The Sixers limp their way into Minnesota to face a 15-16 Timberwolves team and it'll take a herculean effort to right the ship against a team with a ton of size and skill on the inside. Time for the Ricky show.
It's amazing how quickly Rubio's flame has been surpassed by Jeremy Lin's. I suppose the past couple of weeks are the reason so many stars eschew the smaller markets for the big stage.
Anyway, the T-Wolves are a much worse matchup for the Sixers than your average 15-16 team. Their perimeter players are going to have snap out of their funk in a big way if this is going to be a win. I'm a little bit less than optimistic.
The tip is at 7pm. This is your game thread. I'll be here throughout. Join me if Linsanity hasn't completely taken over your brain and you still have a little room for Ricky love (or even if you just like watching the Sixers play).
Prediction: PHI 95, MIN 89
The bulls are a great offensive rebounding team, yet the sixers succeeded in stopping them. I'm concerned about the offensive rebounds, but I'm more concerned about the sixers' offense.
The wolves are a team that coughs the ball up a lot, so hopefully this can fuel the sixers' offense a bit.
As I said before, if the sixers play their game, they shouldn't have a problem beating this team. If the confidence isn't there, if they long-two their way into a major hole, and if they don't clean up the glass, then this will be a long night.
The thing that worries me is having the best perimeter defenders in the league doesn't matter so much against the T-wolves. They could on Love to be their horse and recently on Pekovic to clean the offensive glass and dunk every time he gets the ball. Those are two things the Sixers just aren't built to stop. They're going to have to really pressure Rubio and make it hard for him to set those guys up.
I'm so used to this team being bad that it's difficult for me to think of them as being a serious threat. The sixers did a reasonable job containing Love last year, and let Beasly shoot them out of the game. They didn't have Rubio last year, though.
Heat beat the Magic today, so the Sixers are alone w/ the #3 seed. Need a win tonight.
I hope I'm wrong here but--Grizzlies 94 Sixers 87. Unless at least 2 of these players have great outside shooting nights.(Iggy/Lou/Jrue/Meeks) Cant depend on that but who knows, it could happen. Last time Sixers faced a team with this much size they got dominated on the glass but still managed to win. (Lakers). hard to imagine that happening again. Would love for Voose to continue his great play. He will need help though.
its sixers vs T'wolves not the grizzlies
doh. My bad, meant to say T-Wolves. I always get those 2 mixed up.
I don't feel queasy towards this game at all tonight.
I think they will take care of business, maybe handily.
Can we PLEASE see a full 48 of Vucevic and Battie at Center with Lavoy giving EB and Thad looks at the 4? Vuce had some sweet moves in the first half the other night...so of course he didn't come back in until the massacre was almost over...
I just saw a headline "Collins looking for Holiday to score" Afraid to read it.
He ain't the sole one looking then.
Lavoy and Thad and EB, just box out please. Vuc too.
Ha! Yeah, right.
Can I just say fuck Time Warner one more time?
Aaaaand we're off...Lavoy loses the tip.
Nice start Jrue
Jrue shows what a zero he is on the defensive end to start the game. Assist on the other end to the guy who shouldn't be starting.
Rubio looking like Turner on a three.
I'd like to second that Time Warner motion.
Haha, T-Wolves crowd chanting Olé!
Good ass energy here. Turn these turnovers into points.
They sure do look like the good Sixers so far...until that rebound for whiteguy...
O-board for 2 poins.
holiday right by rubio
Jrue to the hole.
Yes, like that Jrue, really like it.
NICE board by AI9 after a long shot that Lavoy probably should not have taken...even though they were dropping early Friday....
Why is that the first time I've ever seen Iguodala use that move in the post?
It's not everyday he gets Luke Ridnour on him, lol
Doug Collins wants Jrue to look to score early. With this team, not sure I disagree with that.
Iguodala with the turning hook shot.
Lavoy w/ a good block.
So that's two o-boards, 4 points, right?
Good D Lavoy on Love.
Jrue getting space, then turnaround. heh
Jrue on the block, 2 points. Wonder if we'll see that again.
Yes go ahead and flop Spaniard, see how that works for ya
Jrue looking to attack, bulls ahead into a Rubio foul. Where the hell have you been kid?
good pass eb
Holiday looking aggressive early. That's the 3rd time The Sixers have looked to post up Jrue or Iguodala, although the Iguodala post came off an o-board.
Great second pass from EB to Lavoy.
This is awesome to watch
Jrue left-handed slam!!!!!1 Yeahhhhhh
YES a pissed off Jrue is EXACTLY what this team needs!!
Jrue with the "Fuck your mother" dunk on Rubio's head.
Ah, the ol' fuck your mother
Otherwise known as "The Delonte"
haha.
i like this jrue
Holiday stufffffff
Did you really read that Collins said that about Jrue? Or just BS-ing?
here Haven't read the story, saw it in a tweet.
thanks will read it later
Bob Cooney wrote it on the Sixerville blog thing. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sixerville/Collins-looking-for-Holiday-to-score.html
Iguodala can really wreak havoc on the Wolves offense tonight since he can easily sag off his man. Led to a fastbreak dunk there.
Bad 2 possessions out of the timeout, make that three.
No calls on either of those??
Helping on Brand is probably a wise move for opposing teams. Usually, once he faces the basket he is taking the shot.
Jodie got fouled on that drive
Why was Meeks on Rubio there? It wasn't transition.
Terrible fucking play since that timeout.
Dag Jrue, he blew by Rubio again, but kicked out. He could have gotten a look that time, ugh Love on other end
NO none of those fadeaways - put Thad's dog collar that zaps him on if you have to!
Dammit Lavoy, get positioning on him....
Another o-board, 1-point game.
EB at the line after the timeout, that's going to delay getting either Voose or Thad into the game.
