Another day at the summer league in Orlando
Players seem a little tired, Spencer Hawes pays a visit and the Sixers bet the Celtics.
Another day at the summer league in Orlando
Bob Cooney
ORLANDO - For the first game of the Summer League here in Orlando, coach Doug Collins sat across the court from the bench while assistants Aaron McKie and Quin Snyder ran the club. Collins could hardly contain himself being out of shouting distance from his players, so during today's game he was seated near the end of the bench.
He is a players' coach. He continually shouted words of instruction and praise. He called players over just to give them a slap on the hand, or give them a thumbs up. Though prized rookie Evan Turner struggled again initially, Collins knows that he is struggling because of fatigue and the fact that he hasn't played organized ball since late March.
Turner scored 13 points, turned the ball over and four times and, at times, seemed confused with the referees' calls during the Sixers' 86-69 win. But he shrugged it off and acknowledged that he's a little bit up from all the practices and games that the team has gone through. The assembled group has been down here since Thursday and has been practicing and playing games since.
Newly acquired Spencer Hawes flew to Orlando today and was on the bench for the game. He will be here for the rest of the week, working out with the team but not playing in any games.
"I asked coach Collins if it was OK for me to come down here because I wanted to get to know the guys," Hawes told me after the game. "I know Jrue [Holiday] and Mo [Speights] and Jodie [Meeks] a little from playing against them, but I wanted to get to know Evan, too. It's a really exciting atmosphere. I'm glad to be here and can't wait to get started."
GM Ed Stefanski will talk tomorrow after the team faces Oklahoma City at 3. He has to be happy with the play of Holiday, who was the best player of the eight teams on Monday, and posted 10 points and five assists yesterday.
Question of the day: Who do you think will be the starting five, provided the team is constructed as it is now. My guess is this: Holiday, Turner, Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Hawes. Let's hear yours.
Bob
Why does the Sixers website still list Iverson on the roster?- Meeks looked good at the end of last season, but how can the Sixers keep six guards? Nocioni, Holliday, Turner, Williams and Green are all under contract. That makes five. Meeks would be six.
So, lets say the starting 5 is Holiday, Turner, AI, Brand and Hawes? Then you have Thad as our 6th man or Williams— radicaleaglesfan- Agents are right to be concerned about injuries before the draft, but there still are no college or pro games to be played until the summer league so players are not going to be in game shape. Nonetheless, look at the defensive effort of the Sixer guards thus far; very impressive.— chuckw
Not in shape? The last thing Evan Turner would have done leading up to the draft is risk injury - come on now, carlosbeltran, typical for a mut fan. And who said he was out of shape, he was rusty and that is understandable.— CosmoK- Turner can be what Iggy was supposed to be - a triple double threat who can actually dribble and shoot. Unload Iggy for the best deal and start fresh!— pzales
- Bob isn't in writing shape. No wonder the papers are doing so well...— the sichee-ation
- Holiday, Turner, Dre, Brand, & Hawes. Bench: Young, Noc', Meeks, Sp8s, Simmons, Smith, Green (Mike Green that is). GET WILLIE OUT OF HERE. I won't be happy til I see him wearing another team's uniform.— XmarksTheSpot
Players aren't in game shape, because their agents are afraid of in juries.— pedge- Surprised spellcheck missed that german word :) So who is the mystery starting power forward. Gotta be Elton. I sure hope he can play this season. I liked him an awful lot with the Clippers. His game isn't predicated on explosiveness, so hopefully he can get it back. He's had a rough couple of years physically. And his mood might be lighter with the departure of Sammy D. I don't think Elton liked him as a player. Summer league team is playing excellent perimeter D. Turner is an in-your-face defender, so I think he, Jrue and Andre will make an outstanding perimeter defensive unit. Then we'll throw in Lou and Thad to harangue the opponents' second units. Should work out very well on the outside. Now we just need all five guys hitting the boards. As long as they aren't crushed on the glass the Sixers will win lots of games.— incog69
- These late night posts are a 6!+ch, Bob. My guess is Turner "scored" as opposed to "scored scored", was "beat" up as opposed to "bit" up and "turned the ball over four times" instead of "turned the ball over and four times ...". But, I could be wrong. Also, did Hawes really say "waurnernted"? If he did, how did you know how to spell it? MightyFlye pointed out your starting 5 included 4 distinct players. Get some sleep. But, seriously, I enjoy the posts - even the ones when you are well rested.
- carlosbeltran: most of the players are not in game shape, which is not the same as being in shape. You may have missed it, but the college season ended and the pro season has not begun. Pick-up games and practices do not put players into game shape. Go back to the Mets.— chuckw
- My question is, why is Turner not in playing shape and why are they already making excuses? Everyone else is under the same conditions. He is being payed millions of dollars to play a game, is it too much to ask him to stay in shape?— carlosbeltran
- i saw the 6ers and nets play,and mareese,isn't playing like he was really into it.he played a lot better @ florida state.maybe..he's not in shape or something...but hopefully,he comes around,they're countimg on him.— t_darb_56
- Love that Hawes is down there to practice and develop chemistry. Saw the game and was impressed by some of Holiday's play (last game was better) and all of Meeks's play, but Turner certainly isn't in playing shape yet.. and Speights isn't looking that impressive. Pretty sure Turner will be able to turn things around, but I don't know what's holding Speights back. Not sure anyone should be lobbying for him to be our starting 4 or 5.— AnEaglesSixersFlyersPhilliesPSUBig5FanGrowsInBrooklyn
- Sooooo.....you're going to have Turner play two positions at once? Seems like that might be a smidge tough, especially for a rookie. Just saying. Nice to hear Hawes has his head in the game. Hopefully, the change of scenery will really help his game.
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
