Facing a far superior team, on the road, on short rest, still trying to figure things out. With all that stacked against them, can the Sixers continue their spirited early-season play? Even if they can, will effort alone be enough to put one in the win column against such long odds?
Here are your lineups:
- PG: Jrue Holiday vs. Tony Longoria
- SG: Evan Turner vs. Manu Ginobili
- SF: Andre Iguodala vs. Richard Jefferson
- PF: Elton Brand vs. DeJaun Blair
- C: Spencer Hawes vs. Tim Duncan
DeJaun Blair really worries me. He hasn't played nearly as well this season, since being inserted into the starting lineup, but the guy is an animal on the glass, especially the offensive glass. Someone is going to need to put a body on him, and I'm just not sure who that someone is.
Prediction: 106-100, San Antonio.
This is your game thread, the tip is at 8:30 and I'll be spending my Saturday night right here watching the Sixers, hoping my kids don't wake up when I yell at the TV. Join me if you aren't into the club scene.
Spurs are 6-1. Great. How can we beat them in their house? The only way I can think of is if we have 3 guys go off on offense. I'm thinking Jrue, Iggy, and Speights. Speights has yet to break out on offense this year and I think he's about due. We all know he has it in him but will his defense be respectable enough to keep him in the game long enough to get in the flow.
Quote from Tony Parker:
"(Jrue Holiday) is a pretty good point guard, talented, he's young, so I'm definitely going to have to match his energy," Parker said. "He's been solid."
Holiday is going to be game planned more and more. I hope that he can rise to the occasion.
The Sixers have stolen some games from the Spurs- but Sam bothering Duncan probably had something to do with it.
Regardless of outcome, I want to see how Jrue and Evan Turn-over play.
Just joking about the nick-name. Zumoff called him that accidentally.
Does Turner get to chase Ginobli? He is learning fast what N.B.A. life is like. Looking forward to seeing Splitter, though he, like Jefferson last year, seems to be learning "pops'" way of playing slowly.
I like Turner's energy on defense a lot. The guy impresses me a lot on that end.
Initially I expected him to score more but be a slightly above average rebounder and an average defender, but he's been very active and willing on defense, willing to try to guard anyone (and not doing a very bad job at all).
He's contributing on that end of the floor as much as offensively at this time. When his offensive game falls into place we are gonna have a really good player.
But yea for today please let him chase Ginobili around, it's good experience for a rookie and apart from Iggy we don't have a better option cause we need Jrue on T-Park.
I'm totally expecting to lose this game. Just give it a good effort and keep it close. And give Turner his 35 minutes please.
Oh and Doug, please don't put a lineup out there without Jrue/Turner/Iggy out there. My temper cannot take it.
I wonder if Stefanski will be in the booth again. That cracks me up, I can see someone telling Thorn Eric Snow as sick and couldn't do the game, and him saying, "Eh, who cares. Let Eddie do it, he's got nothing else going on."
He is in the booth tonight I believe.
Weren't there a lot of threads about what Jrue's line would be this year. I know it's early but- 14, 7.5, 2 and 2. 40 percent on threes too. Jrue's assist to turnover ratio is 13th in the league too, which is a big criticism of his nationally. Seems a little overblown though. Even with me, my biggest pet peeve are his lazy TOs. Can you imagine if he cuts those out?
On one hand it's a small sample size, but it's an area of the season where we thought there could be growing pains. It wouldn't be crazy if he improved steadily as the season went on.
He had a really slow first three games. Check out his numbers since then. I really think like 18 and 9 is possible this year, and his ceiling is maybe 20/10, depending on the team around him and whether they gear themselves toward using a traditional point guard, which Collins seems more than willing to do so far.
Alrighty. I've got the San Antonio feed. They're talking about how Manu is leading them in scoring. If priority #1 is winning games, I'd put Iguodala on him. If you want to develop the young guys, this would be a nice test for Turner.
do you mind posting the link?
I'm watching on TV, no link. Sorry. Someone usually posts it here, though.
Sensing an unexpected win, don't know why, hope it's true. We'll see.
DeJaun Blair must weight 320 lbs.
EB just looks smooth, especially on his jumpers.
Hawes wins his first tip of the year.
EB can work on Blair, they went right at it.
Elliot calling for a double digit win. I guess he forgot what happened in Philly last year.
utter disrespect when he said that
Sissy Hook! Off the spin.
That wasn't a bad move.
Hawes with the Thad-esque-spin! HA
Don't like that jumper from Jrue. He never full collected himself.
Really like the drive to the hoop and finish.
Jrue stop reaching, move your feet.
You're right. They need to put Dre on Manu.
