Sixers & Pistons Talk Of Starting Fast In Game 4
So much of the talk at both the 76ers and Pistons practices on Saturday centered on the first five minutes of Game 4. Both Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney said that the first five minutes will be crucial.
"We have to be ready in the fi
Sixers & Pistons Talk Of Starting Fast In Game 4
So much of the talk at both the 76ers and Pistons practices on Saturday centered on the first five minutes of Game 4. Both Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney said that the first five minutes will be crucial.
"We have to be ready in the first five minutes," Iguodala said.
Added Carney, "I think the first five minutes will determine how the game will go."
The thinking is that the Pistons were pounded, 95-75 in Game 3, and will want to come out strong and make a statement in the beginning of the game.
Pistons coach Flip Saunders also mentioned the importance of gaining early momentum.
"In their two wins, the Sixers got off to good starts early," Saunders said.
That's not entirely true. In the Sixers 90-86 win in Game 1, Detroit led 27-22 after one quarter and 51-38 at halftime.
And in the Sixers' 95-75 win on Friday, the score was tied, 20-20 after one period.
Still, the point is, that Detroit must re-establish itself after getting embarrassed on Friday.
The Sixers will try to build on the momentum. Either way, it might be placing too much on the early porition of the game and not enough on the late stages.
In both losses, Detroit faded in the second half. The Pistons were outscored 52-35 in the second half of Game 1 and 51-35 in the second half on Friday.
What this seems to indicate is that the team with the younger legs, the Sixers, has been the one in control in the second half of both wins.
So while the start of any game is important, the Sixers have proven that the finish might be more crucial.
Here are some random thoughts on other topics.
ITEM: Many have voiced their displeasure with the new format of the blog. Morty among others asked if anything can be done.
RESPONSE: Change is always difficult, but this is the way it's going to be. The other format was easier for me, but my view has been to make the best of it. For those who have followed us over here, your participation is greatly appreciated. If there are any specific complaints, please email them to me (mnarducci@phillynews.com) and they will be forwarded to the appropriate people.
ITEM: The other day The Greek noted that one of the blog posts was done at 3:47 a.m. He suggested that somebody took over the blog and began posting.
RESPONSE: No, that was me. The reason for the early post was simple. After falling asleep early the night before (following five nights in Auburn Hills, Michigan), this reporter was awakened by his cat at 3 a.m. who wanted to eat.
Anybody with a hungry animal, realizes that it's easier to feed the little critter than to continue to hear him crying for food. It was too difficult to return to sleep, so it was as good a time as any to work on the blog.
ITEM: Xing writes that Flip Saunders may find himself on the unemployment line if the Sixers eliminate the Pistons.
RESPONSE: Book it.
ITEM: Where are all those people who complained about Reggie Evans earlier this year?
RESPONSE: Evans' warrior mentality has been one of the biggest reasons the Sixers lead this series. And lost in how well he is playing is how Thaddeus Young is excelling in his first postseason. Young is averaging 10.3 points in the first three playoff games and has been outstanding in the first quarters, when many of his teammates have not gotten off to quick starts.
Who would have thought that after three games, that Evans and Young would be averaging more points than Andre Iguodala?
ITEM: Speaking of Iguodala, there has been the expected backlash with the way he has played this series (7 for 33 shooting).
RESPONSE: There is no question he has been pressing and it's why he has committed 12 turnovers. For the Sixers to have the lead, with him playing below par, has to actually be encouraging. And it says here that Iguodala will bounce back. Write him off at your own risk.
By the way, one other admirable trait of Iguodala is that he doesn't hide when things aren't going well. He is a stand-up guy who has faced the constant questions of his slump.
ITEM: Ed Rosenberg writes that the Sixers can win this series and whether it happens remains to be seen. Ed points out that the Sixers know they can win it.
RESPONSE: Ed, no question in their minds now, they know they can win it. The Sixers won't admit it, but it seems as if they entered the series thinking they could be competitive. None of the players were making foolish predictions, but there was a feeling that they could compete. Three games is a big enough sample to make the players realize they can not only compete, but win. Who knows what will happen, but as Ed mentions, it's going to be very interesting and very exciting.
ITEM: More and more are writing in about the need to extend Andre Miller.
RESPONSE: Of all the moves, none would be more important than extending Miller. If it doesn't happen and he departs after next season, the Sixers will take a serious step back. This should be priority No. 1 in the offseason.
