Will the Bulls be more angry or tired after a tough loss to the Clippers late last night in Chicago? Either way, the Bulls have holes the Sixers need to attack tonight if they're going to get even for a loss earlier in the year.
Not only did Tom Thibodeau abuse his main guys with 40+ minutes last night in their loss to the Clippers, but ESPN added insult to injury by pushing the start time to 9:30pm. 43 minutes for Noah, 41 for Belinelli, 40 each for Deng and Boozer. That's a hefty workload with a short turnaround time. Push the pace whenever you can, please.
With Rip Hamilton out indefinitely, Thibs has turned to Marco Belinelli as his starting two guard. He and Kirk Hinrich minus a step-and-a-half are the weak links, and the Sixers need to attack them mercilessly. Learn from the lessons from last game and let Jrue work in isolation with Hinrich on him. Also, throw in some wrinkles and see if you can use perimeter screens to get Belinelli switched onto Turner, that's a huge mismatch.
When Hinrich goes to the bench, Jrue will have Nate Robinson on him. The Sixers don't have a game tomorrow, they had yesterday off, I'd like to see Jrue play 40+ minutes tonight so he can take advantage of the mismatches he's going to have all night. Putting Wayns in is negating the Robinson disadvantage for the Bulls.
The Bulls obviously have the advantage up front, and the bad news about last night's game is Taj Gibson only played 13 minutes (I have no idea why). Gibson really gives Thad problems. He needs to get out of the gates fast while he's got either Noah or Boozer on him (probably Noah, they'll hide Boozer on Allen and Hawes).
When the teams last met in Chicago I was expecting Thibs to pull something out to focus his defense on Jrue. He didn't, and Jrue had a really strong game. Keep your eyes on how they handle him tonight. If they start doubling him to get the ball out of his hands early, I expect to see Turner bringing the ball up the floor more often, or perhaps have the Sixers bigs come set the picks out way beyond the three-point line. Those have been Collins' typical counters. What I'd like to see is some kind of choreographed action to defeat the hard double. Flash a big to the void at the foul line, hit him with a pass, send one wing on a cut to the hoop, camp the other wing out in the corner. One of them should be open. Two quick passes for a good look.
The tip is at 7:30pm. Use this as your game thread. Tonight is a huge game. The Bulls are 3-2 since Belinelli was put in the starting lineup to replace Rip. They're probably going to be battling for playoff position with Chicago and a win tonight keeps the goal of +4 heading out West alive.
General Thibs does not cotton to softness in his soldiers. Losing consecutive battles brings on dangerously dark moods. Despite logistical weakness, I expect bullying tonight from the Bulls, such as it exists without Rose, without Hamilton.
'11-'12: just one 2 gm losing streak in regular season (Apr, @Thunder, next night Rockets @home); just one 3 gm losing streak (your Seventy-Sixers in the playoffs)
'12-'13: one 3 gm losing streak (@Clips, @Blazers, @Rockets), zero 2 gm losing streaks
This evening's outcome: toss-up, due to remonstrations and adjusting tactics of Gen. Thibs, legendary bandaged grinder, and the fidelity of his bedraggled troops.
Tip is at 730, not 7.
Fixed. Thanks.
Any idea why they're starting later?
Bynum's bowling league schedule.
Via Tom Moore's twitter: #Sixers game vs. #Bulls Wednesday is 30 minutes later than usual (7:30 EST) because Chicago plays at 9:30 EST tonight.
Well that was nice of the Sixers. Come on. That should've been an advantage.
Sure, an advantage, but a dick move, you know, like running 58 points up on the arizona cardinals. Sometimes you gotta do the right thing.
The real issue is the asinine 8:30 (local time) starting time in Chicago last night to accommodate ESPN
Yeah, I couldn't believe that. I guess the Sixers owe ESPN for airing that game in New Orleans earlier in the year.
