76ers magic number: one
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76ers magic number: one
As Elton Brand said after tonight's 108-97 win over the Houston Rockets, the end of this season will be filled with three kinds of opponents: teams that need to win to make the playoffs, teams that need to win to improve their seeding, and teams that don't need to do anything but show up.
The Rockets were that first kind of team, desperate for a win to stay alive in the Western Conference playoff race. Although you couldn't convince the Sixers, who asserted they needed the win just as much as the Rockets. Tonight's game seemed like a take-it-or-leave-it kind of game for the Sixers. Meaning, you really couldn't make too much judgement if the Sixers didn't beat Houston tonight. The Rockets had been scoring all kinds of points, making a mad dash to pass the Memphis Grizzlies for that eighth spot in the Western Conference. Houston came in with a better record than the Sixers. But whatever this game looked like on the surface, it looked very different to the Sixers themselves.
"We needed it more than Houston, we needed it way more than Houston," said Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday. "I think our team really wants to be in the playoffs. I know I do. It’ll be my first time, just the atmosphere, everybody has been talking about it. I’m excited, I’m ready for it."
Seems like this focus came from coach Doug Collins, who said something similar after the game.
"I felt, I told our guys to me this game was just as important to us as to them," Collins said. "They’re trying to get in, we’re trying to keep moving up. I don’t want it to be where we have to look and see if someone helped us."
This is like a phenomenal feat of motivation by Collins. Everyone on this roster knows exactly how many games are left and exactly what the odds are the Sixers won't make the playoffs (like, below 1 percent, much, much below). The team beat the Bulls on Monday and, really, no one would have said much if they didn't beat the Rockets tonight, especially given the situation for each team and the Rockets in particular. How Collins has managed to keep this team chugging after the playoffs as if it's miles away is really quite something.
Sixers don't need anyone else's help to make the playoffs. They could have clinched tonight if the Cleveland Cavaliers had beaten the Charlotte Bobcats. Instead, it stands like this: if the Sixers beat the New Jersey Nets on Friday, they're in. Would have been nice for the Sixers to clinch before April, something they probably haven't done since the early 2000's, but that's just a little cosmetic detail in the grand scheme of this season.
Collins said after tonight's game that power forward Elton Brand was "sick as a dog" which explains why he watched the game from the end of the bench. Thaddeus Young, who strained his groin against the Chicago Bulls, looked exactly like he did the first three quarters against Chicago -- awesome. He's been lightning quick to the rim since he and Lou Williams struggled against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday afternoon. Lou got himself mostly back on track (6 for 12 tonight), but there's still something shakey about his jumper right now.
Seems like we've all accepted that Marreese Speights isn't going to be much of a factor the rest of the season, or in the playoffs, but tonight's DNP for Evan Turner was a little surprising. Collins has said he wants to give Nocioni some minutes, even said he discussed using Nocioni in the playoffs with Rod Thorn and Ed Stefanski, but Nocioni really isn't doing anything more with the playing time than Turner would do. That's the impression I've had lately, anyway. Seems like it's six in one, half dozen in the other, so you'd think Turner would get those minutes. I'd be surprised if Turner doesn't get a few more chances over the next seven regular season games.
Sixers will practice tomorrow at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine before Friday's game against the Nets. If you want to follow on Twitter, you can do that here: Deep Sixer.
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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Raja Bell in the 2001 Playoffs was phenomenal. I can see Evan Turner taking on a superman-role when time calls for it. Marresse Speights has midrange shot and provides help on the defensive end. I have a feeling we will play these guys in the playoffs given the right situation— DonovanMcNabb
gonna fly now!— bboybeballin- "Marresse Speights ... provides help on the defensive end." - Really? Keep that up @DonovanMcNabb and your comments will be traded to Washington.— borntosuffer
- Good win by the Sixers, but still troubling that they seem to sag after a big win. I disagree that no one would have said much if they lost to Houston. It would have pretty much negated the whole buzz of beating the Bulls.
Agreed that the team has to get healthier for the playoffs, and hopefully Brand's hands will get better as he is MIA on offense lately.
