Posted: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 12:11 AM | 13 comments |
 

That "Win" Over the Clippers
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Let's be honest, while tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers will go down as a 'W', it was not a step in the right direction for the 76ers.

It would be easy to toss around the phrase, "A win is a win," but that would be like eating candy for breakfast: Sure, it tastes good at the time, but you know there will be consequences. And for these Sixers, if they don't treat tonight's game like a loss, it might come back to haunt them.  

Here are the facts: The Clippers are 2-10. Only hours before game time, the Clippers traded two of their top five scorers: Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. So let me get this straight, the 76ers, playing at home, needed a rattled-in 15-foot jump shot from Elton Brand with 57 seconds left to beat one of the NBA's worst teams, who were made even worse without two -- two -- of their best players? That is not cause for pats on the back. Not if your a team supposedly pointing towards the playoffs.

Things just don't feel right out there for the Sixers. And by "things" I mean rhythm, flow, cohesion -- all of the attributes that make five good basketball players a good basketball team. Nobody is denying that the pieces of the puzzle exist within the Sixers roster. There are enough to build a playoff basketball team.

Glaring problem: Too many Sixers are trying to be players they aren't. Food for thought.  

1.) Andre Miller has taken the second-most field goals on the team. 2.) Andre Iguodala is trying to prove he can shoot from the perimeter. 3.) Lou Williams is stuck between having a single-minded focus -- scoring -- and learning how to be a point guard. 4.) Elton Brand is trying to be the No. 1 main guy, all the time. Is he feeling the pressure? What do the Sixers need from him?

The Sixer who does not appear to be pressing: Thaddeus Young. After the game, we asked Thad about scoring 14 first-half point and then not getting a shot until 5:50 left in the third, and barely touching the ball in the second half. Thad said, "Let's get this straight, I don't ever get plays called for me. I just go out there and play basketball."

Hmmmmm ... that seems like a philosophy the rest of the Sixers might bend an ear towards.

Ok. There were a few good things tonight. Right? Weren't there?

1.) Like always, Young was a bright spot. If you're a Sixer fan, you can't be upset for long knowing this kid is on your team. 2.) Even though they should never have been in the position, the Sixers did show resiliency in overcoming that late-game hole and winning this game. 3.) Once again, Iguodala was aggressive at the end of the game: His three-point play was key.

Quotable

Elton Brand: "It was disappointing after the Minnesota game. We had a nice lead and let them back, same as we did tonight. We just had to pick it up as a team. We just needed a victory and that's what we got."

(Of note: Tonight's postgame was the second time I've heard Brand mention the "struggles" of the second unit -- and "struggles" is a kind interpretation of Brand's less-than-glowing comments about the second unit. This game changed momentum once Mo Cheeks started making substitutions towards the end of the first quarter. Previously, the Sixers were up as much as 14 points. No doubt, the second unit of Lou Williams, Reggie Evans, etc. is playing poorly ... But I'm not sure if tossing the second unit under the bus will be a winning formula.)

Maurice Cheeks on the lack of energy: "You can get deflated. You can be playing defense hard and the other team gets the offensive rebound, scores on the fast break, gets a fast break, gets a steal or a run and it will deflate you a little bit. Our guys hung in there though."

(Interesting.)

Cheeks on the Sixers non-existent half-court offense: "Tonight our half court offense was not smooth. When or half court offense is not smooth and our transition baskets are not going we have a tough time. While we pushed the ball up the floor we didn't get a lot of transition baskets. We really need to work on our half court offense and we won't have that many turnovers."

No, it wasn't pretty ... But a win is a win?

--Kate

 