Carlos Boozer from last night's game-
http://cjzero.com/gifs/BoozerOpenMouth.gif
Brian, do you know where you can find NBA Wins above replacement numbers? Is there a reason basketball-reference doesn't list them? Are win shares considered more important than WAR in basketball (this doesn't seem to be the case in baseball)?
I'm not familiar w/ that number in hoops. If anyone calculates/uses it, it would probably be Basketball Prospectus.
I know Hollinger tried to calculate that using PER at one point. He'd normalize to 15.0 being an average player, then break it down to a per-minute number, then multiply by minutes played, I think. Not sure if he still does it or not. I'll check during lunch.
Personally, I think defense is way too muddled in NBA stats to be able to come up with one number for value that passes the smell test.
Yeah, here it is. EWA is what he calls it, estimated wins added. Jrue is #27 on his rankings w/ 2.9, Thad is #30 with 2.8. Turner is #65 with 1.9.
I had seen that, but hadn't realized it accounted for replacement value. Conceptually it looks similar to WAR.
Thanks Brian!
I'll I've been able to find was this article by Neil Paine: http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=9840
The calculation of the replacement value seems to be arbitrary, but the season and career leaders seem to pass the smell test. It does seem to discount a lot of 80's players like Bird and Magic.
Basketball 'sabremetrics' just aren't as good as baseball. The nice thing about baseball is that most things are isolatable - almost all information can be quantified simply and statistically (Unless you believe in nonsense like 'clutch' and 'club house guys'). Basketball is more malleable, there's a lot dependent on the other guys on the floor - there's a lot that is not measurable (defensively). There was a report about a project involving lots of cameras tracking every player on the court but that's in its infancy. There's a lot of room for 'growth' in basketball analysis
Brian, what do you think about Skip Bayless' comments, reported by John Mitchell http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/deep-sixer/183074511.html , that Bynum's knees are "beyond repair"? Granted, we have to take anything Bayless says with a 2 ton salt lick, but beyond repair isn't the kind of thing I like to hear.
Relatedly, do you know what the cap situation is if we don't end up re-signing Bynum?
The team isn't in great shape cap wise w/out Bynum. Thanks in large part to the money committed to Hawes and Kwame in two year deals, and Turner's gigantic rookie contract.
I do find it funny how people keep saying the Sixers got taken in the deal, when they have the best record of any team involved to this point :)
I find it funny people listen to Skip Bayless who admits to barely watching any sports - he's pure schtick - and when marc cuban made him his bitch it was the best tv of the year.
I really hate the kwame and spencer deals more and more eery day
Skip Bayless's comments that Bynums knees are beyond repair is as informed as my opinion on the next kardashian baby daddy's genetic make up. I'm sorry, but the mfer makes things up and probably should get sued - he knows NOTHING factual about bynums knee
Mitchell quoting Skip as any kind of reliable anything goes to prove how dead journalism really is.
Skip Bayless has less inside knowledge than HOward Eskin
to be more precise about the cap space. They have $45M committed next season to Thad, Hawes, Richardson, Turner, Lavoy, Kwame (player option), Jrue, Moultrie and Wayns (assuming that's a team option). Then they'd have to decide what to do w/ Dorrell, Nick Young and Bynum. The cap is supposed to drop to a 50/50 split next year as well, which could mean as low as $50M, depending on where the BRI is, and what the new math looks like to determine how to cut the pie.
According to Bynum worst case scenario is another month. And he thinks Arnett and Malik need more minutes. http://www.csnphilly.com/12/10/12/bSixers-bBynum-still-expects-to-play-thi/mobile_landing.html?blockID=812233&feedID=694
WEll if anyone knows who needs to get minutes, it's Andrew Bynum
According to Bynum worst case scenario is another month. And he thinks Arnett and Malik need more minutes. http://www.csnphilly.com/12/10/12/bSixers-bBynum-still-expects-to-play-thi/mobile_landing.html?blockID=812233&feedID=694
For some strange reason my phone keeps double posting. Seems like this happens whenever i use the links to go back, but if i close the browser first then it posts only once.
