Brandon Jennings 33 helps Bucks down Sixers

by Derek Bodner on Mar 6, 2012 4:44 AM PST in Philadelphia 76ers Recaps

I just want to start this post off with two images.

First, check out the Sixers players positioning when Louis Williams started his final shot:

Here are the Sixers players positioning when he finally attempted the shot:

Jodie and Iguodala pinched up a little bit, but only because Lou got himself trapped by Brandon Jennings defense and very nearly lost the ball. Thaddeus Young also came up as an outlet valve but returned to his original location.

Three incredible bad things about these photos:

Nobody moved. Nobody. 15 solid seconds of Lou dribbling at the top of the key. A team based on screens and cuts allows 4 defenders to stand around and take the play off.
Outside of Thad, nobody is even in position to shoot. They're all standing round, hands to their side. They're essentially not even in the play.
Thad was actually very open. With enough time left on the shot clock for Lou to make the pass. Somehow, this one big entire mess of a play actually worked, but Lou either didn't see it or didn't care.

*sigh*

I'm not really sure what to say. Two weeks ago when the Sixers lost to the Grizzlies, I slept and wrote the recap in the morning, and it allowed me a slightly different perspective than had I written it immediately following the game. No such luck on this one. This was a game they should have won against a team they should have beaten that was playing poorly. There was so much negative in this game it's hard to take out anything positive.

The end of game struggles will get all the headlines, but the Sixers lost this game in the third quarter. After going up 8 with 6 and change to play, the Bucks went on a 14-4 run to end the third, then scored the first 6 in the 4th. The Sixers were playing up hill from there on out, and never did re-take the lead.
Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand were terrible on D. Jrue made just about every mistake imaginable. Going over screens when he should have gone under, not picking Jennings up in transition, not getting his hands up on jumpers, losing Jennings off the ball. Really bad showing by Jrue tonight in all aspects, which was interesting considering how much Jrue has dominated Jennings in past matchups.
Jodie Meeks made 3 three's and scored 13 points in his first game off the bench, but I'm willing to bet it was coincidental. I'd be surprised if this starting lineup sticks, and equally surprised if this is any kind of catalyst that gets Jodie out of his slump.
The two new starters were terrible. Turner shot 1-12 and didn't play particularly good defense. Nikola Vucevic was beaten every chance he could be by Drew Gooden and grabbed 1 defensive rebounding in 17+ minutes.
That being said, I'd continue to try it. What do the Sixers gain by reverting back to Jodie/Lavoy? Both of those players had ample chances to play well and have been struggling for a while. Might as well see if Turner/Vucevic can play their way into a comfort level.
The Sixers actually shot 27 shots at the rim and attempted 23 free throws. The Sixers have only attempted more than 27 field goals at the rim twice this year (28 in a win against Cleveland in what feels like eons ago, and 30 in a win against Atlanta).
To Lou's credit, he was fantastic in the 4th, and very nearly gave them a chance to win a game they had no business winning. But the last 2 possessions were horrible.

Overall, the team looked tired. They're 3-8 in their last 11 games, but things are not as bad as they appear, just like they weren't as good as they appeared earlier in the year. The Sixers have actually outscored their opponents (89.8 to 89.5) over the last 11 games. Eventually, a ball will bounce their way.

In short, they are who we thought they were, even if we allowed ourselves to hope for better when the year started.

Player of the game: Louis Williams

Next up: Wednesday, at home against Boston

76ers vs Bucks boxscore

Tweet Comment 27 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

sigh

by sixersace on Mar 6, 2012 5:23 AM PST reply actions

And this is where I blame coaching. If you are insistent on drawing up these bullcrap ISO plays for Lou then at least coach the team to move around and try and get open, create some space but instead they just stand there. Again and again.

This is the same stuff that drives me bonkers with Charlie Manuel and his bullpen usage. He continually does not put people in a position to succeed and Doug is doing the same thing.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Mar 6, 2012 5:48 AM PST reply actions

yeah but Charlie actually has the talent up front so that if he makes a mistake the team can still succeed.

