Tonight's game in Cleveland is more than a trap. This is one of those games, much like the Pistons loss, where if you lose, it's going to be the worst kind of ammunition for people who want to say the Sixers are terrible. "How do you get blown out by an 0-8 team on your home court? The Sixers suck!" I don't want to be reading, "How do you lose to the Cavs without Kyrie Irving?" tomorrow morning.
If you're wondering who that is pictured above, I believe it's Tristan Thompson. I'm not sure because it looks like he, Evan Turner and Kyle Lowry all worked out together this summer.
With Irving, the Cavs are a bad team. Without him, they're probably the worst team in the league. If Daniel Gibson is back (he's listed as questionable), they'll at least have an offensive threat at the point, but still no one to run the offense. Without Irving, the only threat the Cavs pose is in their front court, and I don't see how they're going to even get involved in the offense.
The game plan is pretty simple, pressure the ball and keep the Cavs off the offensive glass. Let Varejao take as many 18-footers as he wants, but don't let him get a bunch of points cleaning up the slop. Same with Tristan Thompson. Don't let Waiters go nuts from deep, and hopefully build up a decent lead early so Jrue doesn't have to play another 40+ minutes to secure the win.
Second night of a back-to-back against the rested Cavs. Jrue played 40 last night, Thad 39. No one else topped 35.
The tip is at 7. Use this as your game thread. I'm probably going to be working late, again. 8-4 sounds a lot better than 7-5.
The change to the starting line-up seems obvious. Wright in, Turner out.
Turner takes over Ivey's minutes and then some. Cut Evan back to 20 minutes per night, unless you are getting crushed on the glass and let Dorell space the floor with JRich.
Lavoy for Kwame is going to help anything.
everyone on the same page?
That's what I'd do, but I really don't know what he's going to do. He's been really tight w/ Wright's minutes for a while now, I'd be surprised if he suddenly puts him in the starting lineup.
probably going to be Hawes moving back into the starting unit is my guess. Can't see him inserting Wright with his lack of minutes lately.
I don't expect Turner to be yanked from the starting lineup. It will be Mr. Zero aka Kwame Brown.
Would bet it's Lavoy Allen in place of Kwame Brown, who didn't play after the first 5 1/2 minutes last night.
Story (with Dorell Wright video): Wright on recent limited role: 'This is nothing new to me'
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/wright-limited-minutes-nothing-new-to-me/article_0ecbe249-9455-5e7c-83f5-90ce0b04cceb.html
Ric Bucher is saying he's hearing Bynum is out for the season
Absolutely not surprised - and my guess is the sixers will be happy about it - can easily let him walk and have dumped Iguodala's contract - probably won't spend that money
harkless is starting for the magic tonight
Dei Lynam also said Collins isn't changing the lineup
@PDcavsinsider
Daniel Gibson out for #Cavs tonight against Philly with continued right elbow soreness. He missed the game at Philly on Sunday, too
kevin love is playing tonight, will probably be ok to face the sixers in a couple weeks
Reggie Evans gets the first flopping fine, is anyone surprised? I suspected it would be him or Varejao.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--source--nets--reggie-evans-first-nba-player-to-be-fined-for-flopping-225031651.html
surprisingly big crowd in Cleveland tonight
evan hits a pair of free throws
another bad start for this lineup, changes coming next game for sure
nice pass thad
Yeah, run JRich off some curls or something.
If Jrue doesn't try to take over and get his own, it's like our offense is almost zilch. Half the time it looks they aren't even trying to run any sets except that clogged up high pick and roll for Jrue.
hey Dollar Bill has any team ever run an all-facemask lineup out there before?
lol
Not that the results would be positive, but I don't like that Kwame doesn't even look for his back to the basket offense. He should be more than just a body on offense out there ala Sammy D.
get Evan the fuck out please
kwame just shoved someone and got away with it
Evan can't shoot for shit. Nothing new though but it's amazing how bad his touch is sometimes.
It's a shame we couldn't have kept Harkless and gave the Magic Turner.
Dammit, bad pass Jrue. Careless, lazy pass.
theres a pretty good chance this lineup will suck
Ivey, Nick, ET, Lavoy, Spencer. ugh
Doug is pissed at Lavoy for that silly foul. Pulled him quickly for Dorell. Unless he saw a matchup with CLE's personnel. Think he was mad at Allen though.