Just for the hell of it - if this is accurate - more reasons to fire the GM in washington
The Washington Post report that the Wizards actually turned down Harden-for-Beal/Singleton can't be completely accurate? I mean, its the Wizards, but no front office is that dumb...right?
They have their star and Harden would've gotten in the way of that.
Saw a rumor the Lakers are looking for help at PG. Two free agents mentioned were Eddie House and Delonte West.
Any doubt in anyone's mind that either of those guys would be an upgrade over the Sixers current backup PG solution?
Eh, I don't care for either one. Would rather just throw Maalik out there and see if he can develop a little bit.
i wouldn't be against posting jrue every play
@tmoorepburbs
#Bulls Hinrich is out tonight with knee injury. #Sixers
sounds like Moultrie passed kwame for the 2nd big off the bench, we'll see how long it lasts
NOTE: i like moultrie just dont see collins giving him consistent minutes
evan long 2 goes in
jrue
Who's going to back up Nate Robinson for them?
marquis teague
Marquis Teague.
Unless he starts hitting them at a better clip, I really wish Hawes would stop shooting those 20 ft'ers. Teams appear to be giving them to him now.
THad@!!
sissy tip in
thad block!!!
et to jrue
Thad from-behind block on BOozer!!!
Jrue with a near-slam!!
good work on the o-boards
Boy, they're really involved tonight. So active on both ends. Basically everyone that's played so far seems to be possessed.
up 5 when jrue comes out
Let's see if Wayns can give anything positive vs Teague here.
thought Wayns looked okay so far. Passes could have been more on target but they were to the right guys. Nick could have easily pump faked on that one but instead went to his patented fadeaway. And Hawes could have stepped into more his range.
Noah sure is annoying when he pulls the hand pistols out.
Fuck you Noah, you did nothing but make a jumper and he does the "pistol" act thingie. Fans booed.
man, Wayns with a few decent looks but he just has no juice on the kickout
don't think he expected Hawes to stay behind the 3 pt line.
nice d there
dorell back in the doghouse?
Damn EVan, wtf? From 8 feet? shit man
Moultrie with cleanup duty
Noah packs his pistols back in his holsters after another jumper.
Evan w another terrible brick.
drink.
Is that you Kendrick?
No idea who Kendrick is, haha.
It was a reference to Kendrick Lamar and that song "Sit down. Drink. Stand up. Drink."
C'mon Evan, move the ball
heh Noah's just trying to bait the fans at this point. Hollering "yeahhhh yeahhhhh" and waving his fingers/hands in the air while walking back to the bench. Hate cocky shit like that on the court. Hate it.
And yet it has no actual impact on the game
Meaning?
down 1 when Jrue came back in.
nice pick and roll, jrue to thad
Don't settle for that jumper Jrue, keep attacking deep.
Come on, get the eff back and protect the basket. sheesh
Looking at you Nick Young...
Box out THad!
Thought Thad was gonna finish right (as in driving right) there. Nope.
Tech on Boozer. It did look like Lavoy raped him on that one. Couldn't see it in close though.
Only difference in this game now is free throws. Surprised we still have a rebounding advantage, however small. That early energy we came out with has been matched by the Bulls in this quarter. That, and Jrue having to get a rest.
nice lavoy
Lavoy o-board and follow.
Call the contact on Jrue there!!! shit
NYoung with his third fadeaway of the night.
Um, not sure that was a travel on Jrue? need to see that one again
how was that traveling?
don't think it was, looked like a jump-stop to me
jrue
Jrue off the glass.
evan jumper
Come on, close this last 2 min out hard here. Up 2 now.
Not a good shot Evan, not with Noah out there on you. Take his ass to the rack.
Turner is playing like dogshit tonight
Hawes had the ball way too much on that possession. ugh
nice ball movement
Nice dump off Jrue to Lavoy.