Keep attacking Jrue, don't settle for that J there.
I feel like giving them a standing O whenever they get a defensive board. Jrue needs to keep going to the hoop. Fuck the long twos.
nice pick and roll
Good ET to Vuc.
Pretty play by Turner/Voose. Turner is allowed to set foot in the paint after all.
Bad pass. Lucky he just tipped it out of bounds.
Come on Vuc, don't need you shooting that.
Might want to find Rubio at this point, Jrue.
Nice shot Turner, don't ever fuckin do it again
PHI 24, MIN 22 after one.
Time Warner pissed me off prior to the tip, the Sixers have done nothing to settle me down.
Thanks for not having tonight's game in the guide, Verizon. Channel 99 under the guise of seeking solutions with Suzanne. Sweet
What we've learned from the announcers so far:
- Lou Williams is a good defender.
- Turner is bad 3PT shooter, but a good mid-range shooter.
I wish, I wish ...
Jodieclank
Voose is really the only guy who plays the five who can manufacture his own shot.
That looked like a good steal to me by Turner.
Looked clean to me too.
Good tapout by Vuc, followed b a good post shot, followed by a good O-board. Good sequence.
NICE pass Lou
Good ass job running the floor Meeks, continuing to go hard.
Push the ball, good things happen.
malik, "beasley has shot the ball every time hes touched it"
I really like that with turner is handling the ball and not lou
Lou having problems w/ Barea on both ends of the floor.
Don't fucking close on Beasley like that. You want him to shoot the jumper.
good job thad
yes yes yes Thad keep cleaning up the garbage
We've gotten our fair share of 2nd chance pts tonight too.
ET.
Turner in the paint. Nice.
great move by Turner to get the open look in the paint.
OK Voose. If you aren't going to challenge the fucking shot, then put your body on your man and don't let him get the o-board.
Jesus Christ, Turner.
Damn Evan, no one was even on you...
Turner always ends up with loose rebounds doesn't he?
Ew, jumper.
Good stuff lou
Man, I'm in a bad fucking mood tonight. Need a win to cheer me up in the worst way.
Lou to the line out of this timeout, tighten the D up here til the starters all come back in. Extend this thing to double digits before halftime.
By the way, before Turner's shot in the paint, the Minny announcers said he "has a good handle for a big man!"
Does someone who has access to Synergy take a look at Turner's jumpshot form now and compare it to what it looked like early in the season? I feel like the shot looks a little more awkward. Maybe it's only because it's not going in.
Great feed by Jrue. Voose rejected.
COme on Jrue, not a good shot
Jrue, come on man.
better than if it was a long two, but still, come on man.
C'mon, Vuc, you gotta take it to the hoop stronger than that.
Jrue bricks a long two.
Thad w/ the bailout J. whew just in time
Barea is owning Lou right now
Didn't think Turner deserved the hook there.
Get some stops please.
good hustle by Lou to keep the possession alive though.
Barea is roasting Lou.
Meeks coming in to cover Barea.
Did Iguodala get hit in the balls on a jumpshot again?
Good D Thad
Can we get V8 back in yet??
Come on Lou, he's 7 feet....
whoo.. bad Lou tonight.
Turn it up in these three minutes here. Get it to 10.
Make em Dre, what do ya say???
Front side rim. CLANK
1/2
sigh... we should know better...
Energy is there tonight, if execution isn't. 1 turnover so far, though.
Iguodala, split the pair? Yep.
Nice work, Jrue.
Vuc has to get lower on his boxouts. As weak as he is.
2 o-boards on that possessions, then they turned it over.
Whew Jrue!! Nice driblle in traffic and finish.
Jrue, just keep fucking doing that.
Holiday yesss
Jrue splits the defense to get the open layup. Sick move.
voose
The guy that blocked that, sent it in!! heh
Holiday looking good tonight
My apologies to Rubio for saying he shoots like Turner.
Lou for one time?
nope, Collins took Jrue out so the Sixers could take a crappy shot.
Good to see we can score good in a whole half again. Just don't let it look like you did on Friday night in the second half.
PHI 49, MIN 44 at the half.
Defense is fine, other than the boards. Offense has run hot and cold. Need to keep getting out in transition.
Pacers up by 44 on the Bobcats. Celts losing by 12 to Detroit.
BOS just lost to them a week or so ago right?
Indiana leads by 40 over the Bobcats early in the 4th. Darren Collison is +48. That's worth like 3 games. ;-)
Damn Knicks won i cant stand them and the new found hero
you can't stand Jeremy Lin? Why not? Everyone loves an underdog.
Possibly the first time someone with a Harvard degree has been described as an underdog.
at the NBA stage? who was the last guy in the NBA from Harvard? Chris Dudley?
Nah, not in the NBA, just in life.
I think I want Lin to struggle so the Knicks get back to earth. It's nothing personal against him, he's done nothing wrong. And watching these Knicks is certainly more fun, because they look like a team. But still, it's New York. Don't like 'em.
Yeah it's killing me that Jeremy Lin is doing this well on the Knicks. Then again if he weren't in New York nobody would care anyway.
Because I think he's over hyped especially by the ny media
Of course he's going to be overhyped. But he plays the game with heart and is a team player, don't see how you root against that.
Rooting for the Knicks is another issue entirely.
You know, the annoying thing with our Sixers is that you just can't predict how they'll come out of the locker room. Between going down double digits and building a 15+ points lead, everything is possible. Of course this is true for each team, but the Sixers feed so much off their energy level. It's a whole different story.
Let's hope they keep doing what has worked so far.
Pretty amazing Love and Pekovic have combined for 10 points on 15 shots and we're only up by 5.
Yeah second-chance opportunities and long, bricked sixer twos.
So can we please please please see more V8- and less of Lavoy in this half...?
