The Sixers, a team that's thin up front even when at full strength, will take on the Memphis Grizzlies on the road tonight without the services of either of their starting big men. Elton Brand loses another game to a thumb injury, his replacement...
...none other than Andres Nocioni! Collins is loathe to take Thad out of his starring role off the bench, and he won't start rookies next to each other up front, so I guess that leaves a choice between a small lineup shifting Iguodala to the four or a small lineup with the mullet at the four. He's decided to dust Nocioni off and go with the latter.
The starting lineup isn't as meaningful as the minute distribution. I guess Collins' logic is he'll roll the dice with Nocioni, and go to Thad early if he implodes. The big problem is just the general lack of depth up front. A team fighting for a top-three seed in the East really shouldn't be trotting out a late second-round pick and Andres Nocioni as its starting C/PF combo.
The Griz are on the second night of a back-to-back. Last night they lost to the Rockets, in Houston. Memphis had to call on some of their big guys for heavy minutes: Gay (41), Gasol (38), Conley (40), even Speights played 30 minutes. It would be great if the Sixers could exploit their tired legs.
The key stat is the turnovers. The Sixers need to continue taking superb care of the ball against the team that forces the most turnovers in the league, and really needs those easy points to keep their offense at least comfortably below average, instead of at the very bottom of the league.
The tip is at 8pm. This is your game thread. Join me if you're going to watch, but maybe you really don't want to if it means suffering through Nocioni right from the opening tip.
Prediction: PHI 85, MEM 82
cannot believe we're going with that thief Nocioni. When I think about all the money that's been spent on garbage players Nocioni always comes to mind first. Kapono is a close second... Really hope he shows something other than simply gunning EVERY TIME HE GETS THE ROCK
I see us going into the All-Star break at 20-14 and a 5 game loosing streak. Why? Confidence and energy are nowhere near where they should be.
There's a slight chance that we walk away with a win tonight. But not without the help of the Grizzlies...
Tomorrow, we will get destroyed. Back-to-back on the road against a rested Rockets team which plays great at home (13-4) and as of late.
I hope I'm wrong...
I myself worry they'll be too tight
prophetic.
I just can't understand why you would start Nocioni over Turner. I haven't bought into the whole "Turner is in the Doughouse" theory being thrown around here. I thought it just had more to do with how the games have been shaking out lately. But I don't know what to think now. Nocioni is now going to take minutes from him? Seriously? Can anyone please give me a least one logical reason why he is a better option than Turner?
Collins seems more concerned with his bench rotation than who he starts, that is the best I can come up with.
Eh. I think this is more about a stubbornness to keep Thad coming off the bench than a slight on Turner. There's small, with Thad or Nocioni at the four, then there's super-small with Iguodala at the four. Starting a super-small lineup like that, I don't know. And you need Iguodala covering Gay, as well, so are you going to put Turner on Speights or Gasol? I don't see it. He should either be starting Voose/Allen or Allen/Thad or Battie/Allen. I just don't get starting Nocioni at the four at all.
Is Nocioni that much stronger than Turner? I feel like Turner could guard Speights just as well as Nocioni. Plus he really is our best defensive rebounder. Plus on offense I feel like we are giving Speights a free pass when we could be using Turner to attack him off the dribble(if Turner actually attacks instead of settles for that ugly pull-up J).
I think Nocioni probably is a little stronger than Turner. Plus you don't have to worry about him picking up fouls.
That being said, I would not play Nocioni one single minute for the rest of the season. He's just an awful player at this stage of his career. I would have started Battie at center and slid Lavoy to the 4.
What happened to Battie? Why hasn't he seen playing time since Orlando
No idea.
He used to have a reputation as a hard-nosed defender (see: toughness) that could play small at the 4. Mix that with his shooting ability and he was valuable at worst. Unfortunately, all of his skills have almost entirely degraded at this point. I'm sure his practic e time against Speights played a role in this decision, but I seriously doubt he plays more than 15-20 minutes. He'll ride into the sunset in the Argentina circuit next year.
