Sixers Again Looking To Rebound
The 76ers have shown they can bounce back from one demoralizing loss. Now they have to prove they can do it again.
Even Maurice Cheeks admitted that it was difficult not to look ahead when the Sixers led the Pistons by 10 at halftime of Sund
Sixers Again Looking To Rebound
The 76ers have shown they can bounce back from one demoralizing loss. Now they have to prove they can do it again.
Even Maurice Cheeks admitted that it was difficult not to look ahead when the Sixers led the Pistons by 10 at halftime of Sunday's 93-84 defeat. Now the Sixers are back to their accustomed underdog role.
If Detroit comes back to win this series, everybody will point to the Pistons 34-18 third quarter.
Remember, the Sixers bounced back from a demoralizing 105-88 loss in Game 2.
The difference is that the Sixers trailed that game by 17 at halftime. Sunday's loss looked like a win, especially since Detroit appeared to sleep-walk through the first half.
So now the Pistons have some real life. The Sixers shouldn't be counted out just yet, but here's stating the obvious - they need to get some production from Andre Iguodala.
He's shooting just 22.4 percent for the series and has missed all nine three point attempts. Tayshaun Prince has been the most dominant player in the series and he has put the clamps on Iguodala.
Sure, Detroit has done a good job on help defense, but Prince has enhanced his reputation as one of the best defensive players in the NBA.
Time is running out on Iguodala To his credit, he will continue attacking, but it won't do the team any good if he's forcing shots.
Of all the developments in this series, Iguodala's disappearance has been the most stunning and disappointing of an otherwise interesting series.
Comments (58)
KM: the only problem with the "fast hands" lineup is that it's only effective when those guys are fresh and active, so they can only play a certain amount of minutes together. Once they tire, the lack of rebounding in that lineup (worst of all being Jason Smith, who would be a poor rebounder at SF, never mind C) becomes a liability. I totally agree with your assessment of how Iguodala should be used. Despite what other people are saying now, he's still the Sixers' best creator in the halfcourt. I thought he did that well in the 1st quarter last night, setting up Sam for a layup and Thad for an open jumper, but then I missed the 2nd quarter and came back for the train wreck in the 2nd half. Also, posting him in isolation against Prince isn't going to work either -- Prince has 4 inches on him, plus long arms and good positioning. His best chance against Prince is to take advantage of the one advantage he has against Prince, which is speed: penetrate and kick or draw contact, as you say. The other players have to help him out by getting into scoring position when he does that.— Statman- Statman - I don't think we should even be talking about Iguodala doing anything offensively against Prince. I think what Iggy has over Prince in foot speed is negated by Iggy's lack of creativity in his ball handling coupled with Prince's good perimeter defense. Iggy has pretty much one move off the dribble, hesitate and go. That usually works when he is hitting the jumper and ppl lean when he gives them the hesitation like he might shoot it. Not in this series. He has gotten to the cup a couple times driving hard one way and spinning back but that's been about it. ----------- what I would love to see is Cheeks start using A. Miller as a screener for Iggy in hopes that Prince and Billups switch then lets see what he can do with that match up. That is if we still want to talk about Iggy's offense getting on track.— ReclinerGM
- Statman - I don't think we should even be talking about Iguodala doing anything offensively against Prince. I think what Iggy has over Prince in foot speed is negated by Iggy's lack of creativity in his ball handling coupled with Prince's good perimeter defense. Iggy has pretty much one move off the dribble, hesitate and go. That usually works when he is hitting the jumper and ppl lean when he gives them the hesitation like he might shoot it. Not in this series. He has gotten to the cup a couple times driving hard one way and spinning back but that's been about it. ----------- what I would love to see is Cheeks start using A. Miller as a screener for Iggy in hopes that Prince and Billups switch then lets see what he can do with that match up. That is if we still want to talk about Iggy's offense getting on track.— ReclinerGM