 
Posted by Kate Fagan @ 12:11 AM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:36 AM, 11/22/2008
    Way to call a spade a spade. This team has talent. They aren't utilizing it very well right now. But great to see Thad and Speights continue to make strides. Some day a big part of the offense will go through them, and Brand and Iguodala's hustle will get them points. Right now the roles are reversed.
    — tktk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:38 AM, 11/22/2008
    Also, impressive that Thad can lead the team in scoring despite playing in handcuffs...... Back when AI was still here Mo used Iguodala in the Same way- delegating him to stand in the weakside corner and watch the other players get the ball. It was a revelation that Iguodala had so many skills after AI was traded and the handcuffs came off...... Thad scores even though he is being robbed of opportunities. Imagine how good he will be once he is properly utilized in the offense......... Good days are ahead for this team... eventually. The talent eventually will be allowed to shine.
    — tktk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:53 AM, 11/22/2008
    Unfortunately, the top two offensive options of Iguodala and Brand are hurting this team with their low shooting percentages and increased turnovers. Also, Miller has been forced to shoot the ball more often then he should which is not his role. There seems to be a preference to force the ball to Brand, Iguodala and Miller based on seniority instead of feeding the "hot" hand, which in this case is Young. The second team could be better if Cheeks would try to incorporate Ivey, Rush and Marshall into the line-up. The management and coaches have to be held accountable because they have to give better direction to these players on dos and don'ts. Also, playing time should be based on performance. If your not making shots, ride the pines!!!!!
    — RunningTheBases
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:57 AM, 11/22/2008
    Great post...players trying to be players that they aren't!!! If Iguodala doesn't get to cause turnovers and get out into open court situations or cut and slash, go back door in the halfcourt he will not be successful! Brand should be adding to the teams ability to play half court, not changing them into a halfcourt team. I heard a commentator say that some players play on instinct and reactions...like the Sixers when they are aggressively pushing the ball. Some players play well in specified sets where they are thinking more than reacting...ie Pistons/halfcourt teams. The Sixers players are generally the more instinctive type and they struggle when they can't play that way. Lou Williams doesn't ned to be the next Andre Miller, he needs to relax and be himself. The great thing is, the team can figure this out and find a comfort level with each other, just a matter of time. Tremendous bright spots in Thad, Speights and how Green is playing this year. I just wish the opposing commentators would stop calling Speights "Sprites". Also heard the clippers guys say that Elton may have told someone that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, I hope he doesn't get too down on the team's slow start. Clippers guys also made a lot of comments about Brand not looking like the player he used to be, for whatever that is worth.
    — srvdove
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:14 AM, 11/22/2008
    listen those clipp announcers were just bitter azzclowns. Last year they were begging for Brand to resign and be the first clipper who has his jersey retired. No joke I have last years game on tape. These 2 guys were your classic hometeam homers, just a bunch of jerks. They should be fired or sued for the stuff they were saying last night.
    — The Greek
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:26 PM, 11/22/2008
    We just can't win if Iguodala is our shooting guard... he's just... not a shooting guard. And now we're playing halfcourt with Brand when we should be running and gunning. Until we fix these two problems, well, we got problems. On an unrelated note, can the Sixers please return to the classic uniforms that they wore last night. Please? Please? No, really. Please, please, please? I've been whinning and begging for this for years. Maybe someday, it'll actually happen.
    — Oliver
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:00 PM, 11/22/2008
    On one hand, this is LA we're talking about and a 1-point victory doesn't bridge the gap between being any better as the season progresses. But it's positive to think we came out with a victory after that debacle against Minnesota. Sure, there are many things we need to improve as a team, but if we continue to win through struggle, that also shows a little bit of toughness that any playoff caliber team needs. Of all the problems you mentioned, I think this one is the worst: "Andre Miller has taken the second-most field goals on the team." Why do you think that is? Is he trying to fill a gap for what Iggy isn't bringing to the table? We don't need Dre to score. We need him to manage the guys on the floor and put those guys in good positions to score.
    — Comulles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:26 PM, 11/22/2008
    Here's my insane plan that won't work: C: Brand/Speights PF: Young/Evans SF: Iggy/ ...um? SG: Oh god we don't have a shooting guard! PG: Miller/Williams And just trade Dalembert and get some kind of shooting guard. One who can make outside shots? Perhaps? Then we can play insane Nellie-style small ball and at least it'll be entertaining. Sure, we won't be able to play any defense, but having one player who can play D (Dalembert)... well, that ain't working out so great either. And really, this half-court, dump the ball in to Brand, except then he's double teamed because we have no outside shooters for him to kick it back out to... well, that just ain't really working.
    — Oliver
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:31 PM, 11/22/2008
    It seems to me that Brand has no hang time, consequently is missing contested shots from in close. Should Young and Iguodala switch positions on offense: at least Young can shoot from outside.
    — alank
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:06 PM, 11/22/2008
    We're only 12 games in...of course they don't have their rhythm yet. But imagine how we'd feel if they had lost by 1 point. This is the most talent they've had in awhile...good times are ahead....let's give them a chance to jell.
    — mickeyb4boyle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:42 PM, 11/22/2008
    Oliver, don't forget about Kareem Rush.
    — Comulles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:01 AM, 11/23/2008
    I like the analysis. When EB came to the team, he was the inside presence the 6ers were lacking. But, that doesn't make him the 6ers best player. Thaddeus is the 6ers best player. I haven't seen an answer for this kid , except himself when he misses a bunny. He has an unusual game! Just cause he is Young, doesn't mean he isn't the best player that they have. Once Mo realizes this, and develop some game plans for him, 6ers will not reach there full potential. TAKE THE REIGNS OF THE KID MO!! Because of Elton's size, he is best in a complimentary role. But there is no answer for Thaddeus. He got Tricks in his game. I love it!! Mo can throw Speights in there too for good measure. I think he is the 6ers best big man. They'll be cool! Its a long season!!
    — VDogg
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:28 PM, 11/23/2008
    The Sixers are going nowhere. The Nets beat the Clippers by double digits. They are playing the rookie Lopez at center already. We beat them by one point. Thaddeus Young is more than a breath of fresh air. He is one of the only reasons to focus on this team. It is time to play Speights at center. It is time to play Kareem Rush at 2 guard. The Iguodala experiment has been and is a bust. It is time to move on. There will be no rhythm with Iguodala at 2 guard and Dalembert at center. Both are offensive liabilities and points win games. Iguodala can't shoot and Dalembert is clueless.
    — Horlet


13 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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