The bench unity reasoning also fits. I'd love to see them go ultra-tough with Nocioni/Battie. The paint would be totally empty.
Brian - I apologize if you have answered this before, but have you ever considered looking into a DF application for smartphones? Or at least a mobile version of the web address so that it fits the screen of a phone better? My fiancee is getting sick of me hogging our laptop during every game haha
Heh. What device are you using?
It's a Droid Razr, I just got it a week ago. I used to have an old iPhone so it's taking me some time to get used to it.
I'll see what I can do when I get a minute. Time has been tight recently.
Keep them off the boards and make them beat us the same way teams want us to beat them... Jumpshots. I don't want to see a bunch of Conley layups or Gay dunks.
Protect the paint. Pack it in.
Nocioni = 6 hard fouls to tenderize/terrorize Speights (and other Grizzlies). He's the Sixers equivalent of LSU/Army/South Carolina football coach Paul Dietzel's hearty scrubs, the "Chinese Bandits" (named after the vicious orient enemies of the protagonist in a popular comic strip, "Terry & The Pirates"). The Argentinian's job tonight is to disorient (and throw in a few buckets while he's at it).
I'd be fine with a bunch of fouls so long as he isn't killing them on the offensive end. He's been atrocious whenever he's touched the ball this season. Maybe he'll calm down a bit now that he's starting instead of just gunning for shots in garbage time.
He has been horrible this year. Liked him on Bulls; thought he had more left than he's showed.
Btw, they're going to really miss both Hawes and Brand tonight. One of the bigs needs to step up and be an outlet when the Griz pressure the perimeter.
Aaaaan we're off...Lavoy loses the tip.
Noc gets scored on and bricks a J. Good start
Geez, Dre to Noc for a pick and pop?
Noc abused on the blocks on first defensive possession, tosses up a brick on first offensive possession.
4-0 MEM.
Nice find by Jrue. Noc on the roll. Speights w/ the "d."
Lavoy is going to have a long night on Gasol
Gay, no prayer against AI9.
Noc finally turns it over after two near turnovers.
Speights playing against a chair.
OK Doug, got to change something up here. If you're not going to sub, zone them or something.
Noc dribble drive, fuck me.
Damn, Jodie with the rare miss at the line
They're free.
good pass dre, lavoy slam
Good feed Dre to Lavoy.
AI9 to Lavoy for the slam. Keep driving, please.
Speights again.
Careful with those skip passes, Jrue.
speights is gonna have 30 this game. and you all will still say you wouldn't take him back.
Nah, Speights won't get to 30 because he won't have to play more than 20 minutes in the Grizzles' blowout win.
Good idea posting Jrue, missed the shot. Transition on the other end.
timeout
Nice contest, Vuc.
Noc, no need to be in slow motion like that after the o-board. ugh
How do u sub for lavoy but not noce. Come on Doug, get him out of there
Nocioni is terrible. He shouldn't even be playing tonight, regardless of who's injured.
Think he makes a sub in this timeout? I don't, unless he pulls Jrue for Lou.
That doesnt make it right though
Thad anc Vuc in, whole new frontcourt. thank goodness
Thad- brilliant decision to shoot a jumper vs speights rather than use his quickness.
Lou for Jodie.
i'm so fucking tired of long twos i can't even explain it.
The problem is that even when we drive no one cuts to the basket to provide another option. The driver is left on an island and everyone can collapse on him.
Come on, screw all these jumpers. Stop settling
This is a disgrace.
you're too kind
Sixers are officially broke
Pass the fucking ball Dre, damn!
What a joke. Absolute joke. No idea how we have 20 wins even. And I'm usually a glass half full type.
might be turning this one off at half.
I was just saying to myself, "we really need a Lou turnover here." Prayer answered.
My bad, they called it a blocked shot instead of a turnover.