- IGGY IS KILLING US! ALL NIGHT HE DRIVES IN THE PAINT INTO THREE DEFENDERS MISS SHOTS. HE MUST BE GETTING PAID BY THE MOB! MOE PLEASE BENCH HIM, IF JUST TO GET HIM TO REFOCUS ON THE GAME! HIS HEAD IS NOT IN THE GAME! HE TRYING TO BE THE STAR! IGGY, TALKING OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS NECK, SAYING HE CAN DO OTHER THINGS, YET TAKING MORE SHOTS AND MISSING THEM. EVERY TIME HE HAD THE BALL IN HIS HAND HE TRIED TO SHOOT IT. INSTEAD OF PASSING TO THE OPEN MAN! AT LEAST WHEN THE BENCH WAS PLAYING, THE SIXERS HAD BALL MOVEMENT. IF WE DON'T PLAY OUR BENCH MORE THIS SERIES IS OVER. AND MY PREDICTION I MADE ON THIS BLOG WILL BE TRUE SIXERS 2 WINS. PLEASE SIXERS DON'T LET THIS PREDICTION COME TRUE!— cosmic
- IGGY IS KILLING US! ALL NIGHT HE DRIVES IN THE PAINT INTO THREE DEFENDERS MISS SHOTS. HE MUST BE GETTING PAID BY THE MOB! MOE PLEASE BENCH HIM, IF JUST TO GET HIM TO REFOCUS ON THE GAME! HIS HEAD IS NOT IN THE GAME! HE TRYING TO BE THE STAR! IGGY, TALKING OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS NECK, SAYING HE CAN DO OTHER THINGS, YET TAKING MORE SHOTS AND MISSING THEM. EVERY TIME HE HAD THE BALL IN HIS HAND HE TRIED TO SHOOT IT. INSTEAD OF PASSING TO THE OPEN MAN! AT LEAST WHEN THE BENCH WAS PLAYING, THE SIXERS HAD BALL MOVEMENT. IF WE DON'T PLAY OUR BENCH MORE THIS SERIES IS OVER. AND MY PREDICTION I MADE ON THIS BLOG WILL BE TRUE SIXERS 2 WINS. PLEASE SIXERS DON'T LET THIS PREDICTION COME TRUE!— cosmic
- Iggy is doing so many things wrong right now. Turnovers, poor decision making on passes, poor "handle"; ineffective defense on Prince, ill-advised-falling away, off balance jump shots while kicking one leg up. He keeps trying to get to basket, but is too-often out of control with no apparent idea how to get off an open shot. Then, he throws a desperate pass to someone. There are so many things for him to work on this off season. I would love for him to learn that little jump shot that Iverson perfected -- going to his left across paint and falling away from basket. That shot would be unstopable. But he has to stop putting so much arc on the shot. Right now, he barrels into people and looks bewildered when he loses the ball and no call is make -- unless perhaps a charge call. Yes, I continue to be very frustrated watching him.— gba
- gba: big time reversion from Igoudala. Hurting his money, his is.— Morty_
- It hasn't often been true this season, but Andre Miller played poorly. Billups stats weren't tremendous but he out-asserted AM, was more imposing throughout the contest. Find it curious that no one commented regarding the shift in play. Miller's besting or, at least, neutralizing Billups had been big until last night.— jjg
- jjg: You are right, Miler has been the Sixers MVP so far this series, and had a "off" game last night. I guess we have been spolied by his consistency.— Morty_
- To continue to pile on Igoudala, I noticed seevral times in the 2nd half where he ignored the open man in the corner (open because of the double team on him) while he forced a drive or a shot.— Morty_
- Statman, i can see what you're saying about the "fast hands" lineup, especially about rebounding. Jason Smith in particular makes me shake my head, because there are definitely isolated times when he's feeling aggressive and will take down an impressive board or two, but for the most part he just seems lost in that dept. My feeling is that his footwork & positioning are just bad, he was probably able to rely on size and athleticism in college. He needs to spend the summer working out with reggie... ***paragraph**** I still feel like there needs to be more mixing, though, especially in last nite's third quarter i thought keeping the same 5 out there with just one sub (reggie) for the first 8-10 minutes really killed us, and none of them were really boarding anyway... ***paragraph*** also agree with your point that the team is not responding to doubles well by coming back to the guy getting doubled. ***paragraph***— K,M
- the pistons respected igoudala's role with the 6ers and defended him as a threat. he responded with utter confusion on the court in every way. he needs to get that j out of his mind and focus on his positives. hopefully he'll look in the mirror and ask for less money. if he still demands the the max he has to go.— dbeas
- Jumpin and Hugh, Earlier in the series it was stated that the guards were to jump out at Wallace so Sam could control the lane, he is doing what the coaches want him to do. Thad and Reggie at the forward spots would take away their rebounding advantage and make us better defensively.— seude
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About this blog
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.
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