Posted: Monday, March 2, 2009, 11:39 PM | 32 comments |
 

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Chris Paul's three-pointer with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining helped the New Orleans Hornets beat the Sixers tonight. Paul's three was one of 57 the Sixers have allowed in the past five games.

Maybe you've noticed, maybe you haven't, but lately the 76ers have been getting killed by the three-point shot. Obviously, this is a season-long problem, but lately it's been especially problematic.

Let's look at the numbers: Tonight the New Orleans Hornets were 10 for 16. The other night the Orlando Magic made 15 three-pointers. In the last five games, the Sixers have allowed 11.4 made three-pointers a game. 11.4.

Here's the issue (that I have) with this: The explanation the Sixers are offering makes sense, but it's not being executed.

Against the Orlando Magic, the Sixers said it was their "scheme" to make the Magic trio of guards Johnson, Lee, and Alston make three-point shots. Okay, I can understand that: Limit Dwight Howard, limit Turkoglu, limit Rashard Lewis. And if that aforementioned trio of guards is going to beat the Sixers from downtown, then so be it.

But what ended up happening on the court was that Howard was limited because of game-long foul trouble, taking away one of the "pick-your-poisons," and Turkoglu and Lewis had 23 points apiece -- and shot 8 for 13 from downtown -- and Lee finished the game 3 for 4 from the three-point line.

Like I said -- and I hate to be negative -- I can understand the "scheme." What I can't understand is how, after that game, the Sixers were still claiming they had executed the scheme and what had happened was the Magic had made the tough shots, which the Sixers had game-planned to offer. If you look at the boxscore, exactly what did the Sixers limit? Howard was limited because of foul trouble. The rest of the lineup got theirs.

You have a similar situation tonight. New Orleans finishes the night 10 for 16 from the three-point line (62.5 percent for those of you without calculators handy) and still they say it was a case of "pick-your-poison." Exactly which poison did the Sixers leave on the shelf? David West scored 30 points inside, Chris Paul had 16 points and 12 assists, Rasual Butler and James Posey -- outside shooters -- had 16 each, and Peja Stojakovic went 2 for 3 from the three-point line.

Open shooters. It happens. But does it happen 57 times in five games? Not unless you're having breakdowns, which the Sixers are. It's true you offer something on defense, but it doesn't mean you offer Chris Paul a wide-open three-pointer with enough time to spin the ball in his hands exactly how he'd like, check his feet, and then shoot. You offer the lowest percentage shot, but you contest it, or you make them pump fake and take a dribble. Lately, the Sixers rotation has allowed the ball to be swung to a player who is too open. That's isn't a successful NBA scheme: Any NBA player who has the amount of time the Sixers are giving is going to be a better shooter than his percentage. Great, so the Sixers are forcing a 30.0 percent three-point shooter to shoot. But they're also giving him such a length of time -- much more than he is used to during his 30.0 percent shooting season -- that he becomes a 10-15 percent higher shooter. At that point, how are the Sixers playing the percentages? 

It's been a bad stretch for the Sixers -- 2-6 since the all-star break. But what's been especially frustrating is the poor coverage on the defensive end, without ownership after the game. A team does not shoot 62.5 percent on you if you've "contested" all their three-pointers. And you aren't "picking your poison" if you're swallowing all the poisons.

Still, the Sixers are 29-30 and in seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. Earlier this season, they endured a similar stretch and then went 14-4 over an 18-game. It can be done. And the Sixers have four days before their next game. Although DiLeo would not specifically commit to needing to work on defending the three-pointer (he said they needed to improve the "little things," like loose balls, etc.) if they don't figure out a way to defend the perimeter -- whether it's at the point of inception with the pick-and-roll, or with failed defensive rotations -- this outside game is going to continue to be a problem into the postseason.

Actually, tonight it was point guard Andre Miller who seemed most in touch with what's been happening since the break. We asked him if he was watching the seedings race. He said: 

"I am. I follow all of that. This is a very big month ... This right here will pretty much decide our season." 

Then he added: "We have to control our destiny and right now we're not doing it."