Gather yourselves here. Maybe run some fucking offense. You know, screens, cutting, how about a little pick and roll action?
this team needs someone willing to put they're head down and drive the ball. the last thing this team needs is nocioni playing meaningful minutes, let alone starting
3-17 to start. UGH
Griz have 18 of 24 in paint. DOUBLE UGH
Shocked this stupid Lou handoff play isn't working.
Unbelievable. An over and back off an inbound? F me!!!!
Did Turner throw that inbound pass?
yup
Vuc doesn't need to play D with his hands so much. Just be prepared to move your feet. He's always pushing/shoving like that.
slow feet.
He appears to be flat, never on his toes
wtf was that Lou??
Thought he got hit on that one.
Great - down 21 in the 1st !
An absolute ass whipping
Spencer Hawes is on his calculator, smiling.
Team musta been clubbin' last night.
Turner to the line.
foul shots...jesus
Evan's guide hand placement on that 2nd free throw was completely back in front of the ball. All the way around it. Maybe he's switched back?
Maybe he should try shooting lefty.
PHI 10, MEM 30 after one.
HUGE run to cut the lead to 20 after one.
That made the 3rd quarter against Dallas look like a symphony.
Comment of night so far.
We got to 10 points on offense!!
Dougs gonna have heart attack.
That first quarter was brutal. No defense, no offense, no nothing! Ugh, the first 25 games were such a breath of fresh air. It's been a rough go of it, since...
can i forget that the quarter happened?
That made the 3rd quarter against Dallas look like a symphony.
We're really limping into the All-Star break. Actually, more like fucking crawling.
3-0 run!
Turner to the rack.
Thad draws the charge.
AI943.
At least Turner is trying to take it to the rack tonight.
Dre for 3! Why am I getting excited, we're down 15.
Dre T'd up for jawing at ref? OK............
Tech on AI9. That's rare. What was he pissed about?
THink he was arguing for a double dribbling call, and something before that on our end. not real sure though
Over the back?
just turned the game on.
holy fuck.
doug. time to experiment with some rotations.
jesus fucking christ.
What a stupid shot by Lou...
foot on the line, Lou. Stupid.
down to 13
more like it there.
Didn't need that fancy pass Dre. He cleans it up though.
Actually, there was a reason for it. Took the one defender to the other side of the lane and cleared the space for Thad. Thad should've dunked it and gotten the foul. I'll take the 2 points, though.
Iguodala seems a bit pissed.
I love when he is pissed, I think he's even better when he is. Like his 2nd half on Carmelo against the Knicks.
It won't get fully deserved credit, but that play by Dre was one of best of season.
Get that shit out of here, Allen.
Tough to go on extended runs when they have a big who doesn't even need to break a sweat to score.
Lavoy w/ the jumper.
Refs calling some weak shit tonight
Where the fuck is Battie?
Push the ball when they press.
Might to start doubling to get the ball out of gasol's hands. We currently have no answer for him.
lou to lavoy
Good dish Lou to Allen.
Nice find, Lou.
Lavoy running the floor.
Cunningham again? What the fuck
Come on, Lou. That's shameful.
Come on Lou.
Dammit Evan.
Lazy pass Turner
Tried the backdoor. Turner turnover.
lavoy dunk
Good pass Thad, you had 3 guys on you.
Jrue.
3 on Lavoy. Man. Bad game for Vuc and Lavoy to be in foul trouble early. Elson time?
Speights started 3/3 for 6 points. Anyone want to bet he finishes with fewer points than FGA?
luckily they are missing some FT's tonight
Iguodala is even in Gay's head at the line.
jrue 4 3
Jrue 3!
Jrue three! Cut this to single digits
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(or Ja-roo if you're a memphis announcer)
Vuc, stop the damn shoving. ugh
3 on Voose. Where does he go now?
hes alive!!!!
If he's available, why the fuck hasn't he played yet?
