Well, if the Sixers' goal was to pull off as many improbable wins as possible on this road trip, tonight is a perfect opportunity to make it three. The Thunder have actually stumbled a bit recently, dropping three of their last six, including a 17-point home loss to the Nets on Wednesday night.
I have no idea how the Sixers took the Thunder to overtime back in November. Thad and Turner both had big games (29 points, 15 boards for Thad, 26 points on 17 shots for Turner), Jrue shot the ball terribly (3/11), but handed out 13 assists. Overall, they're defense was just terrible (120.9 DFR). They just managed to match OKC's offensive firepower through four quarters before the Thunder caught fire from deep in overtime.
I'd love to be able to tell you "if the Sixers do this, they can win," but there are just too many ways OKC can beat you. Philly has absolutely no answer for Durant. Not even close. He's going to be able to get whatever shot he wants, it'll just be a question of whether he's hitting them. Of course, if he isn't hitting them, the refs will just send him to the line (he was 15/17 from the stripe in their first meeting). I think you just have to pencil in Durant for 35 points and hope you can somehow hold the rest of the roster to less than 65, or so.
In what has been a stretch of tough matchups for Jrue, Westbrook is probably the toughest. Last time, he outscored Jrue 30 to 6, that can't happen tonight. Jrue has to match Westbrook's scoring output, at least, do so efficiently, take care of the ball and set up his teammates. Winning that matchup will go a long way to at least keeping the game close. So if we can pencil in Durant for 35, and Jrue can manage to match or beat Westbrook, then we're left with what really killed them in November, the bigs.
Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison shot a combined 13/18 from the floor, 6/7 from the line for 32 points. That just can't happen. Neither one of those guys is offensively talented, they were just the recipients of multiple gifts from the Sixers. When you're trying to stop or slow down Durant without a wing defender, that's going to happen. The Sixers need to be smarter about how they help out on Durant, though. Instead of leaving Ibaka, help off of Perkins. Perkins has scored double figures in three games all season. He hasn't attempted 10 shots all year. See if you can dare him to take a dozen shots tonight. Just completely ignore him, if he's got a dunk, hammer him. Send him to the line. OKC plays 4 on 5 on the offensive end (really 3.5 on 5, but you can't leave Thabo open from three), so make them pay for that. Put Thad on Perkins, and send Thad to double hard whenever Durant catches the ball. Use Thad to double every pick-and-roll insanely hard. Keep your rotations to the three-point line crisp (OKC doesn't shoot a ton of threes, but as a team they're shooting 40%, best in the league).
If you sit back against the Thunder and let them play their game, they're going to kill you. Make them adjust. Give them what you want them to take. If you can accomplish that, you might just have a chance if you have an insanely hot shooting night.
Ultimately, I expect the Sixers to play well tonight. I expect this game to be a close loss with Philly playing over their heads, but still falling short.
The tip is at 8pm. This is your game thread. I'll be here throughout (assuming I make the 6:21 train). Join me if you feel like going nuts to start your weekend, even if in the back of your mind you feel like there's no shot.
Ibaka has improved a ton offensively, particularly with his jumper. most of his easy buckets still come off Westbrook penetration, but he is at least a serviceable low post threat now.
can someone point me in the direction thats shows how many times each team faces a rested opponent when they have a back to back?
You have to do it manually, as far as I know.
For Free -no I can't
for a small investment NBAStuffer.com will provide you with the nba schedule for the entire season with how many games rest each team has had.
I'm at home working on a variety of things, this is one of those query types I haven't yet successfully figured out - but it's on my list to get to - if i can figure it out today I can provide you with some information
big men of moderate offensive skill can have great games against the sixers because the sixers big men aspire to moderate defensive skill...based on the season so far, voose will drop 30 and 30 on them
Close loss? Hmmmnnn, I'm of the belief they are catching trip-winding-downitis and get creamed. Maybe the handsomely paid can be the X-factor again. Should be a four-letter filled game thread.