"Start playing with some jam in here"

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Mar 6, 2012 6:16 AM PST up reply actions

That’s a big part of it absolutely.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Mar 6, 2012 6:55 AM PST up reply actions

team has no chemistry with lou will on the floor. they just stand there cause they know he's not passing it. why play hard if your not going to get any touches on offense.

by cifdog on Mar 6, 2012 5:59 AM PST reply actions

not true

lou actually has been solid with his passing this year. sadly, in the fourth he seems almost too focused on scoring. i’d like to see better sets as well but the real problem is that everyone else seems to have problems getting free from 4th qtr defense.

that said, all of the Lou Hate here is perplexing. he’s the only reason the game is close in the 4th and we blame him for not winning it? hmmm….

we need more consistent play from Jrue, and Elton and Evan to play better. PERIOD.

by Kushmir on Mar 6, 2012 7:54 AM PST up reply actions

this game was remarkable. of all the positive things turner has done, he finally cracks the starting lineup after showing doug that he too can bring the things that one jodie meeks brings to the table CONSISTENTLY. things like inconsistency, streaky shooting, and defensive liability.
Although, i think he now realizes that lavoy allen is a power forward, that didnt stop him from sticking to his guns on other issues like letting lou dribble the game away in the waning moments.
i love charlie manuel from an operations management standpoint because he sticks to his guys whether they are hot or cold and lets them play through it. ironically, i hate doug collins because he thinks he is sticking to the same philosophy. there is a difference between a rough streak and things simply not working. for the sixers, things are simply not working. without hawes (who remembers life with hawes in the first place), we have too many glaring holes and are struggling at this point to even hold it together.

ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...

by J.Michael Woodson on Mar 6, 2012 6:03 AM PST reply actions

Nobody moved. Nobody.

Based on your photo evidence it sure looks as though Jodie Meeks relocated on Lou’s penetration for what would be a wide open 3, that he probably misses, but that’s another story. Relocation 3’s off penetration or off offense rebounds are the highest percentage outside shots in basketball.

I love Clearwater...the trees are the right height

by DirtyWaters on Mar 6, 2012 6:27 AM PST reply actions

Based on your photo evidence it sure looks as though Jodie Meeks relocated on Lou’s penetration for what would be a wide open 3

Nope, as I mentioned in my write-up, Jodie and Iguodala moved up when Lou got trapped as an outlet valve. Nobody moved during Lou’s penetration. There was no other option.

Derek Bodner

SBN Philly || LibertyBallers || DraftExpress || NBAPlaybook.com
derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Follow @derekbodner

by Derek Bodner on Mar 6, 2012 7:09 AM PST up reply actions

You can tell they weren’t moving based off of his penetration by looking at the positioning of Jodie’s and Iguodala’s hands. They’re not even remotely in catch and shoot position.

Derek Bodner

SBN Philly || LibertyBallers || DraftExpress || NBAPlaybook.com
derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Follow @derekbodner

by Derek Bodner on Mar 6, 2012 7:12 AM PST up reply actions

I just watched it again and see what you mean. Jodie relocates way too early which all but nullifies that option. You can see what I mean though if Meeks had held his position. In relocating early, he actually moved Dunleavy, his defender, into better help side defense. Spacing is so simple but so important.

I love Clearwater...the trees are the right height

by DirtyWaters on Mar 6, 2012 7:25 AM PST up reply actions

i think jim lynam reinforced this but the elementary basketball move when a player penetrates is to slide toward the baseline to remain in his peripheral vision. lou doesn’t hit the open man, what makes jodie think he will get hit will some over the back of the head pass? so he wasn’t relocating for a three, he was simply getting out of the way. a true jodie meeks move.

ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...

by J.Michael Woodson on Mar 6, 2012 7:24 AM PST up reply actions

Again, he was neither relocating for a three or getting out of the way of the pass. Iguodala and Jodie came up to offer Lou a passing lane when he was trapped by Jennings and in danger of having to pick up his dribble.