Making emotional decisions is a sign of great coaching
Box the EFF out!!! sheesh
annnnnd they get a 2nd chance three.
this shit is embarrassing
Turner looks like he's releasing his shot on the way up instead of near the top of his jump. It's like he's launching it up there. It is quite ugly and ineffective.
And always has been
3 min left in the first. Already down 10, shooting 2-12, 5 total rebs while CLE has 7 offensive boards (15 total)
That's just being outworked and all comes down to effort, and the offensive woes are just execution or making shots. Pitiful display.
Nick Young hits a fade away, lol...I know you love that
Sure I do, as long as it goes in....ha
Turner finally goes to the bench. Damien in.
They're having no problems getting to the rim against us. Our help D is nonexistent.
Agree. Noticed Lavoy moving very slowly to help on the last C.J. Miles layup
Spencer didn't stay in very long. Brought Lavoy back in. Now Kwame is coming back in for Lavoy I think. Poor Doug, he can't even get a big to go in and give respectable effort.
Back to back plays of Wilkins and ivey trying to create their own shots. You've got to be kidding me.
the coach has to do a better job of keeping at least one guy in the game who can create a shot.
we only have one guy who can do that consistently, Jrue...he can't play 48 mins...I agree in theory but we just don't have the personnel for that
true to an extent, but at least Thad/Turner/Richardson at least have a prayer at creating their own shot.
Damien Wilkins has to be the worst player in the NBA. He doesn't even seem like a high IQ player either.
Almost every game I feel like this is gonna be the last time I say "probably the worst first quarter they've played", but each time they seem to exceed it nearly each time out. Poor ass effort. Just no excuse for it on this level.
Still no offensive flow like last night. All mostly one on one. Defensive end of the floor is nothing but a lack of effort. No fucking desire showing from any one single guy out there when on that end of the floor. Pisses me the fuck off to keep watching shit like that.
Shooting friggin 16% in that quarter, thank goodness for those unusual trips to the line. That's their only saving grace at this point.
this is the kind of game where I want to see Jrue try and push the envelope, they've got nothing and he's clearly their most gifted player.
jesus why can't we shoot???
Stop with the one on one please!!!! Run some curls or call "3 down" at least. We never seem to run that anymore.
Jrue dribbles into a crowd and throws one up off the side of the backboard, nice ET impresison
Jrue one on one again. Layup off break the other way. Same shit as last night. We take bad selfish shots, opponent converts on their end. SIGH
If he had someone to pass it to he probably would
I don't understand why Doug doesn't try to run some plays, he is notorious for running TOO MANY plays and tonight he is letting them play street ball.
Yep. Makes no sense at all.
Don't ever really notice him doing it, but does Jrue even call a "play" when he crosses mid-court?
Napoleon calls the plays from the sideline - to let Jrue do it would be to trust him
When did they call any plays? are you watching?
Any chance of seeing Arnett tonight?
kwame tip in
Evan finishes. Stop the presses!
game thread killer arrived
Please at least do a better job on the defensive glass going forward - it's not like they're shooting you out of the building
Thad's got a pulse.
evan
Just keep chopping away here. Evan finishes again.
bad pass Jrue
Terrible pass Jrue!!! There was never an opening there. geez
bad shot evan
Comment in the wrong place - whoops
jrue 3
man I hope that 3 gets Jrue going
Jrue 4 3!!
hawes to thad
hey what do you know, ball movement!!!
On that last shot Evan took, he's got to realize he's got three defenders collapsed on him on the baseline close to the hoop and kick it out to his teammates spotting up.
Turner really sparked this minicomeback...all over the boards, sometimes leading to run outs, two of three from the field since reentering game including a hard take to the hoop
He also sparked that early Cavs run, bricking everything that left his hand.
him and jrue both
Really? Jrue only took one shot in the 1st quarter.
Just get this lead down to around 6 or so these last 2+ min here. Limit the damage.
great pass evan
nice look Turner!
Evan with a nice touch pass to Thad. Novel concept guys, SHARE THE BALL!!!