Not a fan of that shot by AI9. He made it, though.
Anyone have a link?
And two on Hawes. Does he go small this early?
Come on guys, better D from everyone.
They've got to get ET off Manu.
Quick 9-point lead for San Antonio. This damage is mostly being done off penetration, both in the half court and on the break.
That foul on Jrue was bullshit. Nobody wants to play D tonight, great.
Sean Elliot is painful to listen to. What a d-bag.
I know.....on SE...he's homer like Heinsohn
Lou in for Turner. Iguodala or Jrue has to be on Manu now.
The Sixers aren't exerting as much energy as the Spurs right now, much less execution.
God damnit, why is Lou running the point?
See, just a lazy unaware pass.COme on!
Wow, this is just painful. 24-2 run? Is that right?
DC just has to play Battie in the first half, a few min at least. Cause the post presence seems to disappear even when Hawes goes out. Yeah Marreese, I'm talking to you...
Transition defense, anyone?
George Hill falling for the Lou jumper-foul move. Wonder if he falls for it again.
Thad and Nocioni in.
This is one heck of an ass kicking.
Hawes, although talentless, seems to be a benefit to Brand and to the defense. Speights has somehow put up a -12 in 2 minutes.
Uh-oh. It's Thad and Marreese now. Let's see how they fare.
Ugh.
COme on, Jrue. Just simmer down some.
Jesus. They go to a zone and still let Parker go right down the middle for a layup. then fight each other for a defensive board.
What happened on that pass from Jrue? Was Speights even looking?
Didn't Jrue throw it way too hard?
I just rewound. It was a hard pass, but the problem was that Jrue thought he was going to the rim (which he should have) and instead he was fading to the corner.
Yeah, just asking b/c don't have dvr.
ugh, they usually play SA pretty well so i was really looking forward to this game. so much for that.
Sam usually plays Duncan very well. It all stemmed from that, imo.
Agreed.
Jrue needs to do much better if we are going to have a prayer in this one.
I've officially muted Elliot. He just said Lou traveled, and he didn't. Then he didn't admit his mistake. At least Heninsohn has the excuse of being an old guy who has no clue.
crap. lost my feed.
Will somebody realize that Manu is playing tonight?
Come on, under ten by the end of the quarter. Show some friggin' life.
Lou with the jump shot fake again. Pop must be losing his mind on the bench.
how long before teams start keying in on that and it stops working? 10 games? 15?
Lou is on tonight.
Not going to cut into it if you foul every time down the floor.
Man, it seems like almost every damn game this year they have given up 60 pts in the 1st half. And well on their way in this one. And seriously,.... they would often do that with Sam.
YOu could prove that you know
What is DC going to do? What can he go to at this point? Nothing's working it seems....
It looks like this unit has at least put the breaks on. Need to regroup at the end of the quarter, then get the starters back in there. See if they woke up a little.
Down by 11 after that start is not too bad.
i'm sure sean elliot is better than stefanski. i want to strangle him anyway, now i have to listen to his comments for 2.5 straight hrs?
I see one team who is trying to do a lot of stuff individually and another team that is moving the basketball.
Well said.
28-39 after one, and it could've been much, much worse than that.
They settled things toward the end of the 1st, need to build some momentum and cut into the lead in the second.
It would be great if they had one game that wasn't an uphill battle, huh?
Doug might should consider keeping Dre on the court to slow down manu, and Noc to be a shooting threat. And play Jrue alot of minutes and just hope he doesn't have forced turnovers.
Spurs starting to take jumpshots. Time to get back into this one.
Yeah, I thought the same thing.
Because the offense is absolutely nothing when Jrue is not on the floor. Sad it isn't, but.....
Speights sure looks quick when he knows there's a dunk (or a meal) waiting for him at the end of the run.
Well dang Marreese you got you a dunk. Way to run big fellah
He's no Kevin Love but Nazr Mohammed has 20 and 20 tonight.
Ugh, they gave Jrue a turnover on that play where Speights threw the ball back in over his back and Jrue tried to chase it down in the backcourt.
T-Park back in. Danger, danger.
Lou's scoring binge has ended and is no longer useful on the court. Get him outta there for now.
heh speights trying to draw a charge on the other end. but getting called for one on the other end. weak self....
Still can't find an active link. Anyone else?
Manu charges, they swallow the whistle until we get to the other end of the floor, then they find it to call a questionable charge on Speights.
Speights with the charge. Anybody see that one coming? I sure did... Obvious from the outset he was gonna go to that spin move. He would have been better off going right to the rim there.
Turner shoots too many jumpers, if he shoots at all. Would love to see him try to get to the hoop.