--Kate

 

 

 
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 11:39 PM  Permalink | 32 comments
32
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:06 AM, 03/03/2009
    Excellent analysis, Kate. The Sixers have not been good at defending the 3 since, basically, the early 90's when the game was different: Larry Brown never cared to defend it (the 01-02 got eliminated by a barrage of 3's against the Celtics), Jim O'Brien didn't care for it (Donyell Marshall's 12 3's were against his team), Mo Cheeks followed Larry Brown's philosophy, and DiLeo seems to be following suit. The fact is, the average NBA team shoots 35% from 3 and about 50% from 2, so the 3 is the more efficient shot, and defending it *should* be one of a team's top priorities. Note that while West was killing them in the first half, the Sixers still held their own; it was only after the barrage of 3's in the 4th that they lost their way. That the Sixers seemingly cannot defend the 3 well is a combination of poor coaching philosophy, lack of experience, and lack of intelligence (too often they go help unnecessarily on penetrators). With the team speed they have, I refuse to believe the poor 3-point defense is a result of lack of ability. (I see the Celtics, with slower players at almost every position, defend the 3 extremely well every game.) One final note: allowing open 3's while behind (as tonight) is slightly more excusable because any points scored by the other team makes the job more difficult. Allowing them while ahead (as vs. Orlando) is inexcusable, because a team can come back much more quickly if they got hot from 3 (this is what happened in Denver too). On 3 or 4 possessions in a row, Lou "dared" Courtney Lee to shoot 3's, and Lee got hot -- the one thing the Sixers couldn't afford to have happen. Anyhow, time for the Sixers (and their fans) to take a break and recharge for the stretch run. Hopefully they'll figure something out in the meantime ...
    — Statman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:14 AM, 03/03/2009
    This defensive scheme has been around for years, way before Jim O'Brien. We have always clogged up the middle leaving the perimeter unguarded. I'm sure you've noticed, everybody shoots a high percentage from the perimeter when they play us. However, that's only part of the problem. In addition to our lack of perimeter defense, all the needless switching, especially on the pick-an-roll and traps, leads to even more mismatches and wide open shots. The amazing thing is that, in spite of the fact that we have had so many coaching changes, our defensive scheme, somehow, remains the same. Of course all of our coaches have come from in-house, with the exception of O'Brien, and this goes all the way back to Chris Ford. Initially, I had high hopes for Tony Dileo but he's been a disappointment too, his schemes look just like all the others. One-on-one on the offensive end, and that same old gimmicky defense. Our only hope is to go outside the organization. Personally, I'd love to get the guy in Boston,(Tom Thibodeau), but that's way too logical for the Sixers.
    — L.A. Steve
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:15 AM, 03/03/2009
    The bottom line is the Sixers arent very good. Lets cut through the bs. Willie Green and Samuel Dalembert are below average NBA starters. The Sixers simply do not have good enough talent to be a winning NBA team. Period. The End.
    — igglegreen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:56 AM, 03/03/2009
    Wow, great analysis Kate. Thank you for this. I hope the coaching staff will read the post and learn something. I coulnd't watch the game (blackouted in Italy) and these kind of analysises are much needed to understand what whas going on on the court. Killed from outside AND inside (West), not acceptable at all. BTW don't you think Evans is logging in too many minutes? I like Evans, but I think his role has to be reduced, to that of a ...role player (= 15 min per game max). Give Speights more run
    — Ricky - Sixers4guidos
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:55 AM, 03/03/2009
    hey kate, here's one thing I don't understand. I heard coach talk about offensive rebounds, protecting the basket, the little things. how can you complain about getting outrebounded 39-50 (12-17)? I mean, sammy played just 12 minutes and the hornets didn't even go small, chandler played 37 minutes and had six offensive rebounds...
    — MZG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:28 AM, 03/03/2009
    The reason Dalembert got 12 minutes was because David West was torching him on the offensive end. He was on fire the 1st half. Not to mention the Sixers couldn't really buy a 3 pointer last night. The first time I saw the Sixers get exposed to the 3 pt shot was in 2001 when JOB coached the Celtics, stuck Rodney Rogers at center and let him bomb away from 3. I dont think Mutombo was fast enough to guard the perimeter that year. I'd also like to give credit to CP3 for a wonderful game. That team knows how to play textbook basketball.
