It's getting pretty redundant to say the Sixers lost because they (a) couldn't defend the three, (b) couldn't shoot the three and (c) couldn't hit their free throws. Today's
110-103 loss to the Pacers can be chalked up to those three inadequacies, as usual.
Mo leaned heavily on Thad Young, with great results. The rookie played a career-high 30 minutes and keyed several runs before leaving the game with a hand injury. I'd like to say the game would've ended differently had he been in there, but you never know. Young had 13 points on 6/11 shooting, 7 rebounds (6 offensive), 2 assists and 2 steals. I think it's time for Thad to be moved into the starting lineup, if his hand injury isn't too serious. Every game he sees significant minutes he winds up stuffing the stat sheet, even without the team running any plays for him. Given Willie Green's minutes, with Iguodala moving to the 2, he's going to score as much as green, grab more rebounds and effect the game with his defense as well.
The Pacers are a horrible match-up for the Sixers. They basically just heave threes, and have guys who can knock them down. The Sixers couldn't defend the three-point line if their lives depended on it. Still, when a team comes in missing its best player (Jermaine O'Neal), you have to expect to come away with a win. The starting lineup was wholly ineffective today, so much so that Reggie Evans barely saw the court in the second half. The young guys off the bench keyed every run the Sixers had, including an impressive 16-0 run in the second quarter which gave the Sixers a short-lived 2-point lead. This role reversal has become the norm for the team. When your bench is more productive than your starting lineup, it's time to shake things up.
Two things I noticed during today's game:
- Andre Miller really doesn't like passing the ball the Thad Young. Thad had Mike Dunleavy sealed on the low blocks about 15 times, Miller never gave Thad the ball. One time Thad fought for an offensive rebound, dribbled into position on the low post against Dunleavy and abused him down there with a nice move on the baseline. Give the kid a shot down there, Andre.
- Throughout the game, the Sixers switched on pick and rolls where Jamaal Tinsley was at the point. Tinsley is not a scorer. Just go under the picks, he isn't going to take and/or hit the jumper. Every time the Sixers switched, Tinsley took advantage of the ensuing mismatch. Mo should've recognized this and put an end to it early.
Player of The Game: Andre Miller, 21 points, 4 boards, 5 assists and a steal. Miller hit shots to end droughts throughout the game.
Team Record: 15-25
Go to
Arin It Out for Pacers coverage (unfortunately, no Dunleavy drunk face after this one.)
This had to be the most frustrating game of the year for me at least. They kept getting it close but could not guard the three to save their lives. I agree with you that Thad should be starting ahead of green. Then mo could us green when the offense is stagnant. Willie is at his best when hes aggressive instead of settling for fade away jumpers so coming off the bench would make him much more aggressive. For Thad, once they start running some plays for him hes going to start scoring a whole lot more. It just seems like so many more good things happen when he's on the floor. He reminds me of a Tayshaun Prince Lamar Odem mix.
Mo could start Thad at the 3 or the 4 (for Evans or Green) and it would be a vast improvement. You've got nothing to lose, and he doesn't seem over his head at all. Give him starters' minutes (30/game) and see what happens.
I agree with you about Green, he'd be much better in the instant-offense role. Like a Leandro Barbosa, minus the explosive skills :)
"broken record" for them, "copy & paste" for us bloggers Brian...
I think I can just put the same post for the whole year, changing only the date and the name of the opponent
This time I added to your/our A), B), C) (that I totally agree with you on, of course) some Cheeks bashing because many decisions he took were completely unexplicable
But Mo is the best way to assure more balls in the lottery, let's resist until april
Whoa Whoa Whoa. I clicked on that Phil Hughes blog you mentioned the other day, and to my delight it appears he likes the musical styling of Alk Trio! Needless to say, I'm picking him in the first ever BlogsByFans fantasy baseball draft.
Speaking of which, I think we need to do something bigger for Fantasy Baseball. Maybe use something other than Yahoo and maybe get a cash prize going for the winner, to make it interesting.
Yeah cause i dont think anyone follows the basketball league i set up, including me (besides for Erin). Let's make it big time, with penalties for not updating your team if you have a pitcher pitch and you leave him on the bench.