Marc, good comments in all. Seems like the regulars + are now back on board with this new format. No big deal once you sign up. Can put the nail in the coffin tonight.— sfw- Marc, Good point about 2nd half. Where separation has taken place. Saunders might be wise to use his bench more. Where's Juan Dixon & Jarvis Hayes? *** Reggie Evans without playoff adrenaline is Joe Lunchpail minus the thermos, an eminently moveable piece in the long view. His highly-motivated, turbo play in gms 1-3 has driven Sixers though. *** While Iguodala may be a stand-up guy before the Press, his court demeanor at times is fractious and impetuous towards both referees and teammates; much room for improvement there. *** Miller has been a great influence for the most part. But what will it take to sign the 32 year-old PG who provides no deep, floor-spreading threat and who faces the bulldog defender, Time? Also, the admittedly "West Coast guy" might be inclined to land there to close his career. Any insight on that? *** Tonight's game has fascinating appeal; many subplots, much on the line.— jjg
- Marc, I don't know that I would extend Miller beyond one more year. I think he will get a better offer than that, so I don't know if I would even try to extend him at all. As JJG said, he is a 32 year old PG who can't spread the floor. That said, he has easily been the team's MVP and should receive significant praise for his play this season. We all spoke a lot about Calderon earlier this season - I think he would be a good fit at the point or someone younger who can shoot it a little bit. I just think he will demand more than he is worth at this point in his career. Also, JJG is right about him being a West Coast guy. Side note: Collison is going back to school.— hugh
- Jumpin, good point about Dixon, he is experienced and a perimeter threat, now a better option than Afflalo. In the world of the agent its tough to negotiate with more than one player at a time, wish we could get Lou and the 2 Dre!s in a room together and come to a salary solution. Hinrich in Chicago has a contract that actually decreases in value, the only one I!ve seen, that type of deal could work for A.Miller.The further we go this year, the better leverage A.Miller will have. It means we are close. Hugh, one of the issues everybody has is if Thad, Iggy, and A.Miller are our 3,2, and 1 how will we spread the floor, it is a concern but this series is answering the question partly. We seem to have an identity that doesn!t include the long shot, but is based on defense and scoring enough to win; adding a solid 15 to 20 low post threat may be enough to get us to as championship. One thing about Reggies play in this series, besides energy he is actually providing points, he is improving offensively at a time when defense gets tougher, the playoffs; can this carry over to next year?— seude
- Jumpin, good point about Dixon, he ie experienced and a perimeter threat. Wish we could get A.MILL., Iggy and L.Will. in a room together and work out a salary solution.[ 10,12, and 6 ?]. Hinrich has a contract that decreases in value, a good solution for A.Miller. Hugh, the issue next year of Thad, Iggy and A.Mill. at the 3,2, and 1 is always the spreading of the floor on offense. But the personality of this team is defense and getting enough scoring to win. If they win this series without a true low post threat then I, for one, don!t feel it is a need to have a starter that can shoot the 3. A 3 pt. threat off the bench to go with Carney would work for me. By the way, besides energy, Reggie is also supplying points in the postseason, when defense gets tougher. Could this continue next year?— seude
- Hope Iggy can bounce back like Josh Smith did last night, its amazing what playing in front of the home crowd does for a player.— seude
- seude, I've liked Dixon since Maryland days. Small, liability on D, but shoots with nerve and seems to have the winning sense. Sixers and summer dollar distribution is their conundrum - AI, AM, LW plus PF & shooter need. I lean towards hugh's idea of short-term Miller signing but why would AM settle for that? After season he's had, he's in the catbird seat [thanks, James Thurber and Red Barber] at the negotiating table. Calderon or Lowry would be nice addition if Miller heads elsewhere.— jjg
- Unless we sign a free agent PG or get one via trade, we must extend Miller. I don't see anyone we have now stepping into that role and giving us what Miller does night in and night out. Keep him around a couple more years to give us time to draft/trade for/sign a free agent/develop someone capable of taking over for him.— bski
- Jumpin, there are some interesting p.g.!s coming out but the issue is ,whoever we draft, has to be able to score the ball. Don!t know if you saw J.Gordon at all but he has a "ballsy" attitude like Billups has and is raw but with Cheeks and A.Mill. as teachers it would be nice to add a young pt. in the 2nd round, using the Utah pick to get a 2nd rounder, that can be groomed to take over in 2 years. Question, can L.Will. start at the point for this team if they allow the offense to run through Iggy at the 2, ala P.Pressey, for say 20 min. a night in the future, maybe our pt. guard is already here.— seude
- Suede----That's a lot of questions. Do we want a questionable PG in Lou and do we really want Iggy at SG and to run the offense through him? As you say, maybe our PG is already here but are you willing to take a chance at ending the progress we've made thus far or possibly going backwards to find out?— bski
- Bski, I would resign A.Miller for 4 years at app. 8 mill. if possible but as Hugh said earlier, is he a west coast guy.By the way, with a lot of quick ,young pt. guards in the west does it hurt A.Miller!s chances of going out west. I thought the Kidd trade was not a good move because of Paul, Parker and Conley in the future.Portland for example wants to upgrade at pt. but can they bring in A.Mill. knowing he will have to guard Paul and Parker in the playoffs? The east is a better fit for A.Miller. Bski, just putting out an option if A.Miller wanted to leave.— seude
- I wouldn't want a starting backcourt of Williams & Iguodala (in Pressey role) as possession of ball is paramount. Also, getting ball into right hands in right spot isn't a johnny-come-lately, easily developed skill. If not Miller, team will need a true point guard replacement. suede, Saw only a glimpse of Gordon; heard his play didn't match rep.— jjg
- Suede---I got you. I'm just battling the idea that it's no big thing or we may actually be better off if we move Miller. We've all seen it happen many times where a team moves a player to fill what they see as a bigger need (like us at PF) only to then need to try to figure out how to fill the hole they created by moving the first player. I'm not saying that Miller brings everything at the PG. Yes, it would be nice if he were a consistent 3-pt threat, but every other PG out there has deficiencies as well. I really believe that Miller is one of those players who makes many contributions to a team that may not directly appear in his stats. His true value shows in the improvement of the stats of his teammates. I also believe that even though we see what he does, we will not fully realize everything he brings until he is no longer here doing it for us. Obviously, after he's gone, it will be to late.— bski
- Jumpin, Iggy is far from ready to make Pressey like decisions, hopefully in the future. I have some good trade possibilities but refuse to discuss till after this great run is over. What does Flip do tonight? He doesn!t strike fear in my heart like other coaches might. Does Mcdyess possibly beintg out help or hurt them? Maxiel in short bursts seems more effective for them, and if he gets big minutes do we have to play Reggie more?— seude
- Missing McDyess would definitely hurt Detroit. McDyess and Sheed hiiting from 18ft, like they were in game 2, gives us lots of trouble. Tough covers for Dalembert, Evans, Thad, etc... when they're out there. Also, when that happens the Pistons play inside out with their bigs hitting jumpers and opening up driving lanes for their guards in the paint (remember Prince in game 2).— bski
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.