Alright, that Speights move ends it: STOP GOING 1 on 1!!!! Lou is the only guy at his best playing this way.
Get Jrue in the pick and roll.
Speights got one back :)
Thad really needed to get that d-board there. Ugly.
I'm watching the feed...and man, these spurs announcers are insufferable, aren't they?
Horrible.
They just spent a minute talking about how much the Sixers suck because they gave up an o-board, on the next possession, the spurs give up an o-board that turns into a three and they don't say a word.
And another o-board score for the Sixers. No word from Elliot.
Pretty sure you can score over Parker there, Jrue...
good board by Thad
DC has to be frustrated at not hitting upon a combination. Keep searching and we stay in this, look out.
Wow Blair is the biggest Spur on the floor, and he plays bigger than any of our big men. :(
Good lord, Thad can't guard Jefferson at all. He has no idea how to defend on the perimeter. He's so off-balance.
He did a good job on the O-Boards though to get Lou a look.
That's ok Jrue, keep attacking like that.
haha sean elliot just said that he hasn't noticed anybody shut down jefferson this year then proceeds to say "he doesn't get as many shots as tim and manu and tony" -- THAT'S WHY NOBODY'S BOTHERING TO SHUT DOWN RJ!!!!
At least Elliott says stuff about the game, as opposed to Zumoff, who mainly specializes in finding annoying ways to pronounce the word 'benchhhhhh.' Or saying stuff like, "there are three minutes left... and Lou Williams HITS a three! With THREE left on the shot clock! To cut the deficit to twenty-THREE!"
Good deep move Dre.
There we go, AI9.
7-point game, folks.
That is Brand's first rebound. I like what Nocioni has brought to the team this first 10 games..
What is it?
Starters have yet to attempt a free throw. Bench is 10/10.
Gotta give the 2nd team guys credit. I didn't think they played perfect basketball by any means, but they stopped the bleeding and held down the fort.
That's a good effort by Speights, Lou, Thad, and Nocioni.
ugh fucking stefanski. "that's what's so great about our team" in referring to their bench
Jrue has allowed too much penetration this half. Way too much.
I like the pressure applied by Jrue on that play. It ended in free throws anyway, but Jrue made it much harder to get into their offense. need to do more of that, make their shot clock shorter.
Why the FANCY stuff, Jrue?
Fuck me. Jrue should've just dunked that. Stupid.
Ugh, Jrue with an unnecessary pass.
I can understand the pass if Iguodala's trailing, because he'll dunk on whoever the defender was, but Lou? Jrue goes up strong there, it's a foul at worst.
Especially because it's Tony Parker, who won't alter his shot in any way.
4-point swing.
Why did Dre pull up his dribble right there? wtf
One more thing I hate about Hawes. All his jumpers have him fading away. Follow your shot, crash the board.
as I say that he gets an o-board and a 3-pt play =P
"Look at the Sixers, they have numbers and they get nothing."
Hawes, And One.
Silence.
Dammit, D the eff up here guys to finish out this quarter. And stop the unforced ones please.
Well, AI9 is on Manu, same results.
Manu's just crafty off the ball. One second you watch the ball and he moves. Dre was just a half step slow. Perfect pass and timing.
Get off your heels, Jrue.
Shucks! A damn layup
Hawes in no mans land EVERY DEFENSIVE PLAY WTF??
Anyone else worried about Jrue's defense? He really seems to struggle with small, quick guys. Barea last night and Parker tonight.
AI9's play has left something to be desired tonight as well.
Will anyone man up on D? anyone
it's not the man to man defense. The Spurs execution is giving their team fits. Pick and roll defense plaguing the Sixers right now, and the Spurs are taking advantage.
Dre needs to stop firing up these jumpers too.
Hawed looking a little better but just not consistent. That's the wrap on him. Iguodala looking to post little ass Hill. I LOVE THAT! Why can't Jrue keep Parker out of the lane?
pick and roll. pick and roll. pick and roll.
Stop and a hoop, too much to ask for to end the half?
you ask, they deliver. 9 point game.
Strong finish to the quarter for AI9.
I LOVE THAT DRIVE INTO THE LANE FOR THE +1! HE PASSED UP THE JUMPSHOT AND WENT TO THE BASKET. I LOOOOOVE IT!!
Dre with 5 crucial points at the end of the quarter. Will they show up to start the third? Let's hope so....
Get a stop here though.
NO HOOP HERE.
Alright, down by 9 at the half. Keep on keeping on.
52-61, Spurs.
It's not even jumpers with Iguodala. If he gets a piece of the paint with his drive, he can be much more crafty, and the fadeaways are much more makeable because his size is such an advantage.
