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.
Comments (65)
Good article Bob. Great analysis of what is going on. It's amazing that you can see how much they missed Iggy last night. I really like Sam Young's game. I hope they get it together for this stretch run!— Tozmanian- Young guys, can dress them up but can't take them anywhere, just sayin'...— DJ
- Limping to the finish line. Hopefully they can rally enough to get that 3 seed. If they slip to 7 or 8, it's another Round 1 knockout and all the good feelings about the progress the team was making will vanish in a puff of smoke.— jklinger
- Yes, there are currently many problems...The play from both Hawes and Vucevic has been subpar, although I believe Hawes can give the team SOMETHING...If Lou(who I'd start), does not scor at a pace of.7 pts per minute, the team usually loses, meaning he has to hit the threes and get the calls and do damage at the line...his defense has clearly improved, so I generally feel the more he's on the court, the higher the probability he'll get hot...Although his minutes are up from last year (26 from 23), the production would continue to rise if he started halves...The guard play,where both ET and Jrue have breakdown ability and often can get positive matchups from their size, need to be a little more pass oriented to EB early in games...Last, Meeks has to give the Sixers more from the arc...This team is overmatched some in the toughness department,but with tough defense usually is in a game...better halfcourt offense (catch and shoot) is needed.— bearsfriend
- Bob, you left out your critique on Collins. I know that supposedly the NBA is a players' league, not a coach's, but look at what Greg Pop can do with a depleted squad, or what's been going on with the Knicks. I'm still concerned that the team found away to get things rollings again after the break, and Doug moved away from it, for reasons left unexplained.— rzzzzz
- Good summary. So disappointing. How long before the hyper-intense Collins gets tuned out completely?— phlzfan
- Great analysis,Bob. That is where we are. Crunch time in sporting events calls for a showing of character and maturity. if a new contract doesn't bring them out of Hawes, he's a lost cause. Brand, Iguodala and Thad showed that they had it in last year's series against the Heat. Brand is stepping up. Thad has the heart of a warrior spotting inches and weight every night. Lou is Lou. he's hot or he's cold. Initially we thought that there would be friction between ET and Dre'. Now it seems that it exists between ET and Jrue. We pay coaches to resolve those issues,bring out the best in each player and place them in the right positions to win. get it done,DC. We still have a schedule conducive to securing home court advantage. Dig deep guys. Find that character and maturity that winners are made of. Gut check time.— philsix6
- I think not evaluating the coach is a mistake. I don't know what DC is doing, but really, the Sixers aren't that different from the team that went 20-9 except the competition is much better and the Sixers play is more selfish. Where are the adjustments? I agree with bears, when ET and Jrue breakdown defenses it has to be to create for our front court people first, then it opens things up for them. Other bigs don't collapse as quickly when the know that you will find their open man. They look more like the Wizards than the Sixers from the beginning of the season with all the me-first play going on.— ericthered1
This team as constituted isn't going anywhere anyway. Make the playoffs (maybe), and lose in the first round. At the end of the year they should trade iggy and amnesty Brand. The problem is I don't know what to get or do in place of those two. I would like to see more toughness all around.- Iggy -- ugh. that's a problem. bad knees means they can't count on him, and it's doubtful they'd ever be able to move him
Thad -- his size disadvantage has always been clear to everyone apparently except for John Smallwood, who wrote a ridiculous column a couple weeks ago saying he should be starting. Best when not overused
Jrue/ET/Vuc -- these are a few pupils DC seems to have lost. Jrue simply hasn't taken that next step from last year, Turner goes from one extreme to another, and Vuc looks like he's trying to do physics equations while he's playing.
Collins' M.O. in previous stops was that he's proven capable of turning around a franchise in the first year or so, but after a while he seems to get tuned out and the results plateau (see Detroit, Washington). Whether it's too much tinkering, too intense for young guys, whatever the case, I worry we're watching that unfold right now - The idea that Turner needs to rebound the ball to get the ball to himself and keep it seems like ridiculous CYA from Collins. Were they trying to showcase him before the trade deadline and then he ticked Collins off, so they took the ball away from him again? Point guards don't need to rebound to get the ball, there are these things called inbound passes and outlet passes and, you know, plays...— bullrun
- philsix6:good post!...razz...you make a great point. Offensively (magnified in games when halfcourt play is the only option),the Sixers have been porous. Much was made of the thumb injury to Brand and Hawes being out of action...both are now back now (albeit Hawes' still shows rust), yet the Sixers are still mired with substandard perimeter shooting,poor decision making, and stifled ball movement. He has looked for answers (almost everywhere) and now is employing assistant Brian James as chief play caller during timeouts...Lack of practices is credited for THESE problems, and that excuse can only go so far, as all teams are pretty much in that position...During yesterday's PC, when he mentions the fact that "THAD is our only agile big", that's clearly a dig at Hawes and Vucevic.. (We all know quick feet is not EB's game)...DC had control of this...He elected length and perimeter game (Vucevic) over toughness and explosion in Kenneth Faried at #16...His undying love for Jodie Meeks (great kid) may have prevented an obvious upgrade at the arc (Anthony Morrow?)...His rigid belief that Mo Speight could never give quality minutes also can be questioned...While I still believe DC is the man for the job, self reflection is neccesary.— bearsfriend
- I see where Jrue holds onto the ball too much, but I haven't seen any evidence of ET not passing. Whenever he has the ball (not enough) he readily gives it up, and the ball moves better when he initiates the offense. Except last night, that was a bad game by everyone.— mjc1
2 thumbs up Mr. Cooney, although you purposely (I'm sure) left some things unsaid. Your Vuc line was hilarious. I commented on another article that he looks dazed, your "knocked unconscious" is better.