Battie did a good job of denying Gasol position on that last possession.
what the fuck was that jrue?
Gay took about 4 steps on that drive.
thad to jrue
Why the hell didn't Tony start is what I'd like to know, since he's now available.
Jrue slam! Nice.
Thad's passing has really improved.
Jrue step back 3!
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jrue 4 3!
6 point lead, let's go
Come on, you've got a pulse, turn it into a steady beat.
let's go baby!
Let's fucking go, god damnit. Take this fucking game.
fuck the grizzlies
Now let's see if they have enough to keep it up.
Battie better start the 2nd half.
Jrue 10, MEM 2 over the last 3 minutes.
I like this lineup on the floor right now, especially with jrue playing this way. Keep it up!
Things have been going so badly lately I'm scared of an ending to the half like the one in Orlando.
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jrue 4 3!!
jrue 4 3!!
Come on Dre, they went zone, give it to the hot hand in Jrue.
Zone = don't run any offense. Come on, guys, you've seen it before.
tony better start
F me. Conley w/ one on the shot clock sheesh
Come the fuck on. God damned garbage shit against the clock.
Has doug seen enough to not start Noce in teh 2nd half??
Probably not.
If the starting frontcourt to start the second half isn't Battie/Allen, I'll begin to really question Collins' judgment.
down to 5, come out in 3rd like you ended the 2nd
"We've been screwed" underdog-mindset feeding adrenaline-fueled comeback vs. predictable concentration lag of Grizzlies. Now for the game, Pt. II.
Wish Dre would have passed it there at the end. Advance the ball, something he and ET rarely do after securing a board.
PHI 42, MEM 47 at the half.
KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.
And sit Nocioni's ass on the fucking bench. Battie needs to start the third quarter.
Just can't believe Doug didn't start Allen at the four on Sp8's and Battie on Gasol. No understanding there, b/c he set precedent doing it before, starting Battie, when Spence was out earlier.
Notice who wasn't in the lineup during that run? Defense is going to win this game. Doug, please don't be scared to sit your "closer" in the 4th if it's a tight game. That lineup right there looks like the one that could win us the game.
JTI playing well together. Hopefully Jrue can keep this up. Battie has to start the second half. If not, I'm going to seriously question Doug'a mindset.
The problem with Battie is this: he may be able to play Gasol well when on the floor, but at 36, how much can he actually be on the floor?
The 5+ min that Noc was on it is enough for me, and the team.
Quick return to near sea level. Didn't eat too much of their energy.
Iguodala and Jrue dominated that quarter. Need to see more of that in the second half.
turner and tony are starting
Did Brian James just say that the guys who ended the half will start the 2nd half??
YES!!!!!!
Shocked
starting bttie and Turner! wouldn't of bet 5 bucks on it
Battie and Turner will start second half. Thank God.
Thank you Doug. Now let's go!
is this where Evan finally takes the job?
He answered you with that quick shot and miss
It wasnt a bad shot.
just said it was quick
I hope he takes it.
WTF?
what the fuck!!!!
Dammit Lavoy, get your fucking head in the game.
Bad start
OK, Jrue. Get it done.
Good D, Jrue.
Come on.
Jrue is feeling it
Way to find the hole and release it Jrue. Good shot.
Speights w/ the turnover. Check out his box score, btw.
Nice box out Lavoy
Good box out Lavoy for the o-board. Foul on Sp8's.
Evan Turnover...fuck
Turner coughs it up twice on one possession. Fuck.
Evan............... damn man.
Jrue was fouled twice on that fucking drive. Damnit.
HOW THE FUCK IS THAT NOT A FOUL ON THE JRUE DRIVE
lavoy jumper
AttaboyLavoy.
Good pass Dre to Lavoy for the pick and pop.
Thank God they aren't giving the ball to Gasol every time down the floor.
Annnndddd Lavoy throws a boneheaded pass. Shit, get it together.
Both refs behind the play.
