Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 7:24 PM | 1 comments |
 

Kareem Rush, Traffic, and the Boston Celtics
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It's a few minutes before tip off here at the Boston Garden (I still call it such). Here's the news:

1.) Kareem Rush will start at shooting guard instead of Willie Green, who isn't playing tonight because of the sore ankle he aggravated Saturday against the Pacers. Head coach Tony DiLeo said he is going with Rush because he wants to continue to bring Lou Williams off the bench as a spark. DiLeo said Rush played the two-spot yesterday at practice and they decided to go with that same lineup. I spoke with both Rush and DiLeo. Rush didn't know he was starting. But he said he'll approach it as an opportunity. Rush has kept his shot in shape all season, always shooting extra after practice. DiLeo said it would, obviously, be a great boast to this squad tonight if Rush could come in and spread the floor and knock down a few three-pointers. And if that's not the case, DiLeo said they would go with Plan B (which I would guess would be Lou Williams at times, and then also Marreese Speights at the power forward and Iguodala at the shooting guard).

Also, Theo Ratliff is out with the flu.

2.) Traffic in Boston is unbelievable tonight. The Sixers had two buses coming to the arena. The first one took 55 minutes to get here (it took 10-15 this morning for shootaround). The second bus didn't arrive until 6:45. Let's say they were a little stressed. Probably not the best way to start a game against the NBA's best team. But, since I witnessed the madness that was this evening's traffic, I can attest that it was unavoidable.

Back to Rush. He took a cab to the arena with Royal Ivey and at least one other player. They beat the traffic and were working on their jumpshots well before the first bus arrived.

15 minutes until this game ...

--Kate
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 7:24 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:15 PM, 12/23/2008
    Kate, here in Boston, the locals know to take public transportation when possible, because one accident can cause traffic to back up interminably on Boston's narrow streets (although tonight might have been Christmas shopping). I took the T in and was there by 6:45. Anyhow, quick thoughts on the game: minor victory that the Sixers lost by less than 20, given that the whole team hit maybe 2 jump shots longer than 12 feet the whole game. Believe it or not, the Sixers still outshot the Celtics because they got a ton of dunks (5 by Iguodala), but they were done in by bad free throw shooting, bad rebounding, turnovers, and bad defense. No matter what improvement DiLeo brings on offense, any turnaround will have to begin on defense. Of the Sixers' main rotation players right now, Miller tries but is below average (and will always be), Speights is improving but still below average, Thad unfortunately seems to have regressed from last year (when at least he would get some steals), and Lou is atrocious (with his speed you'd think he would be better). Only Iguodala and Dalembert are "plus" defenders, and it is no coincidence that the Sixers' two runs tonight were keyed by their defense (Iguodala in the 1st, Dalembert in the 3rd). So, on to Denver, where I really think the going will be easier (no Carmelo and no Camby any more to cover for their bad perimeter defenders). Merry Christmas to everyone -- just keep repeating to yourselves, "At least the Phillies won!"
    — Statman


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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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