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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

*Primoz remains inactive tonight for the 7th straight game. Check out the Deep Sixer video in the bottom right video player for a video with Iguodala and Speights running a couple of football pass routes before tonight's game against the New Jersey Nets. Speights looks like he could have been a good receiver. For faster updates, follow Deep Sixer on Twitter, click here: Deep Sixer.

For a few weeks the discussion was about when Eddie Jordan's offense (technically called the Princeton Offense, but not necessarily being a reflection of the offense Princeton actually ran) would start flowing. For the last few days, the discussion has been revolving around the 76ers frontcourt: the minutes for Elton Brand, the possibility of Speights replacing "someone" in the starting lineup (who would Speights replace? If he replaces Dalembert, that means the Sixers starting frontcourt is Speights and Brand, which is quite small. If he replaces Brand, wow, then you're not starting the guy to whom you're paying $80 million? Jordan has said the starting lineup won't be changing in the near future, anyway). Also of concern is losing Samuel Dalembert in the same way he was lost last season: mentally. 

I can't post a blog item today without at least referencing the issues brewing with Brand and, to a lesser degree, Dalembert. But if you want the full scoop, you can check out these two articles from today's Inquirer. Elton Brand and Sixers issues, the second of which was from Mr. Bob Ford.

Tonight, the Sixers (3-4) are at the New Jersey Nets (0-7) at the Izod Center here in East Rutherford. It's wonderful being in New Jersey. The Nets are still depleted. No Devin Harris, no Chris Douglas-Roberts, no Tony Battie, no Yi Jianlian, no Jarvis Hayes. Even Courtney Lee, who played in the last game between these two, is questionable with a strained left groin.

Okay, so I know this is crazy, but let's take a look at a few of the positives for this team so far (because we know the negatives, we know this has been a rough start and issues are a-brewin' ... but a few wins could smooth the road). So, going into what should be a victory tonight, here's some positives for which to look: 

1.) Andre Iguodala's shooting percentage. He's shooting 51.4 percent from the floor. His outside jumper, through 7 games, has improved. Even those who dislike Iguodala's game -- you know who you are -- have to admit that his jumper has looked better than last year. Jordan has made it clear that Iguodala will be his No. 1 guy and is the team's best player. Will he make the All-Star game this year? I think that's 50-50. I'm not oblivious to some of Iguodala's issues, especially his on-court behavior -- but those discussions are for a later, less positive blog post. 

2.) The play of Marreese Speights. His abilities on the offensive end are actually -- through 7 games -- amazing. His touch around the basket is the best on the team. For a second-year player, taken in the middle of the first round, he's playing like a Top 5 pick. And it seems Jordan is not afraid to give him the important minutes, so he's going to continue to gain experience.

3.) I know there are plenty of Sixers fans who think the team should have selected Ty Lawson. I just don't see that (perhaps we'll get comments with people linking me to Lawson's stats?). Holiday is going to be very, very good. He played more against the Suns and he should play more and more as the season progresses. I'm jumping on the Holiday bandwagon right now: This kid is good. For anyone who watched the game against the Suns, you might have noticed how Holiday and Williams played together, with Williams playing the off guard. I thought Williams looked really comfortable back to his slashing role. Williams has done a nice job at point this season, but it was good seeing him in that scoring role again. Holiday/Williams backcourt should be something we continue to see more of.

I'm out of positives, plus it's time to get to a few press conferences and see what Jordan has to say in advance of tonight's game ...

--Kate

 

