Embarrassing
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Embarrassing
I think Lou Williams said it best when he said, after tonight's season-ending 114-89 "game" against the Orlando Magic, "Personally, I was embarrassed."
The 76ers should be embarrassed after what happened tonight. We could probably spend 2,000 words and hours discussing what happened tonight (Rashard Lewis torching Thad, Redick and Gortat outplaying Green and Dalembert, Iguodala not dominating like he needs to) but Andre Miller offered a simple perspective with, "They played good basketball, we played bad basketball."
It was bad, ugly, frustrating, uninspiring, and I don't think many folks are booting up their computers to dish out money for some 2009-2010 season tickets. Okay, now that that's behind us, let's try to look forward.
After the game, Iguodala kept saying interesting things about how "the little things" throughout the season caught up with them. He said "inner turmoil." It seemed like he was saying that they had too many dramas throughout the season, within the locker room. He said "mental things" and "small things" that distracted them. Iguodala also said he would sit down with Ed Stefanski and talk about "all the things that are holding us back, try to get rid of."
Hmmmm ... could "things" mean "people"? Iguodala said to get this team where it needed to be "you make moves. It's going to be a busy summer."
There are a number of outstanding issues: Will Tony DiLeo be back? Will Andre Miller re-sign? From where will that shooter come? Are Willie Green and Samuel Dalembert winning pieces?
It would be ambitious to think we could answer those now, but here were the responses (to the first two) from tonight:
Tony said he needed time and space to even decide if he wanted the gig next year. He said he and Stefanski would sit and talk about what is best for the team.
Miller said he didn't expect to address his situation until "after the draft." It sounded like he wanted to see what the Sixers would do in the draft.
As for the holes in the Sixers. We already know that Dalembert asked for a trade during this season. All signs point toward Dalembert playing for another team next season and considering the strained relationship right now between Dalembert, the organization, the fans, that seems to be the best decision for the franchise. But his salary is increasing the next two seasons, so the Sixers need to find the right situation (euphemism for "He's not easy to trade").
The Sixers are having a team meeting tomorrow at noon at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Afterward, you would think they would go their separate ways. There are plenty of questions, not a lot of answers just yet, but an off season that will at least find us some.
--Kate
Comments (39)
a question I've heard no one address: what's the deal with Kareem Rush? Prior to coming to the Sixers I remember him as a solid player with a great outside shot. They brought him here and basically gave him no chance. Yea, I know he played poorly in the limited time he got in but it was too hit and miss to really evaluate him. Was his defense so much worse than Willie Green's that they couldn't give him a look at shooting guard when outside shooting was desparately needed?— gumboman- Here it is plain and simple: Not enough talent + Terrible management + Terrible contracts + Horrendous league structure = A long wait for Sixers fans. It will take an extreme measure for the Sixers to improve more rapidly. 1) Management improves - great trade is made to clear cap space and an EFFECTIVE player is signed - 2) Get lucky in the draft (need to get in the lottery at some point) - 3) Leage locks the players out until new CBA is reached.— hugh
- Why not trade Thad for Thorton OR Brand for Smith. Not Billy's fault. Who did the do diligence on Kareem Rush?— murph31
Let me say I love AI. With that said he is not the answer for the Sixers moving forward. Good draft selections and trading will get the Sixers better. Let Miller go. He obviously doesn't want to be in Philly.— bigcityballer- Buy a LARGE, NEW broom.— mick314
- I agree with most that is written here, my one exception is the free pass that Lou Williams seems to be getting, he may have scored 17 pts., but he gave up at least double that with his defense (or lack of )and turnovers. He wants to be AI but does not have the talent , I woulsd rather see them keep Green and get a real #2 starter by trading Williams or Young and bring Green off the bench. Most importantly this team need a coach an NBA coach not Eddie's friends, you have to start at the top, Dileo must go NOW!!!!!!— lalleva
- this team stinks. i'm honestly surprised they made the playoffs. to hear people complain about what might have been is hilarious. i'm surprised this franchise hasn't folded, frankly, considering how bad it has been in the last 7 years.— tockeyhockey
- Just start over from scratch - trade Sam, Iggy & Brand then build around Thad, Lou & Speights— ChangeISNeeded
- 127: same here, definitely appreciated your comments all year. You were a welcome addition to Deep Sixer (were you there last year?). Better days ahead, hopefully!— Statman
- Kate, thanks for the terrific job you did this year. It can't be easy night after night witnessing the very problems you know darn well are imminent. And it seems like you did your best to try to nudge the brass towards reality, even though it proved a little beyond their grasp. Hope you get to cover a more satisfying squad in the near term.— rzzzzz
- my God...if ever got our hands on Tom Thibodeau....please....please hire him. I'll even go to Guys Night Out and eat all your popcorn and ice cream. Have this man coach Philadelphia!— CallerNo9
