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.
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
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.
