Sixers have talk, trying to halt one-game 'skid'
The SIxers talked for about an hour before hitting the court yesterday, trying to iron out some problems that led to first home loss on Wednesday.
Sixers have talk, trying to halt one-game 'skid'
Bob Cooney
The Sixers were scheduled to practice at 11 a.m. this morning at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, but the gym was quiet until about noon.
That's because they team met for that amount of time to talk about the problems that happened during Wednesday's 108-104 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets. It was the first home loss of the season for the Sixers and dropped them to 10-4 overall.
"We had a meeting of the minds, a little pow-wow just to make sure everybody’s on the same page and to avoid slippage," said guard Lou Williams. "Just to make sure everybody is on the same page. When you lose a game I think it’s important for everybody to sit down and say “OK, are we all right?” just make sure everybody’s on the same page. That was basically it. We had a players’ only meeting just to make sure everybody was happy. Make sure we continue to push forward."
It shows how far this team has come lately that one loss caused a meeting which at first included the coaches, then was players' only for the last 10 minutes or so.
"This is the most success we’ve had in a long time and we’re not planning on letting that go," said Williams. "We can’t afford to lose three or four in a row based on guys not being able to talk out small little things. We lost one, we consider that a losing streak in our building, so we just had to talk it out."
Also, starting center Spencer Hawes was still hurting with a strained Achilles'. Unless he improves dramatically, it would appear he is very iffy for tomorrow's home game against Atlanta and maybe even Saturday's game in Miami.
More to come.
Also, check out our earlier post on the Sixers' bench, when ranks among the NBA's best.
I'm with you, Bob. The fact that one loss in a long season has called for a team meeting is a good sign. Gives me a lot of confidence that they care.— sixers_610- Hmm... would those "small little things" include Iggy inability to hit a foul shot in crunchtime, or maybe Holiday looking to dump the ball to Iggy for the final shot instead of taking it to the rack himself (where he probably would have picked up the basket and the foul)?— llkewlbean
- That's two games where Dre has missed free throws late (Utah and Denver). Plus, he should have passed to Lou Willimas late in the Portland game. Am glad team held a meeting. Shows they care. They have been in every game this year, no other team in NBA can say that this season. All have had a blow out loss.— 76er
- This is very good news. You cannot accept losing winnable games if you're trying to win a division. I do wish we knew who called for the meeting. Better to talk now that after losing 3 straight this week. Tomorrow is a Must Win in my book.— Yakov
- This is a great story because we all want this young team to keep on keeping on. Atlanta has a big front line so Nik will be a big deal tomorrow.— Koons
- Man, if Dwight Howard wanted to come here in FA, they would be set. I know, keep dreamin.— SilliBilli
- "...We lost one, we consider that a losing streak in our building..." GREAT quote from the Boss!
— DennyP - Love this article. Hopefully they recognize that games like last night are going to be the rule (i.e. fiercely competitive) when dealing with +.500 teams and not the exception.
If Vuc can learn to stay out of foul trouble, we don't miss Hawes nearly as much.— evolutionary - It is not one loss... they have lost 4 out of 5 games to teams that are currently playoff teams... The winning percentage of the teams that they beat is under .300... They realize that if they are going to be a legit contender they need to actually beat legit teams.. so far they have not!— observer01
Comment removed.- I am a critic of Andre Iguodala. He is turnover prone. He had a decent game against Denver when he was getting his points off of defense and rebounding. His turnovers in the clutch is precisely why I am critical. He is not a "go to guy", he is a nice piece.— reveugene
- Sixers should trade Iguodala for a big, given Hawes' injury and lack of front court depth. Let Thad or Turner take Iggy's starting spot.— fufkin
- Team meeting? How about stop giving Iggy the ball at the end of games. Heck, take him off the court.— bobcitydoc
Jrue Holiday has my trust and respect. what ever decision he makes i will live with.Turner, I compared you to andre miller and not brandon roy.. ( how do you like the comparison) STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM THE OPEN 3! You ran from from one corner 3 and picked up an offensive foul. TAKE THE SHOT! If you are unwilling to take and make the open 3 you will probably NEVER START! overcome the fear trust your mechanics shoot it. keep an open stance and your knees DEEPLY BENT and your hands ready.. GO UP TIGHT AND IN ONE PIECE! Jodie... lock it in.. Brand. be ready for the playoffs. vuc.. stay outta foul trouble.. lou get your buckets.. keep an eye on your shooters.. battie stay ready.. 200 shots per day.. spot ups pick and pops turnarounds. power leg lifts.. LEGS BATTIE LEGS!! Strong legs from you. thats what we need. thad.. i like the transition lob to thad.. all started by jrue giving the ball to iguodala who had the better angle. if we can develop that play for thad we got something. and if the wing is not there push it ahead to thad and EVERYBODY fade to the 3 point line. SLOOOOOOOOOOOOW THAD.. in transition.. SLOOOOOOOOOOOOW!! 1. Catch it. survey/ size up the defender. if he sags 15' j. if he stops the ball ATTACK THE LEAD FOOT! 2. Shot fake 3. HOLD YOUR PIVOT!!!! 4. cross step/dribble.. after the head fake he's beat.. CLEAN!!!! If nothings there no big deal back him down and wait on your shooters get the assist. so its not.. 1!2!3!4! its 1!2!...........3!!!!!!!!!!!!! nothings there 4. the pause between 2 and 3 allows the ref to see your pivot and NOT call the travel.. and as you back the defender down remember a strong elbow in your back is an automatic spin. as soon as you feel it once. SPIN.. practice it. no elbow in the back?? use your footwork. KEEP THE BALL CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST (No air space) for the middle or baseline fade. 15' or closer. i dont want to see a college 3 pt fadeaway.. I want the 8-10' fade.. nice game— combocancer1975- Sixers will NEVER trade Iggy .. should trade Iggy,& 2 #1s for Howard or at least Trade Iggy for a young solid established BIG man! come on Collins, stop trying to push Iggy on the fans that know pro basketball— bill poore
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.
