I'm happy to welcome Mike back for his second season as a contributor to Depressed Fan. You never get the full picture watching at home, that's where the First-Person Report comes from. If you were wondering exactly how annoying the traveling band of loser Celtics fans were, he's got your answer. Enjoy after the jump, and also thanks to frequent reader Rob for the photo above.
PREGAME SHOOTAROUND:
- I know we're in the middle of the World Series & no one cares about
the Sixers anyway, but considering the Celtics were in town I thought
attendance would be a little better. That's not to say there weren't
a ton of green jerseys in the stands. Until '07 the Celtics weren't
much of a draw, but all the same people who own pink Red Sox hats were
in full force tonight. Between all the Yankee fans I had to deal with
across the street on Sunday & all the Boston fans tonight, I wasn't
sure how much more I could take.
- Dalembert & Dick Bavetta met up at halfcourt before the game & joked
around for a few moments. I noticed last season that just about
everyone in the league loves Sammy. I guess if I was an opponent I'd
love playing against him too.
- The organization is really trying to sell the fans on nostalgia.
They have a new pregame montage set to jazzy swing music with footage
of old Sixers. And then the video they played last year, set to the
Dark Knight theme music which they play just as the pregame clock is
ticking down, now has barely any footage of the current team. The
biggest reaction though is still when Iverson steps over Lue in the
finals.
- The Celtics, in particular Garnett, absolutely adore Rasheed
Wallace, who does the "I have huge balls" dance after the team is
introduced.
- Last year Royal Ivey was strangely dancing in the center of the
Sixers' pregame huddle. Equally as strange, it seems that this year
it's Jrue Holiday. I can't even imagine being in the NBA at 19.
Should be an interesting season from him.
ONTO THE GAME:
- Over the past few years it's been adopted as tradition that the
bench will stand until its team hits its first basket. Because of a new rule the league passed banning teams from standing in front of the bench, the Celtics all kneel. So if it
wasn't before it's now become completely pointless.
- Brand seems okay defensively, but offensively he looks lost. No
explosion, no ability to get past any defender. When his jumper isn't
going down it's really rough to watch. I know he played okay the
other night, but we are probably going to have to get used to 1 out of
every 2 games where he just looks old. Not something I thought I'd be
saying when he signed that contract.
- I had a perfect angle on Rondo's buzzer beater that he launched over
the side of the backboard, and it was utterly ridiculous.
- Eddie House spends a good portion of each timeout gazing into the
crowd, I assume to scan for hot chicks. I am always amused by these
guys during huddles, and I am now positive that each team has at least
1.
- Phillies' montage in the 2nd Quarter gets a nice response.
- During one of those "get to know the Sixers" pieces they play on the
Jumbotron, Jason Kapono is asked to name his favorite singer. His
response, Miley Cyrus, because her songs are catchy & "I like to sing
along to my girlfriend." I just googled her to confirm that she
doesn't turn 17 until later this month. I don't know how the Sixers'
let that out in public, during a game, but I am very glad they did.
- It's always interesting for me when Speights plays against Sheed,
because ideally that's the type of player I'd like to see him evolve
into. Sheed was hot from beyond the arc tonight, and I have a feeling
if Eddie Jordan ever let him Speights' range would extend that far
too. I don't think Speights has his basketball IQ, but I hope there
is something he can learn from his game.
- Chants for Brian Scalabrine were started by a row of young Sixers'
fans behind the basket, which led to a pretty funny moment when the
small crowd still left erupted when he was finally introduced with
about 6 minutes left in the game. Not sure how I would feel if I was
Scalabrine, the only player in the NBA with noticeable beer gut. Who
am I kidding, that dude is having the time of his life.
- I know everyone will be disheartened by this loss, but keep in mind
that before the season Doc Rivers said he wanted his team to become
one of the greatest defensive teams of all-time. Not that the Sixers
are a great barometer, but judging by tonight they are well on their
way. No doubt the Sixers were cold. Thad had one of the roughest
shooting nights I've ever seen from him. A lot of that however,
especially in the first half, was due to Boston's terrific defense.
What does worry me is the inconsistent play of Brand. Additionally,
it doesn't look like anyone on this team knows what their role is. It
takes more than 4 games to adjust to a new coach, but I'm not sure
this is something Jordan can fix.