Don Demeter - 77, former Phillie who clubbed 3 HRs vs. Dodgers on 9/12/61, beating a guy named Sandy Koufax [had 107 RBIs the following yr; was key talent exchanged in 12/63 Jim Bunning trade] - is the current pastor of the Grace Community Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
@dlynamCSN
#SixersTalk Jrue Holiday slight right groin strain but is expected to play
Did he have that in Phoenix or get it during the Phoenix game?
probably got it during the game and woke up sore the next day
Always gird your loins. Especially in case of Thunder and presumed lightning.
oy, this won't help tonight either:
Damien Wilkins @dwilkins3000
Only in OKC do they wake u up at 5am to tell u the hotel is flooding and to bring all your belongings to the lobby. #homecourtadvantage
5:12 a.m. Jan 4
https://twitter.com/dwilkins3000/status/287184840145633281
Maalik Wayns @MaalikWayns2
In okc and they come knocking on our doors at 6am talking about its a flood in the hotel and evacuate smh
5:14 a.m. Jan 4
https://twitter.com/MaalikWayns2/status/287185234208890881
Spencer Hawes @spencerhawes00
So the hotel is flooding in okc. Don't remember this ever being an issue in seattle.
5:16 a.m. Jan 4
https://twitter.com/spencerhawes00/status/287185685566341121
I hope they only pranked those three, and not someone that matters.
I hate crap like that - complete and utter bull
Our players are all so anonymous that they didn't know who to target.
Oil gusher.
This story is a gambler's dream....get OKC -10 while it's hot.
Coming attraction: "The Villain, Part II"... Will Evan Turner mercilessly smother Russell Westbrook again? For the bulk of 40 minutes?!? Or will it be a Holiday-Turner-Ivey tag-team effort? How will the audacious Westbrook use his memory of the almost-tragic 11/24 stifling to counter the snidely defender(s)? [Warning: this movie contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing.]
- - - - -
Famous Oklahomans: Johnny Bench, Garth Brooks, Gordon Cooper, Ralph Ellison, James Garner, Vince Gill, Woody Guthrie, Paul Harvey, Van Hefflin, Ron Howard, Jennifer Jones, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Mickey Mantle, Reba McEntire, Bill Moyers, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Patti Page, Brad Pitt, Tony Randall, Oral Roberts, Will Rogers and Jim Thorpe.
I'd prefer what Jrue did to Westbrook a couple years ago. 4/24 for 17 points total in two games (29 assists, though).
Bill gave me reason for hope. If Demeter can hit 3 HR off Koufax, the Sixers can upset OKC.
Would be nice if Wight Howard made an appearance in this one. If Jrue, Thad and Turner all show up the same night ... ya never know.
First one off knocked-out starter Koufax, other two off relievers. 4-5, 7 RBIs. Long, lean Demeter was no one to sneeeze at on a ballfield. 18 HR/70 RBIs in 370 ABs for '59 World Champion Dodgers. Held outfield errorless game streak (266) until '93.
Don't let the clarification snuff your hope. Basketball-reference says 18% chance of sunshine.
Watching Livingston really makes me pissed. 'shoot.
Train running late. I'll be here for the game thread, but a little late.
I'll kick it off with the usual, though: Lavoy loses the tip.
zumoff back tonight
I'll be so happy when this grueling trip is over. Feel like the odds may increase a bit; odds of improvement, just the ups and downs of a season type thing.
I won't be, because they lose so much at home, to good teams and bad. Every game is a coin flip with this team. They can beat OKC and lose to the Wizards the next game.
OKC showing intros. Neat.
Reminder: I didn't say which four-letter words this game thread could be filled with. Difference of interpretation. I'm aware of two obvious candidates.
Let's go!
Pushoff on Holiday by Perk.
They double Jrue early, he throws a too-hard pass away. By Lavoy.
Jrue 3 short.
JRich on KD. o-board putback by Ibaka.
jrue at the buzzer
Jrue J at the buzzer over KD who flowed off JRich onto JRue.
Thabo on ET, KD on JRich.
Come on, Ibaka slam.
lavoy banks one in
Lavoy shoots a way-long bank that goes in.
2 on perkins, probably a good thing for okc
Lavoy throws one away. Down low pass out to perimeter to JRich and he just couldn't handle it. Difficult pass though.
shoot, COllison in for Perk. He's good.
Westbrook pullup. In Jrue's eye.
Jrue with a good idea but difficult pass to Lavoy. Turnover.
thad
Spencer already in for Lavoy. 7+ left.
Thad. J.