- disturbing but sadly not surprising loss. disturbing for the effort and clear indication the team needs major changes that unfortunately will be difficult to make. kate: excellent and insightful job all year, you often seemed to have a sense for how the team would play and the key/correct analysis BEFORE the game. nicely done and hope you keep blogging, participating and chatting. statman: often agreed with your conclusions and do so with your above points. i've been following the sixers for a very long time and this performance ranks down there with them in terms of effort (lack thereof) and revealing the myriad weaknesses. magicfan: always interesting to have a perspective from a fan of another team (as long as its a real dialogue and not just calling out needlessly). still excited about brand returning and hopefully having a new coaching staff in place (ratliff's observations are pretty telling). rush and ivey were flops, marshall and ratliff about as expected, dalembert, green & evans played out and it should go for the team's benefit as well as for them. someone mentioned iverson: not sure if that would really do much for attendance but even if it did, the sixers should not go in that direction if they want to improve. hope stefanski can be creative and remake this team...— 127sixer59
- Embarrassing team. We have been sold a bill of goods with Iguodala as our go-to guy. He is not a go-to guy. This team needs to be overhauled starting with Dileo. Dalembert, Iguodala, and Green should be traded for draft considerations and players. It is time to move on.— Horlet
- doctorj - I agree with your whole post. Sad to say that I can't see the Sixers being a real contender for many years. They need a complete overhaul but are saddled with huge contracts.— NEMark
- BTW, Kate, I love how you put the word "game" in quotations....You writing was awesome in an otherwise bleak season for the Seventy Quitters.— drbob1
- One more thought on the AI (Iverson not Iggy) issue. We're already screwed with long-term contracts and untradeable players, why not get A.I. back? We need a 2, no one expects anything from this team anyway. Just swap Green for A.I. in the starting lineup. At least the Center would be filled with people for a while, but A.I. instead of W.G. combined with a coach that A.I. doesn't get into media fights with might have made this a 50 win team. God I can't believe I just wrote that. I'm still under the influence of what happened yesterday.— phasor
- Iguodala has no right to talk to Stefanski about anything, he's an overrated tweener who can't defend well enough to play the '3' and can't shoot well enough to play the '2'. He disappears in key portions of the game, and like many of his teammates has a very low BBall IQ. Stefanski hould make the coaching change first; THEN BACK UP THE TRUCK; get rid of Iggy, Sam, Green, Ivey and any other contract you can except for Speights, Young, and maybe Williams , if he can be taught to play anything resembling defense.. Keep the young Smith guy who was DL all year, and you have no choice but to keep Brand; who's going to take a guy like that making 85 mil off of their hands and give them value in return? Miller's gone after last night's debacle and you can't blame him, why would he want to sign with this team? The Blazers have a few guys that could help the Sixers sitting on their bench, ( 3 point shooters, big men)perhaps they would make a good trade partner, they also got eliminated last night. The Sixers haven't done an awful job in the draft, DiLeo can go back to the job in which he was competant. That said, he and Ed have to understand, you can't build a team with a bunch of mismatched pieces like they had this year, you have to have a facilitator, 2 or 3 bangers ( that's not just not just any guy who happens to be 6-11; there has to be some "want to"; Evans has the want to , but he's 6-8.), a three point shooter, and a couple of slashers. And the next coach must emphasize defense and have the guts to sit someone when they don't play it. And get the backing of Stefanski when he does that. A note to tj 101, I believe Stefanski is pretty tight with Eddie Jordan, so I wouldn't be surprised if he were the choice,I don't think he did a great job with the Wiz, but apparently that's not going to hurt him in his pursuit for his next job.— drbob1
- Could the Sixers get Danny Granger? The Pacers are on the verge of bankruptcy. Anyway Kate it's time to start the draft and trade speculation. I'm for BJ Mullens at Center. Sure it's risk but decent centers are hard to come by.— phasor
- Kate, You're the best part of the season. Your professionalism, objectivity, and flair are far more than these jokers deserve. They should never represent the great city and people of Philadelphia again.— prudential2
- I am also a Sixer fan in the DC area... EMBARASSING!!! I hate to say it, after the first 5 shots that they missed, I knew they would lose this game. I turned it off... Basketball IQs are very low... Basketball knowledge... "best center in the league is out= drive to the basket"... Sixers knowledge... "best center in the league is out= take 15 ft jump shots". This team has no heart with the exception of maybe Evans, the rest just take elbows to the cranium and cowers under the basket. I was hoping Dalembert would have gotten his jaw shook...— Kevin Moore
- Please keep your comments to Central Florida MagicFan because no one here wants to here from you. As bad as the Sixers were last night I have not beem impressed with the Magic at all. I thought they were a lot better but they have showed me little in these games. Are you really proud of your team for getting by the Sixers? And do people really say blue and white ignite? That is really weak!— what?
