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.
- 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
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.