Starting to look like shit again
Jrue clearing the floor out himself, misses the shot in the post. Slipping here. Come on.
Is that 4 on Lavoy? Get Thad in for him. Thad has a bigger advantage on Speights than vice versa.
Jrue.
Obviously he's been thrown into a tough situation, but Lavoy really doesn't help himself out a lot mentally.
Igudoala breaks up the oop.
Turner has a huge size advantage, take a 20-foot fadeaway.
Not a fade away. And he was wide open.
We must be watching a different game.
Yeah, his defender ran away from him and he was staring at an open jumper. Sorry if you can't deal with that.
I think he was right on that one. Looked wide open to me.
Any side to side ball movement would be wonderful. Amazing in fact.
You've got numbers Jrue. Damn, out of bounds, sheesh
MEM is doing a good job of clogging the lane on drives, but Jrue can get that 12-footer all night.
How many times does Turner have to hit the front rim before he adjusts? I know Herb Magee always talks about recording what part of the rim you miss. I'd rather him airball long.
It's tough to watch, he just can't hit open shots right now.
He really had a chance to earn some future minutes tonight and he blew it.
lavoy
Lavoy turning garbage into gold.
Yeah Lou, that was a better shot.
Christ!
WTF was that, Lou? 20-foot runner from the wing?
Jrue 4 3!
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess when the defender runs at you and hits you as you shoot a jump shot is no longer a foul???
heh, Lavoy seems to have little trouble boxing out Sp8's
This is the Marreese Speights everyone has been clamoring for. He's a fucking zero.
Speights is looking Speightish now.
7 points from the bench and we're still in this? Wow.
Thad, you have to draw contact there and draw the whistle. Too finesse-y
Meeks hasn't played a second since the 5:29 mark in the first quarter.
Meeks would be a good zone buster if they're still playing zone out of timeout
Heh, Vuc elevates a whole 1/8" on that hook. So flat-footed.
Jrue coughs it up. Lou bails him out. O-board, to the line. Bad, bad sequence.
Ugh Jrue, Hell of a block Lou!! well....
good pass jodie
Good feed Jodie to Vuc.
Great feed, Meeks.
Lou-for-one. Big make. Jesus, that was too early. Way too early.
Lou 3333333!!! Stops please, pretty please. We get a Lou for one too I think.
I'll take that. Louuu
Okay, Lou. Alright. That's cool. I can get on board with that.
You have to close better than that. Fuck. Well, 3/19, I guess not.
Way to leave your man wide open for three Evan
What the fuck is Evan Turner doing standing in the lane and his man camped out at the arc? shit.................
PHI 60, MEM 69 after three.
Didn't keep the foot on the pedal. Gonna take a big fourth to pull it out.
What a disaster. Turner on the overhelp there, that's a killer.
Thing is, he wasn't even helping, looked to be trying to get ready to grab a board before a shot even went up.
To be fair, his man was 3/19 from three prior to that shot. Not exactly a threat, but I would've liked to have a seen a more aggressive close.
No, he was helping. I would be worried about Mayo on Meeks too.
I really don't think he was helping, there was a MEM big between him and the ball handler out at the key. He was just cheating/sagging off.
It had nothing to do with him "trying to grab a board before he shot it." That's just silly.
And it may be silly, it was just speculation b/c he wasn't helping anyone. Maybe he was just brain farting then.
I feel an odd comfort knowing my streaky, inconsistent Sixers are really back. Every year we have had a fools gold run os 25 games and otherwise an average squad or worse. His season our fools gold was delivered early.
Welcome home sixers, I almost did not recognize you for a while there. Bt your back.
Sad but true. Things feel normal again
Jrue got the hook after that turnover, but probably needed a blow anyway. Hope he's in to start the fourth. Bad Lou in full effect tonight.
Agree it was a good time to take him out. I want him fresh and in for most of the 4th quarter.
I miss the team that used to move the ball with the pass.
Is Hawes really that valuable on offense? Man.
