Sixers vs. Knicks
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Sixers vs. Knicks
The Knicks are in town with their new brand of Mike D'Antoni fast-breaking basketball, but more importantly for Philly, the 76ers are in the Wachovia Center for the first time this season. Knicks vs. Sixers, tonight, 7. If you're going, watch out for Phillies' (you know how they're playing in the NLCS?) traffic.
It's the second preseason game for each team. Knicks lost at Toronto, 113-111, on Wednesday. On the same night, the Sixers beat Boston, 98-92.
The Knicks are a team in transition -- literally and figuratively. D'Antoni, formerly of the run-and-gun Suns, is instituting that offensive philosophy in NYC. Also, Stephon Marbury appears to have taken a backseat to free-agent pickup Chris Duhon. With the Sixers also looking to play pressure, aggressive defense and push the basketball, this should be a free-wheelin' type of game.
Oh, before I forget: We'll be chatting today at 3 p.m. I've got your link, as always. Click here: Sixers Chat.
The Sixers had shootaround this morning from 10 to 11, before which they met as a team and watched film. Head coach Maurice Cheeks said to expect the same starting lineup -- Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Elton Brand, and Sam Dalembert. Cheeks said not everyone will play, and, specifically, he told me yesterday that Donyell Marshall might not play again. Marshall was a DNP against the Celtics.
Kareem Rush is back. He said this morning that his ankle is sore, but not a hinderance. He is in the photo ... again. That's him on the far hoop shooting after shootaround. He stayed 15 minutes later than everyone. From each spot, he had to make seven shots in a row from 12 feet, 18 feet, and the 3-point line. If that makes sense. My best guess is he shot an extra 300 shots.
He said after watching Wednesday's game from the bench that he knows his role is to find open spots on the floor and hit shots. He said he "assumes every shot is going in," which, I guess, is the confidence you develop when your release is as smooth as ... his is (couldn't think of an appropriate metaphor).
Three things to watch tonight:
1.) The first five minutes. Against the Celtics, the Sixers were downright bad in the opening. They looked sluggish, the offense was stagnant, and the Celtics easily found open shots. Cheeks said he was happy with the way this group started the third quarter, but not the game. Look for a focus on defending -- even though it will be difficult with the up-and-down pace the Knicks want to employ.
2.) Kareem Rush. When will he check into the game? On Wednesday, Willie Green was first off the bench, Lou Williams second. I would look for Rush as the fourth guy off the bench, perhaps after these two guys and either Reggie Evans for Brand or Theo Ratliff for Dalembert. When Rush is out there, watch how he spaces the court and finds gaps when the ball goes inside. If he is going to earn minutes, he has to sneak into these spaces and then make the shot.
3.) Elton Brand. How much will the Sixers get him the ball? The Knicks don't have Kevin Garnett, so you should see the Knicks' help defenders pull toward Brand when he gets the ball. Brand had 11 points on Wednesday: A solid, if not strong, Sixers' debut. How will Andre Iguodala move without the ball? Can the Sixers get him some looks off of Brand's midpost game? (I know that sounds like it should be a fourth "thing to watch," and it should, but I'm sticking to three.)
Live Chat at 3 p.m. -- don't worry, if you join, we'll be done in plenty of time for the first pitch of the Phillies' game.
Be back later ...
-- Kate
kate: knicks want to employ the transition game and did score 111 the other nite but this team as configured doesn't seem to have the pieces to really run with us. all 3 (or is that 4) of your points will bear watching and it'll be good to have observations from those who see the game. a few other possible aspects to look for: 1) will the offense run anything for young; 2) will dalembert/brand start functioning (more) cohesively on both ends; 3) will miller dominate duhon (who can run the break but is a shaky decision maker)? i'll show a little restraint and leave it at...for now.— 127sixer59- Kate: Just skimmed yesterday's chat transcript where you proposed a starting lineup(Evans, Brand, Lou, etc.). Pretty interesting, it definitely challenges some assumptions around here. I've sort of been coming around the the idea that we've got lots of interchangeable parts, rather than a set cast. Is your thinking(or anyone else's for that matter) that we could see different starting groups based on matchups on a game by game basis throughout the season?— K,M
- 127: Three more interesting points. There are so many things to keep an eye on right now, especially with no rotation set. K,M: I don't think we'll see different lineups based on matchups. I think the lineup might shift as the year progresses, but that will be gradual. That's my impression. You going to the game tonight?— Kfagan
- kate/others: counting on all of you to be the eyes for the rest of us! while most will be revealed going forward, some of the issues raised above and during the chat should provide a bit of a "status update" to gauage how we're tracking. one question is do we think the team is about where it should be considering all the new players and how it is just the second preseason game. any critical concerns at this point? kate: good luck to cu against the jayhawks...— 127sixer59
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.
