Sixers Blow Out Bobcats With Will Smith In Attendance
The perfect medicine for the Philadelphia 76ers following their worst loss of the season was a home date with the league-worst Charlotte Bobcats. The Sixers jumped out to an early lead, led 23-10 after a quarter and were able to shift to cruise control for the majority of the second half. The final 17 point margin is no real indicator of how close this game was or wasn't, as the Bobcats were able to make a late run on the Graveyard Shift – whom deprived the starving Fresh Princes in attendance of Big Macs by scoring only 12 fourth quarter points. The Sixers led by as many as 30 midway through the fourth quarter.
The win improves the Sixers' record to 13-6 on the season and 9-2 on their home floor. Outside of the Nets game on Wednesday the Sixers have been able to take care of business in a big way against inferior opponents – none more inferior than the 3-17 Bobcats. They'll play another bad team tomorrow night when the Pistons come to town before a tumultuous seven game stretch in which they will play teams with a combined record of 87-42 – a far cry from the second easiest schedule the team has enjoyed thus far.
Against such a bad team, it's difficult to take anything meaningful away from the game, especially when the game was essentially over in four minutes. However; that won't stop me from trying. Make the jump for some individual player observations.
- Jrue Holiday turned in yet another lackluster stat line, scoring 15 points on 14 shots, only shooting two free throws (on a non-shooting foul) and matching his three assists with three turnovers. I've been criticizing Jrue all season long for forcing jumpers and settling for long two pointers. Tonight, however, he attacked the basket more than I've seen all season. Unfortunately his increased penetration did not result in any free throws, and he missed a handful of layups, but I applaud Jrue for consistently taking the ball to the basket rather than settling for long, contested jump shots. If he keeps attacking the results will come. He needs to learn the skill of how to create contact though, a la Louis Williams and Allen Iverson.
- Speaking of Lou-Will, he led the team in scoring with 17 points (on 12 shots), including at least two, maybe three, consecutive "and 1s".
- Andre Iguodala scored only 9 points (on 9 shots), had 6 assists and 4 rebounds. His lockdown defense was not needed tonight, but he was able to impact the game with his underrated passing ability. There were several "extra passes" Andre made tonight which resulted in ultra easy baskets for his teammates. Jodie – who hit three threes – was the recipient, more often than not.
- Craig Brackins and Francisco Elson both played and both recorded a blocked shot on Bismack Biyombo. Sisqo also led the team in random, standing applause from the bench. He even flashed the patented "showyaluv" sign. Aren't you required to be on the team for more than 38 seconds before you're authorized to participate in such a sacred tradition?
- Lavoy Allen was the big story of the night. The Temple product and the worst player in the entire NBA, according to ESPN, played an impactful 28 minutes, in which he recorded 8 points and 7 rebounds (5 offensive). His work on the offensive glass was very impressive tonight, often tipping the back to teammate, giving the Sixers second chance opportunities, and his jump shot is very pure. Like most Sixers big men, he's not a banger in the paint, and he's not going to shoot a lot of free throws, but he's an effective pick n' pop player and does have a little "Dream Shake" esque move in his repertoire, which he unleashed late in tonight's game. I will caution you, however, Marc Zumoff – a Temple man himself – will somehow convince everyone that Lavoy is better than he really is. It's clear Zumoff loves Allen and he makes sure you (the viewer) knows every positive thing Allen does, almost like a Little League dad. "Look at the high five Lavoy just gave Noce on the bench! You can't teach that, Malik!"
- Malik Rose was also in top form tonight, busting out our "Graveyard Shift" term live on the air. Good for him.
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Love Will
But for me the player of the game was Nocioni draining that VERY critical free throw at the end of the game to make sure the Sixers covered that ridiculous 16 point spread.
Looking past the Pistons (who just lost in OT vs ATL) the Magic look horrendous and just lost to the Hornets (in NO) 93-67, so hopefully that bodes well for Monday.
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76ers are 2-4 vs. winning teams and 11-2 vs. losing teams. 13 of their next 19 games are against winning teams.
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by PhiladelphiaEagles on Jan 27, 2012 7:41 PM PST reply actions
Lavoy Allen
Is he a legit NBA backup “4”? That’s the only interesting question tonight’s game might have helped to answer. Tyrus Thomas isn’t great, but he’s not a complete stiff either, so be able to do what he did is fairly impressive. If he can provide another option for Collins to use at the PF spot when he goes to the bench it will provide flexibility and might particularly help against teams with the kinds of big frontlines that can give Thad trouble. Given my druthers I’d prefer a Tyler Hansbrough or Reggie Evans type banger as an extra big man, but even a guy who duplicates many of the skills the top 4 bring to the table can be valuable.
What does it say about the front office that every big they have brought in over the last 4 years is a guy who lives on long jumpers and most have had questions about hear, foot-speed or both.
Speights, Hawes, Voose and Allen.
I’m not so much hating on the individual players. They all seem to be decent pick-ups given what the team spent for them, and they all can help a team.
My bigger issue is that a team with Jrue, Iggy and Turner would benefit from an athletic big who can finish easy looks in traffic. Yet the Sixers seem to have a different approach. I guess they figure a big who can pass and spread the floor will open up driving lanes. And to some degree they are right.
I noticed that Collins wasn’t that pleased with Jrue in a couple of occasions, he’s putting pressure on him and I believe in the end it will pay off, I expect Jrue to flourish in the second porton of the season.
Jrue may be young, but he has played starters minutes for more than 2 full seasons. I’m not worried about Collins having a short string given that Jrue gets his minutes and the replacement (Lou) is a great scorer and change of pace. Jrue is far enough into his career where he needs to trim the fat from his game- much like what Thad did last season. I think Collins work with Jrue will pay major dividends in the future- maybe the near future. And I think Jrue can take playing for a tough coach- but I guess we will have to wait and see.
The bigger question is can Turner handle that type of coaching? He has regressed some since his hot start.
Question I have is when either Hawes or Vuce get back(sounds like it will be Hawes first) who comes off the bench first Allen or Battie?
The Legend
probably Battie. It would be uncharacteristic of Collins to put a rookie in front of a veteran on the depth chart. Voose goes out before Battie because his skill-set is more like Hawes’ than Battie’s.
"If Iguodala were a legitimate "true" 17 PPG scorer, we’d be a better team. When at least 8 of those points come off the fast break, his true offensive production is a reality: 8-11 PPG." - LeQuan Glover
Lavoy Allen-bert anybody?
"I quit school in the 6th grade because of pneumonia. Not because I had it, but because I couldn't spell it."
by secondroundpick on Jan 28, 2012 10:32 AM PST reply actions
What this team is really lacking is a slow-footed 7 foot white guy…we need the Kamenator
by Blunt Philly Guy on Jan 28, 2012 10:49 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions

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