Jrue works hard for a bucket. Two for one chance now.
Well, out of bounds off Jrue. no two for one now. ugh
Up 3 at half. That quarter could have been much better. Bad shot selection from Spencer and Evan.
something to keep an eye on is how jrue gets defended in the 2nd half
At halftime, we don't have a single three or made free throw. All of our points are field goals inside the arc. I wouldn't be surprised if that's a record. This is why we're possibly the worst offensively coached team in basketball.
That has pretty much nothing to do with coaching, and almost all to do with playing. To me, at least.
You're most likely right -
Elaborating more, they had 4 three point attempts by 3 different guys (JRich 2, Nick and Hawes 1 each), none of them made. They had 2 free throw attempts (both missed by Thad, and not counting the missed tech by Jrue).
Not sure on the season numbers but I'd guess that these halftime numbers aren't actually that far off the norm. We never get to the line and 4 attempts from deep can't be too far off the 1st half averages to this point, are they?
And then when you factor in HALF (44 of 89) of their total points came in the paint tonight, there's no way that's bad coaching. Collins can't blow the whistles for them, or control where guys moves end up.
Also, Jrue had a size mismatch all night that needed exploiting. And the way the three pointers ended up tonight (2-14) wasn't too pretty.
Seemed like a darn good gameplan, they just continue to be haunted by their bug-a-boo of not getting to the stripe. And that's nothing new to this team this year, or last. It's a recurring theme and their largest achilles heel.
Don't see how that has even one inkling to do with coaching. The players aren't savvy enough (Jrue and Evan) and some shy away from any sort of contact (Thad and Hawes). The gameplan was effective when you're getting in the lane like that, and converting.
I'm sure during practice this staff has addressed moves involving deception with Jrue and Evan, and addressed initiating and playing through contact with the bigs, but the players sometimes are what they are during live action and must bear the brunt of the responsibility.
(I believe they've only had 1 more game where they even came close to that many points in the paint, or even exceeded it. Not sure on that though, just going off memory)
thad jumper
they are free
Jrue underneath the screen, Nate 3.
thad to jrue
Jrue backdoor, nice look Thad.
jrue jumper
Jrue pullup.
Just keep letting Jrue attack Nate and/or Teague. Keep going to that well until it runs dry.
Jrue w/ a not too good three pt attempt.
Good ball movement. Thad gets fouled.
Bad shot JRich. dag
evan to the rim
Evan bobs and weaves his way to a reverse.
j-rich 3!!
JRich money!
Jrue w/ a probe deep and nice pass-back to Thad.
Come on, up 5 now, let's get some separation the last 5 min of this quarter. Or at least keep it where it's at. Just D up better b/c we're getting into the paint at will all damn night against them.
Does Noah pack his pistols for only accumulating one rebound so far?
jrue jumper but dont hesitate
Already 32 pts in the paint thru only 2 and a half quarters. And that's bad coaching? Nah uh.
Evan w/ a bad pass. Good idea though.
turner to thad
Lavoy moving screen. Great, his 4th. Time for wonderboy.
nice pass jrue
Way to run the floor Evan! Jrue good look!!
Fuck you Hawes.
Any and everybody getting into the paint and your big sissy ass is quick to fire up your favorite 20 footer. Useless waste. Always fucking up the flow.
/rant
Box Jimmy Butler out please, Nick.
jrue jumper
Jrue J. Two for one now I hope.
Well, Hawes gets bitched by Noah. And Noah baits the crowd just a little more.
Come on Jrue, not a good last shot there. Could have gotten deeper vs Nate on that one.
Damn, gave back 8 pts the last 5 min of that quarter. Down 3 now.
they usually send a screener for him there don't they? Something seemed off about that possession
down 3 when jrue left
Still losing the game though at the stripe. We're still leading the rebounding battle, shooting better than them, way more pts in paint, more fast break pts.
Evan turnover. ugh
NYoung's 4th fadeaway. D up!!
