Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 5:02 PM | 11 comments |
 

Four 76ers on All-Star Ballot
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76ers forward Andre Iguodala goes in for a dunk during the first half against the Orland Magic last Thursday (Reinhold Matay/AP). Iguodala is one of four Sixers on the All-Star ballot.

The NBA today announced the official ballot for this season's All-Star game, to be held Feb. 15 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

The ballot includes 60 players from the Eastern Conference, 60 players from the Western Conference.

Last season, the Sixers were the only playoff team without representation at the All-Star Game.

Will it change this season?

Here are the four Sixers on the ballot: Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala, and Andre Miller.

Here are their numbers:

PF Elton Brand: 14.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, shooting 46.1 percent from the field.

C Samuel Dalembert: 7.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

SG Andre Iguodala: 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game, shooting 37.7 percent from the field, 18.8 percent from three.

PG Andre Miller: 13.7 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, assist-turnover ratio is 34/8, shooting 38.6 percent from the field.

The NBA All-Star balloting will officially begin on Thursday, Nov. 13 in NBA Arenas, on NBA.com and through mobile phones.

The ballots include 24 guards, 24 forwards, and 12 centers. Voters pick two guards, two forwards, and one center from each conference. A panel of basketball experts selected the 120 players represented on the ballot.

Okay, so that's the nuts and bolts information. I don't think any of the 76ers, with the way they are currently playing, will make the All-Star Game. But we're only six games into the season and things have a way of changing.

For whom will you vote?

The bigger question: Where is Thaddeus Young? He leads the Sixers with a 16.5 average, 4.3 rebounds and 47.8 percent shooting beyond the arc.

Tonight's Game: Sixers (2-4) vs. Jazz (5-1)

Probable starters:

Sixers: Miller, Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Brand, Dalembert

Jazz: Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, Ronnie Price, C.J. Miles, Kosta Koufos

Note: Utah guard Deron Williams is doubtful due to a left-ankle sprain.

Tonight's game is important for the Sixers, who have been off since Thursday night's loss to the Orlando Magic. The Sixers have said they are working out the kinks in their offensive spacing.

If the Sixers accomplish these three goals, I believe they will win tonight. ("If" being the key word.)

1.) Have 12 or fewer turnovers. Through six games, the Sixers have 110 turnovers (compared to 75 for opponents). That's an average of 18.3 a game. That's a high number for a high school team, which the Sixers are not. This isn't just a number, the number reflects offensive discord, lack of rhythm and player confusion. If the Sixers limit to 12 or fewer turnovers, that means they are running a smoother offense and getting more shots.

2.) Shoot 40.0 percent from the three-point line. We know the big talk this week has been spacing the floor for Elton Brand. Head coach Maurice Cheeks put taped X's on the practice court to ensure the weak-side spacing did not crowd each other, or Brand. Currently, the Sixers are shooting .38.4 percent from beyond the arc. That's strong (last season they were 31.7 percent). But in games they have lost (like against the Raptors) they shot 5 for 20. Specifically, Lou Williams (5 for 17) and Kareem Rush (4 for 9) need to make a couple of threes.

3.) Score 20 fast-break points. The Sixers need easy baskets. Last season, this team reached the playoffs by running the lanes, forcing turnovers, dunking in transition, etc. Through six games, that game has been sporadic, at best. Tonight, the Sixers need defensive pressure to get Miller and Williams in the open court. Both those guys are best in transition, and aren't as effective in half-court sets.

Those are my three keys to the game ...

