Sixers need to feed off Raptors win
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Sixers need to feed off Raptors win
Marc Narducci
Coach Doug Collins couldn’t have been more candid. The 76ers had just staged an impressive comeback win, beating the Toronto Raptors, 108-101 in overtime on Friday at the Wells Fargo Center and Collins was feeling pretty good about the effort (after halftime).
From a character standpoint, it was among the most impressive wins, simply because the Sixers appeared done on a number of occasions.
They trailed 60-43 at halftime and saw the deficit grow to 19 points early in the third quarter.
With just over five minutes left in regulation the Sixers were still down 10. They trailed by four points with 8.8 seconds left in regulation, yet despite their recent struggles, they never gave up.
Yet when asked after the game if the Sixers could feed of the momentum of this game, Collins replied, “I would like to think a game like this could really revitalize the guys, but we have not shown that.”
That is why this season has been so frustrating for Collins.
His team is 17-23 and he doesn’t know what he will get from many of the players on a nightly basis.
Just two players all season, Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young, have provided consistent play. Evan Turner has had his moments, but he has been far from consistent.
Holiday had 33 points, 14 assists and scored all 12 of the Sixers points in overtime. Young had 27 points and 14 rebounds. Both each contributed three steals.
“Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young were brilliant,” Collins said.
For the Sixers to start putting together a run, the other players have to provide more assistance.
Even though Turner, Young, Holiday, Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes are the only holdovers from last season, the Sixers can’t use the excuse that they are still getting used to the new faces.
“That definitely should go out the window,” Jason Richardson said, referring to the excuse that the players were still getting accustomed to one another. “We definitely haven’t been playing up to the capabilities we’re supposed to and we know that.”
So Richardson said the team has no excuses for its inconsistency.
“This is on us,” he said.
So it will be interesting to see if the Sixers will gain some needed momentum by the win over the Raptors. What is known is that if they don’t feed off such a hard-fought victory, then it will be yet another wasted opportunity in a season that has had its share of them.
-Marc Narducci
If this team does make the playoffs they have to avoid the #8 seed at all cost. Miami is a death sentence.— lonewolf 10
''''''''''''“Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young were brilliant,” Collins said.2 awesome games---Those 2 with AB-with ET as a facilitator and you can see a very-very good team--Jrue made a foolish alley opp pass with @ 45 secs left in reg--Last yr he prob would have sulked--this year -it made him stronger--.
He demolished the raptors in the OT--and now you have to say--even the detractors--that he is the man for the sixers .They just have to bring it every game........
So Richardson said the team has no excuses for its inconsistency.
“This is on us,” he said."""""""""""'
So maybe they are waking up!!DC can not keep covering for them...............
Here is an update on some of the x-sixers.
Iggy-my favorite--is NOT even the 4th best offensive player on the Nuggs--defense ok but offensive--putrid.
Elton-a true warrior last few games for Mavs-Hou- OKC--all heart and is in there at the end of games........Nic -so-so game--11 and 9.
LOU WILL--Horrible---video below--left in a wheelchair-Knee quit on him-planted going up for a layup untouched.-D Rose jumped and planted--Lou was taking normal steps-(i actually remembered DC when it happened to Lou )-believe his was on the D end.Just shows the fragility of the players.Thats the link
http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/18/lou-williams-injury.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts
— HO HUM- Unless Bynum comes back and they go 25-5, this is a lottery team and if Doug can't see that it's time to go back to the booth. I think it's time to see what the young players are capable of, no more Ivey, Wilkens or Jrich what's the point? I want my future to grow and not be held back by players that are done— bgwille
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