He should make those fadeaways Lou-like pumps and at least get to the line. But he shouldn't be fading away to begin.
Yeah I agree, even though a fadeaway 8 footer isn't an awful shot as long as he's not out of control. Seems like he can use a lot of touch on that with his strength and size. Loved that last move though.
Yes, it annoys me when he just settles for the jumper. At least try to get in the paint, if only for a better look at the jumper. Sometimes he just pulls up and bricks it. That annoys the hell out of me.
Jrue with a trainwreck of a first half.
I only saw about 10 minutes or so of that half and Jrue was bad. The stats say he was worse.
Yup, he was terrible. Hopefully, he can bounce back in the second.
Jrue and Turner both had terrible first halves, on both ends. Need to see those guys make the adjustments, clear their heads, and contribute in the second half if the Sixers are going to have any chance.
Lou was very good and Iguodala's play at the end of the half was stellar.
Only 2 offensive boards for San Antonio. They missed 21 shots. That's an unbelievably good job by the Sixers on the defensive glass. If they did that last night, they would've won.
They can win this game. Can they? Depends on who understands possessions, cause the Spurs sure do. Hope our guys figure it out too.
A win would be nice on a Sat night. Battie to the rescue?
It needs to start on the outside, the bigs haven't been bad.
Maybe meeks time ?
I want to see how Jrue and Turner come out to start the third. I'm hoping Collins had some words for them, and they come out with a different mindset.
Well I think Battie can help somewhat, if he can aid the pick and roll defense.
Our two best young guys struggling, let's hope they get it together.
Come on guys, win this mutha! Let's GO! D up.....
Here we go. Good start.
Damnit, Hawes. On both fucking ends.
Airballed layup, scored on by a guy who's 6 inches shorter, turnover. Fuck you, Hawes.
and off a great dish by EB
OK F that. Hawes had the ball for 8 sec on that possession. He does not need to possess it for that long.
And a goaltend.
Uber-flexible with the 'tend. ha
Bad shot by Iguodala.
Come on, someone wake up.
Elliot: "Dre smacking the heck out of the ball on that one..."
he was referring to dribbling before the errant forced shot
He said Blair smacked the ball, he was talking about smacking it when he grabbed the board.
either way, sean elliot's a douche.
Shit, did Nocioni start for Turner in the third?
gotta love Hawes..
9-0 run. Where's the timeout?
Yeah, Noc. Let's go.
Get Lou out of the game and let Jodie get in. As other have said it may be time for.
Lou was great in the first half to be fair. meeks consistently gives good effort.
totally agree on both points
What did Jrue do for DC to take him out? DC did it for a reason?
He had another bad turnover on a lazy pass to Iguodala. I guess that was it.
20-point game and we've got bad Lou out there.
Youth is a bitch sometimes.
Hawes helped confirm this loss at the beginning of the 3rd quarter.
Ball game.
The guards have done their share too. Plenty.
This gotta be Jrue and Turner's worst games ever. Right?
Couldn't tell ya. But my fanaticism hopes so.
The starters did a really poor job tonight when they played together. Ah, it's gonna happen.
I'm not sure why Iguodala got the hook, though. Maybe Collins didn't like that jumper he took.
rest? no point playing him so much. game is gone.
It's an 82-game season. And Iggy did play in the FIBA world champs before the season began.
Battie sighting. WHat now?
Bonner time.
yea if you suck enough through 3 quarters, you're gonna get Bonner-ed.
Not reasonable I guess to expect we can give everyone a game until the last 5 minutes.
Brand is a looser. Just collects two fouls to get on the bench. What a joke. What a bad attitude.
Jrue is horrilbe today. Worst game of his carrer. Turner has to get offensiv oriented or otherwise he's a waste for us.
Hawes is a bitch.
Mo jacking.
Chris Quinn's suited up for the Spurs. Uh oh, that would be emabrrassing if he went off in garbage time.
in comes Meeks.
Put Jrue in with Meeks. NOt lou.
20-footer in transition. Screw you, Lou.
Meeks in, that's cool.
I don't understand why Lou is in there though. Let Turner handle the ball. Yea it's his worst game ever but minutes can only help him.
Stop taking fucking 20-footers.
The three point defense is taking a hit in this one.
What a fracked up game......
It's getting damned near Songaila time.
Why did Collins quit on the game in the second half? Nobody besides him wants to look at these disgusting lineups.
Okay I give up for today. Nice hanging around guys.
Elliott: "didn't tell me summer league action going on.."
His partner: "...yeah, you didn't tell me they were gonna be wearing shorts.."