--Kate

 
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 5:02 PM  Permalink | 11 comments
11
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:26 PM, 11/11/2008
    kate: seems there is a big delay between posting and when it actually is transmitted, but the three keys you point out are good ones to consider. with okur out, the sixers better press that advantage. wow, some woeful shooting by both teams to start-time for rush/marshall? we need to have some semblance of offense. well, we'll see by the end of the game...
    — 127sixer59
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:40 PM, 11/11/2008
    kate: 6 tos in the first quarter-well over the 12 to pace for the entire game. not so concerned about the 3 pt % as just the shooting % in general-which hopefully will improve as will iguodala...
    — 127sixer59
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:48 PM, 11/11/2008
    I think you're right on the money. I'm late reading this post and the first quarter has ended (26-20 Jazz), but here are the numbers so far: TOs: 8. NOT GOOD.
    — Comulles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:51 PM, 11/11/2008
    comulles: yeah, tos, shooting % and defense are all indicating to trouble unless it turns around (and clearly it can)-but so far the differences in sound fundamental basketball are stunning. maybe things will reverse!
    — 127sixer59
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:26 PM, 11/11/2008
    I'm looking for positives in the online boxscore, but it ain't easy. What did Mo work on with the guys during the long break anyway? Where you have gone, Andre Iguodala? One thing I don't like is the bench only took ten shots in the first half. I'd like to see Lou, Willie, Speights, Rush in there and shooting. Is A.I. driving into the lane at all?
    — bobby1972
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:10 PM, 11/11/2008
    Sixers never look good against the Jazz, who are one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the league. The Jazz didn't even have Harpring tonight, who usually beats the Sixers on 3-4 backdoor cuts. Tonight was all about the bench, which absolutely got killed by Utah's bench, 38-12. Admittedly, Utah has a strong bench (Millsap, Kirilenko), but the +/- numbers are astounding: Lou -18 in 16 minutes, Green -18 in 12 minutes, Speights -20 in 10 minutes (almost impossible to do, one would think). Kate, I know you love Speights (as do many others), but I'm not sure he's the guy to have in there protecting a lead entering the 4th quarter (I see that Theo was deactivated for tonight). Last year, the Sixers would look to Lou to give them instant offense to start the 4th, but it just isn't happening this year, for whatever reason. Anyhow, it's probably going to get worse before it gets better, as they get the Raptors again tomorrow -- think we'll see more wide-open Kapono 3's?
    — Statman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:20 PM, 11/11/2008
    Sixers need to watch a lot of tape and get everybody on the same page.
    — low2behold
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:15 PM, 11/11/2008
    Why did the Sixers sign these big men, Ratliff and Marshall, if they are just going to play the rookie?!? Also, I think the Sixers need a legit backup point guard really badly. This game was lost at the start of the fourth when Cheeks started the quarter with Lou. He should of stayed of aggressive and kept Miller in there who had a really great 3rd.
    — williebert
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:18 PM, 11/11/2008
    Yeah, it's hard to overlook those +/- numbers. They really speak volumes about the way some of these guys are playing. low2behold: not sure game tape would cure all these woes..
    — Comulles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:27 AM, 11/12/2008
    127: Are you saying that the post wasn't up until much later than 5 p.m. last night? Stat: You're right, I think Speights is going to be very good, but I agree with you, last night the Sixers should have started the fourth the way they ended the third: With Miller and Brand on the court ... not the bench. That was the game right there.
    — Kfagan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:58 AM, 11/12/2008
    I like speights potential too, but i agree that he's not ready for crunch time against a good team just yet. Last year lou did come up large at the end of games, and honestly i'm surprised to see that he's taked a few steps back from then. He did the same thing at the start of last year as well, actually - finished pretty strong the year before, had a great summer, then started slow. I wonder if he gets lazy playing against summer league competition...Kate, your keys are good, but I'd add that they really need to get some defensive pressure. IMHO, that was what lead to the 3rd quarter run, and what usually ignites their fastbreak game. Igoudala did have a few nice drives, so its nice to see him getting back on track that way, but everyone is still looking just plain sloppy, and the effort just isnt there for significant stretches of the game. I'm kind of getting the impression that they're focusing so much on getting the halfcourt thing right that they're thinking too much & as a result not bringing as much fire. Now, I'm all for getting the half court thing right, but it can be a bit painful to watch at times...slightly rambling post. Too bad philly.com doesn't believe in paragraphs...
    — K,M


11 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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