Awww, good idea to attack there Evan, Didn't finish it. ugh
sissy tip in
Good start here. Bulls timeout. Got the lead back. Keep it please.
evan
ET!!! Come on guys...
Damn Lavoy, good ball movement there. Lavoy gets stuffed.
Ugh tip in by Bulls. dag
sissy jumper
Hawes J to beat the buzzer.
Post up Nick if Teague's gonna guard him.
Nick is fouled by Teague.
evan to the rim
Good hard take Evan!!!
D the F up!!!!!
what was that hawes
Fuck you Hawes jacking a 3.
Hence the demand for a junk punch every time he has done it - whether it goes in or not
bad jrue jumper goes in
Jrue with a tough pullup, contested. it falls
Damn Butler 3. come on
Jrue bad pass, turnover.
Post Jrue up w/ Teague on him!!!
j-rich 3!!!
Yes, JRich money!
Too quick, too deep three attempt that time from Jason. ugh
Evan gets beat backdoor by Deng. shit
He had his head turned to the ball when Noah had it. Don't know why he was trying to face-guard there.
Jrue blocked at the rim by Noah. UGH UGH UGH
Jrue into the teeth of the defense again, turnover trying an in-traffic pass to Thad.
F me, Noah jumper. Think it's over now..........shoot!
Why foul there? You're just down 5 and it was only 14 left on the clock. Plus, they're not even in the penalty I think. Believe it's about 40 left in the game. No need to foul that late there. UGh.
5-11 from the FT line
This one is a tough one to take. Simply lost this one at the line counting the disparity in attempts and makes by them. Outrebounded them, made 7 more FG's than them. 8 blocks and only 2 more turnovers then them. 44 pts in the damn paint which usually would be stellar but not on this night.
Damn, they should have won that game. Just collapsed down the stretch of the 3rd quarter (last 5 min, gave back 8 pts) and the 4th quarter stretch wasn't good either in the last 3 min or so. It was right there for the taking even with the free throw disparity.
Ugh. The Sixers shouldn't have been the team to run out of gas tonight. Collins trimmed the rotation to 7 against a team that played last night, not sure why.
Bad night for Jrue, don't want to see too many Monta Ellis lines.
No idea who POTG was. Maybe Thad. Turner had some painful stretches to watch.
Forget it, get ready for Friday night in Indy.
I don't get why Kwame wasn't a consideration tonight? Was he available? He's at least a decent post defender, they were getting nothing from what they had up front. I can't stand Hawes anymore
Kwame's useless. I don't get why Wright sees 2 minutes in that game. Doesn't make sense to me.
As much as I am happy to see JET step up this season, I just don't think they can carry the team all year. Not if the remainder of the roster continues to give them nothing. Maybe if they could get something from guys like Lavoy, Spence or Swaggy... but if they have to rely on iso ball (GSW c.20010) every night then things will eventually get ugly.
This was they type of night where Jrue's early dominance could have opened up the game for everyone else- but everyone else was playing like zombies (which is to say typical play for guys like Lavoy and Spence) so instead it ended up being failed hero-ball.
Spot on. The Bulls pulled away late after huge shots from Jimmy Butler and Marquis Teague. Bellinelli was a handful as well. None are big time, regular contributors to that team.
Would be nice to see some of the Sixers fringe guys hit a big shot now and again (Wayns, Dorell, etc)
Ha, we went from the de facto 4 seed yesterday, to out of the playoffs if we lose tomorrow.
Yeah, don't pay any attention to standings at this point. Just worry about .500, and staying on the right side of it.
Turner had a decent game tonight. Was he being guarded by deng for most of the night?
16 points on 15 shots (and 2 FTA) isn't really a decent game. That's bad offense. Also not crazy about Deng's 4 offensive boards.
I meant decent for a game where he was being guarded by one of the better defensive small forwards in the league. Because turner used to struggle against long and athletic defenders. So I'll take 16 points on 15 shots against deng.