A Road Test In my breakdown of the second half I had this game as a loss. I'm going to change that prediction right now. The Hornets will be without both Tyson Chandler and David West tonight. As we've noted before, they have zero depth in their front court. The Sixers should absolutely abuse them on the inside. After the jump we'll take a quick look at the stats and pick a few keys for the game. Stop by during the game for conversation in the comments section, I'll be here. 
I think you can throw most of the New Orleans stats right out the window. Without West and Chandler, they're a different team. That should be enough of an advantage for the Sixers to take this game, but there is one reason to be worried. The Hornets will run with James Posey at the four for long stretches of time. That puts four very good three-point shooters on the floor at a time. If they go to this lineup, the Sixers need to do a couple of things, depending on the score. If the Sixers are leading, they should go big right away, preferably with both Speights and Brad on the floor. There's no way Posey can handle either of them in the post. Punish them on the inside. It's extremely hard to come back when you can't get stops on the offensive end. If they're behind, then you probably have to go small with Thad at the four. Either way, whoever is playing the four needs to get out from under the basket and extend to the three point line. There's no threat on the inside tonight, no excuse for leaving guys wide-open for threes. Check out this article, it seems like Byron Scott is really hoping the Sixers won't start Elton Brand. He doesn't have anything to worry about, though, EB will be coming off the bench again. I'll be tracking possessions with EB on the floor again tonight. Hopefully, his minutes will be increased a little more. I'd like to see him get up to 20. More importantly, I'm wondering when we'll start to see EB on the floor during crunch time. The tip is at 8 p.m., I'll be right here so join me in the discussion. It's time to get above .500 and stay there. 132 Comments | Leave a commentLeave a commentLatest Posts• Speights Enters Doghouse • A Word For Our Sponsor • Back Under • A Road Test • The Albatross. • The Giant. • Can't Live With Him... • The Ugly Ones Still Count • Exclusive Stefanski and DiLeo Video • 41 Down, 41 To Go • Andre Iguodala, An All Star? • First Half Review: The TeamSearchBlogs in The NetworkSixers BlogsPassion and Pride Sixers 4 Guidos Liberty Ballers Recliner GM PhillyArena Heard In The Cheap Seats | ||||||||||||||||
I can't wait for this game. Even without West and Chandler, this is a good test.
Yup. I want to see how they handle Paul. I think Willie might be guarding him at the start, that should be interesting.
I have a good feeling heading into tonights game. The big matchup is that neither Butler or Peja can handle iggy, so posey will probably guard him most of the night. If Peja is guarding Thad they need to go to at him repeatedly. Im kind of hoping Miller guards paul he doesnt have the quickness to stay with him but really who does?
this game really illustrates the paradox of the willie green situation. he is a huge drain on the offense, yet he's the only guy on our team quick enough to stay with really speedy guards and strong enough to give them problems. if we think that Iguodala is our long-term starting SG, we're going to need a point guard that can fill that role.
in keeping with my belief that we're going to have to draft a PG, i nominate Jrue Holiday or Darren Collison. (note: i'm not a UCLA fan, it's just a coincidence.) Both are super-quick and terrific defenders. Collison is more polished and a better outside-shooter, but Holiday is bigger and more athletic. what do you think about these guys, Brian?
Holliday I'm on board with but Collison is a poor man's speedy Claxton. I think he'll be a horrible pro. They had a game on last year when he played Washington State (pretty sure that was it). The Washington State guy just destroyed him.
If we get a PG, I'd like us to look at Nick Calathes. He isn't that athletic but he's huge, is a Jason Kidd level passer, can shoot and rebound and he doesn't turn the ball over much.
Since the topic came up of college prospects... Wages of Wins has a story up by Eric Doerr. He uses pace adj, pos adj, WS40 to look at prospects. At season's end, he will post a complete one that is really cool... looks at how they perform against good teams, bad teams, etc.
I like Collison a fair amount. I think the PG they draft should be able to play alongside Lou or you should trade Lou. That is how it seems to be panning out to me.
My main concern is that the pick isn't going to be great (20's hopefully) so getting a guy who can contribute anything in his first year or two is a long shot. When you're built to win now, which I suppose they are with Brand, or at least in the next 2-3 years, there has to be more short-term plan at the point. Miller for 2 years, $12-$15M would be ideal, but I don't know if he's going to sign an affordable two-year deal.
Miller is a good defender. The only guys he's going to have problems with are the guys everyone has problems with. Willie doesn't guard points because Miller can't, Miller guards twos because Willie can't.
Read this on a NO blog:
After starting the season 13-19, they've won 8 of 10 contests on the back by locking down defensively and using their athleticism to force turnovers and get easy buckets. They really need those easy buckets too, because outside of transition, their offense is anemic. The team is composed mostly of slashers, and none of them are better than average shooters from the three point arc. Even taking to account their dunks and layups, the Sixers are still the 8th worst shooting team in the league, but they do have one strength that almost makes up for it: Rebounding.
thoughts??????? I don't really agree. Maybe the beginning of the year it was true but not now in my opinion.
hornets247.com is where it is from.