Need a comeback W tonight!
Need Dre or Jrue on the court here. Can't keep both of them out much longer.
Thad shot out of a cannon. OJ Mayo's hand found the ball after grabbing Thad's arm.
Ugh, grab the ball Evan........ Dre in for him, thank goodness
30-footer, huh, Lou?
meeks 3
Big Meeks three. Lou to the line in transition. Hit both of them, please.
Meeks steal!! Lou to the stripe. make em and cut it to 5 please
Good to see some steals with the way they are executing in the halfcourt.
OK. Stop here.
Jesus Christ, Voose. Can't you challenge a god damned shot without fouling?
Time to put Jrue back in.
That was off Speights.
Come on, it's right there. D up. Couldn't ask for more considering the start. Go get it!
lou 3!!!
Lou three in Allen's eye. He's not going to stop shooting, I guess.
Think its time for jrue to come in for lou
Grizzlies just keep answering...
And Meeks falls asleep on Mayo. That's a fucking killer. Wake the fuck up.
Hate the Lou/Meeks combo
Speights tries to steal the tip. Let's get a fucking hoop here, huh? Why is Jrue still on the bench?
Speights over the back.
Speights is awful.
Speights over Lavoy's back. heh
Ugh, needed that Jrue postup to fall.
Shit, Dre airball. We don't set or use screens worth a shit. Terrible down screen and cross screen to free Jodie and the Andre there. Pitiful
That was awful offense right there, no movement, bad set play
Just about Battie time to me.
oh boy. it's another one of these games...
This is like getting your teeth pulled.
Pretty much game right there.
Gay 3 ...... man
Jrue w/ a lazy pass
Jesus Christ, Lou. What the hell is going on?
bad Lou is in the building
get lou the fuck outta there.
Lou? come on? take something off of that one
Please trade Louis Williams
Is it travelling if you never catch the ball?
6 get some stops
That too slitherly again. Draw the contact man....
Good pass, you get a good look. it's not rocket science.
can we please just give the ball to jrue
Thad block!!!
Didn't need that contested J Jrue.
I'd put Turner in for Lou and tell him not to shoot.
Memphis calling good timeouts. This is how you protect a lead.
Actually, calling a time out gives the defense time to prepare. Time outs interrupt offensive flow.
There's offensive flow in this game?
what offensive flow? might as well call a timeout and draw a play up. Granted, it didn't work but...
The defense had more time to prepare for any drawn up play as well. Double edged sword
Man, this is some really ugly offense. Doesn't help that Thad is really having trouble with Memphis length. It's tough when he's not seeking contact.
It is tough when he's defended by actual power forwards, yes.
Don't know what this means. He carves up "actual power forwards" usually when they iso him.
Fuck, Lou. FUCK.
That's game. The Lou turnover sealed it.
Please trade Louis Williams
4 straight losses....goddamn
Lavoy Allen has boxed out tremendously tonight.
Ugh, just can't grasp it. Good idea Lou, but just bad arc on the pass.
That's stellar, Lou. Stellar.
So does lou's bad turnover get him benched?
WHY THE FUCK IS THE BALL IN LOU'S HANDS RIGHT NOW.
hey doug. i love you but you fucking suck.
Iguodala's about to pick up another tech. He got hammered on one end, then got called for the foul on the other.
Doesn't matter, since he lost Gay for three for the dagger.
BOSS Mode = EPIC FAIL
Thats game this team has took a serious step back. No points for our all star in the second half smh
Thad just gives up on the live ball. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know about this game, I don't know what does.
Thad, never assume. Never. Terrible.
Hate to say this, but this team is significantly worse offensively without Spencer Hawes. They look lost on offense.
Nah. The starters were struggling when Hawes was playing. It was the night shift that was playing out of their minds and carrying the team offensively. Problems are much deeper than Hawes being out.