@philsix6, You're dead on. I might throw Lou in with the ET/Jrue friction.
@stikolaboloni, I'm with you on not overusing Thad. DC already has a very short rotation. I know there are cries to start Thad but I think that's the 1 player he uses right.
@bearsfriend, you're right we need to get tougher. Can you think of a PF that would have helped us out with that?— mtairy1- It's not just the body language, it's the verbal language too.— Cole_World
- 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
- I would also like to see more of Lavoy Allen. He did seem to hit a bit of a rookie wall before he lost playing time, but he should be well-rested now. And he would have been our best answer to DeJuan Blair, no?
@bear - If Doug's getting tuned out by harping on the same things repeatedly, then by the same token, I think you might lose these posters soon. Lol.— phils_tnj1 - I also would like to see more LaVoy, but at his natural position...the 4. LaVoy Allen is a good rebounder and seems to body up well physically...He could also be good on the pick and pop..DC lost confidence because of a few turnover games.....Regarding the "harping on the same things"...LOL, but really, I don't have any posters "posting for me"...just a great dog named Bear...What I do like are players OUR Sixers could have had, like a slam dunking machine (Faried) and a whippet of a guard (Ty Lawson)...I also go on about a guard who never really was coached (Lou)who has made huge strides the last two years. Closing, if people like Sam Young because of an element he gives us now (athletic gusto,defense,energy)...well then Philadelphia would have loved the Manimal....Out. — bearsfriend
- Nice article-and again Kudos to you for your comments on your radio comments after the game-you spelled it out well and this article comes close.2nd half--no leader on defense-Sam Y was the energy man.Cavs ,Wiz an Hawks-on deck--Celts at Charlotte to-nite--tiebreaker time.Some one has to stand up soon....— HO HUM
- The Sixers had the benefit of a shortened offseason by coming back with virtually the same team and played a lot of earlier season games against weaker teams. They did have quality wins against higher echelon teams, but some of the aggravating losses were done in by DC with odd substitutions and line up changes at critical times like in Denver in OT. Now opponents have caught up with them in team chemistry and health while the team has been struck with the injury bug with Hawes, EB and now Iggy. More evident each game though, the team is sorely lacking a bruiser inside who can rebound and/or play intimidating defense. Where is bear with the queue in for Faried? Will Hawes be resign after the season? Probably not, if his play continues the way it is and depending if Thorn or DC is back next season. Also, there needs to be a primary person running the point and not point by committee. Having 1 person running point who is a willing passer will give continuity to offensive sets.— Manok
- Note to Collins: another way to get the ball in Turner's hands is to pass him the ball. Turner, however, bears fault in this, too. He hasn't been aggresssive lately during the few times the Sixers go to him. Time to spark the team, ET, even when your Collins wants you to stand in the corner.— iceman
- This is said in only 1/2 jest--off season trade Jrue and Evan even up for Deron Williams --that would solve the point guard problem for a few years.On that parker play last nite that some mentioned he got the star call--I watched the spurs feed and they even indicated a bad call-on the replay-an also mentioned how the sixers lost some will to compete--I. E--THEY GAVE UP and looked like the team playing the 3rd game-and showed their youth.— HO HUM
- @ Ho Hum Deron didn't sign for his extension he will be a free agent next year. I would amnesty EB, look to sign Deron and Ryan Anderson at all cost. Give them both the philly max. Let Hawes walk, draft a mean rebounder and defender. The team gets younger from EB going and more athletic. Trade ET for a mid 1st rounder and draft a shooter. This team as is, just isn't good enough. Love them but .500 basketball has become the norm. Enough already— phillyinNJ
- They may take a run at Ryan Anderson, as he fits DC's idea of a "stretch 4"...Look for Mark Cuban to get his toy as Deron returns to his hometown as a stinkin Cowboy fan. — bearsfriend
- This comment has been deleted.— alphamale
- Good ones!..This is the true Alphamale?...I also liked Vucevic hitting the wall THAT HARD he doesn't know where he's at. — bearsfriend
- The way things look now, I think Collins will be out after his third season here. What he brings has pretty much been tapped out. His eye for talent and player building is superb, but as someone else mentioned, it seems his skills would better utilized at another position in the organization.