Posted by Kate Fagan @ 5:57 PM  Permalink | 13 comments
13
Comments   
Posted 06:18 PM, 11/11/2009
chuckw
I don't disagree, Kate, but not surprised that there are lamentably few positives in your post. I thing it is too early to call the Holiday-Lawson issue, although the key is Williams. Is Jordan prepared to play Williams at the off-guard for longer and longer periods of time and give up the point-guard role slated for him? If so, then Holiday and Williams are probably a wiser combo than Lawson and Williams, who would have been undersized versus too many other backcourt combinations. You are right about Speights, but again, as you imply, how long can Jordan get away with sitting either Dalembert or Brand, given their contracts and given that Brand and Speights together could be a defensive liability. By the way, the game against the Nets tonight continues to highlight how awful this division is right now, as Boston could win by 20 games easily.
Posted 06:32 PM, 11/11/2009
Leegles
Another positive is that it looks like Jason Smith spent a lot of time shooting threes while rehabbing his knee. Great to have a 7-footer out there on the perimeter sometimes.
Posted 06:35 PM, 11/11/2009
Statman
Kate, Iguodala haters don't concern themselves with silly statistics such as field goal percentage, PPG, rebounds, assists, steals, or defensive effectiveness (i.e., actual game performance). Like mindless automatons, they compete to see how loudly and insultingly they can say "overpaid" and "can't shoot." It just becomes more and more ridiculous as time goes by and relationship of the insults to reality approaches zero in the limit. I'd be interested, though, to hear what you are noticing about on-court behavior issues with Iguodala this year -- I haven't noticed anything, but the TV doesn't show everything (I know you mentioned a staredown with Brand). I *have* noticed that Iguodala, along with everyone else, is frustrated with the defensive rotation problems. And one more positive from early in the season that has gone by the wayside the past couple games: Lou Williams *was* playing the best offensive basketball of his career. Lou's game against the Knicks might have been the best game of his career; too bad the "bad Lou" resurfaced at the wrong time against the Pistons and Suns (both winnable games) ...
Posted 06:49 PM, 11/11/2009
whatsthe411
If Iggy was staring down Elton because he blew the rotation, I say good for him and he should call a spade a spade when he see's one. I'll give you 80 million reasons Elton Brand should be given no slack about being in the right position. Injury is zero excuse. I never liked that signing from day one, and I also have disliked Stefansky from day 1 for signing him.
Posted 07:46 PM, 11/11/2009
DennyP
I agree Kate. Here is the problem as far as I'm concerned with Iggy. We are paying Iggy, whom you say is 50-50 to make the all-star (i.e. borderline all-star) as a max player. He is a good player, but he isn't a #1 and is being counted on as such.
Posted 11:27 PM, 11/11/2009
Dean1
Kate - This team will win 37 games max. And, they are max'd out cap-wise for the next 4 seasons (gotta sign Thad once Sammy is up in 2011). In short, they are done, they are cooked, they are meaningless, and they are irrelevant until the Brand debacle is over at the end of the 2013 season. Iggs is a great player, but I feel incredibly sorry for him from a basketball perspective having to play for this JV organization for the next 4 seasons during his prime years (although, I'm sure he's got $80M reasons to feel OK). Speights looks like a great pick, but it's still WAYYYYYYYYY too early to comment on Jrue one way or another. Bottom line, Stefanski sunk this organization by not moving Miller during the '08 season and signing Brand off an injury, and more incredulously, into a "running" type of environment. Talk to me in the middle of the next decade.
Posted 01:01 AM, 11/12/2009
srvdove
I also wonder about some of the issues with Iguodala that aren't as apparent on tv...but...the overall perspective appears to be a team that has pieces that just struggle to have an identity. Agree very much with Williams and Jrue roles in the Phoenix game and that Jrue will be good...Speights is the most effective player and his defense seems to have improved to the point that keeping him off the floor is really tough if not just plain ridiculous. That said...Young has struggled but deserves time to get on track...maybe Elton does too and we should be patient???????????????????
Posted 01:10 AM, 11/12/2009
chuckw
The only hope with Brand is that having missed two seasons he needs to get his legs and timing back, because tonight he was dreadful in a game in which he should have starred: primarily half-court sets against a five-man squad that could not afford to commit a foul. Once again, the fourth quarter saw him on the bench. At least Young looked better, but Jordan's rotation is mystifying and Iguodala was essentially missing in action down the stretch. The one constant for this club has been Speights who is an offensive force.
Posted 06:28 AM, 11/12/2009
kobblepot
Two things,1-last year you had said that speights probably should be starting. 2-the sixers did not play speights in the playoffs. I thought the one thing missing was attitude to go against players like the celtics, which he seems to have established. Understandable that he would not go face to face with established vets his first year. This team has sorely lacked big men that could hold an attitude on court. Dal. is to much of a clumsy .... to establish himself as a respected force. Jason Smith...??? Brand has the backbone, no game as of yet. Evans had the strength, no offensive game. I didn't think speights was big enough to fit the bill as a dominate big, but I'm hopeing for the best. Last dominate big...Moses? That's a long drought.
Posted 10:56 AM, 11/12/2009
mars t.
Stefanski made a mistake in the draft. Lawson is a better PG than Holiday! End of story!
Posted 03:44 PM, 11/12/2009
shdwmyth
Dean1, they are not done. They can sign a free agent after next season because you can go over to keep your own player. Do not know who would be out there to sign of any significance though.
Posted 04:00 PM, 11/12/2009
Dean1
You really think this team is going into luxury cap territory??
Posted 10:39 AM, 11/16/2009
killswitchLT
mars t. if you think lawson is a better pg than holiday than your the only one making a mistake, and I'm pretty sure 90% of the nba gms would agree with me. Although they are both offensively gifted and quick there are other things that give holiday a much higher ceiling. Lawson is 22, Holiday is 19. Lawson is 5'11, Holiday is 6'3. Holiday plays great defense, Lawson got bullied by larger point guards in college and it won't get easier in the nba. Stats for high school - Lawson: 24 pts 9 assists 5 steals Holiday: 26 pts 8 assists 5 steals... 11 rebounds (Gatorade player of the year) I don't deny Lawson is a great player and pg, and had a much better college career. But holiday will have more time in the nba, has a body more suited to the nba and most importantly will be a much better player in the nba... hopefully in a sixers uniform. Keys to sixer success i've picked up from our first 10 games. 1. Thad and Lou should never take more shots than iguodala. They're good but they're getting too trigger-happy and iggy is too intent on getting others involved. 2. Iggy shouldn't take more than 2-3 3's a game. His shot has definitely improved this year you can see that just in his form, and I'm actually really impressed by it. But we brought in Kapono to be that guy and iggy scores or gets fouled 90% of the time he drives down the lane. Stick to your day job iggy. 3. Brand needs more minutes. I don't know why Jordan is keeping him out but I hope he has a good reason. With speights out he'll have no choice but to give brand 4th quarter minutes (he can't play smith and sammy, or at least i hope not). 4. Solidify the rotation. Starters get 35 with the exception of sammy who gets 28-30. Speights (smith while he's out) gets 20. Kapono gets 20. Holiday 15 and Carney and green can pick up the garbage.
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Kate Fagan was, until recently, the all-time leading three-pointer shooter in the University of Colorado women’s basketball program. Her former teammates say that’s because she was also the all-time leading three-point taker in program history. Somewhere along the way, journalism became her passion, and there are those who say that she still likes taking her shots. This is her second season as the 76ers beat writer for The Inquirer. She brings a rare combination of first-hand basketball insight, writing ability and an attitude that fits perfectly in her new hometown.
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