Jrue short on a deep one. JRich-BRICK
Did they give Jrue the turnover on that pas that hit Lavoy in the fucking chest?
How are they looking?
They're energenic early, which they have been at other times this year but not to end so well in these 1st's. But the pace is pretty hectic early here. Both teams attacking, or either quick shots. It's pretty frenetic.
They're giving up the lane at will as usual.
Ibaka moving screen, on ET. He didn't stay stationary.
sissy jumper
Spencer pick and pop.
Ugh, Thad. That was fugly.
First play I saw was Perkins' second foul. I think that fucks the Sixers, Collison is such a better player and always kills the Sixers.
agree
Thad turnaround banker from Jrue. Those four letter words...
jrue
Jrue pullup in the lane. Take that.
Nice work, Jrue.
Jrue plays the best D he can on Durant, shit o-board. Russell 3
turner 3
Fucking Westbrook with another three.
TURNER ANSWERS!
ET gather and pullup 3!
Jrue rims out!!! SPence tip in.
They're at the rim, Collison
Collison kills them. Don't let Hawes get put in the P&R, switch Thad onto whoever's setting the pick.
Richardson has to hit those wide-open looks. Come on.
JRich has been so off lately, frustratingly. Upset me in the Phoenix game they wouldn't send Thad to initiate the action.
They only, or most often, send Spencer or Lavoy.
Dorell in for ET.
JRich blows a layup.
Ugh, J-Rich should've dunked that. Can't leave easy points on the floor.
Spencer gets a late foul called on him, at the buzzer.
Wonder if he's going to sit Jrue and Turner at the same time again.
I only can hope he knows.
SPencer handoffs. Boooooooo
NYoung fouled on a 3
Nick fouled on a three. Heh.
Please fucking hit them.
God damnit.
Thunder turnovers are the only reason the Sixers aren't down 10.
2 on collison
lavoy putback
Good job Lavoy. Spence kept that one alive.
NYoung steal. And foul. Ugh could have been a break.
Reggie Jackson in, he was a scoring fool in college.
lavoy follow
6.5 per 3 pussy
Are they really playing a zone against a team that shoots 40% from three?
Fucking Hawes three. Come on.
Jrue turn for the 2-for-1, just like you draw it up.
Jrue tries to split the double. Turnover traveling.
PHI 21, OKC 22 after one.
Ugly, ugly quarter. And I didn't even see the whole thing. Clean it up a little?
collins applause hawes for taking those 3's according to the sixers broadcast
Then collins is more of an idiot than i thought
Could have fooled me, I sure don't clap.
He's 8/28 on the year now. Last one he hit was in the Atlanta game.
Andre Miller Spencer Hawes - you need one three made - who do you pick?
Important situation, Miller. He always rose to the occasion.
Turner back in for Jrue.
NYoung bad shot. ugh terrible
NYoung runout. Gather, and Dorell to Spence. OUt to Nick back to Spence. Spence j misses. Terrible possession there.
I'd say this score favors us.
Ugh Thabo, little resistance.
Turner dribbles 30 feet from the hoop with his back to the basket until there are 10 seconds left on the shot clock, then forces a midrange jumper. Lovely offense.
Announcers: Sixers offense "has went into the deep freeze".
You really can't rip the ball away from Thabeet? Come on.
JRich on KD. Tips it away, KD recovers layup.
Durant has turned into such a bitch. There was no foul there.
Turner with a shitty pass. Ugh
Protect the rim!!! come on
Wonder if they'll score a point while Jrue is on the bench.
I would have liked for us to have signed Thabeet. I mean, Hawes?
It really bugs me when announces refer to a team in the singular. "The Thunder is hot!"
Don't get the ball to the key til 8 left. Lavoy j.
Lavoy breaks the seal on the second quarter.
turner
ET deep turnaround.
Good attack that time by Turner. Go early, please.
free throws, free throws,
Evan can't handle a double. Dorell w/ a garbage J he flails at shooting. Terrible possession.
KD backs ET down, bloop.
They're switching that way too easily.
NYoung gladly takes a 3.
nice hustle evan, thad j
Why switch that so fucking easily? Turnover. then a steal on the other end. Thad J. Nice.
ET with a most-obvious telegraphed pass for a turnover.
Thad. 4 letter word.
