Sixers face Hornets in New Orleans tonight
After two convincing losses to the New York Knicks the Sixers will try to right themselves against the Hornets tonight.
Sixers face Hornets in New Orleans tonight
Bob Cooney
Just as the Eagles did earlier this week, the Sixers head to New Orleans in search of their offense. Unlike the Eagles, who faced a horrendous Saints defense, the Sixers will be facing one of the best defenses in the NBA.
The Sixers, who will be without Jason Richardson (ankle) and Kwame Brown (calf), have had a hard time finding the basket in their first three games, scoring an average of 85.3 points while shooting a horrendous 37.2 percent from the floor. Panic has not set in, nor has heightened concern. But you have to wonder what's going on.
"That's it (the ball just not dropping)," said Evan Turner. "That's all it is. It's not about what they do but what we do and how we do it, how we execute. We just have to worry abour ourselves right now and executing and it will make things easier on us."
Also making things easier for the Sixers will be that the Hornets also are shorthanded due to injuries. Rookies Anthony Davis (concussion) and Austin Rivers (sprained finger) will be out for the game as will guard Eric Gordon (right knee soreness).
Brown started the last game for the Sixers when they lost at home to the Knicks on Monday, but Lavoy Allen will be re-inserted in the starting lineup. Dorell Wright will start in place of Richardson.
"Monty Williams is a great coach," said Doug Collins of his coaching counterpart. "He has a tremendous pedigree. He does a great job. Every year his team plays to their strengths. They have size, (Robin) Lopez is playing great for them. They added Ryan Anderson, who we know has given us fits in the past. When Anthony Davis is healthy they have a big, strong athletic front line.
"For us, we've got to defend them. I talked to our guys about no indecision after missed field goals. That ball should be pushed on every occassion. Not looking to run any kind of set offense. I think our guys maybe started to getting into what play are they running. I want to get that ball down the floor."
Interesting DC failed to mention the ascension of Jason Smith , the guy he jettisoned off for the memorable Craig Brackins. Smith is averaging 11pts in just 17 mpg for the gritty Hornets...Speaking of "no indecision after missed FG's", that sure wasn't the fct after Maalik Wayns consecutive jumpers against the Knicks at the Garden...Wayns got pulled after that second miss in that first run.— bearsfriend- Note to Evan Turner: It isn't about the ball NOT DROPPING. It is about ball movement,less dribbling (primarily you), and getting the open looks where the ball WILL FALL. Basketball 101.— alwaysphil1
Doug Collins is not a teacher he is a strategist. And that is the problem in developing Evan Turner he never intended to allow the kid to develop into what he was. He is constantly trying to make Turner fit into a role that doesnt fulfill his strengths. Turner is a natural point guard that could shoot better. Holiday actually doesnt need the ball in his hands in order to be great. If Collins was a teacher he'd give Turner the ball and allow Holiday to play off of him as well as handle when both are not in the game together. I fear this will be another Destroyed high Draft pick that goes on Collins' murderers' row when it comes to young players. The Sixers might be good regardless of Turner but they'd be even better with him if they allowed him to play to his strengths instead of having to find a role that doesnt fit his game. Last year he was supposed to Reggie Miller.. This year Collins wants him to be Andre Iggy.. I wish Collins would just let him become the Magic Johnson clone he was destined to be before he forgets completely what he is good at.— Zeru- The ball "not dropping" seems to be the norm for Turner. Maybe he will never be a good shooter. If so, maybe he should look to another offensive style like driving and pass out assists. If you are not a good shooter, will all the practice in the world help? He has a lot of other positive attributes, I hope he can channel them and improve his effectiveness.— lefty27
- Yeah some of the guys we let go in recent years having been flourishing on other teams. Notably of course Lou Williams in Atlanta. Jason Smith in New Orleans. Anyone thinking we got ripped off with Hawes check out Dalembert's 1ppg and 3 rpg in 13mpg.
Bears I think another part of our struggles early on is DC's inconsistency with the rotation so far. Sure he's experimenting to see what he has but I'd like to see Moultrie and Wayns especially now that we might not win some of these games without two key players. We got depth man. Gotta use it or lose it. Losing Richardson's leadership looks to negatively impact this team even more than losing Bynum. JRich has done a lot in his short time here to lead this team and have a calm influence on the floor.— joecooler2u - I think Turner will continue to struggle until DC realizes Turner is best used as a fascilitator and Jrue is best used off-the-ball. Turner should be the Eric Snow and Jrue be the Iverson. On D they can switch. This way the SG can actually shoot and we could have another shooter at SF (Wright or JRich when he gets healthy again). On D Jrue and Turner can switch because of the speed issues at PG. Also Turner would have a height advantage on offense at PG. Something to consider. First Turner needs to cut down on the turnovers...— joecooler2u
- Jason Smith, Maurice Speights, Sam Dalembert, Any of those guys could have helped the Sixers better than 6 foot 7 elton brand at center in the playoffs. I always like Jason Smith. Particularly his defense, Athletcism, good position defense, shooting touch, and block shots. As far as Hawes goes. He is a bench player with energy. Dalembert could have helped us better defensively in the playoffs. The team peaked because Collins traded all of our assets and refused to use the ones we actually had when we needed to.— Zeru
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.
