A Little Sunday Sixers Links, Featuring Lou Williams and Robin Van Persie
It's time to re-up yourselves with the links that make the world go round. Yes it's been a while since the link pages made an appearance but, to quote one of the great philosophers of all-time, Lloyd Banks, "I know that I've bee gone for a minute but I'm back, chinchilla, ice on with a fitted." You don't think I'm posted up in my house with a chinchilla coat, diamonds on my chain, and a fresh to death Oakland Raiders fitted on (I'm bringing it back to the old Ice Cube and Dr. Dre days)? Well, then you're right.
While the links may not be nearly as exciting as landing LeBron, Bosh, and Wade on the Sixers (would it be Ledwosh, Wabrosh, or Chrisboshdwyanewadelebronjames?) you can still get LOST in Doug Collins' eyes as he explains how this past week is the best thing that could have happened to Evan Turner as a basketball player. After the jump we have some summer league reaction, Aaron McKie the coach, and Billy King (huh?). Enter at your own risk (there's not a risk, it's actually quite enjoyable to the point where you may or may not hear blissful music while reading).
Turner Should Seek Positives from Poor Performance
"I know I have to be in shape to compete with this type of competition," (Turner) said. "It's a lot more competition, and everybody down here is playing so hard. They're playing to get or keep a job and put food on the table, and I got my butt kicked. It's the first time in a long time I've gotten my butt kicked. I'm glad it happened now instead of in November, December or January."
"I think this was the best 8 days of Evan's life," Collins said. "As painful as it might have been, he understands the level now that you have to be at competitively and in shape to play this game. When you're not in the greatest of shape, you can't play at the highest level. It doesn't matter how good your skill level is. He'll go from here, and now he's got form now until the end of September to do what's necessary."
"It was a good week, something that I needed to go through," Turner said. "Now, I'll go back to the laboratory and drawing board and get things done. Everything starts a little slow. It happened to me in college. I just have to go back and work on certain things."
Stefanski Praises Jrue and Jodie's Play in Summer League
"No question (Holiday) is night and day from last year," said Sixers president and general manger Ed Stefanski.
"He's taking the ball anywhere he wants to," Stefanski said. "They can't keep him out of the lane."
"Jodie has been terrific down here," Stefanski said. "Fastbreak-wise, he gets out and is a dangerous shooter. [The Thunder] were shadowing him [Wednesday] because they didn't want him to get a shot."
Coach Collins Speaks About Turner's Performance
McKie Earns Valuable Experience on Sixers' Sideline
Watching McKie direct this group of young players is as enjoyable as it was to watch him play all those years. His demeanor is calm. His communication is straight forward. Thursday morning after practice, I asked him how he was enjoying his head coaching role and before I could get the full question out, McKie said, "I am having a blast! I am loving it."
"It is something I enjoy doing," McKie explained. "I don’t try to be a [tough guy] as a coach. I want to relax these guys as much as possible because I know the feeling when these guys are out trying to compete for a job. And you have to relax them."
What McKie enjoys about working with Collins is his openness to new ideas, a characteristic that not all head coaches possess. Because Collins is that way, McKie feels more relaxed doing his job, which makes the process that much more enjoyable.
"Absolutely I want to be a coach one day, but I am in no rush," he said. "I want to learn as much as I can – it’s not so much X’s and O’s as it is managing those timeouts. It’s managing three minutes left in a game and it’s nip and tuck – that’s where a coach makes his money. That’s where he makes his mark."
NetsDaily - Billy King to Interview for Nets' GM Position
Billy King, the man who preceded Ed Stefanski as president of the Sixers, will interview for the opportunity to replace Rod Thorn with the Nets, according to FanHouse's Sam Amick. King ran the Sixers for nine years before he was fired in December of 2007.
Since There Hasn't Been Any LeBron News in Here...
...why not remind ourselves of the time Lou Williams gave him a little taste of his own medicine.
Completely Un-Sixer-Related News of the Day: Today is the World Cup Final!
Three videos in one link post?! Talk about the greatest day ever! Anyway, in honor of today being the World Cup final, why not check out a highlight video of the Netherlands' premier striker, Robin Van Persie. If you have a vuvuzela, it is encouraged you use it throughout the duration of the video, and that big meeting you have at work tomorrow. I promise it will go over smoothly. Girl scouts honor.
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Because he hadn’t played a real basketball game in over four months, and for a guy like him he probably didn’t even do any work outs.
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
They were saying during the broadcasts that many agents tell their players not to work out because they do not want them getting hurt.
When you’re locked into the second spot in the draft, there’s not a whole lot of working out you can do anyway. It makes sense, but it also makes sense as to why he’s not in game shape come Summer league.
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Not that it means all too much, but Jrue was named in the Summer League first team, and the Jodiac Killer was named in the second team.
I’m still pissed Lou was robbed of MVP a few years back.
by Jordan Sams on Jul 11, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
For the whole season?
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jul 11, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I can mayk jokez?
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jul 11, 2010 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Fact: Evan Turner has a laboratory.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn
The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jul 11, 2010 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
All Villains have a laboratory don’t they?
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions
They aren’t so much villains as just horrible.
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
How villainous can one be if falling for the cute adorable Felicia Day?
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I can’t find a video of the song I wanted to post in a reply so here’s some lyrics instead.
wait till turner meets teh real nba greats, like kobe etc. He’s struggling against scrubs, hold your breath.
Yes, let’s over react to summer league a little bit more, shall we?
by SportingFanaticism on Jul 11, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
now thats how its done:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AoNhfSr0LtEkw3jQScE5mQO8vLYF?slug=mc-walldebut071110
Pitino's 1987-88 Knicks
An idea popped into my head recently: maybe Collins’ plan for this year’s Sixers is inspired by Pitno’s 1987-88 Knicks teams. Pitino was able to get an immediate improvement in that Knicks team by turning them into an NBA version of what Nolan Richardson does in the NCAA. Those teams tried to out-run and pressure the other team the entire game on defense and on offense. It’s not a strategy that works in the NBA to win champsionships but it can be effective during the regular season, if a team has suitable starters and bench, to win some extra games and also keep up fan interest in a non-contending team. Having a strong defensive backcourt also helps a lot.
This is just a speculation on my part. But here are a few pieces of consistent evidence:
1) Collins said that the first step was to make the Sixers once again “relevant” to the fans.
2) SammyD trade landed the Sixers two more roster players, one a wing or small ball PF who can shoot from the outside.
3) Selection of Turner.
4) Apparent emphasis in Orlando on running the guys ragged.
5) Particular displeasure with Turner and benching him when he wasn’t running up the court in Orlando.
6) Stefanski’s comment that Collins had asked for depth and competition for playing time at as many positions as possible.
7) No attempt so far to land a big man that was particularly strong at slow motion half court defense.
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