Looooong rest for Jrue, team is holding it together, though. Nick Young with freebies for the tie.
NYoung not even getting the ball to the key w/ 8 left, he gets fouled even further out. Make em.
Jrue back, bench +1 with him out. Excellent.
stop switching!!!!!, led to that ibaka o board
Keep grindin' boys...you're overmatched we know, but just keep at it.
Richardson is shooting 29.4% from the floor, 18.8% from three and 0% from the line in the past five games (0/2 from the line).
the last ten probably aren't much better.
Jrue, don't settle for that contested three when you have Perkins on you. Drive right by him.
Fucking Hawes, you blow.
Spencer's weak ass stupidly bounces the ball and puts it on the floor, instead of going right up with it and dunking it 4 feet from the rim.
6.5 per..............
swaggy 3
Jrue blocked that Perkins shot.
Jrue to Young in transition for a three. Come on!
Cut out the hollerin', NYOung. you're only up one
NYoung 3!
Drive and kick Jrue to Nick for three. Nice. Nice split of the double by Jrue to set it up.
Hawes you're so weak, stripped.
Jrue back to JRich, misses again. shit
Richardson misses another spoonfed look at a three. I mean, put Wright in for fuck's sake.
Hectic hectic pace. Can't even read the game thread thoughts.
Jesus, the Sixers would be up by 10 if they had a normal number of turns.
thad
Jrue attacking, Thad loses it on the way up. gets it back. bucket.
Thad gets his own tip after blowing the assist for Jrue. Stops.
KEEP SHOOTING PERKINS!!!
Damn i hate when the rebound falls into hawes' hands and he lets it go
I don't know why. I love it :)
Spencer with a pussy ass brick.
Jrue.
Hawes actually made contact on that screen. Jrue from the elbow, good.
Ugh, Jrue to the bench for the final 41 seconds.
Another turnover for the 2-for-1, Nick Young this time.
There was no worse way to end the quarter.
Turnover NIck. come on man...
Good ass effort though, hope you've got something left in the tank.
Shit, and-one for them. free throws, free throws.
thought it was going to be halftime when i said the effort thing ugh
Hawes bitchass thuds to the floor....
lol
he's our leading rebounder tonight
Willingly, haven't checked the first stat tonight.
Fucking rebounding.
Keep shooting, Perkins.
That foul was on the floor.
PHI 42, OKC 46 at the half.
Pace definitely favors the Sixers. Tkae care of the fucking ball and grab an occasional defensive board and you might actually win this garbage.
Really? I thought it would be a detriment due to our probably weary legs. Thought the score worked more in our favor, but not this pace.
The pace is slow, actually. At least when I checked before it was.
Was that a three by Lavoy?
Perk J. heh
Jrue to Lavoy. Jrue got fouled after the pass, too.
Lavoy.
Keep shooting, Perkins.
Ugh, Turner.
ET turnover. travel
Who was that 3 secs on?
Thad, and it was a bad call.
Have to keep Thad in the p&r, not Lavoy. Lavoy was fouled there.
Thad all quickly looking out of sorts, brick.
Back the other way, Jrue alley to JRich. TO>
Jrue oop to Richardson. Couldn't miss that one.
JRich's 1st basket. dag
Jrue lob for richardson!
jrich's first exciting play since...i think a breakaway dunk at home vs boston, early in the ot game
woohoo
Nets/Wiz in overtime. Heh.
Probably shouldn't laugh, I'm sure the Sixers will lose to the Wiz the night after beating Miami.
Thabo left wide open, D sucked down. makes a 3
A zone just isn't going to work.
back-to-back threes. Down 10.
Def don't like that shot Thad, go to the hole.
SHit KD 3
jrich three...its a certified hot streak
Pretty drive and kick, Richardson lets the defender clear and drains the three.
JRich can still shoot a long one.
Lavoy board on other end. JRIch take. good job. bout time
MORE JRICH...TO THE HOOOOOP
Richardson to the hole. 5-0 run, good.
j-rich
9 straight for Richardson.
JRich floater. 9 straight for him. Well I'll be....
SRILL. MORE. JRICH.
Turner, that was fucking sloppy.
Jrue drive, good.
Four steps. Fucking touch fouls. Makes me sick.