My guess is Doug is sending a message/point. And a well due one to be honest.
To whom, and for what?
This team has been playing over its head for the first 9 games.
I think he's sending a message to Jrue for the careless play and value of the ball, and I think he's doling one out to Dre for the frequent jumpers. And a lack of D by both of 'em too.
For this game, fine. They both maybe needed to hear something, but saying it's a trend he needs to correct is wrong. Jrue had 13 assists and 1 turnover last night and his a/t ratio on the season has been very good.
Kapono's in now.
Who mentioned trends?
Well due made it seem like you were talking about more than this game.
Bummer to see J/T struggle.
Turner finally checks in w/ 58 seconds left in the third.
Thad is a dumb muths.
mutha
Thad's specialty is fouling at the end of quarters.
Oh, and missing jumpers, too.
Collins wants to get tossed. Can't say I blame him.
35-12 in the third quarter for San Antonio.
Spurs lead by 32 points heading into the fourth. I don't have the energy to look up the exact score. You get the picture.
I want to see Jrue play even if he makes a couple mistakes. Why does this coach somehow think the young guys like Truner can learn from watching Nocioni? He's not that good a player.
Embarassment can be a mental depressant.
There's a value to accountability. Even if they don't learn anything from watching the game, they learn there are repercussions for playing terribly.
Good play Jrue.
for your 2nd fg of the game
Can't keep Bonner off the offensive glass :)
Seriously, look at how much time is left.....and then look at the score....ugh
Jrue padding stats while Quinn is guarding him.
God only 10 assists for the Sixers? That's pitiful, and so far out of line with what we've seen so far this year.
Guys, it's noble to hang in there. I'm right with you, but this is very reminiscent of recent teams no matter the personnel. Doug's finding that out too. They just don't grasp concept of team, and until they do they will struggle mightily.
I think they're playing well given the limitations of the roster. There's been a lot of fine team play.
yeah, fine team play equals a 2-8 record.
Yeah, it's a cheap shot to look at this game and say "see, they have no heart. They've never had any heart."
That was a goaltend, but whatever.
I mean, JK has reared his head.
Too bad Jrue wasn't in during the third when these shots could have meant something.
Well it was mentioned this morning would the team keep up the intensity and effort if they continued to spiral, looks like it will not tonight for sure. Hope it turns for the better. No life from anyone whatsoever, maybe EB but very scarce. They need to gel.
I kinda like the fact Collins is making them press full court in this situation.
Me too. Maybe it will create a sense of urgency.
why are they so bad in the 3rd quarter, every single game?
Mostly Spencer Hawes. Partially, other coaches realizing how bad they are on the inside and making adjustments.
Those are my guesses.
30 pt lead with 5 left. ugh....
Speights does a really good job drawing charges.
He sure does. Guess he's "tough" too.
Great job putting the mullet in for Turner cause he really fired up the team with his veteran toughness.
Ball-friendly Hawes update: 8 assists on the season, 9 turnovers.
Sam Dalembert in Sacto: 9 assists, 11 turnovers.
I hope this is the worst game I watch them play all year.
Jrue with 16 in garbage time. I'm giving Nocioni the player of the game for actually looking pissed off when they were getting their asses handed to them.
Spurs too many, the Sixers, not early enough.
Very apt description.
My wrap will be up eventually, going to try to wipe this one from the memory banks for a couple hours now.
Eagerly awaiting the wrap of this one. Glad I don't have to do it.
Does it seem Colloins is getting a shorter leash with Iguodala?
I personally don't think so. Iguodala was good tonight. Had he played his usual 40, he'd have have 20 and 16 on 14 shots.
I think he was just letting some of the guys who need to figure things out try to figure some things out.
Nah! He pulled him early third after that bad jumpshot with Ginobili guarding him one on one in the middle of a Spurs run. All they had to do was hang around like they did in the second and hope to make a run but he pulls his "best" player. That's like pulling you starting QB in the two minute drill for Rex Grossman.
Plus that's not the first time he's pulled Iguodala this year. Remember the Wizards game?
Maybe you are right.
I'll have to watch for it. I didn't see it as such, but maybe.
It would seem really silly to sabotage the team to make a point for a guy playing a great game who takes one ill-advised shot.
Sixers can't deal with the Spurs: http://ow.ly/39pe2
According to the box score, Jason Kapono was the only Sixerwith a positive +/-.
I hope you all have bottled water, canned food rations and a shotgun.
depressing. . .
you were so right about spencer hawes. i suppose if i had ever watched him play, i would have agreed.
...so maybe the close losses are this team's peak?
Could be.