EB w/ the interior pass to Lavoy to start it off.
How many 2nd chance pts is that for us?
16
Lavoy cleans up the jrue missed layup. Keep driving, Jrue.
Don't give the lead up.
That's terrible, Lavoy. Jrue didn't need you on that p&r. Get back to your man.
Got to get Lavoy out, he doesn't handle pick and roll D that well. He gets often confused.
Aww dammit Jodie those have to start falling
please don't repeat last game
Think Iguodala should've tried to dunk that.
Well, Lavoy was WIDE fuckin open.
Yes Jrue!!!
Love the early offense Jrue, as long as you probe and attack.
There you go, Jrue.
Jrue again. D up!!
Jodie needed that one.
Good push, AI9. Split the pair?
yep.
Why did Dre try that fancy mess? He should have been looking to only score there b/c he knew he was getting fouled.
I like the guy but Jodie is the worst starting 2 in the league. He should get 10 min a game to see if he has anything that night.
Jrue.
jrue in the paint
Rubio's unusual scoring is the only reason they're in this game, and the few o-boards they've gotten, but we've more than canceled that out.
Eh, I don't see getting o-boards as cancelling out their o-boards. Two different things. Rubio's scoring is a problem. Jrue got smoked on that last one. When he's setting that pick way out past the three-point line, he isn't a threat. Push Rubio to the sideline and trap him.
Dre 4 3! 2nd chance pt.
Vuc actually used a foul, and on a contest? I'll take it.
That looked clean, didn't it?
Good hands Vuc!!
Dammit Dre.....................
Fuck. Can't have turnovers in transition.
Ridnour pissed on Jodie on at least 4 possessions tonight
Every pick Pekovic sets is blatantly moving.
Come on Dre, trying to do too much man.
That's more like a Rubio three.
Another turn. Ugh.
good foul by Vuc
I think Jodie should've gotten the quick hook to start the 3rd, he's just been awful once again.
Don't want to keep letting them hang around this close. Don't want it to be like this late in the 4th quarter on the road after the other night. Extend this lead please.
Rubio getting cute. Thad says NO!!
Just keep going to the hoop. They don't have any shot blockers.
Thad w/ the chasedown block after the shit turnover. O-board and Love to the line. Ugh.
Ugh. You fake the defender off his feet, take a step to the right, and... THROW A BAD PASS? REALLY LOU?
Iguodala and Jrue off the floor for the close to this quarter. Don't like that at all.
Where is battie.???
Think he must be hurt. There was that report he turned his ankle, and then no word after, but he hasn't played since.
Sixers taking jumpers...Wolves taking it to the rack...
Where have I seen this before?
A parade to the line this qtr
Vuc got pulled after Pekovic got good positioning on the block and went to the line and he picked up his 4th. Allen does no better vs Love, Kevin to the line.
Thad.
Thad.
About time Jodie, bust that zone.
Fuck, Turner. How do you lose him like that?
Meeks for three.
Big 3 by Jodie
Wooah Lou!!!
Lou w/ the block on Barea after hitting a bad shot on the other end. Come on, get the stop here.
Rubio still getting fancy, gets swatted by Lou
Lou with a recovery block. Thankfully got the lead back there before the end of the quarter.
Come on, how was JJ fouled there? BS!!!
Amazing what happens when you take it to the rack...sometimes the refs bail you out.
Instead of being pissed about the call, Doug, how about letting YOUR guys take itmto the rack? Maybe you guys will get a call or two.
Wait... how was that a foul?
Lou protects the FG% by not taking the shot at the buzzer. Fuck you.
Brian - so frustrating when this happens. Pisses me off more than anything. Get a fucking shot off. 2 seconds is enough to get to half court. Jesus. No excuse.
Barea
He has the hotter wife
PHI 74, MIN 72 after three.
This pg vs. pg thing has been fun at all, but Rubio's hitting threes and getting to the line. Jrue has done neither. Ugh. Just win the fourth quarter.
22-8 fta disparity.
11 assists on 33 made FGs is decidedly not Sixers basketball.
Shocked that Turner took a bad shot early in the shot clock
Nice shot, Turner. Fuck me.
Get control back of this game here.
Just caught up. Voose and Lavoy need help on the boards. Everyone has to crash.
I'd prefer the bad jumper to the turnover, Turner. Surprised he isn't getting yanked.
Are you kidding me? Did you see how easy he moved through those guys?
I will take that EVERY DAY from him.
Maybe I missed it, but I thought the offensive foul was called on him?
That wss as much a foul as Barea was foulded at the end of the 3rd.
Bullshit call there.
Way to be there Thad. Good overplay Lou.
YES THAD!!!!
Barea is my least favorite basketball player, BTW. The refs officiate him with a double standard.
No they do not
That offensive foul call was questionable
The bigger problem was that Evan Turner kept looking sideways at the sideline like he was about to be pulled. He seemed certain, and unhappy, about it.
Hey - he missed a shot AND got boned by the refs.
Of COURSE he knows he's getting pulled.
Yes, and I still think your reaction is not based so much on facts but being overly emotional and buying into refereeing conspiracies and thinking that refereeing an NBA game is an easy job.
Relax, bro. I can critiize the fs if I think they suck - like that call on Lou there.
If that logic is correct, I believe I am allowed to defend the refs as well? Or is it one way logic on this site? I have seen a lot of it.
Fine with me if you disagree.
Yeah they do. Did you watch any of the playoffs last year?
He's cute. The refs love him.
Good hustle, Thad. Let's push this lead a little bit, huh?
Good attack, Lou.
Jrue, you haven't hit one of those in about a week. Come the fuck on.
Um, put Andre back in for the duration here.
Crunch time. Have to execute on both ends.
GET VOOSE BACK IN FOR LAVOY!!