Thanks Mike, great job as usual.
Mike, thanks for the insider view.I agree about Elton, he was gotten for playoff time yet I doubt he is much of a factor against the big boys and I keep getting a vision of a smart, good positioning, intelligent on defense Reggie Evans whose best role may be next to Jason on the 2nd team by years end.Brian, looking at all our pieces I wonder if one change,a starter for a bench guy, would make us more of a team.Looking at the shots Thad was getting a pure jump shooter may be more value in our starting 5 where Thad!s slashing may benifit our 2nd unit.Or starting Marreese next to Sam may make more sense, not now but if things don!t click by midseason.I caught the Thunder/Lakers game after ours, it looks like S.Brooks is doing with his young players what we all hoped T.TYhibodeax could do with our guys, they flat out defend. It was neat watching J.Green take Artest to the floor on a dunk.
Funny,When I took the picture with my phone I didn't realize I got those Celtic fans in it. I mean there was lots of them and they were sitting courtside. I hardly ever do this but I left with 8 minutes left in the game. Excruciating is a good word for it. When your team is getting rocked and opposing team's fans are in your own building. I had one sitting right behind me trying to impress his girlfriend. Had to leave early. I was proud of Lou Williams though for manning up to saying he had no energy and it is on him. More and more I am starting to like him as a player and person. If you follow him on twitter he is just a regular guy it seems who can be everybodys friend,not bold or brash but just humble.I can handle moving on to the next one and trying to forget this one and getting back to work today to improve on what they need to.
After watching this game, I think the biggest thing affecting their play was just confidence. They know the team they are playing against is solid, and it shows. Defensively, the first half of the first quarter was just beautiful. I knew this would not keep up, especially when the second unit got to the floor. This transition is something they will need to work on heavily.
The confidence struggles came with their shot selection. We know the celtics are great on defense, especially when clogging the paint. The sixers outside shooting was just piss-poor. There's no other word to describe it. To counter this, I saw multiple times where they would try to drive, fail, and force up a terrible shot. Other times they just weren't making shots they would normally make.
Other than confidence, I think the biggest factor right now concerns pick and roll defense - nonexistent.
I somewhat disagree about players on this team not knowing their roles. I think Lou, Iguodala, and Dalembert know their roles. I think Thad is still trying to find his role, but that's natural as he's developing. Brand is probably the biggest question mark on this team. I believe he'll find his place. He will never be worh the money he is paid, but I don't think he'll be a complete bust either.
Right now the bench is the biggest factor - I don't think any of them really understand their roles, nor are the talents of some being utilized. If EJ is competent, the rotations should also get better.
On a final note, it pisses me off to watch these great teams, because even Scrub Mcgee-second-last-draftee can hit a three with relative ease.
quite glad my free preview ran out before last night - this sounds unfun to watch.
The Sixers showed in the 1st half that they can play elite defense (at least the starters.) But the C's are coached up to keep that type of defensive pressure all game, while the Sixers sort of backed off (and put Sam on the bench.) That was the difference between a respectable game and a blow out.
I wonder if the team can reach is potential as a strong defensive squad without being led by a defensive minded coach. I guess we will see.
I In other matters, great game by Sam- shame he is so inconsistent and moody. Another game where Brand looks lost and can't finish inside- not that he had many chances. It's scary that his role and play resembles that of a borderline 8th man.
Iggy, in post game interviews made a telling statement, basically saying we "d" it up for the first 5 to 10 seconds of the shot clock and then tend to relax. This group,playing at home against the undefeated Celts, can!t play with a greater sense of urgency? Okl.City was in a similar situation and had the Lakers on their heals, although their crowd was a bit more into the game but what comes first, the chicken [intensity] or the egg [big crowds].
Rob, thank you for the tip on free parking, the best part of the night!
Guys (and girls if you are out there!), our team needs to start using brains! When one is cold, stop airballing outside shots. Don't make lazy passes (AI). Move on the court, don't stand around looking dumb.
Great write up on the game above.
Very discouraging but sure they will re bound. I do appreciate Coach trying all his players. But, please no more Willie Green. Please.
thanks for the kind words
i really like the holiday signing, but i admit i've been keeping track of ty lawson. 17pts & 6 asts in his NBA debut. and last night he dropped 23 on the Nets on 9/10 shooting, 3/3 from beyond.