Holiday's DNP
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Holiday's DNP
76ers rookie Jrue Holiday received a DNP-Coach's Decision last night against the New York Knicks. He was the only player suited up that didn't get in the game. After today's practice, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan talked about not playing Holiday. He said he felt bad he didn't get him in the game. His reasoning was that New York's guards -- Chris Duhon, Nate Robinson, etc. -- were playing at a high, intense level. Higher than is usual for a pre-season game. Jordan said he didn't feel comfortable tossing Holiday into that situation. It sounded like he was uncomfortable with it not because of potential mistakes/turnovers, but moreso to preserve Holiday's psyche.
Jordan said before today's practice he addressed some "behavior" issues from last night's game. Some "exhibited frustration" by his players. Jordan said that as the team's leader he thought it important to quickly talk about some of these things ... early in the season. On this point, I have to agree with him. It seemed in the second quarter -- when things really weren't going well -- that some unnamed Sixers were having less than positive energy. In fact, that's a term Jordan used: don't bring negative energy to the court. On one play, I believe it was the second quarter, Willie Green and Andre Iguodala went up for the same rebound. Iguodala snatched it from Green -- barely -- but when he came down, he glared at Green then stole a look to the Sixers bench as if to say, "what's he doing trying to take that rebound from me?" (That's how the interaction looked from press row, about 10 yards away.) I'm assuming these are the types of interactions that Jordan would want to eliminate. Awesome that he's addressing them so early.
Overall, Jordan said he took a lot of good things from Tuesday night's game: how the team responded in the second half, how the big players stepped up and got things done, how Lou responded to a poor start shooting, how Brand played. Sure enough, it's the pre-season, you gotta find the good things to take away, but having actually seen the game, and not actually being paid to coach the Sixers: it wasn't very good. Although a lot of the poor play belonged to the Knicks.
(Also of note, both Willie Green and Jason Smith were getting over flu symptoms ...)
The Sixers practiced about 90 minutes today. They looked to be practicing at a higher intensity and it seemed as if it was important to get in a good practice after the Knicks game.
The Princeton Offense: Jordan took the team out of the PO after the first quarter. Jordan said he is still learning how to coach this team and that the move was an "in-game feel," based on some of the Knicks knowing the Princeton. He explained that because he hasn't installed all of the options, his guys were out there without the proper counters. He also said that some of those Knicks would still know the calls for plays and because his guys weren't at the point where they could run the offense without calls (based on reads), he felt like continuing to run it would put them at a disadvantage. That all makes sense.
Rodney Carney won't be making the trip to Phoenix/Mexico. He is still out with a strained left hamstring. He's still officially listed as day-to-day, but I'd be surprised if he was back before the end of the pre-season games. He looks a little gimpy. Samuel Dalembert was wearing some sort of tape around his right calf today, and at times he looked to be limping, but the Sixers did not report any injury to Dalembert.
Still doing the Twitter thing. If you want to join, click here: Deep Sixer.
--Kate
Some coaches don't play rookies or give them the chance. That is just plain pig-headed. The problem is that Royal Ivey and Willie Green are very marginal players, and Holiday is probably better. Eddie Jordan better recognize that his roster is thin in spots and that he needs another quality guard. It's important to find out if Holiday can do it or not, before the season starts. The mistake was re-signing Ivey, There are better guards out there.— ricky- Iggy will be satisfied from now until retirement day so long as he doesn't have to share the stage with better players. He WILL clash in Philly if other players steal his thunder. He bristled last year when media people asked him about Brand's "leadership" qualities, he's a league leader in pouting (to refs and at his teammmates), acts like he conquered the world when he makes late game baskets (Iggy, a clue: watch Ray Allen after a big basket; act like you've been there before!), and he's just plain boring, boring, boring. Hard-working and well-rounded, yes--but his ego is way bigger than his game justifies.— Hobbes
- A couple of games into an irelevant NBA preseason and the boobirds-moaners and "woe is me types" are out in force. The #1 draft pick is a bust, the sportswriter is a mentalist, Iggy can't lead and we've got the wrong coach. Wow imagine if the team actually LOSES an exhibition game. Watch the Phils and the Eagles and give the Sixers a chance. C'mon you could be a Knicks fan.— buff1
- Hey Chuck, Really!!!— DJ
- How does he think it going to affect his psyche by not even getting into the game? What kind of message does that send? That is no way to develop a young player— Bobphxville
- Should've drafted Eric Maynor....he's already showing his "Floor Generalship" for Utah......and he's already acclimated to the NBA better then Lawson.— Half-Baked Mcbride
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.