Or he could just keep fouling, that seemed to be #8's answer
Love playing the Nowitzki role here.
Stop this run. Or either a timeout Doug.
Wow - Jrue posting up.
Would you put Vuc on Kevin Love right now? I think his length might bother him a little bit?
EB's been great on him for most of the game. Problem with all of these guys is they can't secure rebounds on Love and Pek.
That's a joke matchup. Jrue has to abuse Ridnour.
Attack the basket for the love of pete!
Stop with the jumpers.....
Jrue long two against the clock. Another brilliant play drawn up in a timeout.
Ugh. Another crappy play coming out of a time out.
Look, you have to do better than that. Slowly swing the ball around the perimeter, long 2.
Louuuuuuuuuuu 3! Stops!!
Lou catch-and-shoot three. Money. Definitely don't run that.
Sweet Lou
ITS BOSS TIME
Good Lou is back!
sort of
jinxed it.
5 straight for Lou. Give a pair back on the other end.
Dammit Lou!!!!
Lou turnover. Barea's shoot-and-flop doesn't get the whistle.
Fuck that shot Lou. Come on, there were numbers.
Lou's man is behing him coming down court and he jacks a 3 foot behind the line three? ugh
wait, I don't see how that can be a foul on Lou..?
Will we see another "star" assert themself to beat the Sixers?
Brand, that has to drop.
Damnit, EB. That's such a great look.
Attack the hoop dammit!
Come on man lets gooo
Elton Brands slow decline is a very depressing thing to watch this season.
slow decline?! i feel it's a sharp decline from last season.
I was trying to be respectful, in all honesty. I believe he is pretty much done.
Stops!!!!! come on.............
Brand hits a pair. Get a stop here.
Yep, another moving screen by Pekovic. Brand hurt his thumb fouling him.
brand has no thumbs
Thad's out of position there. That's what a hot Kevin Love will do I guess.
Brand smacked the rim on that foul...
Jrue on the blocks. Good.
Jrue can't pick up his dribble there like that.
Gets the bucket anyway.
Keep posting Jrue!
Another moving screen.
Yes Jrue no idea how that went in but well done
Thad is allergic to passing
Thad has to realize Ridnour is on him there, and just go up as soon as he caught it, he hesitated... ugh
Pick and roll destroying them. Wolves look much more fluid running offense. Thad's gotta make that shot. He should go up strong there.
That has to be Sixers ball. They can review that, no?
I'd feel so much better if they can just secure the W here. Please?
Two things have worked recently. Lou on the catch-and shoot. Jrue in the post. Please run one, the other, or both.
Zero confidence that we can win this game. None.
Really surprised Thad hasn't been able to exploit Love on the offensive end.
Finish guys. Finish.
Jrue starts it. come on D the eff up!!!
Iguodala has Rubio on him.
Jrue takes Webster off the dribble instead. OK.
JRUE!!!
Fuck. Killer TO, Jrue. Killer. Now a foul.
Jrue turnover. Was trying to bang it off the defender out of bounds. Fuck me.
Omg we made a shot! When it matters!
What the fuck what that Jrue? I just said the other day that you dont' jump pass anymore? damn... man
Any reason we would keep Lou in on defense right now?
Is Barea in or Ridnour? If it's Barea, Turner can't keep up with him. Not that Lou's doing anything against him either.
Ridnour
Tripped over himself.
Turner In for Lou to get some extra height here?
I know it's just one game and it's against the T-Wolves, but given how the season has gone, and given the recent poor play, how big is this game gonna be?
All those calls are starting to add up again...
Thad J! One stop guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big shot, Thad. Get a stop.
YES BIG BOARD BY IGGY!
They aren't fouling??
They didn't need to. They have enough time if they get a stop.
They got the stop. Bosstime fail.
Damn that Lou shot was halfway down. Shit!!!!!
Boss comes up short. Damn.
God damn I hate watching us at the end of close games
3.6 seconds to mediocrity?
Watch Love for three.
C'mon. One time here fellas!
Fuck Lou gotta drive there, grr
Damn that Lou shot was halfway down. Shit!!!!!
If only the Wolves had Lin...
Watch for the fucking Love jumper. They run that EVERY TIME.
Rubio or Love 3 to end this...
Why is Lou in?
Fuck me. Lou takes a tough shot and misses, but even worse he takes it with three seconds left on the shot clock. That time is so valuable.
Huge mistake IMO. He could have gotten that with one second left.
Damn I hate last shots by opposing teams against us
I hate it when it's a 1 or 2 point game and the other team has the ball.
!!!!!!!!
Yep, there you go.
Whistle for the loss. Awesome.
They called a foul on Iguodala? What?
Wow who calls that
Yeah - the refs have been great tonight.
Fuck this shit.
Fuck this
Yay
Can you get a Lou iso in 0.1 seconds? Collins is gonna try.
A fucking foul there? come the F on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Such a bull fucking shit call man.
and on Iguodala!!!! no way, he was all ball!! damn
Jerked that was a terrible cakl
That is terrible. But you can't let the opponent have the last possession... so it is the Sixers as much as the refs.
BTW... the Sixers of the past 8 years are clearly back. It just feels the same.
all ball, this is bull shit
LOL I hate this team. I love it and I hate it. I can't decide which more.
Sorry guys, Dre reached in on that. He did.
He reached in and got ball.
And his left arm.
Yeah, no. His hand was on the ball the entire time.
https://twitter.com/#!/Philly76ersBlog/status/171418556389527552/photo/1
Yeah...that's what I saw.
I just watched it again in super slow motion. Looks like he could have gotten all ball, but it's not surprising that they gave that call to Love since Dre reached from behind him.
no, he didn't.
Not really. Reached across and had his hand only on the ball for about a second and a half, and then Love wrestled it free.
