 A New-Look Jim O'Brien Team Usually, when the Sixers play a team coached by Jim O'Brien I have to mentally prepare myself for a barrage of threes and a lopsided loss. Usually, his teams shoot way too may deep balls and usually an inordinate number of them find the bottom of the net against Philly. This year, however, O'Brien's team appears to be looking elsewhere for the bulk of its scoring. When the Sixers and the Pacers take the floor tonight, O'Brien's starting five will have a slightly different feel. He's got two guys who are excellent shooters from distance, on their careers, Troy Murphy and Danny Granger. But his point guard and shooting guard are not. TJ Ford has never topped 33% and Marquis Daniels is a career 24% shooter from three. Ford is firing at an impressive 40% so far this year, so maybe he's made a step in the right direction. Daniels, on the other hand, is shooting a horrid 16% and taking 3.6 of them, per game. O'Brien doesn't have much in the way of outside shooters coming off the bench either. When Mike Dunleavy comes back, things will change a little, but for now, O'Brien has changed his style somewhat. Indiana's 3PA are off by over 4 per game and they're shooting 3% worse as a team. How does a Jim O'Brien team with only two legit threats from downtown come into this game at an impressive 4-3? The answer is probably the play of TJ Ford. Ford's talent was never questioned in Toronto, he just fell into a classic Wally Pipp situation. Jose Calderon is one of the best points in the league, probably the best in the Eastern Conference at this point. When Ford went down with a neck injury last year, Calderon stepped into the void and clearly surpassed him. He was expendable and traded. So far this year, he's putting up 17 ppg, 5 boards and 6.4 assists/game, with an impressive 3/1 A/TO ratio. After the jump we'll take a quick look at the keys to the game for the Sixers.
The Sixers have a clear advantage down low in this one. Troy Murphy has no prayer of guarding EB down low, and he doesn't have the foot speed to keep up with him off the dribble. Foster is a tenacious rebounder, but you have to give the edge to Sammy. I expect Brand to carry the scoring load again. Iguodala can give Daniels a nice cushion on the outside, basically dare him to jack up those ill-advised threes. Thad on Granger is going to be fun to watch. Granger is a talented scorer, and becoming more of a complete player right before our eyes. Thad is one of the best wing defenders I've seen in a long time. Miller can muscle Ford in the post, if the Sixers want to go to that. Two keys defensively.
Tip is at 7 p.m., check out Arin It Out for Pacers coverage. 
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Lets see if the Sixers have Truly turned it around...it seems the sixers as a team hit a lot of jumpers wednesday..open and otherwise. Thats not gonna happen everynight so we will see what the sixers can do after a semi-big victory.
I hope Brand's mid-range game against TO was indicative of what we're going to see from him regularly, he was unconscious from 15-feet and in.
He should really be able to do work on the blocks against the Pacers, we're going to have to see how quickly they double him and what the Sixers do to counter the double.
Just curious, you don't see Mo putting EB on Foster (offensive liability yet hustling offensive rebounder) and Sammy (quicker) on Murphy to make sure we limit his 3's? Isn't that a logical move?
I personally see Jim putting Foster on Brand and Murphy on Sammy. I think he uses Foster as a primary defender on EB and still brings the double on occasion to try and fluster Elton.
Thoughts?
Not sure about Foster covering Brand, makes sense. I don't think either of them really has the foot speed to keep up with Brand's low post moves, but Foster is longer, which could give EB fits.
On the other end, I think Brand sticks w/ the outside threat, at least that's what I'd do. Sammy gets exposed when he's covering someone in space. I'd put EB on Murphy.
It'll be a good thing to watch for, though.
Nice write up as always Brian.
I was invited to go to the game, but working until 7:30 sort of stymied my plans!
I will be watching when I get home though!
I'm glad I just got the League Pass free trial. This team is ugly. Franchisee 1 and Franchisee 2: combined 2-20 so far.
And the real franchisee shows his face (and Royal Ivey goes +16 in 11 minutes, move him over Sweet Lou in the depth chart now).
I hope you didn't stop watching.
I don't have L.Pass anymore (free trial), and I'm in Durham. Big win, big sign of promise.
Tray i'm in Henderson. I agree. Definite confidence booster.
The fact that this team is even in the game is pissing me off. Indiana does this every game.
Big start, small finish.
That's what i'm screaming. My Willie G. fathead better be in the mail!!