- Magic Fan....enjoy the crappy NBA and life in Disney World, because really....most Philly fans could care less about PRO B-Ball. Mets are in town, GO PHILS!!! And one word of advice, please don't use the word Classy in the same sentence as Florida.— LF
- i was unable to see the game thinking the sixers had a gift given to them no superman in the middle what could you ask ,but no one show up go sixers— screwhead23
- Trade Dalembert, get another coach (Dileo belongs in the FO). Get a two guard who is a two and can shoot. Move Iggy to the three, Thad to the 4 and rotate Speights, Brand and Smith in the post. Hopefully they can resign Miller.— jss31
- My Philly goodbye statement… I hate to say I told you so, but……I will be classy cause that’s how we roll in Central Florida. I feel sorry for you Sixers fans cause we went through it when the Lakers stole Shaq from us. We had 10 years of bad management and bad team experiments. With all the big contracts you guys gave mediocre players, I don’t see how you can recover. We were lucky to draft a Superman, but our management has put a great team around him as we showed you last night. Sam D is a punk for elbowing Hedo. If he’s so tough why didn’t he elbow Dwight! I’ll say a prayer for your Sixers, but your team needs to be blown up and rebuilt, and maybe one day you can be proud of your team like we are of the Orlando Magic. Blue & White ignite!— MagicFan1
- Samuel Dalembert is untradable, folks. Thank Billy King for making this francise non-competitive for the next 10 years. Iggy - Average Small Forward at best, signed for 5 years. Elton Brand - Injury prone and washed up, signed for the next 4 years. Who else is on our team? Oh yea, that's right they are all GARBAGE (except for Sweet Lou, someone who has actual talent). I almost died laughing when I heard Billy King is looking for another GM position LOL. The Sixers are still paying him.— brmorgen81
I'd like to see them try to get Jay Wright to coach this young group...— kjuggs77- how in god's name will they find someone to take dalembert and his $11 million next year and $12 million the year after that? we'd have to take back someone's garbage in return— jazztafari
- Green and Sammy nice knowing you some of those other stiffs on the Bench Rush,Ivey see you later. Bring in a two that can shoot and another wing player Thad love you man but you need to learn how to play some D. Iggy you have forgotten your roots and need to tighen up your D too, and we need a coach who will get in guy face and bench them when they keep making the same mistake— eric300
- A horrible game that showed how far this team really has to go. Several key off-season things need to happen: 1- Trade Sam. He cannot play another game for this team. His performance last night, in a critical game with him having a theoretical "advantage" was so pitiful, and he has dug himself so deep a hole, there is no escape. In order to do this we will probably also have to 2- Trade Thad. While he has upside, he is cheap, young, and plays the same position as Iggy, who is probably untradeable. Given that Brand will be starting, there is no room for both Thad and Iggy and packaging him with Sam might make the deal happen. 3- Decide about Miller. While he is the only one who showed heart last night, the top teams in the league feature penetrating PG's who either score or dish to guys who can hit open 3's. Think Rose, Rondo, Williams, Nelson in the East. Miller has a hard time covering these guys now- what is the impact on team D with him as the starting PG over the next few years? I favor, reluctantly, letting him go and getting a guy who can cover and penetrate. 4- Get a coach with a system and the ability to apply it or modify it to the pieces in place here. Not a square peg into round hole guy. These are my top issues. Obviously, Green can't be a starter next year, another center needs to be found, etc. Better to go down to go up than stay mediocre indefinitely...— doctorj
- I gave some of my thoughts for next year in the last blog post, but here are some additional. I've been a mild Dalembert supporter over the years, but a change of scenery is probably for the best, IF someone is willing to take him. The problem is that he is the Sixers' only good defensive rebounder among the big men (Ratliff and Speights reminded us over and over how deficient they are in that area in this series), so the Sixers would need to fill a hole if he left. Willie Green is a great person with a great attitude, but he brings nothing to the table performance-wise: he doesn't shoot well or consistently, doesn't draw fouls, doesn't defend well, doesn't rebound well (he was the worst per-minute rebounder on the team). While I'm at it, Royal Ivey is actually a below-average defender as well, despite some high-profile stops during the season that made him look relatively better than the other Sixer guards. Turkoglu probably scored 3 points per