I saw the same, reach-in and foul.
Turner would've gotten it clean, after his sputum cured cancer.
Yery constructive and informative post, blogman.
LOL
I apologize if I've wasted but a small fraction of the time you two jokers waste on a daily basis.
Here the difference - when I talk about Turner, with the exception of eddie's heady, I am not making it personal against everybody else. Comments like that are basically just saying fuck you to the many of us who want to see Turner get more time and support from the coach - nothing more.
It was very gosixerrs...and not your best look.
When Turner proves he doesn't suck ass, which he has yet to do, then I'll listen to fucking complaints about his PT every god damned game. Until that happens, prepare to be mocked. Especially when you decide to team up with that jackass spiller. And doubly especially when I'm in a shit mood to begin with. Deal with it, or just go to Philly.com.
I basically said in a post below that his confidence is ass right now, and he shouldn't be taking Lou's place in the 4th quarter. He played 14 minutes tonight, and I am not posting ad nauseum that he got fucked AGAIN.
I am pissed about the game too...but I am taking shots at the refs - not the other posters on the forum.
Isn't Meeks kinda sucking ass?
I understand the argument tonight, especially with Minny perimeter defenders who couldn't stop penetration.
Yes he is sadly. He was spoonfed a bunch of really good looks tonight, one by Turner in the first half ironically. Only made the one at the end.
Heh,.... so take a "personal" angle with me just because I told you, and everyone else, that Turner was doo-doo before he ever got here? And because Turner has shown that he only smells as bad as a fart so far? Yeah that makes sense, a fellow fan of the same team, and on the same side as you, with a simple differing opinion, but you go all childish and make it personal. Like that kid whose ass gets stomped down at the local park on the asphalt when we were l2. Sounds and feels familiar, thanks for the memories.
Funny...I don't member you responding to me late in Friday's game after your pithy "i'd rather watch Turner shooting bricks than Jrue" crap you posted. The only reason why you would REALLY want that is to have more material to bury Turner with.
Right?
Turner provides his own material. Where you been? Behind the blinders?
For the record, I reserve the right to release my frustrations during a game thread how I see fit. And blog my actual thoughts along the way. This is called a web-log, right?
Just another silly, sad, uncalled-for example of you taking comments on a particular, mediocre, very average player way too personally. Like I was talking directly to you during that expression, - please.
Your continued stance of affronts to your own ego aren't worthy of responses my fellow fan. Your desperate whimpers deserve the silence they get, as in this Friday night instance you're still holding close to the vest two whole nights later. lol, you are pretty funny though, I enjoy the kick you provide.
You write very eloquent posts about how sad and pathetic I am...but it seems like I am not the only one who has tired of your withering assaults on Turner. Look - I am not the president of the fan club, but I do think the guy has not been given a fair chance to get his game back. The current state of this team does not allow for Collins to not try EVERYTHING at his disposal to find somethng that works...does it?
The guy had 7 rebounds and 3 assists (one more than Jrue had in FORTY minutes, BTW) in only 14 minutes...but I am not sitting here saying he should have played more tonight. Right now, Collins is playing other guys because that's the way he wants to roll - and he knows a hell of a lot more than I do about basketball. I hope this team gets its act back together, and I hope that Turner is part of it.
The difference between us is I want Turner to play because I am a fan and I think he can help. You seem to make sure that every fuckup (every SINGLE fuckup) that Turner has is another chance to say how much he truly blows. All that I wish - from you and more importantly from Collins - is that there is an even playing field...when the Sixers are sucking ass in the 3rd quarter against the Hornets that people are getting pulled from the game as quickly as Turner gets yanked...when Meeks gets cold from deep (as he has been for he past two weeks - 9-for-32 from 3 over the past seven games) that Turner gets that kind of chance to shoot his way back into more minutes.
Does that make sense?
(probably not...right)
"You seem to make sure that every fuckup (every SINGLE fuckup) that Turner has is another chance to say how much he truly blows."
....With you conveniently ignoring the countless praises I've heaped upon him during game threads. That's not a level playing field is it? That's not tunnel-visioned and narrow-minded - insert sarcasm.
You call them "withering assaults", a better term would be valid assaults, that is if you're not taking it personally and looking at the evidence.
Turner was given a very good chance to "shoot his way back into more minutes" vs Dallas to the tune of 11 attempts (mostly ill-advised) with only 2 makes. That just isn't good enough for you is it?
You say you want Turner to play because you're a fan and you think he can help the team. I see Turner not helping the team and not deserving to play as much as he is from a realist standpoint, from the "material" he provides, and I sure as hell consider myself a fan.
What's awry here? I have confidence you can figure this out.
There's only two answers.
What "material" has Meeks provided over the past two weeks to suggest that he should be geeing twice the minutes when he is shooting 28% from 3? His defense? His rebounding? His passing?
Meeks keeps getting minutes because, eventually, he will shoot himself out of his slump (hopefully), right? That is what a good coach does...he gives players the opportunity to play themselves out of a funk and get back to doing the things hat can help the team. I am on board with that. So, why doesn't Turner get the same chance to get his game back?
Over the same 7 games, Turner has played 25 minutes once, 22 minutes twice, 18 minutes once, 14 minutes twice and 12 minutes once. It is not like Meeks is playing lights out - he has been in a two week shooting slump...but Collins keeps giving him the minutes to get him going. Meeks has played 32 minutes twice, 30 minutes once, 29 minutes once (tonight), 26 minutes once, 24 minutes once and 16 minutes once. LOTS of minutes - and shots (almost 5 threes a game) to get it back.
