 A Homecoming for Eddie Jordan Gilbert Arenas became Gilbert Arenas under the watchful eye of Eddie Jordan in Washington. Judging from his recent comments, he was apparently coached in media relations by Eddie as well. The Sixers are in Washington to take on a group of angry Wizards who apparently don't miss Eddie all that much.
Here's a quote from Gilbert Arenas yesterday: "I converted my game to try to get people involved, but at the end of the day, to be honest, this is the same team since three years ago. We added a couple of pieces, but everybody else is basically the same player. Gilbert's proclamation that he's changed his game to help his teammates is laughable. Through 12 games he has the highest usage rate of his career (34.2%), he's averaging more field goal attempts than at any other time in his career (19.0/36 minutes), and he's shooting an abysmal 39% from the floor. If this isn't Gilbert in "attack mode," I shudder at the thought of how horrible these numbers could become if he decides he needs to take more shots. There were plenty of other comments thrown around the Wizards regarding how Jordan jerked Haywood and Etan Thomas around (eventually, the seed Eddie planted exploded into three fist fights between the two players and an eventual suspension for Thomas. Here's a favorite from Haywood: "Not trying to speak negatively about anyone, but in previous years, I was playing like I had to make something happen. If it didn't happen in the first five minutes I felt like I had to do something or I might not play in the second half. That's a tough way to play. Sounds familiar, right? (That quote was from a Tom Moore piece, I copied it yesterday but for the life of me I can't find the link). Anyway, the drama of Eddie Jordan's return will now take a backseat because Washington's owner, Abe Pollin, has died at age 85. I assume the game will still be played, although I'm not sure it should be. The important thing heading into any Sixers game this season seems to be whether they'll be playing up to their opponent or down to them. Prognosticators heading into the season projected the Wizards to have a better season than the Sixers, but they have a worse record right now. Personally, I think they're probably equally shoddy through the first dozen or so games. Working in the Sixers favor is the absence of Mike Miller (who was shooting 56.5% from three). Foye and Arenas are both shooting above league average from distance, but no one else is even above 33% on the roster. Antawn Jamison will probably be a tough cover for Elton Brand with his outside game and driving ability, but EB's strength should allow him to more than make up for the mismatch on the offensive end. CAron Butler is listed as questionable, and I think he's going to miss the game. Gilbert is a challenging matchup for any PG, Lou Williams is no exception. The goal should be to force Arenas to take long jumpers, but don't leave him wide open. He's at his most dangerous when he's getting into the lane and getting to the line. Arenas cannot hang with Lou on the offensive end. He needs to penetrate at will and break down the defense. Haywood has a strength advantage over Sammy, but I'm not really sure we even need to consider Dalembert when we're talking about matchups considering how few minutes he's seeing at the five. Iguodala is going to have a mismatch in Nick Young, again, he needs to take advantage. Thad's matchup is a bit up in the air with the possibility Butler may not be able to go. If I was calling the shots for Washington, I'd go with a big lineup playing Andre Blatche and Haywood up front and swinging Jamison to the three. If this is the case, Thad will have his hands full on the wing, and he's really going to have to work to keep Jamison off the boards. Key to the Game: Rotations. You have to think if Jordan really wants any single game, this is it. He disagreed with management and got the axe almost exactly a year ago. He wants to show them they made a mistake. With that in mind, I'm expecting to see a ton of small lineups to execute the PO, to whatever extent any of our lineups can execute it. If____________ the Sixers will win: I'm going with 20+ points for Thad. We need him to come through with his second straight solid game. This is your game thread. I'm going to have to watch late tonight on DVR, so I'll leave the in-game commentary in your capable hands. Keep it civil and enjoy, I'll have a wrap in the wee hours. If the Sixers are going to win more than 1 of their next 6, this has to be a win. 
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How does our small ball line-up match up? because that is what EJ is going to send out there for most of the game (and for the final 15 minutes of the game.)
Completely depends on whether Butler is available or not. If he isn't, and Saunders goes big, we're in trouble. If you're talking about these matchups, I think we're probably OK.
Brand vs. Haywood
Thad vs. Jamison
Carney vs. Butler
Iguodala vs. Young
Lou vs. Arenas
On second thought, that doesn't look too even. Jamison can actually rebound as a four. Ugh.
