Post-Magic, Pre-Bucks
Check out the video of Lou Williams talking about his performance in the video player at the right. If you want to follow Deep Sixer on Twitter, click here : Deep Sixer.
Post-Magic, Pre-Bucks
Check out the video of Lou Williams talking about his performance in the video player at the right. If you want to follow Deep Sixer on Twitter, click here : Deep Sixer.
The 76ers are currently practicing here at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. They returned after last night's not-very-good season opener at the Orlando Magic. The game was eventually a 120-106 loss, but it was much worse than that. The Sixers scored 37 points in the fourth quarter, the Magic scored 20.
It's hard to think of exactly how to assess last night's performance. The Sixers didn't necessarily play any tough opponents in the preseason, so clearly last night's game was a challenge to begin with. It was an embarrassing night, but does it mean the Sixers are that bad? Tough to say. They look that bad. Hopefully for Sixers fans, seeing the Sixers against the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night at home will be an improvement. If it's not, then we'll have plenty about which to talk.
Here are a few thoughts from last night:
1.) Lou Williams needs to play better defense. We know he can score. We know that on the offensive end he can be an impact player for this team. But, last night, Orlando's backup point guard Jason Williams was the reason the Magic bolted ahead in the second quarter. Williams is not staying in front of his guy. On one particular play, Williams was guarding the Magic's Williams on the left wing. There was sort of a soft brush screen just inside the wing involving Elton Brand (not an actual on-ball screen because the play was in transition). Orlando's Williams gave Lou a slight hesitation and went directly to the rim, laid the ball in for 2 points. As the ball bounced out of bounds, waiting to be in-bounded, Brand looked at Lou like "exactly what kind of defense was that?" If the Sixers are a defensive team first and foremost, they can't have their point guard allowing direct penetration to the rim.
2.) The "Big Three." That's what Sixers coach Eddie Jordan calls forward Thaddeus Young, swingman Andre Iguodala, and Brand. He's talked for much of the preseason about relying on these Big Three. It was only one game, but all three of the Big Three disappeared: Young was 3 for 9 with 8 points. Brand was 2 for 7 with 8 points. Iguodala was 3 for 11 with 8 points. If these are your go-to guys (and of course they are) they can't all be scoring 8 points. They're trying to run the offense, yes, but one of them has to assert himself at all times.
3.) Marreese Speights. The numbers are impressive: 26 points in 26 minutes off the bench. But let's not jump to the conclusion that these were 26 points in a regular NBA game. Many of these points came with the game already decided. And when it counted, Speights was struggling to defend Dwight Howard. More to the point, he had no chance at stopping Howard, who just backed him down in three dribbles and scored or dunked the ball. Speights can score, of course he can, but he's also giving up a heck of a lot of points on the other end. So let's not, just yet, start the "Start Speights" campaign.
I suppose what we learned last night is that the 76ers are, at this moment, nowhere near the caliber of team like those at the top of the Eastern Conference. What we'll learn tomorrow night against the Bucks is where they stack up against a run-of-the-mill NBA team.
--Kate
Comment removed.
ouch. Need to bounce back and get a win vs. the bucks. Speights def. needs to work on his defense but 10 of 11 from the field is pretty good— NBAdraftRoom.com- Anyone see how Dalembert performed?
- While I was listening, Pinckney much better than in pre-season. Doesn't talk when he has nothing to add.— alank
- 35 win team, nothing more, nothing less.— Lcrest
- Sam played well Q1, was aggressive both ends...whole team played good Q1. After that, Sam got 5 PFs quick and didn't play much rest of way...pretty typical, he teases you for 10 minutes then stinks. This team will be broken apart at the trade deadline if they can find willing partners for Brand or Iguodala or Dalembert.— JBP
Orlando killed us with the three pointers...and Jason Williams gave a huge spark against Lou Williams like Kate said. The feel seemed similar to last year when we started the season and everybody looked uncomfortable...Brand not comfortable with the style of play...Iguodala not comfortable with his position (I guess)...every once in a while we looked like if we play defense and attack the open court aggressively, we have a chance..otherwise...also thought the second unit came in and that is when Orlando started to take over. Bring on the Bucks!— srvdove- The issue is that we don't have a "banger" to even remotely try to defend against the Shaq's, Superman's, and even KG's of the Eastern Conference. Our solution last year? Reggie Evans constantly fouling the other team's center. I didn't get to watch the game either, how was Dalembert and Jason Smith?— FlySixPhiEagles
- The way the NBA is structured right now there are four or five teams with legitimate chances to win the title; there are a few +.500 clubs who will be also-rans; there are a few sub .500 clubs that will fight for the #7, 8 seeds, especially in the Eastern Conference; and there are six or so teams that will win almost exclusively only when they play each other. The Sixers fit somewhere between the second and third tier of the league. They'll usually beat the bottom feeders, hold their own against the sub .500 group, win a third or so against the +.500 group; and lose almost every game against the bonafide powers---the Cavs, Celts, Magic, Spurs, Lakers. If you can be entertained by that kind of team, the 76ers are for you; if not, pick one of the elite clubs to focus on or stick to college hoops or ice hockey this winter. Then again, the baseball offseason will be pretty short, so that February 15th when pitchers and catchers report, should be circled on your calendar.— john newlin
- John Newlin: you are right on the money. A problem for the NBA: difficult to improve once you fall, particularly if you have made poor long-term decisions, such as lengthy expensive contracts to Brand, Dalembert, and Iguodala. Unless the Sixers tank and get a top-5 pick, they may be in this rut for quite some time. Was not pretty last night, to say the least, an embarrassment defensively.— chuckw
- Chuck, you are not a sixers fan. Stop commenting.— jefuuetsukusura
- Jef: I have followed the Sixers longer than you have lived,played in high school and college, and will continue to comment whether you like it or not. By the way, since you believe that superstars are not important, perhaps you should have watched Carmelo tonight carry Denver on his back and Brandon Roy almost carry Portland. Just who on the Sixers will do that? Even fans like myself (who for years paid big bucks to attend games, unlike you I would imagine) have the right to complain about an organization that has produced two 50+ seasons since 1985 and goes through coaches like a knife through butter. Perhaps it is time for you to stop commenting? By the way, you seem to be trolling these boards looking for me, perhaps a little man love?— chuckw
- jef...try contributing an original thought of your own instead of slamming everyone else who posts one...DOG.— RaulJulia777
- Iguodola, 3 for 11, 8 points, enough said— GetRidofIguodola
OK, I won't fight on the 'Start Speights' campaig, but I will continue to trumpet the 'Bench Dalembert' movement.— dpcoz
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.