If Turner gets those kind of minutes - and those kind of shots - will it get his offense going? Hell if I know...but at least when he's in there, he can rebound, pass, handle the ball and play decent defense - which is a lot more than I can say for Meeks. Again - I am fine with Collins sticking with Meeks and giving him the shots/minutes to get his game going...but is Jodie Meeks THAT superior an al-around ballplayer to Turner that Turner doesn't at least get a chance to get his game back to where it was he first 3-4 weeks of the season?
Wow. Wasn't a separate thread created for this? Who even mentioned Meeks?
Anyway, the answers were: 1) You blindly love the guy, for whatever reason. 2) It's never EVER his fault. NEVER. It's always on someone else.
And yet you went into a spill about Meeks, that about sums it up.
I just said that I AGREE with Collins continuing to give Meeks minutes...hoping to get him going. I asked you SPECIFIC questions about whether it makes sense to give Turner the same chance that Collins is giving Meeks to get his own game back...and that is your response?
1) I have blind love for Turner.
2) This post should be in the Meeks versus Turner thread.
Where the fuck did I say ANYTHING that could be construed like that?
This is crazy. Can you simply answer the questions that I am posing to you...or do you just want to keep twisting what I am saying and take shots at me?
(I am trying REALLY hard to not make this personal)
After seeing that reply, anyone else wanna back the refs tonight?
He committed a foul. If the same thing happened to give the sixers a win, would you complain?
Are you shitting me? Aside from the fact that - from the camera behind the basket - Iggy had so much ball in his hands he could have stitched the fucking thing...and you ABSOLUTELY do not end the game on that call. You know that, I know that, this board knows that, and Collins sure as hell was reminding the ref who called that at midcourt after the game that he should know that too.
Maybe Collins just figures there's no sense going to the rim - cause this team gets no respect. It's one thing when Lebron or CP gets a call like that, but the MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES?
Lou Williams blew it, terrible shot, you wait till one sec on the clock
Really great play. Need the lob, no one goes to the rim. Awesome.
PHI 91, MIN 92 Final.
I'll have my wrap eventually.
Lou Williams blew it, terrible shot, you wait till one sec on the clock
Yea this team ain't good at all I believe it was the easy schedule
I believe it was the continuity that the owners and front office sold in the off season. Other teams have improved as the season has progressed, the seventy-sixers are the same team they were at the end of last year sadly, they were more team ready when the season started and that continuity paid off. Now however, players need to step up and improve their games. Jrue Holiday's offensive play needs to be more consistent, his aggressiveness level varies not only from game to game but almost quarter to quarter.
Wow fuck that bullshit that ref should ashamed of himself. Pitiful. Let the players decide the game. God damnit Doug getter out your check book and call that motherfucker out.
It's just tough when the refs decide a game...
It is tough when the better team can not put the inferior team away so that the referees are not in a position to make a difference.
That is WAY different than what you have been saying, buckeroo.
(and I agree with you)
I made no comment regarding whether it was the right call or the wrong call. I made no comment regarding the quality of the officiating tonight. I was just pointing out that the Seventy-Sixers put themselves in a position where the final foul call cost them the game.
The blame is on the Seventy-Sixers not the officials. Hopefully they themselves will not pass the buck as many here seem to want to let them.
The annoying thing is, that we haven't gotten any love in this game (at least two clean blocks led to FTs, Rubio falls over his own feet) or the year at all. We don't get calls ... it just starts to pile up and suck more each time.
I can't even stress how big of a mistake that Lou shot was. He should have put up a high arcing tear drop with a second left on the shot clock. Gave Love all of that time to drive.
That being said, that call to end the game sucks. All ball and a straight up clean block.
I hope Ronnie Nunn or whoever reprimands that ref for that just horrendous call. Inexcusable, particularly in that situation. If I were Doug, I'd for sure take a fine tonight. Travesty.
Fuckkkkk... cmon Doug, if you're ever going to go full Bowa and earn a fine now is the time
Sixers. no star... no call. No win.
doug, i will start a kickstarter for your fine if you go all apeshit in the press conference
As Rich said- after watching the replay Lou shot the ball 2.5 sec too early and it probably cost them the game.
Depressed fan
Oh yes!! With 3 seconds of defense remaining sixers have the best five defenders on the floor. Well done Collins.
not sure what you're trying to get at there.
Thats right no star at all
Am I still an idiot for saying Collins can't coach a close game? 2-5 now since the Laker game when genius Doug decided to change up the 4th quarter lineup that got us to an 18-7 record and made Lou the 4th quarter guy.
Not in the mood for this right now, don't think many are.
The 4th quarter lineup you are referring to won a couple of games, most of the 18-7 run had nothing to with the Closing Time lineup. Game was over well before that in the majority of those games.
Also, Lou wasn't the 4th quarter guy tonight. Jrue was, and he did a pretty nice job. Thad got a bucket late too.
Lou shouldn't be out there. He's terrible defensively and he's a ball hog and he launches fadeaways that usually miss.
I don't think he made Lou the forth quarter guy he seems to be the only sixer willing to try to step up to the challenge
Agree...but he also has the minutes and the coach's blessing to do it. I would love it to be Jrue - I hope that it is just a matter of time before he can be that guy.
Lou is allowed to go 0 for 15 and take the 16th shot, so of course he's "up to the challenge." Collins even said that, 0 for 15 it doesn't matter we want him taking the last shot. What a stubborn fool.
I don't know what other option he has. He obviously does not think Turner could do it (otherwise he would try to run some plays for him to help him get his confidence back, like he did for Meeks. I would love it to be Jrue, but he's all over the map at crunchtime. It also does not help that this team gets ZERO calls...but to an extent, you have to make your own breaks out there.
They don't have the personnel to be doing isos to end games. They should spread it around, keep running plays, go inside. Thad shoots over 50%, he made the previous big shot, why is he absolutely off-limits at the end?
And Lou is just a defensive turnstile and offensive ball-stopper that in my opinion his presence has greatly contributed to our current rut.