And God help us if the rest of the league catches up on the best kept secret in Philly - Michael Curry. He turned a shoddy defensive team into the tenth overall last year, and upped it to the best overall this year. If he takes a head coaching job elsewhere, we're screwed.— enkiel - Many good posts: bearsfriend,leegles,mtairy1 among others. This team's potential is capped at 6-7 games in the second round. If they reach it, it would be great. If they exceed it, it would be miraculous. Having said that, Sixers can reasonably win 10-12 of their final 17. Boston can't. We need to beat them by only one game. I doubt seriously that the Knicks can close the gap.That should get us home court advantage, first round success and a respectable season. But, as stated by many, real men ,including the coaching staff,must step up and fight through fatigue and adversity. There's nothing left to teach or learn. As mtairy1 said, Elton and Thad; act like captains and get this ship through the storm. It's now about how bad do you want it. We will be there at WF with you.— philsix6
- Popovich: The Philadelphia Quitters are in town. We can sit Duncan."— 2smart4philly
- Problems with the Sixers are mostly talent related. They need a shooter.
They need big men with quickness. And they need someone who can score in the low post.
I think everyone agrees that the current makeup of the team is not good enough.
They need to answer some questions.
Can Turner play the point well enough to elevate overall team play?
Can Holliday become more of a prototypical 2 guard and a spot up shooter?
What can Vuc and Allen provide in the future? And what would those roles look like? Give them some consistent minutes (they don't necessarily have to be long minutes, just so they know what they will be playing consistently)
I would like to see Thad more at the 3. I think he is a more natural 3 than 4. I think he can play more minutes there and thereby be more effective by splitting time between the two positions and not get worn down.
Based on that trade Iggy (or Holliday or Turner) for what you feel you need. Either a pure shooting 2 or 3, or a low post presence.
Amnesty Brand. If he will come back at a reduced salary, great, if not fill in your remaining needs as best you can.
Again, time to get back to evaluating talent. Seems that went by the wayside with improved number of wins.— blah - Teams have adjusted on the Sixers and they haven't or can't counter due to their youth, lack of size and inferior talent. The rookies have hit the wall and need several weeks off to refresh for the playoffs. Night after night teams come in with one or two snipers, who can light up the 3 point line. Every night teams come in with at least one wide body monster who looks bigger than any Sixer on the floor. How does San Antonio get a Duan Blair in the draft before the Sixers? He was a stud in college.— miket47
- Blair fell through the cracks, because he didn't pass the "look good on paper" test...He's a contributor. — bearsfriend
- Where are the adjustments coming from Coach Collins? How can he just say well we played a physical team and they have figured us out and there is basically nothing I can do about it. What is that all about????— Mattb
- Having read all the posts, there appears to be general agreement at least on the issue of talent, although I feel that the Lavoy Allen love is misplaced. There is a clear need for a long-range scorer, a clear need for a beast inside, if possible, and a determination as to whether Holiday is good enough at the point, whether Turner can play any position other than point, whether Young is a better fit at the three or the four, and whether the Sixers need to rethink running their offense through Spencer Hawes in the high post without having a tough-minded younger version of Elton Brand at the four.