I don't think it is a great description, but his player descriptions seem pretty good, except the part where he thinks Peja can keep the Peja-Iguodala match up close.
Only if Peja hits about 6 threes.
Looks to me like they just looked at the season numbers and made an assumption. To be fair, he's a Hornets' fan, I try to do a little more digging when I do my pregame write ups, but I doubt he's seen the Sixers play.
The funny thing is that he's got it completely backwards over the past 15 games or so. They've shot well and rebounding hasn't been great.
Can anyone on this team guard Chris Paul?
F me. My league pass was turned off for some reason.
Your cable company probably sucks (don't they all? ) and in stead of turning off the free tiral they turned them all off? (I'm hoping it's just you - if i get home and it's not on and i have to code my web site without basketball i'll be fo shizzled
I hate these bastards.
Julian Wright gets the start. Can't say I like that.
Looks like I'm watching online. My cable company says there's some kind of a problem. I'm making them give me a credit right now. Just told some poor girl at a call center in India to go fuck herself.
Ugh, that got my blood boiling.
OK, I've got the Philly feed online, Zumoff seems freshly waxed and pumped up.
Miller just said he's going under screens, going to force Paul to hit jumpers.
Why go away from Thad? Two touches in the post, two easy conversions.
Glad to see Miller didn't seem to hurt his ankle too much on the fall - got up gimpy...was fixing the results page on the web site...just turned on 20-19
Iguodala can't settle for the jumpers when guarded by peja - you're faster than him man - take him off the dribble get him in foul trouble.
Miller and Paul trying to kill each other
Nice finish to the quarter. Running w/ Brand on the floor.
That's unpossible- they can't run with Brand on the floor - and bad pass or no - there's no way i saw elton brand running the break by himself - that's unpossible
He's the slowest man in the league, no way he can run.
That's what i'm saying - so someone stole his jersey and body and attempted to run the break - very confusing when they have body snatchers at the game.
Iggy on fire. Sp8s is a fouling machine.
Pass the ball Lou
He's definitely shot happy tonight. So is Willie.
Willies always shot happy - I just noticed neither Miller or Iguoodala on the floor - bad DiLeo
You know, EB had a huge advantage there and they went to him in the post twice on 10 possessions in this quarter. It's almost like they're making a concerted effort NOT to rely on him.
It seems to me like the sixers have had 36 for a while
Man, they never blow the whistle on CP3 huh?
Um - that's a foul on Chris Paul - jesus christmas ref
Sammy could really help this team. Paul puts every pass right in the guy's bread basket and gets their bigs the ball right at the tin.
Isn't their GM some fat roley poley guy? Get him on the phone - i'm sure you can convince him...he'll ignore sams catching issues :)
Chris Paul whining and sucking up to the refs - seriously dude - go to the locker room - they already obviously want to be your best friend
I hate it when guys get all the calls and still bitch.
I hate it when the sixers are getting so obviously screwed by the refs.
I think Shaquille O'neal just mauled Andray Blatche
Solid first half. Need to get to the line more in the second half and keep up the good three-point D. Hornets were 4/14 from deep.
too many turnovers
It doesn't help that Chris Paul never ever commits a foul
Agreed. Miller has 5 of them, one on a non-call foul by Paul, another on a B.S. charge that Posey "drew."
3 minutes for Sp8s in the first half. I like the fact that DiLeo uses minutes as a weapon, that's something Mo rarely did.
Gotta take into account dudes still a 20 year old rookie - they make dumb mistakes - but they have to learn
Can we bench sam every time he dribbles as a punishment?
What do you all think?
Peterson always struck me as being lazy. I'd probably do it, though. How long is his contract?
Great start to the third, consecutive threes for N.O.
10-run. Not Sammy's finest 3 minutes of action.
ugh
Let's see what DiLeo draws up here out of the timeout.
Miller is not having a good game.
How about we improve on the rebounding.
Another charity call for Paul.
Hmmm...all ball on a block - but since it's chris paul - willie green called for the foul and the sixers are now in the penalty with 7:30 to play...this quarter is god awful
New Orleans half time adjustment "Thug Life" type basketball
Wow. They called one on Paul. I bet he's whining about it. Yup.
The rebounding in this quarter is atrocious
Sammy.
You see that assist to Thad? Awesome. He's lucky no one was around when he took that meaningless dribble, though.
I just got here pretty much.
I'd like to see Thad one day not shy away from contact on the drive.
FT disparity in this game is ridiculous - the lakers don't get home cooking this good in LA
Horrible. 5 FTA for the Sixers.
Sammy's doing serious work now.
I think it's time for Tony DiLeo t get his first ejection
STOP TURNING THE FUCKING BALL OVER
IF THE GUY INITIATES THE CONTACT WHY ISN"T THE FOUL ON HIM?
Such bullshit. Good, I'm glad he's hurt.
