Posted: Monday, February 13, 2012, 2:50 PM | 6 comments |
 

Sixers go full year without anyone going for 30
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The 76ers are just one of four NBA teams - New Orleans, Charlotte and Memphis are the others – that have not had a 30-point scorer this season. In fact, the Sixers have gone more than a full year without a player on their roster scoring at least 30 in a game. Elton Brand last did it when he went for 33 against the New York Knicks on Feb. 4, 2011.

So what’s the deal? Why is this so?

“It means that we’re well-rounded,” said all-star Andre Iguodala. “I think we have multiple guys who are capable of scoring 30, but our offense is set up really to make everyone a threat on the floor. We have many different options.”

The Sixers have six players averaging double figures in scoring; two player are averaging at least nine points.

As an example, Iguodala pointed out that when he and Jrue Holiday drive to the basket, oftentimes they are doing so with the intention of drawing defenders so they can pass the ball back out to the perimeter for a guy like Jodie Meeks to get a good look at a potential 3-pointer. Coach Doug Collins has said on multiple occasions that getting Meeks open looks is critical for the Sixers’ team-first approach to scoring the basketball.

“For him to be a threat he has to get his attempts,” Iguodala says. “That might take away from our attempts, but it makes all of us threatening, and it helps us to continue to work together as a unit.”  

Collins pointed out that during ‘garbage time’ of the Sixers’ 99-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers this past Saturday, all five players on the court touched the ball, some of them touching it twice before Holiday fired up a shot to beat the 24-second clock.

“I think our guys just love to share the ball,” Collins said. “That’s normally a time when guys will jack the ball up, and we worked the 24-second clock all the way down. That sort of says a lot. It says that guys aren’t coming in, even if it’s a 15-point game, and looking to chuck shots up to get their points.”
Posted by John Mitchell @ 2:50 PM  Permalink | 6 comments
6
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:55 PM, 02/13/2012
    I also see it as a benefit. Any game, someone on the Sixers could score 30 in a game. But that's just not the way the offense is constructed or in the team's best interest. It doesn't, however, mean that they don't have scorers.
    — Leegles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 PM, 02/13/2012
    Dc controls this, as this is how he wants his team built...Since that February 4rth game last year, Lou Williams could have easily perfomed that feat easily...But he does not play the minutes...If he goes off in a first half, he does NOT start the second half...This season, he has played over 30 minutes in just 3 games out of the 28 in which he has played (32,31,31)...Having multiple options,balance, and ball movement helps this team achieve its goals better.
    — bearsfriend
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:17 PM, 02/13/2012
    On the other hand, when one player is "hot", the others will generally make sure that the hot hand keeps getting the ball. If someone keeps hitting his shots, I don't think DC would deter the others from continuing to send the ball his way until he misses at least two. However good they all are, none of them seems to ever get quite that hot, with that level of consistency over at least two quarters, that they get even to the upper 20s in points.
    — yoyo_philly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:24 PM, 02/13/2012
    Which kind of basketball gets you the ring? The ball hog AIverson got them close. How far will team basketball get this version of the Sixers?
    — SilliBilli
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:11 PM, 02/14/2012
    I love team basketball, don't let espn make you believe superstars equal great basketball teams, id rather watch this team than the Miami Lebron and co.
    — SJWildcat
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:43 PM, 02/17/2012
    Say pro or con what you will about Iguodala's play, every time I read something he says, he sounds like a coach.
    — Cranson


6 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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