    — CallerNo9
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:34 AM, 03/03/2009
    Evans is getting way too many minutes. DiLeo is trying to make Speights earn his minutes like any other rookie - but he needs to play Speights more if he wants to win some games. Evans has no offensive game - when him and Sam are on the floor - it is a 3 on 5 offensive attack.
    — hugh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:10 AM, 03/03/2009
    Sixers are 2 players short of being anything other than a 500 team...problem is, the players are beginning to realize that fact therefore the resilience is waning.
    — JBP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:04 AM, 03/03/2009
    Until the coaching staff stops playing Evans at the 5 or Young at the 4 the Sixers are going to have problems. Even if the other team misses the first shot, they'll get a 2nd and third shot since they don't have the players to block out. Defensively, they can't stop anyone, only steal the ball, and on offense they have trouble executing in the half-court, again because of personnel mismatches. Dileo may be a bit different as a coach, but he still has Jimmy Lynham on the bench. He and the lack of 3 pt. defense are constants.
    — ricky
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:05 AM, 03/03/2009
    Speights may be hitting the rookie wall, Lou is playing defense like Iverson did- either going for steals or not doing much of anything- and Sammy has really regressed the past couple of games. For me, his 5-minute meltdown against Orlando spearheaded the defeat- and he appeared not to be in the game at all last night. He was not helped by DiLeo's decision to have him cover the much more challenging West than Chandler. I agree with JBP's succinct analysis- and one of those 2 players has to have an outside shot.
    — doctorj
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:26 AM, 03/03/2009
    As JBP said, the Sixers just aren't good enough. Those are the cold, hard facts. And with Miller probably flying the coup next season, this team is really going to be in trouble. He has practically kept the sixers in these two past games (ORL, NO) by himself. He isn't flashy, but the guy can play. We are in big trouble if we lose him.
    — zebra
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:24 AM, 03/03/2009
    igglegreen, you hit the nail on the head. Dalembert (still not quite understanding the game) is a key reason for the pitiful perimeter D. I'm not sure he understands the concept of the pick and roll. How many times have you seen him switch and be guarding their point guard. Too many, too many.
    — bgcrimson29
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:55 AM, 03/03/2009
    Ive got to defend Sam here, Sammy's a 7 foot center, there is no reason he should have been playing a great 6' 8" offensive player who has great mobility and a perimeter game. He should should have been assigned Tyson Chandler. This is the only team in the NBA who would come up with such an illogical move, and don't forget the guy's, (Daivid West), on fire, he's been averaging around 30 ppg over the last several games. Frankly, the coaching staff has been jerking Sam around all year. Last year he was one of a handful of players to average a double-double. This year, in spite of the fact that his minutes have been cut drastically, he has been rebounding the ball and blocking shots at a high rate. He's rebounds-per-minute average is one of the highest in the league. The bottom line is Sam doesn't want to be here, and the Sixers don't want him here, so I expect he'll be gone next year, hopefully, for his sake! It's the best for all concern.
    — L.A. Steve
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:50 PM, 03/03/2009
    The Sixers need to bring in a defense oriented coach to be the head guy next season. Someone who preaches good solid defense not this over-helping constant switching disaster that is costing them a lot of game. You can't be outscored from the three point line like they have been on a consistent basis and win games. Also, when is Marresse Speights going to start gettign 20 minutes a night regardless of mistakes? Really frustrated right now.
    — brannigan73
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:03 PM, 03/03/2009
    Another thing that I have noticed is when is the last time Thaddeus has had close to 10 rebs? The 76ers are getting like 2 or 3 rebs a game from their starting PF and that is hurting them. The fact that they can't shoot, can't hit 3-pointers, and can't make free throws is just too much to overcome when you are a marginally talented team. Time to give Speights his 30 minutes a night and see if the team can float or swim. Thoughts?
    — datruth4life


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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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