That's what they did tonight, they ran offense the whole time.
The last play actually called for an iso because Lou gets his shot off whenever he wants. He just didn't execute the way you would like him too. That's on him and Collins, probably both.
Agreed. They did everything right but the most basic thing - finish that last possession properly.
Love shouldn't have had enough time to drive to the hoop. The game should have never been a one-possession game that late. The call didn't cost them the game. They cost themselves the game. I'm more pissed about Lou jacking the terrible shot too early than I am about the foul.
We agree, that's a positive to take from yet another Lou debacle. Bringing the fans together.
Could be worse, could've lost to the Pistons by 15.
could've beaten the mavs, also. I'm not worried about our lead, but I will be soon.
A definite mental error by Lou - you must shoot that ball with 1 second on the shot clock.
Good teams simply do not make mistakes like that.
Ah, fuck this team. I'm going to stop ignoring my wife for the rest of the night.
Yet another game that's a W if 00 is out there...
I'm not sure. They're much worse on the defensive glass w/ Hawes playing. At least they were in the few games he came back for before officially pulling the pin.
But would they get back on the offensive end what they lose on d by having someone underneath to pass through instead of settling for the damn jumpers? And if someone, 00 or Battie or v8, is underneath enough to tap in just one of those damn shots that look good but then pop back out per game...grrr
I disagree. Before this second injury time out, Hawes was already showing that his early season play was a mirage and he was reverting to the same form as last year. He would be no help improving the defensive rebounding and his offense would go back to where it was last year sooner than later.
Sixers showed some heart here but in the end, you can see why they need a closer. Every good team has one if not two. Sixers have none. Lou is too inconsistent to be relied upon to close out these games and Jrue is still not ready to take over games and he may never be. Iggy isnt that guy. Turner--who knows--sometimes hes great sometimes hes horrible. Coach has little confidence in him.
Sixers are not going to be able to hold the 3rd spot---I look for the Knicks and maybe Indiana to overtake them. So if thats what we get---a 4th or 5th seed---and bounced out in the first round, have we really made progress from last year ?
Nope. Not sure WHAT the sixers can do here. No ones trading a lottery pick for anyone on this roster and superstars dont want to play here. (Howard I'm talking to you). It sucks. Its really hard to get the next superstar player when your picking between 14-20 every year. Which IMO if you have a chance to get anyone whos a bonafide star. You trade whoever you need to and do it. Roll the dice.
Celtics did it, Heat did it, Knicks did it(although it took a miracle like Lin for it to come together---pure luck because no one saw that shit coming). Roll the friggin dice thorn...
Celtics or Heat didn't roll the dice at all. One was spoonfed a Hall of Famer in a trade and the other had two free agents signed with them. Knicks did it and really sucked until they lucked into Lin, and that could be a very temporary situation.
Wouldn't mind a trade for Howard, though I really doubt that he'd resign, so it would just blow up in your face. He's no "closer" though.
cmon man. You follow hoops or just the sixers ? The Celtics gutted their whole damn team and traded the 5th pick in the draft to get Allen and Garnett. They traded everybody BUT pierce. Miami did something very similar---they traded away EVERYBODY to free up cap room for free agents.
Its a gamble but what do we have now ? A slightly above average team year after year. You guys ok with 45 wins every year for the next 5 years and out of the playoffs in the first round(maybe the second at absolute best) ?
For the record, I have yet to ever see you being correct on anything you say. I'm sure many others on here would agree.
actually if you recall from the Jeremy Lin thread I made a whole bunch of valid points that many agreed with. Your responses were weak.
It seems like you live in a fantasy world. You made a lot of weak points that were based on nothing factual. You are completely clueless. It's ok, though, keep thinking you're right.
Yes, I do follow hoops. The Celtics gutted their team alright. They gutted the team that had the 2nd worst record in the league and somehow kept Pierce and Rondo while also acquiring two probable Hall of Famers to pair with the one they already had. That's not rolling the dice. That team stunk, and they were able to somehow keep Rondo in that deal, which you failed to mention.
Miami had an absolute garbage team being kept afloat by a Top 3 guy in the league. They smartly made sure they had a lot of cap space for the Summer where there were an unprecedented amount of big time free agents, knowing : 1. They are a destination city where there is no income tax. 2. They had a guy that a lot of people were dying to play with. That's smart management, not rolling the dice. They knew somebody was going to join Wade there.
If Dwight Howard is traded here, there is a really small chance he stays because they would demand pretty much the whole team. If you want to blow it up, fine, but those situations literally have nothing in common with the Sixers right now.
Really ? How bout you dig a little deeper. The Celtics ABSOLUTELY rolled the dice.
On draft night,Danny Ainge traded the No. 5 pick Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to Seattle for Ray Allen and Seattle's second-round pick.
Ray Allen was 32 years old and missed the end of the 07 season and had to have surgery on BOTH ankles.
That sound like a sure thing to you ? Not me.
As far as Garnett--
Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and a swap of picks.
Al Jefferson at the time was a YOUNG STUD that many considered to be one of the best low post players in the game.
Garnett was on the downside of his career and considered "never good enough to win the big one"
As for Miami...they got rid of their whole team minus wade. No guarantee ANYONE was coming to play in Miami with him when there were better options available both financially and location wise. Ever hear of New York, LA or Chicago ?
Im all for differences of opinion--but you need to have some facts to back it up.
Al Jefferson is a chump, and they knew it no matter how much you capitalize letters. BTW, Garnett had just come off a year where he averaged 22 and 13. He really had been playing like an old man though, I guess?
Your "facts" (You are acting like just because you looked up the crappy names of the Celtics, that you are right) basically just named the crappy teams both of those GM's had. Take a look at 2009-2010 Heat and look if they risked losing any great players. Not gonna argue this anymore, but again those were completely different situations than the Sixers.