I argued that the Sixers should exercise the amnesty clause on Brand in the off-season, but apparently Joshua Harris has nixed that idea, which would have provided serious cap space, so don't know what the Sixers can get in Free Agency and they will be drafting probably in the teens again.— chuckw - I am starting to feel that ET is the problem with ET. I love him and want him to do well, but his body language is brutal. Also, DC, like most coaches has his favorites and ET is not one of them. Finally, Doug DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HALF COURT OFFENSE and stop saying "we are not a good half court team." GEEEEEEEEEZ, that makes me crazy!— pzales
- Thad & Iggy are the top players on this club and EB when he has energy. The guard play is very erratic and lacks maturity and decision making in game ending situations; all to be expected given the experience of the group. Hawes / Vuko are physically not equipped to play the top clubs. 7-13 in the last 20 is all you need to know........— Northcountry
- Chuckw: the key is adding toughness to this franchise and I would think that Young (as much as I love him he doesn't have a position) and either Turner or Holiday will be moved in the off season to help fill some of these needs. I don't understand the Lavoy Allen love at all. The guy has looked absolutely lost recently and he also plays with zero edge and toughness. You can add Vuc into that mix as well another player who plays with very little toughness. Should be interesting to see if Doug can rally the troops as they have a lot of winnable games coming up even if they are on the road.— Mattb
- Although he may miss not having practices more than any other Sixer on this roster, Allen actually sets the best picks on this roster...He also can reebound the ball on both sides of the court...He's no savior, but with 17 games to go, and Iggy feeling the effects of something that won't get better, one only knows how DC may overuse EB...Thad has been used as a 4 too often, and Allen could spell EB against the lesser teams rather than always going small...that's all....— bearsfriend
- alphamale (assuming this is THE alphamale): If you are correct about Young at the three, and I surmise you are correct, then the issue remains whether he is good enough at the four, considering what he gives up in size and the degree to which he has been worn down, even coming off the bench. On the other hand, his jumper has improved this season and perhaps he can work on his handle and play at the three. Much will depend, as it does every season it seems, on whether Iguodala is still here next season and what happens with Brand.
Bear: I think Lavoy Allen has played his last meaningful minutes this season, and that Sam Young will become more significant in the rotation if he plays like he did last night. Interesting that Iguodala notes he had this problem going back to college. No truth to the rumor that he and Chase Utley are hanging out together?— chuckw - Sam-Slam I Am... Dr. Zumoff with a spontaneous classic. Can't wait for the t-shirt.— sixback
- Lavoy is the ONLY big body on this team (ok, EB's a load too). I think Lavoy will eventually be a solid contibutor at 4 off the bench. He's not the answer, but giving him some time against the bigger teams might just make them work a little harder. And I agree with bear that he is probably the best guy they have setting picks. You guys all watched the games earlier this season - didn't you think the opposing bigs were frustrated with battling him for boards and position?— phils_tnj1
- chuck:I've got to think the tendonitis dashes his hopes of making the Olympic team...I agree that DC will not use either young big as the pressure mounts...Only chances are big leads against some of the lessers...Faried versus the Bulls now...have a great night.— bearsfriend
- phils_tnj1: Allen's game seemed to disappear as the season progressed and like Mattb noted, he looked lost out there, like Vucevic, and lacks an edge. Yes, he was difficult to move, looked like he could rebound off the offensive board, and did show an understanding of the game at both ends of the court, but DC clearly does NOT trust him, and we all know what that means.— chuckw
- Mediocre team. I've seen too many 4th quarter collapses. Bricking jumpers & no drives to the basket creating foul shot situations. Too much reliance on easy baskets coming from spotty overplayed defense. We don't have a consistent 3 baller shooter. I think Vucevic should get more minutes, but once you get in Doug's doggie house, it's hard if not impossible to get out of it. Again, I submit to you, that the Philadelphia 76ers, my hometown team, need a superstar. I say blockbuster a trade & steal Melo from the knicks. He doesn't fit up there anyway & we need a solid 20 point plus player. A superstar makes mediocre better. Everybody's game will step up. Melo loves to shoot but needs a team he can lead. It's not New York, come on down to philly town Melo. I know he's a gunner but hell, right now, we're shooting a lot of blanks.— bjones
- Sixers caught a break; although the ancient Celtics won tonight to tie them at the top of the Eastern Division, and the Knicks won, Amare Stoudemire is probably finished for the season with a bulging disk and Jeremy Lin is out with a sore right knee, leaving the older than dirt Baron Davis at the point. Of course, Melo will starting firing up 20-25 shots per game now.— chuckw
- Notice how bob cooney always puts the blame on the players and not the head coach? Just saying.— male
- Agree. Despite the fact that most of these problems arose due to the poor judgment by the head coach. — 1500locust
- What is the problem? If your coach can't teach players, then how can he lead them, and if he can't lead them why is he the coach? Think about it.— male
- Boy we've got problems...— Melvin Finkelstein
- This is typical of a Doug Collin's coached team. He gets the max out of what limited ability is on the roster. Mgt had the opportunity to get Chris Kamen, a legitimat scoring threat/rebounder at the trade deadline, but chose not to pull the trigger. Unfortunately, teams understand Hawes' limitations and know how to pressure Philly's young guards. Brand is, unfortunately, a shell of the all star power forward they thought they were getting. Iggy can't do it himself, and Jrue still shows his youth and inexperience. The bench is loaded, but mostly with scorers. Balanced, yes, burned out, definitly, tired, you got it. Hanging on isn't the conern, how they perform in the playoffs is more troublesome.— drhoffman
- I can't understand why Hawes continues to take fall away jumpers (that hit the front of the rim) with no one on him. I'd think Collins would be all that.— WAW
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About this blog
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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