Dammit TUrner. Just back it out there. Thad created a good opportunity, but fumbling of the ball caused it not to happen. We score, Ibaka fouled on an ond-one right at the iron. ugh
JRue high floater. Sweet.
Jrue again. Please keep attacking.
Jrue caught on the screen. Thought he could've gotten there to challenge it.
Another Turner TO?
Jrue, he was probably gonna make it, but a weak attempt at a closeout.
ET, dammit. Value the fucking ball man.
Clear path off of that mess too....ugh
That's not clear path, he had already picked his dribble up. He was in the shooting motion. God damnit. That's the fucking definition.
didn't know that. interesting. I'd curse too if i actually knew of it. wow
Down 10 again.
ugly dorrell
has okc missed?
thats a block
Can't even describe the last two sequences. Just, summed up w/a F me.
And Jrue coughs it up. That didn't look like a goaltend to me, but whatever. Down 12. This is about 30 seconds away from being over.
Thad's scared of the shotblocker on him. Short-arming everything near the hoop and going too quick.
jrue
Dorell steal, Jrue stepback.
jrue to thad
Ohhh, good look Jrue!!! to Thad.
Keep shooting, Perkins.
Great look, Jrue. Hawes was wide open, but he waited and got it to Thad for the layup instead.
KMart 3 damn
Hawes literally doesn't have a spine.
Westbrook unchallenged. COme the eff on!
jrue 3
Just get this to around 7 or 8 before the end of this quarter.
Dorell steal. Kickout to Jrue for 3333333333333333
JRUE43 in transition. Big hoop. Come on, keep chipping away.
Spencer waves his hand lowly at COllison as his contest at a jumper by his man.
6.5 per.........
Doug's bitching at the ref, but he should direct that at Hawes.
Why the fuck is he shooting? That wasn't a shooting foul. God damnit.
PHI 66, OKC 78 after three.
Had it under 10.
Don't think they have a prayer to erase a 12-point deficit in the fourth. Not a prayer. But I'll watch anyway.
They called that turnover on Jrue at the end of the quarter, but OKC never got possession. Not that it matters.
Great start. shit
Jrue on the bench. Turner needs to do something.
Nevermind. 3 for Kevin Martin. That's game.
Immediate timeout for Collins. Wonder who he's going to yell at.
Wow. Doug dropping an f-bomb on Nick Young.
this is a loss leave jrue on the bench
ET initiating. One pass to NYOung for 3. 18 for him
Turner, that's a bad fucking shot.
OK Evan, let's move the ball some....
SPence d-board.... ET to Nick...Hawes you fucking suck shooting those quick ass J's.
Hawes actually dunked. Wow. Turner w/ the dime.
No way, ET to Hawes for an oop?
What was that pass?
Martin 3 off the turnover. Put Wayns in for Turner.
Turnover. WHo was that one on? }
KMart fuckin 3 off of it too... sheesh
Turner.
Well, you answered my question for me so it's time for me to say, Hey, F you Turner! What a shit game, and haven't even looked at the stats.
2/7, 5pts, 6rebs, 5ast, 6tos
I'd rather have the 1-5 Andre Iguodala. Just saying.
But wouldn't you rather have the chance of bynum?
sure, that doesn't factor in this thought here though
If he wants to try, Jrue comes in out of this timeout. If he's throwing in the towel, he remains on the bench.
White flag.
OKC starters coming back in. Jrue still on the bench.
Hawes had Wright for the three there, prior to the Hawes sissy foul on the Durant dunk.
6.5 per....... you know the deal, from 20+ feet out. Best use of a 7 footer.
Spencer Hawes is the post child for 'let's eliminate guaranteed contracts' in the next CBA
I guarantee you if Collins had that decision to make over today he'd still sign him to the exact same contract. It's fucking pitiful.
Well My feelings on Collins are well established...this is the organization that was given a 'free pass' on a stupid willie green contract and then still signed it :)
The Sixers building needs some serious exorcism
wow never thought or felt that. Wonder why though, is it only b/c of the 20 foot potential? With potential used loosely.
Nets in double OT now :)
Wayns in, hopefully for Turner. Yep.
When this farce is over, one of the more exciting college football players in a long time (more exciting than tebow cause dude can throw) is on FOX right now :)
Too bad the Birds can't draft him.
