Posted: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 7:00 PM | 6 comments |
 

Overstating The Case?
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Tony DiLeo has coached one game and directed two full practices, and this is what the 19-year veteran of the organization sees:

''It's right in the season, (so) we can't change a lot of things. We're just trying to adjust. Yes, we're putting in some new things, but we don't want to completely change things around.

''When we get out in the open court, we're a great team. I mean, we're really, really good. We're trying to pur oursleves in situations to get in the open court, and that includes our defense. If we can improve that, and our rebounding . . . ''

I think the Sixers clearly are at their best when they run, but I struggle with ''great'' being attached to a team that is 10-14.

Still, in an effort to make the necessary adjustments as clear and specific as possible, DiLeo began having individual meetings with the players, including some just hours after being named Saturday as the successor to the fired Maurice Cheeks. Those meetings continued after today's practice.

To me, that means no player is going to be able to say he doesn't know his role.

Hey, DiLeo has to st art somewhere. Why not there?
Posted by Phil Jasner @ 7:00 PM  Permalink | 6 comments
6
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:47 PM, 12/16/2008
    Didn't I read that Tony wants the team to run even more than last year? Wow. Does this also mean a lot more full court pressure? I do like Tony's approach so far. I love the idea of bringing clarity to what is expected of the player's on an individual basis. That would make it easier to identify when something is not working the way everyone wants it to work, I would think.
    — srvdove
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:14 AM, 12/17/2008
    I hope it means more full court pressure sr. Defense definitely seems to be a point of emphasis so far based on what i've read, which is good because you can talk about running at every opportunity, but it needs to start with getting stops. Defining roles has also been a problem this year and hopefully those one-on-one meetings will help with that. Much respect to Mo, but i dont think he was particularly good at that aspect of coaching (the whole x's and o's, defining roles thing). Maybe DiLeo is and maybe he isn't, but at least they recognize that its been an issue...
    — K,M
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:24 PM, 12/17/2008
    yea, but unless he has a free hand (regardless of salary considerations), ain't nothing going to change...maybe peaks and valleys, but no real growth
    — kgd
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:38 AM, 12/19/2008
    dileo will get it done he is highlu intelligent understands the nuances of the game of basketball I have confidence in him
    — donofrio


6 comments
About Bob Cooney
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.

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