Pulling for Nocioni to make an impact. I would trust him more in the playoffs over Turner, esp in a tight situation. Would be shocked if Speights sees any quality time the rest of the season. I think he has worn out Collins with his low basketball IQ and basic resistance to defense and rebounding.— kangerookid - I wouldn't be surprised if they shut Iguodala down for a couple games towards the end of the season and give Turner another shot as a starter to see if he responds. He could be a tremendous help in the playoffs with his size and wingspan off the bench at the two. The one thing that has been keeping him off the court has been his poor showing on defense. Hopefully these things can be worked on in practice. Unfortunately, I think Mo Speights is a lost cause. He was given some minutes in the Chicago game and looked terrible. Right now at least he is a good towel waiver and smiles a lot on the bench (every team needs a couple of those guys). From day 1 this season Mo hasn't gotten it and he never did. He just doesn't play defense and that won't earn you minutes under Coach Collins and as kangeroo kid said he has a low basketball iq. Hawes development has been fantastic and it looks like we have found our center for the future. Remember he is only 22 years old.— Mattb
- I agree about Speights. As much as I like his offensive game, he is terrible and a liability on defense. I hope he can play on a team where he can show his offensive skills like in Phoenix, Golden State or New York. If he puts up good numbers on another team, people will start to doubt Collins handling of him and also Turner. — Manok
- @kangerookid- I disagree about Nocioni making an impact. Defensively, he could not keep with Budinger of all people. He allowed him and other people he guarded wide open shots, caused lanes to the basket or a really good look. Also in the Miami game, LeBron just torched him. Turner has proved throughout the season he can guard people like Billups and Rose (the Jan. 7th game against the Bulls). When Billups and Rose were lighting up Holiday, he kept them in check. Also, what was Nocioni thinking doing an underhand layup against a triple team.
Also, as crappy as a game Iggy had I am not surprised Collins didn't pull him. Iggy was great on defense, but horrible in shooting and ballhandling. On queue, Iggy goes back to his old shooting ways... shooting bricks. Luckily he didn't shoot as much and when he does that Holiday, Meeks, Young and Williams have prospered. Even though he had 10 assists, he played out of control and caused turnovers. If that was Turner, Collins would pulled him instantly.— Manok - Kate, love the comment about "clinching before April." Congratulations to Doug Collins and his players for even putting you or anyone in a situation to be able to say this. At the start of this season, it would have been more appropriate to say "clinching before April 2013."— CFPhilsPhan
- I'm with ya Manok. Went to the game last night and Nocioni was toast every time he stepped on the floor. his outside shot is off but that's to be expected considering his limited minutes this year. But even if he's hitting he's costing us points on defense. Say what you want but Turner is much better on d and doug is supposedly a defensive minded coach. not to mention, between evan and noc, even's the one who's going to be here in two years, not noc. shouldn't we be trying to give him the experience? especially when noc isn't giving you more anyways.— 76ers in 2076
- For all the Nocioni hate, he's a very smart player. He instantly knows when he has a mismatch and goes directly to the hole when he has one. Conversely, you can just hear the little gears in Turner's head grinding when he gets the ball: "Am I a shooting guard? Am I a point guard? Well, I can't shoot, but I've also never played the point. I better pass the ball to someone else."— Nuutron
- actually, turner won the naismith for being the best scorer in college ball. he got his chance to show what he can do against golden state, but then made the mistake after the game of whining on camera that all he wants to play his game and show what he can do. he's been in the dog house ever since.— rzzzzz
- @Nuutron - I like Nocioni's game and hustle, but he most likely will not be around after next season due to age and his contract. Collins needs to develop Turner since he maybe around for the long haul. Turner's defense is just as good as Nocioni. Nocioni does have the better jumpshot, yet Turner can create off the dribble and find the open man better. This is essential in the playoffs since anyone we play will be playing lock down D. Like in the limited minutes Turner played in Sacramento, he played well and would of had more assists if it wasn't for Young's hands of stone that game.
@rzzz - Turner is playing not himself like he did in college since Collins is keeping him on a very short leash. That is why we are only seeing him just dribble the ball up court, pass and not get the ball back unless it is a bailout pass. If Turner made the mistakes Iggy did last night, he would been pulled in a heartbeat. Iggy was not pulled because Collins trusts him way too much, which might bite us the end in the playoffs. Iggy got 10 assists, but they are a little misleading because they were from bail out passes... meaning he didn't intend to pass from the start, got stuck and got lucky that someone was open that was near him.
— Manok - Manok, Turners defense is actually better than Nocioni's. Noc is toast against just about everyone in the league and while he's a good rebounder, so is Evan. in fact that's where Turner's helped us out the most this year. Clearly we both see that we'd be better off developing him for his 6 points per game than relying on the veteran offensive player who gives up as much as he makes...actually more. Nuutron-I'm glad Noc knows how to score but watching him play defense it's clear he's only out there to score. and i can think of another guy who only knows how to score that's riding the pine pretty much til he gets traded b/c he can't play the d either. So if you're going to play noc, why not play speights? Do the smart thing Doug, play neither and let turner develop.— 76ers in 2076
- agree with nuutron— barrywil
- end of season and in playoffs collins will rely on his hunches and play either nocioni or turner depending on the the team needs at the moment. nocioni will be aggressive and attack on offense. ET is not there yet. ET is better overall on defense. depending on the matchup nocioni can be a disaster on defense. collins is a larry brown type of coach when it comes to rookies. they will not get his trust. they must experience pain and humiliation. if ET works in the summer, keeps the chirping to a minimum, then his leash will be longer whenever the next season begins - which may be fall 2012.— barrywil
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.