Counter intuitively, Thad does much worse guarding hybrid fours. Guys like Jamison and Warrick kill him either in the post or on the glass.
I detest Eddie Jordan, and his support group. I wish there were a way he could be a DNCPD.
DNCPD
Did not Coach - Players Decision
Good help side block by Sam igniting a fast break but Dala decides to pull up from 17 ft and you know the result.
That is his third forced jumper so far and none even fell. One was even an airball. I want him to score but if he isn't going to attack and try to get to the line then he just need to facilitate.
Good box out by Thad there.
Miscommunication on defense and Carney has to foul to prevent a slam by McGee. Good foul but bad confusion.
Good pass to Willie posting up Boykins and a kickout for a Thad three. Second jumper from Thad.
That last sequence where Iguodala posted up Nick Young - that needs to happen more often.
Come on Dala. He wanted to gun the last shot of the quarter and had Carney wide open in the corner for a three but he tried to spin with the defender draped and threw the pass too late. Buzzer sounds as Carney releases. He should have given it up earlier.
End of 1st. Thad is really displaying good effort and hustling for boards. Sam actually had a very good run with 8 early points. EB doesn't seem to be in rhythm and Dala.....well...he seems to be trying to be the star and would be better off just blending in.
23-22 Wiz.
Yeah good hustle Willie with the block on Boykins on a fast break.
That's right Lou. Take Earl to the hoop everytime.
Good look Lou with the lob to J Smith.
Lou and J Smith with a pick and pop for a 3.
But Lou gives 2 back watching Boykins dribble right by him for a layup.
eddie please let jrue get some burn 2nite
Perimeter defense is a joke. Two guys running out to cover the shooter while the other three stay in the paint. And what do you know, a Wizards player in the corner, hitting the open three...
That was the second possession in a row where the bench was struggling with rotations and matching up.
Come on Thad, at least hit the rim with a brick of a 3.
Don't ever say he doesn't punish anyone but Jrue again. EB and Dala taken out at that timeout for Willie and J Smith. EJ was pissed when he called that timeout and it must have been at one of those two or both.
Sam with 12, 6 and 4 blocks.
Sixers 46-45. Rotations were good to start off and effort too. They waned after the bench came in and had at least three very confused possessions. EB still not in rhythm and Dala doesn't seem to be focused at all. Thad, Lou and Sam carrying them so far with the two best players yet to get going. Positive? Or not?
woww..........
sammy is our leading scorer
Dala starts off the second half the same way he started the game. With a contested jumper but he was bailed out by a foul on this one.
Man, that was Thad's second WIDE OPEN look at a three. He missed iron on the first and air-mailed the second. Ugh
Dala cheating on D for no reason and Young eats him up with a pull up.
too many freaking jumpers (again). Broken record.
Funny, at the 8:50 min of the third, Thad receives a pass from Lou at the top of the key wide open again. Jamison stands AT the free throw line daring Thad to pull the trigger but he doesn't.
Timeout. Down 7. They make their open perimeter looks, we clank our open perimeter looks.
Thad with an open 20 footer. Doink, the rim that is.
Dala with an open three. In and out.
Only 5 turnovers by us but we are down nine. J Smith in for Sam at the midway mark of the 3rd.
Nick Young lighting Dala's poor excuse for defense up with another jumper.
Thad with another WIDE OPEN three and he short arms it and airballs.
Sam back in for EB b/c he has four fouls.
Don't know how this is going to end up, but it looks to be another case of playing down to the competition. This just isn't the same scrappyness or intensity or effort they showed against the Cavs Sat. night.
When will the inconsistency end guys? JUST BRING IT!
Damn that was goaltending on McGee.
Thad with another open 20 fter and he clanks it off the front of the rim but fortunately he gets the second chance putback off the glass.
Dala with a nice drive baseline and dish for a J Smith slam but Young lights him up for another pullup at the other end.
Finally a nice pass by Dala off an even nicer cut by Thad and an and-one and a steal by Thad and a layup.
Up 1 at the half to down 10 at the end of the 3rd but it could have been way worse. Dala has 8 of his 12 pts from the line.
Does anybody work on SHOOTING the damn ball besides when it's mandatory at practice??!!
