Problems abound for Sixers
The Sixers loss to the Spurs on Sunday night wasn't just a loss, it appeared to uncover the many problems that are plaguing this team right now.
Problems abound for Sixers
Bob Cooney
The Sixers strolled into San Antonio this weekend seemingly getting ready to play a team that was ripe for the taking. The Spurs were playing their third game in as many nights, were without future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, as coach Greg Popovich decided to give him a rest and the Sixers were coming off a solid effort in a sound victory over Boston on Friday.
But Tony Parker and company had enough legs, and bountiful smarts, to easily do away with the Sixers by 93-76. Let's just run down, individually, what is going on with the Sixers right now.
Andre Iguodala: He had to sit out Sunday's game after the pain in his left knee was too great. The official term for the injury is patella tendonitis. Iguodala has looked much slower in the past few games, perhaps due to the knee. The scary thing is last year he missed 15 games, mostly due to tendonitis in his OTHER knee. Click here for an injury update after today's practice.
Jrue Holiday: Coach Doug Collins has continuously told him he needs to score. Holiday did just that, going for 10 points in the first quarter against the Spurs, then didn't score again the rest of the game. Need more consistency from him.
Evan Turner: If you graded a player on body language, Turner would be carrying a failing grade. He is most happy with the ball in his hands, scoring, dealing and rebounding. His rebounding has been down of late and Collins says that is the best way for him to get the ball in his hands.
Spencer Hawes: He is starting to round into shape after missing most of the season with a strained Achilles', only he doesn't realize it. Sure his game is going to show rust - jump shots coming up short, balls getting bobbled - but Hawes can't let that play on his mind. His outbursts on the court over his own play truly hurt him. Collins can't spend time trying to calm his young center down during every game.
Elton Brand: He is showing signs of playing the way he was a year ago, when he led the team in scoring and rebounding. Sure his game has fallen off from his prime, maybe even from a year ago, but he is the only player on this team who will fight his way through troubles.
Nikola Vucevic: Not sure if the rookie backup center has hit the rookie wall so hard that he's been knocked unconscious or if he just can't adjust to Collins' demands right now. He looks absolutely lost out on the court right now. Collins has seemed to have lost all confidence in him.
Jodie Meeks: He is what he is - sometimes. On a team that is struggling to reach 85 in the scoring column right now it's kind of understanding why Collins is giving him a lot of minutes. Obviously, when this team is playing well, Meeks should be a 10-15 minute guy, looking to spread defenses by hitting open jumpers.
Thaddeus Young: Probably the Sixers' most consistent player this season, Young appears to be exhausted. Going against bigger players every night has taken its toll, and Collins said Friday that Young is down to below 210 pounds, almost 10 pounds lighter than where he would like him to be. Imagine being 210 and battling 250-pound monsters each night. He is simply worn down.
Lou Williams: If there is a player who can be defined by "As he goes, so go the Sixers," it's Williams. When he is on, the team offensively flows so much better. Problem here is other teams are now running out after Williams as soon as he crosses halfcourt, taking away his ability to get to the basket or get open for jump shots.
Sam Young: If Iguodala's injury proves to be something that keeps him out for some time, we could be seeing a lot of Young. His physicality really sticks out on a team that is sorely lacking it.
Right now the one thing that was so positive about this team early in the season - its youth - is hurting it. There is too much moping, too much complaining, too much "me-first" going on right now. They won 20 of their first 29 games by playing team basketball and hounding defense. All of the sudden, in many cases, it's become about the individuals.
And now their Atlantic Division lead, once seemingly secure, is gone. With Boston’s win at Charlotte Monday night, the teams are tied atop the division at 27-22. With 17 games remaining, their position remains very fragile. And if their recent play continues, so does a playoff spot.
Long season, young guys, not enough talent, demanding coach, only 3 real pros (EB, Andre, Battie), confusion on roles, tougher opponents/tougher part of schedule, no consistent inside presence on O or D.