Derek Bodner

SBN Philly || LibertyBallers || DraftExpress || NBAPlaybook.com
derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
Follow @derekbodner

by Derek Bodner on Mar 6, 2012 7:25 AM PST up reply actions

my point was that he did not make the obvious move here. regardless of why he did the wrong thing.

ok, now re-read in Doug Collins' voice...

by J.Michael Woodson on Mar 6, 2012 7:52 AM PST up reply actions

I don’t see the problem with this play other than Lou’s inability to execute. You have proper spacing on the floor which allows you take 2 defenders out of the play on the weak side. Brandon Jennings is not exactly the best perimeter defender in the world, so Lou should be able to drive past him with little problem. The play sets up as an option play for Lou where he drives and forces the defense to help off of Thad and sag off of Jodie, which it does…leaving him with three options in this order. 1) Pass the ball to Thad for the lay-up 2) Shoot his floater which he is pretty adept at making 3) kick the ball out to Jodie for a wide open relocation 3. The problem with this play is that he looked for option 2 before option 1.

I love Clearwater...the trees are the right height

by DirtyWaters on Mar 6, 2012 6:35 AM PST reply actions

#2 too alright.

by cifdog on Mar 6, 2012 6:45 AM PST up reply actions

Did you watch the game?

The possession before the last one Lou got into big time trouble & didn’t even look to pass but thankfully got bailed out with a foul & got to shoot 3 FTs, so I guess based on that the other players on the floor shouldn’t have even looked for the ball. Then on the last possession he again got into trouble with Jennings guarding him & he didn’t look to pass

Follow @kjbrophy

The Legend

by KJ Brophy on Mar 6, 2012 7:23 AM PST up reply actions

hence, Lou’s inability to execute

I love Clearwater...the trees are the right height

by DirtyWaters on Mar 6, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

lou is 1 for 15 or so in these situations this season now. lets try a new boss. preferably someone that drives and dishes to an open teammate.

by cifdog on Mar 6, 2012 6:48 AM PST reply actions

The thing that pisses me off is that it seems like no other players don’t even look for the ball, I went back & watched the Thad winner from a couple years ago against Orlando in the playoffs & at least people were looking to get the ball

Follow @kjbrophy

The Legend

by KJ Brophy on Mar 6, 2012 7:04 AM PST reply actions

against the bucks it shouldn't even have come down to a final possession.. giving up 97 points to them is unacceptable.

by cifdog on Mar 6, 2012 7:20 AM PST up reply actions

Deja Vu all over again

This is what I pointed out the last game. No off the ball movement in crunch time; either to get open for a shot or help a team mate in trouble. No sense of offense. No cutting, flashing, pick setting translates to iso-ball on a team without a premier iso-player.

by jedi929 on Mar 6, 2012 7:18 AM PST reply actions

He had Thad Young open. On Sunday Iguodala had Jrue and Lou open for the 3. This is unacceptable. This team has been playing with each other for 3-5 years. They should be familiar with where everyone is at all times.

Formerly known as The Pied Piper

Follow @tst69

by tst29 on Mar 6, 2012 7:45 AM PST reply actions

when lou is on the floor the mentality changes to a selfish team. gotta get your shots up while you can. cause once lou gets the ball he's chucking it up. 17 assists last night; low for playing the bucks. think they have 22 per game.

by cifdog on Mar 6, 2012 7:59 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe it is just confirmation bias, but I feel like Lou never sees the open player when he has the ball.

Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".

by Ben16 on Mar 6, 2012 8:03 AM PST reply actions

Doug Collins = Andy Reid

We suck.

I'm great like Gatsby.

by Clint Eastwood on Mar 6, 2012 8:04 AM PST via mobile reply actions

At least I picked up Faried in fantasy! Miss talking about that guy around here lol.
But seriously, disappointing game but let’s see how we show up on Wednesday we’re only a game and a half up on Boston.

by jrb5094 on Mar 6, 2012 8:49 AM PST reply actions