You know - round ball, round hole..... shit, put some hair around the damn thing and then maybe they will hit it..........
Eternal optimist? I say they come back and win. Really.
Thad with another WIDE OPEN three and 'clank'. O board and Carney with a WIDE OPEN three and 'clank'. Sheesh....
Did I not holler all offseason for some shooters for an offense predicated on perimeter shooting? I think I did but sadly it fell on deaf ears.
Ed Ski you picked your chef but you didn't give him anything to cook with.....
YEAH!! JRUE for a three with a nice roll.
EB will not return with hamstring soreness.
I miss Speights.
We might both be missing EB too if that hammy isn't right after evaluation tomorrow.
No one boxing out and they all watch Haywood just get an easy tip-in.
Damnit Jrue!...with another three with nice form.
Loving Jrue right now! Two threes and sweet dish.
and a nice pass the very next play
Jrue with a nice whip pass to J Smith off a pretty cut for a lay-in.
Zumoff - "Sixer coaches say that Jrue's shot looks a lot better than most people thought"
Yes, I'm included too Zum.
JRUE!!!
omg jrue do your thing single handedly
You mutha.................Jrue with another three. He's been shooting after practice. He may have had a steal but to get that three but bad camera work showing Sam running down court instead of live action.
J Smith straight packing a dunk attempt by Foye.
jrue w/ tha tip in
Jrue friggin Holiday!!!!!!! Strips Arenas and Lou blows the layup at the other end but Jrue with the putback. Come on! Down 6 with a lil over 3 to play.
YES!!!!! Lou for 3 after a Jrue block on Arenas. Jrue missed a three but Lou ended up with the second chance point.
Damn Jrue, you might have to slow down with your tenacity b/c I can't type as fast as you are making it happen!!!
I was about to lose my shit if Jrue hit that last three. Luckily Lou hit it after the board.
Not sure, but didn't this flurry happen with Dala on the bench?? Where he belonged properly, if I was asked.
11 points and 6 rebounds in 6 minutes?!?! Seriously??? From our rookie point?
Bout time Thad, with a wide open three with one on the clock.
Did you guys hear my cry for shooting? Lou with another three.
Damnit they can't get a stop though!
Sam you are lucky the Wiz guy was out of bounds. You should have dived on the floor for that ball.
Please make a basket right here or at least drive and draw a foul. Please!
Damn he put Dala back in.
MUtha.................... A damn contested jumper Lou? Ever heard of attack, or drive? F me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He went for glory.
Should have just attacked the basket. I would accept any shot going to the basket, there's always the hope of drawing a foul. Stupid move, the rook nearly saved this game.
He sure did almost save it. It was so chaotic and such a flurry during the minutes he was in. It happened so fast.
I just am curious what Dala is going to mouth to the press concerning his game and being on the bench in crunch time. His ego is usually easily bruised and he already doesn't seem to be in line with the head man anyway.
gosh wheres brian
Different night ...same result. I guess 4 points means Brand is no longer "back" ?
Actually, I watched a game for the first time in a month (home on Thanksgiving break from law school) and he had some hop in his step tonight. His missing a bunch of mid-range jumpers doesn't really bear much weight in the "is he/isn't he back" debate.
The Jrue lovers and EJ haters will be out in full force I'm sure, but you can't give the head coach hell for not punishing guys for poor play anymore. That myth was dispelled multiple times tonight. He had Dala on the bench for the majority of the fourth and only put him back in for the final few seconds.
Samn shit, different game from the players though. They play like gangbusters for half of the 4th quarter (and yes, Jrue wasn't the only one giving good effort) but almost sleepwalk through the other three quarters. The starters looked like a JV squad for most of the third quarter.
Another note, EJ, at least for one game, dispelled another myth that he doesn't go big. I don't keep up with rotaions but he played the majority of the game with two bigs.
So, two myths thrown out the window - what is going to be the slam on the head coach this time? It has to be something from the masses, has to be. I'm still proudly in my minority camp that it is the players and their lack of execution and effort.
