Posted: Friday, October 2, 2009, 5:06 PM | 9 comments |
 
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Second-to-last day of 76ers training camp is complete. If you want to be a part of Deep Sixers on Twitter, click here: DeepSixer3. If you wanted to check out any of the videos from Saint Joseph's, check out the video player to the right.

The Sixers ended practice today with a scrimmage: They split the teams evenly and played two 10-minute quarters. The Sixers are scheduled to practice twice tomorrow, their last day of camp. They play their first pre-season game, in London, Ontario, on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.

Here are a few observations from today's scrimmage: 

1.) At the end of the first quarter, the white team had the ball with about 7 seconds left. Andre Iguodala took the ball at the top of the key, got an on-ball screen going left, dribbled off of it and nailed a three-pointer over about three defenders. More importantly, it seemed like a glimpse into what the Sixers might be doing with their end-of-quarter possessions (and end-of-game ...). Eddie Jordan has said he will call certain options off the Princeton, but if there isn't enough time to get into the offense, we'll likely see the ball in Iguodala's hands at the end of possessions (or Lou's).

2.) Jason Smith looked awesome. He ran w/ the white team (Iguodala, Thad, Dalembert) and it was the first time this training camp he'd looked in rhythm. He hit all three of the jumpers we saw, one of them after pushing the ball in transition. He grabbed a bunch of offensive rebounds. Both Jordan and Smith said afterwards that it was the best he'd played all week. Smith said he felt like it was his first day back. If Smith can keep rhythm -- although that will be tough coming off an injury -- it'll be nice for the Sixers to have him as an option at both the 4 and 5 spots.

3.) Speights said he's put on about 7-8 pounds of muscle this off-season. That's good, considering adding bulk was probably the biggest thing he could do in the off-season.

4.) Jason Kapono's jumper looked good in the scrimmage. He hit about two 18-footers (and didn't take many more).

5.) The Sixers might need to consider keeping Sean Singletary as a back-up option to Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday. Holiday appeared to struggle a little bit w/ the basketball during today's scrimmage, turning it over a few times.

6.) The Princeton Offense looked good during the scrimmage. Jordan has added the "flash-cut" option (I might have just named it that), which allows the forward to relieve pressure when the off-guard is denied. The forward flashes up, jumpstops, and catches as the guard runs backdoor towards the hoop. Jordan has about 100 of these cuts to counter pressure. It's a fun offense to watch because of all the movement and backdoors.

All right, that's it for now. More tomorrow.

--Kate

 

Posted by Kate Fagan @ 5:06 PM  Permalink | 9 comments
9
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:44 PM, 10/02/2009
    thanks for the update. i know the sixers are not the "sexy" team in town and no one seems to expect much from them this year, but i root for them nonetheless and always hold out for the possibility that they will pleasantly surprise us. at least i hope they are fun to watch and give us some hope for the future. i'm glad to hear jason smith is coming back nicely. i'm hoping he can pick up where he left off his rookie season. keep up the good work, kate!
    scooterj
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:25 PM, 10/02/2009
    The NBA does not have pleasant surprises like other leagues. The teams with the top players make up the semifinals. Perhaps they can go 2 rounds instead of 1 in the playoffs. That is the extent of any surprises in regards to the NBA. It is strictly a league where the best players win.
    JonKap
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:38 PM, 10/02/2009
    Tell that to Lebron James.
    krupps58
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:23 PM, 10/02/2009
    What's the deal with Speights--is a potential all star, or is he a solid role player? Last year he looked great for stretches, but haven't heard too much about him
    DCExpat
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:03 PM, 10/02/2009
    I agree with JonKap. That's why I'd honestly rather miss the playoffs and get a higher draft pick to help us. I'm hearing good things from this year's draft prospects.
    younggunna917
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:50 PM, 10/02/2009
    Smith looked awesome, Speights added muscle, Kapono looked good, the Princeton offense looked good(too bad this is the NBA not college), so why is everyone complaining?? lol Oh yea, because the NBA and the Sixers STINK!!!! The NBA should just fold up.
    scars73
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:46 AM, 10/03/2009
    scars - why are on yhis site if you hate the NBA and the Sixers????
    cocogirl


9 comments
About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first 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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