Keep Foles and maybe they'll be able to next year? (He's a red shirt freshman - three years since graduation is next year right?)
Are you pro or anti Brian Kelly by the way?
Chip Kelly?
Pro, I guess.
Think they're going to suck next year no matter what, at least they'd be fun to watch at hyperspeed.
You think he'd work in the NFL? I mean sure Robert Griffin and the Skins but I think that's more of a 'out of the ordinary' situation then a 'this is the coming standard.
His QB's run way too much, he runs way too much (his play calling) and some of the things he does just won't work - if they are even legal - in the NFL :)
Not to mention his zero years of NFL experience at any position on a coaching staff :)
Wayns actually doesn't crash to the floor. Thabeet swatted it though.
whoops
Yeah, I don't think Foles could run the offense. You need a guy QB who's a threat at least to run all that run option in the middle of the field bullshit. I think the accelerated pace could work.
Nice drive, Wayns.
The lack of NFL experience doesn't bother me, actually. He can learn on the job, it's not like he's getting a Cadillac of a roster to work with, he'll have a year or two to grow into it, if he's the right guy.
So you'd keep vick?:)
no, but I wouldn't mind if they sucked ass next year and got a shot at this kid in the following draft.
This has to be the most disrespectful game thread ever, if it has resorted to NFL talk of a team that isn't worthy. Yeah good game.
Funny I was thinking it was one of the more fun to read since you avoided your standard amount of cursing
OK, sorry dad
copious amounts of cursing are needed in game threads, imo.
I disagree with that concept vehemently actually, for a variety of reasons. For some it seems to be their default communication style though.
You're too judgmental. No offense.
Or at least turn the sensitivity down. It's a game, things fly.
Thanks for the laugh - that was funny.
You should realize by now that your opinion about me (or anything else) carries little to no weight with me right?
I don't give a fuck how much weight it carries with you. I said it and feel it.
dont take the bait eddie...just ignore hom and he'll try to inflict his unhappiness at a different subject
For the record, this comment was in bitter jest at the time it was made.
Now he brings Jrue back in. Huh?
They're free, Nick.
When Wayns subs in for Turner, yeah we're fucked. Or is it fried? Or done?
why are thad and jrue in
Why is Doug Collins the head coach?
Cause hopefully this means something with ET out, and he's looking at different combos. At least that's what I was thinking as you were submitting this comment.
I think he just wanted Jrue to hit his assist average.
D3! kickout from Jrue
Oh well. If it's stat-padding time, I'd prefer if Jrue padded them instead of Nick Young.
Jrue drive and kick to D Wright for three.
Damien and Wayns, and Spencer out there with them is just. It just is. He deserves to run with the garbage pail guys.
PHI a little, OKC a lot Final. Fuck me.
Wayns is your player of the game. See you tomorrow night.
COTG
a little a lot Wayns
nick young 8 FTA
rest of the sixers 0
That game went about as I predicted. Utter, I'm ready to get home trash.
They're facing a team tomorrow night that will finish what OKC started tonight. I'm not really looking forward to it. 2-6, knew this is what they were looking at on this trip six weeks ago, just got the wins in different cities than I thought.
being a philly sports fan is hard.
Cousins had 31 and 20 tonight, with 4 assists, on 18 shots. Cousins, I figured out, becomes the 7th youngest player since 1985 to have a 30/20 game, after Shaq, Howard, Randolph, Boozer, Love and Oakley. This follows an 18/16/6 game, a 21/14 game, and a triple-double.
sure would be fun to see/hear a translation of whatever DC said in that one huddle...sure looked like he tried to stare down Swaggy and said either "are you shooting?" or "are you stupid?"
Doug with some interesting comments in the post game interview about the lack of FTs
http://www.nba.com/sixers/video/130104-collins-postgame
I've been saying it for 3 years ..... we gotta make them foul us.
I can never tell how sarcastic he's being. I know he's big on not getting fined, but it seems like he genuinely doesn't think it's the officials, and that it's just them not being aggressive.
personally i think Holiday gets hacked a lot when he takes the ball to the basket and rarely gets any calls. i felt the same way with Iguodala. for some reason Lou did seem to get them. rest of the team not so much.
when he's encouraging his 7 foot center to shoot 3's, i'm not sure how effective he's going to be preaching to them about taking the ball to the basket. seems like this is an ongoing thing with Collins, that he doesn't even know what he wants. he just knows he doesn't want what he has.
