Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008, 9:15 AM | 9 comments |
 

Get Elton the ball
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Maybe I'm missing something, but this Sixers thing seems pretty simple:

Get Elton the ball.

Admittedly, eight games is a pretty limited sample size, but so far, when Elton Brand gets his shots, the Sixers win. It's really pretty plain. On Wednesday night in Toronto, he took 21 shots, scored 25 points, everything seemed to open up for everybody else, and the Sixers won the game.

In the Sixers' three wins this season, he has taken 51 shots in 99 minutes played. That's one shot every 1 minute, 56 seconds.

In the Sixers' five losses this season, he has taken 59 shots in 188 minutes played. That's one shot every 3 minutes, 11 seconds.

So it's pretty obvious, at least in the short term. The question they all have to ask themselves is if it is the answer in the long-term, too.  For Brand's career, the average works out to one shot every 2 minutes, 30 seconds that he has played. That is probably where this should land in the end. But it just seems to make sense, here and now, while they're all learning how to play with their new star, to lean on the star for the time being. Start with the known. Start with Brand. Work it through him, watch opposing teams make their adjustments, and then counter-punch from there.

I haven't been there and I can't tell if, in the losses, it has been a matter of Brand not demanding the ball because he wants to fit in with this new group, or because the new group is feeling its way, or because the coaching vision is something different. It might be a combination of all three. There is still plenty of time to figure it out.

But in the here and now, when in doubt, throw it in to Elton.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 9:15 AM  Permalink | 9 comments
9
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:10 PM, 11/13/2008
    Hank, your boss called. He wants you to get off the internet and get back to work
    — JamesJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:33 PM, 11/13/2008
    hank you are an idiot
    — extremebrian
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:10 PM, 11/13/2008
    Let's not forget that Elton only played in eight games or so last year. He's still finding his rhythm, and when he does the Sixers will be fine.
    — Luke Fogel
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:58 PM, 11/13/2008
    I'm pretty sure Elton found his rhythm last night.
    — CallerNo9
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:28 PM, 11/13/2008
    I've watched all of the Sixers games this year. They have made an effort to get Brand the ball in every game. Most teams have been relentlessly double-teaming Elton anytime he's anywhere near the paint. That is what's been limiting his shot attempts. The perimeter guys have to knock down their outside shots to make teams pay for double-teams. The other guys have to do a better job of cutting and getting open when Elton gets the ball instead of just standing around, oftentimes they look like they are playing with Iverson again and just stand there. Unlike Allen, Elton will pass the ball to an open man. Also, the Sixers need to start running some pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops with Brand off of Miller and Iggy so that they can get Elton some better looks and prevent all the double-teaming.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:22 PM, 11/13/2008
    The stats say that you're thiking has merit but we all know the stats don't tell the whole story. For me the deepest concern has been Igoudala's inability to adjust not just to Brand but to the 2-guard position in general. He has been a reluctant shooter and that is a hurts the flow of the offense. Open shots have to be taken by whomever is open and the 2-guard in particular is one that the other players expect to take those shots. Shooting is the most important skill in basketball and it doesn't matter what location on the floor you are most effective from you just need to be able to shoot from somewhere effectively, especially when you're open. It's okay to be hesitant while you're becoming more comfortable but you can't be reluctant. Ultimately the flow of the game is in control of the point guard, Miller has to "make" the team play the way it is being designed to play... we'll get there!!
    — Delaware Mike
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:03 PM, 11/13/2008
    the pick and pops were definitely executed in last night's win. As long as Elton has the ball at the elbow, the other guys not named Andre Miller can not stand around.
    — CallerNo9
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:40 PM, 11/13/2008
    Rich, I agree with you however the most important thing for this team is to do what they did last night...play aggressive trapping defense, cause turnovers, rebound and run! That is their style. When they need to play half court, then get it to Brand.
    — JBP


9 comments
About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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