Collins should not be reffing this game or any N.O. game being he is a resident of N.O. He seems to chummy with CP3. Paul initiated contact on Thad on that flip shot and on the recent one with Sammy too.
I must admit - i don't always advocate it - but Tony DiLeo MUST ge at least one technical - this is where that standing up for your guys thing comes in - it's very important
with the weak front line of the Hornets - shouldnt we see some plays for Elton B - and maybe some extended minutes here tonight?
EB hasn't been in yet in the second half.
It's a familiar story and it's called One Bad Quarter.
8-point game after this foul shot. Can you mount a comeback when the refs are making these calls, though?
Nope - i mean i didn't think they' win tonight - but this is crap
there have been some bad calls yes but that's what happens when 1 team is consistently the aggressor. with the way we're coughing the ball up we don't deserve any calls.
You been watching much? The sixers have been very aggressive - the entire game - it's hard to get any traction when they can hit you - and you get called for the foul
Alright, pull your shit together for 2 minutes, damnit.
Thaddeus!!!
That entire offensive set was ugly
That is when Thad is at his best.
The rebounding in this quarter IS AWFUL - it's unacceptable with this small ass injured hornets team -
i just don't like blaming the refs for poor play
Yes they're playing badly - but it's an imbalanced game when the refs are tilting the calls - the turnovers aren't even the real issue if they could CLEAR THE DAMN GLASS
PS - if Thad plays best when it's 'ugly' they doesn't bode well for this team
Well, they had a nice run there, ended by no D-rebounding and the three by Posey. Brand looks good on D, though.
They're holding the Hornets to 42% from the floor. This has to be a win. Come on.
7 for 21 from the 3 - sound familiar?
Ouch.
I really don't want to watch anymore. Jesus.
I'm tempted to shut it down...poor rebounding, poor perimeter defense - dear god how can this keep happening?
For the past 2 games, Lou has been killing this team.
Yup. They've had nothing going to the hoop this half. Can someone explain why? Is it the shot-blocking prowess of Sean Marks?
Late night on bourbon street?
Thad has been the only one scoring near the hoop. In fact he kept us in it in the third quarter.
Lou has killed this team on many more occasions than he has helped.
Anyone want to cover him? Get lou out, put thad in.
Christ. There is 6.
5 in a quarter
Our best offense has been Reggie at the line. Awesome.
Run coming?
Now would be the time.
Gee, Thad comes in and Peja suddenly has a hand in his face.
I'd like to see them go to Brand here.
Or Thad.
Alright, let's do it. Down to 9.
I wouldn't describe EB's offensive game as sharp right now.
What offensive game?
I really wish I hadn't said this earlier.
At least you didn't say TEN.
Riiiighghhhhhtt
They really wanted to count that one.
Wouldn't Speights be kinda useful in this game, what with their total lack of bigs? As for Brand, he hasn't been sharp all year, but you do have to credit his pick-and-roll defense, at least. Not every overpaid 'franchise' big is willing to do that kind of yeoman's work.
He was disciplined for shitty play in the second. But I agree, he would've been useful.
Come on Lou. What the fuck is that pass.
That pass was the game. Convert there and it's a 5-point game.
They fouled Iguodala there? Wow.
Wow meaning... wow that was stupid.
4-point play to end the misery?
Ugh.
Along with the Dallas game, this is one bad loss.
I know young players make mistakes but Lou has been crap.
Lou was bad, indeed, but he didn't lose Peja 6 times. I'm not sure who that's on, but that's what cost the game.
I thought his shot selection was awful. And on one occasion he gave Peja an open look.
Turnovers killed us, 20 is too many. This was a benchmark game. If you're gonna be a decent playoff team you have to beat a playoff team without its starting frontcourt.
decent game for Paul, but he wasn't the difference.
I don't buy into the whole "this was the difference, that wasn't" concept - if it wasn't for Paul's 27, 10, 15 and 7 steals game, Peja wouldn't have been able to put them over the top. You could just as easily say the difference was our 21 turnovers, or our hitting 2 threes to their 14. If not for all of these factors, the outcome might have been different.
My comment was about 90% sarcasm, 10% bitterness.
Need a big rebound game in Houston on Wednesday. This one was disgusting.
What happened to Iggy? He disappeared in the 2nd half?
It is obvious that the Hornets had no real business winning tonight. The problem is that it is pretty universally accepted that Paul is a top 5 player and he won it for them pretty much. Sucks.
It hurts when you lose because of 2 guys on the opposing team... one of whom got wide open looks in the 2nd half.
I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any comments ripping Iggy for not being Chris Paul yet.
This was a painful game to watch. But, alot of teachable moments for the sixers from this. Hopefully this will be a blessing in disguise down the road on how not to act when the game does not go your way. I was refreshed seeing that everyone saw the issues w/ the calls and flow. The sixers now will be prepared in the future because I am sure Tony D. will use the game and will overcome this in the future. We saw literally 2 different games tonite.