Former Sixer Evans, Hurts His Old Team
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Former Sixer Evans, Hurts His Old Team
Yes, Chris Paul was spectacular, hitting the game-winning shot that Andre Iguodala said he almost blocked, but a major factor in the 76ers’ 78-77 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers was the play of somebody who failed to score and took just one shot.
That would be former Sixer Reggie Evans, who provided 10 rebounds, five on both the offensive and defensive glass, in a little over 19 minutes.
Evans and Kenyon Martin each had three rebounds in the fourth quarter in which the Clippers outscored the Sixers 18-16 and outrebounded them 12-6.
“We had problems all night coming up with loose balls and they did good job of offensive rebounding and that is something teams try to key on us and use it as one of our weaknesses,” Iguodala said. “It’s another learning experience in that department aand we have to get better.”
Evans doesn’t have much finesse but he and Martin provided a major element of toughness.
Martin only had three points in just over 23 minutes, but like Evans, he was a major factor.
It wasn’t just the rebounds, but Evans was diving all over the court and both players were also double-teaming the Sixers. That proved especially beneficial on the final play when Martin helped Paul trap Lou Williams, who was unable to get a shot off in the final 3.2 seconds.
“This was a game where we were able to beat them to the ball,” Evans said. “They were playing us at times with four guards so we had to take advantage of our size.”
The Clippers needed the type of hustle plays that Evans and Martin provided, especially with three starters struggling on offense. Blake Griffin, Carol Butler and Randy Foye were a combined 14 for 41 from the field.
As a team, the Clippers shot 38.8 percent form the field and were just 2 for 19 (10.5 percent from beyond the arc.
On most nights that isn’t enough, but the Clippers played great defense on a night where anything less would have resulted in a L.
“They just physically were so strong for us around the basket,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said. “We just couldn’t come up with some rebounds.”
And in turn, couldn’t come up with a winnable game.
In the end Paul, who scored 24 points, couldn’t be stopped but neither could two others who combined to take three shots and but had a major impact on a hard-fought victory.
The loss is on you Doug Collins. Your less than democratic treatment of Evan Turner isn't going unnoticed.— scmona
Never saw a guy who didn't score a point have the impact Evans had here in this game...His rpm's were revved up way farther than anything the Sixers had to offer, and he threw Thad Young around like a rag doll....Kenyon Martin too was an asset, guarding Lou Williams high on the perimeter and punching Nic Vucevic in the nose...pure,unadulterated mayhem...They'd both be perfect in those All-State commercials.— bearsfriend- Rebounding is effort and Evans never leaves the game not working up a sweat. Our substitutions were bad and the offense has really struggled to create good shots the last 2 games. The Clippers aren't a great defensive team - but we made them look stellar— 7mel11
- When the Sixers are not able to transition up tempo basketball off of live ball turnovers, and the other team figures out and disrupts Lou WIlliams off of the high post screens (both Evans and Martin jumped out high and threw him right off)...the the Sixers offense is truly in touble (and has been) without the consistent offensive play Hawes was able to give early in the season, especially with EB mired in cement shoes...Even more the reason why DC's pulling of Evan Turner seemed odd at 6:30 in the first half after his second foul...As promising as the Sixers are, the limits against the better teams have surfaced some. — bearsfriend
- Time to tighten up the ship and not get careless.— Powelton villager
- soft = democratic treatment.— Bigkahuna3131
- You have to be able to see a double team coming ahead of time and get rid of the ball. The final play was emblematic of what was happening the entire second half. The Sixers better figure that out and soon because now that this performance is on tape, you can rest assured that other teams will defend them the same way.— fightins4ever
- You are exactly right...with the extended pressure, the ball movement stopped...Again, the Sixers have not scored 100 for 10 games now, and yes, like teams figuring out to beat the Eagles you blitz Vick, teams are now blowing up the high post screens. — bearsfriend
- Why is there a comment after Evans' name in the title? Doesn't anyone edit here?
And I don't get why ET doesn't play more, it is getting frustrating to watch.— mjc1 - Sure the Sixers miss Reggie Evans hustle, strength and toughness but we did get Jason Kapono.— dervin
- Not saying Evan Turner is an all-star, but I don't think he'll develop by riding the bench.— DontBeFooled
- Evan Turner has some growing up to do. He had to in the college game and he needs to in the pro game. Doug is making him earn everything and it is working. Remember Evan was a total mess just last year. This year is much better, next year better still. Relax knuckleheads, Doug knows more about the game than you by far.— JBP
- What happened to Kate, she could write.— eaglescali
- Reggie Evans for Jason Kapono.. Another Ed Stefanski classic..— Zeru
- Its only a matter of time before the woodstock I love everyone act runs its course and a player asks to be traded.— Zeru
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.