minute when guarded by Ivey in this series. And Ivey might be one of the worst offensive players in the NBA, other than the Sixers' own Reggie Evans, who brings rebounding and active hands and nothing else. Ratliff and Marshall I could see bringing back in limited roles, Rush forget it. So, if I had my choice, I'd bring back Iguodala, Thad, Brand, Speights, and Ratliff and Marshall in limited roles. I wrote about why Miller is not the right fit for this team in the last post - they need a good perimeter defender at that spot, someone like a Hinrich or a Kyle Lowry, OR a Calderon-like facilitator (but preferably both). Lou, I'm on the fence. Everyone else (Green, Dalembert, Ivey, Evans, Rush) can go. It would be interesting to hear what others think ...— Statman
- Well Iverson would be a better 2 guard than Willie Green, that's for sure. Not sure if I want to go that route, but if you want to compare the two, the sixers would of won more games with Iverson.— johnnysanz3
- Oh yes, and bringing back AI is the worst idea, and would make the Brand signing seem a master stroke.— Zaknafein
- Actually, what it all comes down to is changing the whole culture of basketball. The sport has the most ridiculous salary cap system in professional sports, and the guaranteed salaries turn promising athletes into petulant millionaires with zero accountability. You sign a huge deal and then play awfully? So what! How do you coach or motivate a player in that situation? In the NFL if you underperform or quit your backside is on the curb so fast it makes your head spin. Until the NBA fixes their salary cap and contract situations they're going to justifiably continue their slide into obscurity as only a handfull of teams can compete in any given year. It's just not fun to root for or follow professional basketball. Give me the college game any day of the week.— Zaknafein
- they made me for the first time in 43 years embarrassed to be a Sixer fan!!! Not because they got beat....but because of the lack of heart they showed!! If I'm Andre Miller, I'm outta here!! I wouldn't blame him one bit....— jthomas40
- I'll add in three coaching names to the list to see what people think. Tom Thibodeau, Eddie Jordan, Doug Collins.— t.j-101
- Willie Green is, without a doubt, the worst starter on any playoff roster out there. Also, Miller's as good as gone to the West Coast, which stinks for us. But our loss will definitely be the Lakers/Blazers' gain.— mjb
- With tonight’s loss changes need to be made. It all starts with defense if you want to win a champion ship, look at the sixers team that went to the finals in 2000, guys like, McKie, Mutombo, George Lynch, Snow, Iverson, Nazr Mohammed, who were coached under a defensive minded Larry Brown. We need to build a team based on tough defensive players if tonight’s game can prove anything!. Coaching change: I love Avery Johnson (ex mav coach) and I would love to see him on the sideline next season coaching the 76ers to bring more toughness to this team and a better defensive attitude. Current Team: The current sixers team consists of pieces assembled by Ex-GM Billy King who often referred to Kyle Korver, Sam Dalembert and Willie green as the nucleus during the time he re-signed them. Funny how few years prove otherwise, now new GM Stefanski got rid of Kyle Korver and needs to some how trade Sam and Willie. The current team also has a lot of guys who have matured a lot in Iggy, Lou, Thad and Speights who I think should remain on the team. Andre Miller is the true nucleus of the team and if you watch tonight’s game, he was the only player on the 76ers side being aggressive. Future changes: Call me crazy, but, I want to See AI, the forgotten AI, Allen Iverson back in with the 76ers – he is off the books with the pistons this seasons, but can he accept a mid-level acceptation deal to come back home and try to win a championship with this sixers team. Or maybe a sign-and trade with Detroit for Willie green and future first round pick? Its going to be tough to get a decent centre in return for Sam in a trade, but it will be tough since he still has 2 years left on his contract. Maybe I am thinking too much of a perfect world, but if the sixers get Iverson and pair him up with miller, a tough minded centre, a healthy brand with Thad, lou, speights, and reggie coming off the bench with 1,2 shooters then this team can be hard to contend with. Go 76ers!— chico5000
- I am a sixer fan from D.C Iwould travel up to see the games a few years back. It is time to bring back Number 3. i watched the game. I saw some empty seats. Philly it is time to bring back the heart of the sixers. AI needs Philly and Philly needs AI There was no spirit or heart out there tonight. Plain and simple Bring the Answer back— Paul3
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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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