Sixers at 9-3, going good in so many ways
The Sixers are 9-3 due to good defense, a well-executed offense and teamwork usually not seen in the NBA. But there's more.
Sixers at 9-3, going good in so many ways
Bob Cooney
In winning nine of their first 12 games, it’s really not easy to find much that has gone wrong for the 76ers. They’re scoring, they’re playing defense, they’re winning games against overmatched opponents by large margins.
Those tangibles can be easily seen by just looking at the stats. But there is more going on with this team, things that can’t be seen in the numbers but are certainly huge attributes as to why the team is in first place in the Atlantic Division heading into Monday’s game against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks.
During Friday’s home win against the Washington Wizards, a small bit of communication between coach Doug Collins and Andre Iguodala occurred and it spoke volumes as to where this team is.
“One time he drove and lost the ball,” said Collins, “and I said to him that I thought Jodie (Meeks) was open on the wing. He said ‘Coach, I don’t think so, but OK.’ Then I think two or three or four times the rest of the game he made plays where he kicked out (the ball) to a guy making an open three. So it was a great conversation with he and I. I feel really connected to Dre. To be able to say that I think that kick was open…I really feel good about where that’s going.”
The connection between the two is vitally important to the success of this team. Collins needs Iguodala in so many ways – to defend, to be scorer and playmaker and rebounder. In the past it appeared as if Iguodala wanted to be the superstar of the team, but now he seems to be accepting of his role as Mr. do-it-all. In Iguodala’s defense, being on the same page as a coach probably hasn’t been easy for him as he’s been through so many different coaches (six) during his eight seasons here. But now he and Collins seem to be totally on the same page and it’s a huge factor as to the team’s quick start.
In Saturday’s 103-90 win over the Wizards, Iguodala collected a season-high 23 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. For the season, he is averaging 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals.
He is rested, unlike last season, and the injuries he incurred last year appear to be a thing of the past for now.
“I’ve been good,” Iguodala said. “The main thing is to be proactive. I’ve been taking care of things before and after games.”
And during, too.
All good:
Just under two minutes into Friday night’s win over Washington, coach Doug Collins summoned sub Lou Williams to report into the game for starting point guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday had already committed two turnovers and though the game was in its infancy, Collins wanted to make his point.
“I didn’t say anything (to Holiday),” said Collins. “I just said that Lou was going in. We started out with some careless plays. The first play of the game Wall intercepts a pass. I didn’t want to send a message, I just want guys to understand that we can’t start games like that, we just can’t. I just said ‘OK now let’s go.’ The good thing about it was Lou came in and played well.”
He did, as the Sixers made eight-straight shots at one point in the first quarter in jumping out to a 33-21 lead, the most points they’ve scored in the opening quarter this season.
“It’s a long season, everybody has their (off) night,” said Williams. “It just kind of goes like that. (Friday) was Jrue’s night to get pulled quick and he responded well to it and we got a win.”
It certainly isn’t uncommon for a coach to pull an underachieving player, still this one was a little bit of a quick hook. But it also is a measurement as to how much the team has grown. Holiday said he understood his coach’s action. Williams laughed it off and said he knows how Holiday felt.
“I was only a starter for (a short time), but I’ve had my stretches where I’m not producing so then I get yanked.”
Killer instinct:
So many times last season, particularly early in the campaign, the Sixers found ways to lose big leads, and ultimately games. This season they are pounding teams after getting a lead. They lead the NBA in point differential at +15.2.
“I think we’re executing better,” said forward Elton Brand. “We’ve been together a little bit more, we know what to expect, we know where to be on offense, we know what sets create good shots for us. We’re unselfish. We like guys to get good shots in their spots. I think that’s the difference this year from last year.”
Said Williams: “We’re not allowing teams to get back into games. We feel like if we have a game won we want to put it in our record books. I think our starters do a great job that when we have a lead at halftime, to come out and put their foots down and not allow teams to get back in.”
By the numbers: The Sixers are third in points scored (101.3), second in points allowed (86.1), first in field goal percentage allowed (40.1 percent), third in field goal percentage (47.9), first three-point field goal percentage allowed (25.6 percent) and first in turnovers (12.5).
Sixshots: The team had a complete day off yesterday. The week’s schedule has the Sixers hosting the Bucks (today), Denver (Wednesday) and Atlanta (Friday) before going to Miami on Saturday…After that game in Miami they’ll play 10 of their next 11 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Did someone not look up the number of coaches (XX) or years Iggy (XX) has played?— tbaldosa- If the Sixers really want to generate fan interest, just bring them back to broadcast television. Allow the entire city to see them, then you'll see interest.When I was kid growing up in Philly, we didn't have much money, but we ALWAYS had enough to attend a Sixers game. We'd sit in the nosebleeds and have a ball!Bring the game back to the city! (HTML deleted)
- 'In the past it appeared as if Iguodala wanted to be the superstar of the team, but now he seems to be accepting of his role as Mr. do-it-all.' - The funny thing is that when he accepts his role as Mr. do-it-all it results in star-level production, albeit across many areas of the game.
— hillbillybirdsfan - ^ Agreed, and he is suddenly worth his salary. His did well last game. I also liked his grit while guarding Melo against the Knicks, he really pestered him.— enkiel
Comment removed.- ProFan, not sure what game you were watching but igoudala held Carmelo to 9/24 shooting. Do you even understand basketball? There's a reason why FG% is recorded as a stat. — laidintheshade
- Iggy got pushed around in that game, but it was by Stoudemire, not Melo, because the Sixers had to play small with Hawes out of the game. That will happen anytime you put a swing man on an all-pro center. — BeFrank
- Iggy has always been a near-elite defender. He should be at least another second team All Defensive player this year.— ESFjellin
- Iggy has been great - but what is the problem with Turner - only 10 minutes - is he in the dog house - why??— NCTony
- I believe in Dougie Fresh. He learned NBA basketball from Billy C, the old-fashioned way. You win with defense! Collins came to the Sixers with a scorer's mentality and it took Collins a few seasons (of failure) to make them all understand that they'd never win unless they played individual and team defense (like the Celtics). (HTML deleted)
- He learned from Gene Shue. — bearsfriend
- Doug Collins and Billy Cunningham both made their teammates and players better. That's why the 1982-83 Sixers won it all -- Dr. J couldn't do it all himself. Let's see if Doug can get the Sixers away from perpetual lottery pick status.— rhawnhurster
- The Sixers won in 83 because they had Moses Malone....Do you really have to "see" if the Sixers are going to avoid the lottery?...DC turned the team around 12 months ago..You been sleepin? — bearsfriend
- ...more like by reality. g.i. joe!— the-um-miester
- We can't put lipstick on a pig. Andre Iguodala is turnover prone. He locks up the offense when he pounds the ball for 4 to 5 seconds trying to get his shot. The sixers will be subject to feast or famine as long as he has a green light. Iguodala is best when he is getting his shots off the break and off of rebounds. Andre seems like a nice young man. He is just not a number 1 or a number 2 option. In a sense we have the old A.I. problem once again! A strong willed player who is talented but uncomfortable with playing the role that the team needs in order to be successful.— reveugene
- DC is old school coach, something 6ers have lacked for a while.
Think Alex Hannum— NewMick314
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.