— JBP- This team lacks toughness and that is something you can't teach. Bob you hit the nail on the head on all points. Brand always leaves it on the court even though his skills have diminished. Turner plays soft and Hawes plays soft. For whatever Rod Thorn didn't think it was necessary to add a physical big. Thad as I have said all season is out matched when he is playing against a physical team and his style of play has finally seemed to catch up with him as he looks warn out. The Spurs are the model franchise as they just keep filling in pieces and continue to roll. They move soft Richard Jefferson and add tough Stephen Jackson. Not sure what Doug can do to change the persona of this team at this point,— Mattb
- This team lacks toughness and that is something you can't teach. Bob you hit the nail on the head on all points. Brand always leaves it on the court even though his skills have diminished. Turner plays soft and Hawes plays soft. For whatever Rod Thorn didn't think it was necessary to add a physical big. Thad as I have said all season is out matched when he is playing against a physical team and his style of play has finally seemed to catch up with him as he looks warn out. The Spurs are the model franchise as they just keep filling in pieces and continue to roll. They move soft Richard Jefferson and add tough Stephen Jackson. Not sure what Doug can do to change the persona of this team at this point, but these guys need a serious wake up call.— Mattb
- This is a young team struugling at the moment. Hopefully they get it together and finish strong.
Looking forward to the draft...the Sixers need to try and move up and grab a banger, somebody like Robinson from KU, or Sulinger. Shooting guard would be nice but with Brand getting older we need frontcourt help more.
I think Doug is a good talent evaluator. Maybe they should boot him up to GM, or some executive position, after next year.— Cameiros - I'm with you on all points until the end...Coming out of that Miami series last year, it was apparent the Sixers needed what Joel Anthony gave the Heat...a physical inside presence oing all the dirty work...bonecrunching picks,offensive rebounding,relentless energy (that would only enhance the bench playing alongside Thad Young and Lou!)...you need to watch as much of you can of the kid taken at #22 by the Nuggets...and then get back to me. — bearsfriend
- What has been left unsaid by Cooney are these possibilities: 1. DC is not a great coach, as seen by firings at three stops within a fairly short span of time: Chicago, Detroit, and Washington. Many posters have increasingly focused on his strengths and weaknesses, but the media loves him and thus does not critique him. 2. Sixers returned same team as last season for the most part, many worked out together during the lockout and were in pretty good shape, took advantage of the first half of the schedule against teams that had key injuries or simply stunk, but as the season wore on and teams began to get healthier and the schedule tightened, the Sixers drifted to their leval, a .500 or slightly above .500 team in a terrible division. They still look like a team out of balance, lacking both distance in their shooting and length and toughness in the interior, other than Brand who gets worn down. To put it simply: they really are not all that good.— chuckw
- Coach collins ran the sixers team into the ground with his short bench. The sixers look more tired than Spurs.— cosmic
- We haven't seen as much Lavoy Allen since the return of Hawes and since Vucevic is mired in sluggishness why not give more minutes to the other rookie Big. Sorry to say but it looks like a slide to 6, 7 or 8 in the playoff seating and a solid offseason to trade and aquire. This is the best that can be expected this season.— nceagle
- The offense needs to run through Turner and Hawes, not Holiday and Iguodala. Watch closely how those four play together. Turner and Hawes pass the ball to the open guys. Holiday and Iggy don't. Many times, they will not pass the ball to Turner. Iggy is all about Iggy, whanabe all-star.— beegal99
- yet another DNP-CD (columnist's decision) for Lavoy Allen.— llkewlbean
- Few suggestions for Doug. Start Battie and stress Defense in Q1. Start Sam Young if Andre needs time off. Play that group the full quarter. If Evan plays hard and well in Q1, give him 35-40 minutes. If not, give his minutes to Sam Young rest of game. Get Lou 35 minutes. Keep Thad and Andre at 25-30 minutes. Play Jrue 40 minutes and see how he and Lou play together. Bring Hawes off bench, but try to get Battie 20-25 minutes emphasis on Q1&4.— JBP
- Amen to many of the suggestions. — bearsfriend
- Nice job, Mr. Cooney! They should name Thad and Brand captains and fine the other players every time they complain or mope. Thad and Brand are models for playing the right way.— Leegles
- Also interesting that the Sixers started to slide about a month ago, right around when Iggy's knee started to give him problems.— Leegles
- Interesting observation. — bearsfriend
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.