I don't think he is enourging his 7 foot center to shoot long jumpers. I think he realizes that's his only strength. The thing about Collins and the reason why he was a good fit for the roster at the time of his hire is that he is not afraid to fit the system to the players. He's got players that can shoot jumpers but can't get to the Ft line right now.
there's a lot of truth to that, but you can't deny that he's been sending mixed messages about style of play and personnel since he got here
I agree, but with Collins i think it's not that easy to separate the truth from the media-oriented talk.
I try not to take everything Collins says for granted. I like to compare the "talk" with his actions. That's why i can't wait for Bynum to step onto the court. I think the type of basketball they will play after Bynum settles into the offense will tell more about Collins as a coach and his coaching philosophies than anything we've seen in the past 2 and a half years.
According to Sixers director of public relations Mike Preston, the Sixers will probably have an update on Andrew Bynum when the team returns from the road. The update, if it comes, will most likely take place Monday.
The last update came Dec. 21. Bynum reported that his left knee - he has bone bruises in both knees - felt fine. The Sixers said that Bynum was entering a six-step process that would go from low-impact work to the court.
At the time, Bynum was just swimming. Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo acknowledged earlier this week that Bynum was beyond "Step 1." He did not, however, discuss any specifics about the Sixers center's rehabilitation.
It should be good news. I don't think DiLeo would release bad news when he has no reason to do so.
Or, it could be no news. Something like he's went from swimming to walking/running on an underwater treadmill.
well at least after this trip the sched appears to get somewhat easier, looks like the next few circle the calendar games are Spurs here on the 21st, Knicks on the 26th, Grizz on the 28th and then Clippers and Heat on Feb 11 and 23...sure would be nice to see #33 by that Miami game...
Thoughts on Rudy Gay? Apparently he is available. Would you trade for him, and if yes who would you send to Memphis? The front office situation in Memphis is in flux Hollinger and the former Sixers mystery man Levien are apparently taking over so it will be interesting to see how they deal with the Rudy Gay situation.
Personally, i think Gay might be a solid fit with the Sixers. Not sure the Jrue/Turner/Gay lineup has enough shooting, but with a heavily used shooter as the 4th man in the rotation it can work well IMO.
That being said i wouldn't trade Jrue and Thad for him. But a package centered around Hawes and the sixers shooters/expirings i would consider even if that means they will lose any cap flexibility going forward.
obv wouldn't trade Jrue. i'd trade pretty much anyone else, as i think a Jrue/Gay/Bynum core would be solid. think they'd prob have to include J-Rich in the deal as Gay has a huge contract. would Memphis do it for Turner, Hawes, & J-rich?
Hollinger doesn't like Turner so i doubt he could be included.
Hawes, N.Young, Wright gives the Grizzlies some much needed cap flexibility, wing shooting around their big men and depth. If you can swap Young or Wright with Richardson even better for the Sixers.
why would he like Young or Hawes then? their PERs can't be too great.
You are right about Hawes :). I just want him off the team so bad :). As for Young, he is there as an expiring contract not as an actual player. Turner is signed for next season.
ha, fair enough
i don't think Jrue/Turner/Gay would work. not enough shots to go around & all 3 are pretty ball dominant. Gay is also shooting really poorly this season.
If you make a trade for Gay, you're really locking yourself into re-signing Bynum no matter what (and paying the luxury tax). If you take that salary back, you have no other option to add to the roster, you can't blow it up. Not saying I wouldn't do it, but that's setting this team on a certain path.
Also, don't think Gay is ball dominant, he's just a black hole. He gets the ball, it's going up, but he's not really a dribble-the-air-out-of-the-ball type dude, just and ender of possessions. Might be a good thing, if he can keep his efficiency up. Seems to be hurt a lot, though. Don't think he's worth the money in a vacuum, but he's much, much better than any wing options they have right now.
yea i'm not really sure how i'd feel about acquiring him. i'm starting to come around on maxing out Bynum, because i don't know what other options they have. and as you have mentioned, if he's healthy for 1 or 2 playoff runs that probably gives them a better chance of making a memorable run than any other option. so adding Gay to that mix might help. i really don't know.