two guards who aren’t defensive libaiblities – one isn’t allowed to play more than 15 minutes a game and one plays small forward.
by jemagee on Jan 25, 2010 2:05 PM PST up reply actions
Bullet points are not a cop out
I blog at Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on Jan 25, 2010 4:04 AM PST reply actions
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