Spencer - stop taking three pointers - please - I really don't care that you make them every once in a while - it's asinine that you take them - and honestly - it's ridiculous that you aren't berated by napoleon every time it happens - I don't get how you get away with it when other players are torn a new asshole for a slight mis-step
Why doesn't Evan use the rim more often to protect his drives from getting sent into the 10th row
Dag Jrue, you had Dorell on the pop-out. Instead giving it up off penetration to Hawes in the corner for a bricked 3. Ugh.
Except for that 14-3 run, not that much of a better quarter there. Defense still slack, offense was a tad better with some semblance of ball movement on a limited number of possessions though.
Shooting sucks donkey doo though. No one, and I mean no one can hit anything tonight so far. Can't stay that bad I'd hope...
6-0 run in the final two minutes (should be 7 if guy could shoot free throws) - can't have that
I think we expected a little better than this.... thought they'd pull together on the road and keep improving in the half court offense and communication - now they're playing street ball?
can't figure this team out. down 13 at halftime to this team. at least it's a road game. not ruling out 2 strong quarters and a win though.
Spoken like an old man.
Thank you, I think
Can anybody explain why Pargo seems to kill us a lot?
Why doesn't Evan use the rim more often to protect his drives from getting sent into the 10th row
because it treats him so rudely when he shoots jumpers?
That literally made me laugh out loud - that was awesome
Had me confused there for a second :)
One might argue that he never 'had' to protect his drives playing in high school and college so he never learned to when he started playing with the big boys
Hope Doug ripped them a good one.
Keep chipping away, just chip away.
Kwame with the assist??
JRich money!! 5 quick ones for him.
Play in 4 minute chunks - win each chunk - win the game
I love JRich
Beautiful pump fake by JRich for a step-in J. 7 straight pts for him. Down to 5 pt game just like that. Amazing what can happen when you actually make shots huh? That, and actually swing the ball.
Gotta go easy on 'em tonight, boys. Tomorrow's feast turns even the stoutest's concentration to creamed onions. They thrilled you last night with a dazzling Q4 display of small ball hot potato after a ho-hum 3 Qs. Now don't be greedy and ungrateful just hours away from Thanksgiving. Save that venom for descendents of John and Priscilla Alden, Celtics season ticket owners.
This is possibly the best Dollar Bill post ever.
Thanks, Chol.
JRich post up. 9 straight.
Jrue sagging too far off of Pargo, a three for Jeremy. ugh
jrue dunk
Jrue breakaway dunk. Let's go!!!
Don't like that shot, Jrue. Too early in clock.
of course, they get a Waiters 3 on return trip b/c ET went under on a screen. ugh.
JRich en fuego
Stop the ball!!! Or foul him hard Evan!!! shit
is anybody guarding Waiters? or boxing him out? (dumb question)
uh oh - ET going into passive mode...
and JRich goes under a screen. Gee three.
Thad frustrates me with his touch around the rim. ugh
I want a dose of whatever J-Rich was smoking at half-time.
me too someone say dose?
F me!! another Gee three. JRich just turned his back to him thinking he had already released it, but he was actually reloading one. Terrible Jason, terrible.
awful. they should be killing this team.
Gonna go back and read the Dollar Bill post...
Spencer's reaching ET status with his jumpers.
Varejao has 12 boards
evan to thad
They had this thing down to 4, then they just tossed dirt right back on that hill so they could attempt to climb the damn thing again.
Dorell!!! you don't need to help Nick with Gee there. leaving CJ wide open for three. ugh ugh ugh
Cavs keep jacking 3s
Well, that start to the quarter was a hell of a tease.
Isn't this post titled "Don't Do It To Us"?
Apparently, they didn't fucking listen....
ET forcing it.
ET forcing another one. Makes this one.
Gotta win all 3 4 minute sets - not just the first one boys
All ESPN outlets are TEARING the sixers a new one over the bynum trade the past couple days...
6 get some stops
Damn EVAN wtf was that!!! He fucked up that break so bad passing it backward to Dorell. He had a damn 4 on 1.
sissy jumper
Hawes finally hits a J. Down to 4.
Another tease, huh? Hope not....
They're free.
evan
Pargo's just killed us all night. He's lived at the rim it seems.
ET J. Come on, get STOPS!
Come on Jrue.............
uggh ET blows the technical
Turner gets away with a foul, instead creating a jump ball and a tech on Varejao.
Damn ET misses it, don't know why Doug lets him shoot it with Jrue and Nick out there. Stupid.
well he is shooting better from the stripe than Jrue this year, and that was the first T that he missed...but yeah they should probably be shooting them
Please stop with the fading away Nick.