And to think, in Dala's mind he thinks he is an all-star. Please don't make me laugh. I love you Dre but you are only a wannabe at this point. No leadership from you, no accountability for your man on defense multiple times tonight, and forcing shots to start the game and one at the start of the second half, lackadasical focus throughout. You've got a long way to go man, a long way. But I'm on your side dog, I mean, I want to see you get waaayyyyy better. We need you to be more tuned in and cut the potential rebellious crap out.
You guys seen this site?
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/smallballs/signatures.html
All the criticisms they had of Jordan in Washington are exactly what's going on here now. It would take a lot to get me to stop following the sixers closely, but I feel like hiring Eddie Jordan was franchise suicide. Until they fire him, it may be nearly impossible to root for this team.
Yes the "Play Jrue" folk will be out in force because when he gets CONSISTENT solid minutes he performs...his performance tonight is damning evidence that Eddie Jordan is a moron.
And his 'discipline' of other players does not compare to the abuse of the rookie but might show his desperation to not be fired.
I guess we'll next see Jrue in about another 4 games. Enjoyed his few minutes of run tonight :)
It is sad that in November I'm thinking maybe a close loss is better for draft position...
At this rate, the Nets will have about 2 million ping pong balls in the lottery, and a starting lineup of
John Wall
Devin Harris
LeBron James
MLE PF
Brook Lopez
when they open their new arena in Brooklyn.
I don't think this loss was a coaching loss as much as a loss because the players didn't play hard enough. Maybe the players don't play hard because they are frustrated with the coach's decisions/system?
In that case would hiring a new coach solve the problem?
Jrue's secret... well rested.
Hahahaha
And can we squash all the talk about EJ being the cause of players doing certain things out of timeouts etc.? You know, improvisation does take place within a game.
Check out Kate's quotes from Lou about he was supposed to use a ball screen but he, himself, decided not to use it. Thank goodness for this gem by Kate because I'm sure EJ would have somehow been blamed for the 'terrible play call' on the last possession.
And for the players maybe not playing hard b/c of frustration with a coach's decisions or systems, I'll say it til I'm blue in the face - they are a bunch of sissies if they are b/c they haven't even given it a chance yet. They should play hard regardless, first for themselves, second for their teammates, and third for the fans. That is, if you can't even muster enough to play for pride and the game itself. Oh, and why not play hard for that fat-ass check you are going to get at the end of the week?
And all the chatter of hiring a new coach, he's desperate b/c he doesn't want to get fired etc., is nothing but that - chatter and wasted breath. He's here and not going anywhere anytime soon, so the sooner accepted, the better. If that's the horse desired by most to ride, then it will be a long bumpy ride for you all. Like it or not, don't blame me - blame Ed and Big Ed.
And can we squash all the talk about EJ being the cause of players doing certain things out of timeouts etc.? You know, improvisation does take place within a game.
If the coach calls a play and it fails it's because
A. the coach called a horrible play
B. the players ignored the coaches play and ran their own play because they have no respect for the coach.
Which was is that not on Eddie Jordan being a horrible horrible coach.
We get it, your livelihood is somehow tied to eddie jordan remaining employed and as thus you see no flaws in his coaching, here or anywhere else, despite a mountain of evidence against him (Jrue Holiday did what now tonight?)
You're either his agent or his mom.
One should never insult another man's mother...
I don't believe I was
And this is coming from the same plankhead that said just a week or so ago - you need to give a coach 15 REAL NBA games before evaluating. Funny, you didn't have anything to say after Jrue threw two stinker games up in a row when he looked like the rookie he is. But that holds form with your bandwagon rider status. You crow when he has a good run, but not to be heard from when he doesn't.
Boost your ego and ease your inferiority complex which seems to aid your livelihood, no bother here. But you left out one important thing from your thorough observations - I'm your f...ing Daddy, so what does that make you and EJ?
You know, kids always respond and want responses in return from their Dad. It's OK son, I know you miss your brother since he is in season now. And I know there are nothing but adults on this forum, so don't feel left out.
Dude, what are you talking about? I don't understand why you're being so childish, and I really don't understand why you can't ever fault Eddie Jordan for ANYTHING? It's clear that you believe in him, which is fine, but that doesn't mean that he makes the best decisions every time. You were proven wrong when Jrue Holiday single-handedly brought us back into the game. It's ok to be wrong, admit it, and move on. No need to be a douche.