No see, he made valid points and you're wrong because he said so...
I just hope our discussion for the next couple of days can constructively focus on how this team gets out of this rut they are in. Two very tough games heading into the break, both games are winnable though.
They are both winnable...but they are also both losable.
I am a little concerned about Collins and his state of mind. He has not handled this recent stretch well on the bench. I am also concerned that this team has simply performed at a very high level and may just be getting mentally tired. I remember playing the golf round of my life once - I was your typical mid-to-high-teens handicap hack...but one day I was only 5-over through 13...a combination of playing out of my ass and some lucky breaks...but after 3 hours of grinding, I just got mentally fried and went double-triple-triple to blow the round up.
Playing the kind of disciplined basketball that Collins demands is easy for teams like the Spurs or the Heat - and they can do it for a majority of the season. I just don't think the Sixers can keep it up for another 3 months.
I'm always a little confused when sports blog commenters tell other commenters to have a constructive conversation about how the team can improve. It's impossible for a blog commenter to say anything constructive about a team; constructive criticism is when you actually give the people involved in the thing you're criticizing helpful criticism. One can no more say anything constructive on a blog (that the coaches or players don't read) than you can say something constructive to yourself in the shower. With that in mind, I say people talk about whatever they like; they're all ways of showing support and enthusiasm for the team, no one way's better than another.
You're like >
You're like > < close to being a real lawyer, aren't you?
He has to pass the bar exam first, but that's easier said than done. This exam contains lots of words that he will claim are used incorrectly when they're clearly not.
OK, how about "topical?" Good enough word?
Honestly though, disdain and biases for and against certain players to the point where it's personal instead of simple opinions on them brings the conversation down. I enjoy coming here because the level of analysis in the comments section is usually at a fairly high level. Recently it's been brought down. Obviously the team doesn't read this (Thank you for pointing that out), but in the sense of the comments, arguing "Collins sucks" and "Turner this" and "Turner that" isn't constructive as afar as the blog goes.
*far, so that isn't pointed out.
you used "afar" incorrectly :)
Depending upon how we play the next two games going into the break, it might be time to switch things up. Maybe put one of the bench players into the starting lineup or something similar to that to shake things up. I'm not saying its time to panic or anything like that, but clearly we aren't playing as well as we were or need to be, and it might be time for a wake up call.
I can't wait to see the rotation charts to see if Jrue/Turner played even 1 minute against Rubio/Ridnour. That has to be my biggest complaint with Doug - his failure to take advantage of the perimeter size mismatches Jrue/Turner/Iggy can give them.
Incredible play by Iggy at the end to get a hand on that ball and force Love into a Brand block. His ability to reach without fouling continues to amaze. A big FUCK YOU to the ref that made the call.*
* I won't be as mad if it was anyone other than the baseline official that made the call because from every other angle it did look like a foul. Does anyone know?
I was actually encouraged by the one play in the 4th when they tried to post Jrue. We saw how Carlisle posted us up like MAD after Turner went out in the 2nd half on Friday night...he knew he had mismatches on the floor - Kidd on Lou and VC on Meeks - and he went after them aggressively. Helped turn the game.
If Collins was calling that game Friday night, he would have IMMEDIATELY pointed that out on TV...but as a coach, he does not seem willing or able to do the same thing when presented the opportunity. This is what is done in the NBA, and it is older than dirt...pick-and-roll...post up the mismatches...this is NBA offense 101.
We also have the personnel for posting people people up as Jrue, turner, and iggy seem to be able to do it pretty well.
http://www.the700level.com/pages/video?PID=gAkakY5_OOHztIgLTopZY5GsJWjdgHe8
This video pretty much sums it up that the sixers got screwed very deeply up the ass on that last play.
Wow...right in front of him. What a joke.
Wow, interesting, so it just moves to someone else.
This place is more like philaphans than I thought, sadly
Where u been at ur insight has been missed honestly the blog hasn't been the same without u
What ARE you talking about, jem?
All the whining about how i 'pick fights' or 'start fights'. This blog has tons of people who just like to pick fights, the fighting or name calling didn't decrease or lessen it just moved over to different people with the same perpetrators.
My own little sociology experiment, people want to piss and moan about how I make this blog 'unreadable'. Nothing changed (except actually MORE people were getting into pissing contests, maybe I make it easier for everyone to have one target.)
Brook Lopez with 1 defensive rebound in 22 minutes of action. Sounds about right.
We could get him in a trade!
By the way, another road team got screwed by the refs tonight...down 5 with less than a minute to go, the Thunder miss a jumper but Daequon Cook went over a Nuggets player's back - with no whistle - to keep the play alive. KD hits a 3...then another shot with 4 seconds to force OT...and the the Thunder win it going away.
Horrible.
It was a beautifully designed final play by Adelman. The two main options that teams are expecting with the T-Wolves on a last play are Love handing the ball off to a guard or Love faking the hand off and then taking the shot. He did neither and drove to the basket.
When a star player is driving to the basket at home, with no one between him and the hoop, and you see a player who isn't even guarding him reach in to try and stop him, you're going to call a foul every time.
Those are the kinds of plays Doug needs to incorporate into the timeouts, so that we can execute on these final possessions.
Judging by the post game quotes, it seems like the players have moved on and are ready to play again, which is a good sign.
Another game tonight (Cavs Kings) had a similar ending to ours. Cavs had the ball down by 1. Kyrie drove to the hoop, and was fouled early on in the drive by Tyreke Evans. However, the refs were very late with the whistle (like they were in our game) which caused only .4 seconds to be left on the clock, effectively allowing the free throws to win the game.
As a fan, you want the whistle to be immediate, to prevent the refs from deciding the game with a whistle.