Pargo three after Nick falls for a pass-fake. Ugh.
small lineup here
8 pt game. Can they pull a rabbit out of a hat two nights in a row?
ET offensive foul? What did he do? Oh, jutted out his hip on a screen.
Then Waiters leaves ET in his wake. Shit.
ET's initiating. Pulls up for a J. He's handled the ball even these last several possessions since Jrue came back in.
Nick block. He walked, but a foul was called.
6
Down to 6 again. One last gasp?
4,lets go now!
Nick J. 4 pt game. 4:17 left. Come on, just win this ugly mess you've shown tonight, please.
jrue!!
Small ball again. Jrue, JRich, ET, Nick Thad
Jrue floater in lane. Let's go!!!!
F me!!!! Pargo has eaten Jrue alive on dribble penetration. Made that lucky shit. ugh
I fucking hate Varejao
F me x2!!!! o-board off missed freebie. Varejao to line. Shit
CJ Miles 3, ball game
ugh
Jrue forces one, misses.
Annnnndddddd as fucking usual, they knock down a 3 on other end after a bad shot by one of our guys. Similar refrain as last night.
Pargo dagger in Jrue's eye.
Pargo really isn't that bad. He's extremely quick and has a great crossever but he was knocking down threes tonight so jrue couldn't just give him the shot.
Gonna be a hell of a roller coaster ride this year. Tough to watch these last two games even though that comeback was pretty fun last night. They're playing borderline just bad basketball for 75% of the game and I hate watching crap like that.
These slow as molasses, get the junk out of their trunk starts are tiring as hell too. No excuse to take a whole 10-12 minutes to get into the flow of a game.
Lavoy committed those two stupid fouls and never saw the maple again. He's officially in the doghouse. You'd think Moultrie couldn't possibly be as bad as he's been, no?
Lavoy was trying to stay out of foul trouble and Cleveland guards were intentionally attacking him in the paint. I can understand why Collins would sit him, but I just don't understand why he would let Hawes in the game even though he was getting raped on the court.
Huh? Lavoy was only in for 2 minutes. And one of his fouls was committed on Varejao with a nudge in the back. To what are you referring when you say that the guards were attacking him intentionally and he was trying to stay out of foul trouble? Did you even watch?
Go back and watch the game right before Lavoy was benched. One of Cleveland's guards (I think it was CJ Miles) drove straight to the basket and Lavoy got out of his way. On the possession before that he allowed Varajao to get a rebound without challenging him.
He picked up 2 fouls in 1 minute and was playing to avoid foul trouble. That's why Collins benched him.
And it should not go without mentioning, but our true "big" guys need to find a sack and show it, quick. Spencer and Kwame played a combined 40 min tonight and accumulated a whopping 8 rebounds. Varejao had 7 OFFENSIVE rebounds himself in only 34 minutes (19 total).
Third game (MIL, DET) where we cause way more turnovers than the opponent and get beat. We shot like crap and they sort of did too, but they beat us from deep. Pargo and Gee.
Yeah, gee....
Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone. Tough way to start the holiday, unfortunately.
Hope you and yours are recovered to the point where you can fully enjoy the holiday.
Paul George hit 9 3-pointers yesterday and broke Reggie Miller's franchise record. Roy Hibbert had a triple double in blocks, rebounds, and points. The Wizards won their first game.
Hilarious video of Horford's pervert brother- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90-RfW7pR9g&feature=youtu.be
scratch that. The Wizards lost
Happy Thanksgiving to Brian and family, and to all the other Depressed Fan diehards out there.
same to you
Game thread Saturday night!
Looking forward to it, though believe it's gonna be a frustrating one. Think they're going to get slaughtered.
This will probably be the last start for either Turner or Richardson.
This will probably be the last start for either Turner or Richardson.
'Slaughter' seems unlikely to me - Sixers: fresh legs, home arena, coming off embarrassing loss to Cavs, attuned to redemption by Rev. Doug's sermonizing; OKC "stale" legs, overnight travel, facing out-of-conference non-rival... bad taste of Thunders' BOS loss, the one thing workin' against Sixers, motivationally speaking. Wouldn't be surprised to see a pert 76ers team, at least for awhile.