Obviously there are other problems, but I don't think they were struggling. They were starting out games slow, but during that great stretch the starters were killing teams in the 3rd Quarter. The team was playing well with Hawes on the floor.
Plus when he's in there to eat minutes, The Night Shift can actually be The Night Shift instead of having to eat up his minutes. Another big thing is how bad Turner has been.
Oh, sure, depth wise they're hurting. I just think the problems are running a little deeper than that right now.
PHI 76, MEM 89 Final.
Terrible.
So, really, what's the best we could get for Lou?
It depends on whether the GM of the team we are talking to gets the video of this game or not.
How u all star and don't score any points in the second half where's the leadership iggy
As far as the offense being terrible, they have not one single low post threat, they can't penetrate at will with teams packing it in, so they kind of have to resort to shooting perimeter shots mostly. Sure, I'd like them to swing the ball side to side and read/cut as that earlier Zach Lowe article referenced, but that's been almost a thing of the past considering how long it's been since they've actually done that regularly.
And when did they last have a low post threat. I do not see Hawes as one.
Doug starting Nocioni is so unbelievable that ESPN's boxscore didn't even put him in the starting lineup, they just left Brand there.
Ha, he was there earlier, at least at halftime he was.
Jrue played pretty well tonight despite everything, but ends up with a -21. Not sure how that happened.
That's what tends to happen when you're the only person playing worth a damn for most of the time you're on the court.
that's why turner doesn't get 25 plus min a game
You know that Turner was a +9 - right?
Andre Iguodala: -11
Lou Williams: -12
Jrue Holiday: -21
Look, I'm not saying that Turner had a great game, but tonight isn't Exhibit A for those who think that there are better options gluing him to the bench.
I've defended Turner in more arguments than I can count, but he sucked tonight. He had a golden opportunity to earn more future minutes (he started the second half!) and he played like a little girl. Sorry, +/- meant nothing in this game. He wasn't the reason we lost or anything but he was not good. I'm starting to think that he is not good.
Where in my response did I say he played well?
All that I said was that this wasn't the best game to point out how much he sucks versus the other available options. Everybody sucked tonight.
I would have liked him to have taken that 2nd half start and run with it, but obviously he didn't.
No, it's a great game to point out how bad he was. Because he could have taken advantage of the situation and he didn't. I am so goddamn sick of defending Evan Turner, I will never do it again. He has less heart then Speights did / does.
I agree with you - as Brian said in his post-game piece, Turner had a golden opportunity to show something, and he came up small. I think the Speights comment is a bit harsh, but he clearly has less intestinal fortitude than I thought he had...and without that, you are meat.
Yup. Didn't mean to come off as if I was yelling at you by the way, I'm just bummed out after this game.
lol, I'm gonna hold you to this. Good to see you're finally coming around though.
I deserve that, I do
Man, if only there were some sort of "shot doctor" Evan Turner could see about that jumper, am I right?
Collins says "Maybe I should have started Battie." Um, yeah, you think?
Actually, why don't you play a SF in the PF position who isn't even good in garbage time.
As much as I'd like to lay blame on that, the guys started out 4-20 shooting in that 1st quarter. Yeah, they gave up I think 18 of Memphis's first 22 points in the paint, but I don't see how you overcome that abysmal shooting start no matter who started.
That's a fair point about the Sixers' shooting, but I think the enormous lead would have been mitigated if we hadn't allowed Memphis to shoot an incredible percentage and get into the lane at will.
Doug starting nocioni was inexcusable. I liked that he put battie and turner in out of half, but he's been making too many mistakes with the lineup and the way their playing offense
Whether or not it is excusable is irrelevant. The sixers were still in the game even with Nocioni starting. It is like blaming a loss on a Love free throw. The sixers had many chances to win this game and offensively could not get it done because they lack quality offensive players.
Was that Collins bitching after the game about how Speights got three easy baskets early, and he was disappointed that he didn't see more "fight" from his team?
Yo, Doug...
YOU STARTED ANDRES NOCIONI