The Knicks bring their four-game winning streak to Philly tonight, fresh off their win at MSG over Toronto last night. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, short rest would've been a killer for the Knicks, but under Mike Woodson they've been using their bench more.
It's probably no surprise the Knicks have played better defense when Woodson has actually played their poor defenders less (Melo, Amare and Lin have all averaged less than 30 minutes/game over the course of this streak) and their capable defenders off the bench more.
Unfortunately, for the Knicks, the only thing they have even remotely resembling a competent defender at the PG position is Toney Douglas, who has been glued to the bench. This means they're going to have to play either Lin or Bibby most of the time, which also means the Sixers will have an easily-exploited mismatch on the perimeter at all times (except when Jodie Meeks is in the game).
It all starts with Jrue tonight. Get in Lin's head early, pressure the hell out of him, make him pick up his dribble and attack him on the other end. The other Sixers need to work extra hard to deny the ball to their men. Stay with Lin and take away his easy release valves. Against the pick and roll, the bigs need to do a better job of helping than they have over the past couple of games.
Turner had a great game against the Knicks a week-and-a-half ago, I'd love to see a repeat. His tally is 4 really good games and 4 pretty bad games as a starter. The team is 4-4 since moving him into the starting lineup.
The tip is at 7pm, on ESPN. This is your game thread. I'll be right here throughout, join me if you loathe the Knicks half as much as I do.
Prediction: PHI 96, NYK 82
Exploitable mismatch
This is not a term the sixers coaching staff understands
I think they're familiar with it, since it applies to whoever Spencer Hawes is "guarding" on a nightly basis.
Oh come on - that's just a given - nothing you can do about that game to game - Spencer is useless...
I gotta say, it's pretty incredible how much the local media is buying into "Wow! Hawes hasn't missed a beat since he got back!!" It's unreal how they keep sweating him on CSN. I consider myself possibly this board's biggest Hawes supporter, and even I know he has had 1 good half in all of his games back.
Can we please get Van Gundy and Breen tonight? Just once?
Iguodala finished 3rd behind LeBron and Dwight in ESPNs DPOY rankings. He needs to back up the national recognition we've all craved here by having a big game against Melo tonight. He has struggled the last few games on defense so it would be very encouraging to see him have a classic "put him on the list!" game.
I've never really craved any sort of national attention for Iguodala
All I really wanted for him was appreciation from those who claim to be sixers fans or a trade to a team where their fanbase would appreciate him
Knicks 91 - Sixers 84 - Knicks are on a roll. Sixers have not really been playing well against the better teams.
Fucking knick fans I swear
winner of this game decides who takes the season series
What the heck is Magic watching? the Knicks are gonna win the Atlantic and get 4 seed? heh
Yea magic is bugging he also just buying into the hype.
Magic isn't capable of comprehending anything other than hype. Amazing that a guy can be like a savant on the court and a boob off it.
Knicks lose this game I'm not buying the hype from the ny media.
ESPN talking heads love the Knicks. Barry is such a dickhole.
Couldn't have said it better myself. Living in nyc I have to hear this all day from knick fans.
Im usually very optimistic, but for some reason I just dont have a good feeling about this game. Hope I'm wrong
Really watching how Collins handles Turners minutes
Big effing game. Any chance Hawes wins the tip?
nope
Aaaand we're off...Hawes loses the tip.
Let's GO!!!!!!!!!
I'm extremely pumped for this game, for some reason.
You ask that question every game
That ball was off Chandler.
Where was the fucking foul there? God damnit.
there wasnt lin jerked his head back
Lose two jumps in 38 seconds.
Yeah, Jrue!
Would've preferred the Jrue three there.
Hawes dribble drive?
Turnover.
Hawesome.
Spencer, dag I can't help but laugh man ... so lumbering like Cole Aldrich ...
Lid on the hoop.
Nice board, EB. Just break the seal, please.
Bad shot Jrue, too early.
eb take the shot
What a start.
hawes is useless
This is unreal. Everyone is afraid to shoot.
Jesus Christ, Hawes.
is Doug the only coach in the nba who will let the team go 0-10 to start the game and not call a timeout?
thad to the line
How is Hawes still playing? Christ.
Meeks and Lou? And fucking hawes stays in? God damnit.
Thad should get them on the board w/ his hustle here.
Just calm down, you're getting looks.
good hustle by meeks and young.
hawes you stink.
At least this may cement in the minds of front office that hawes should never be resigned.
Get Hawes the fuck out.
Can't switch on Melo anymore.
Great work, Hawes. And now he's yelling at Meeks.
3 subs and hawes still in? fuck me. And we thought lou or meeks was doug's favorite.
thad back to the line
Run a fucking back door.
Thad back to the line.
POTG - Thadeus Young
I'm really afraid. That Lou shot was way off too. Iguodala missed really bad, Hawes is way off, EB has no confidence, Turner can't make any. This is really tough to watch.
Thad is the most watchable guy on the team. Hustles every possession, never complains, doesn't take poor shots, isn't too streaky.
Yep. He's been a pleasure to watch this year. That signing really looks like a good deal to me.
If this were last year, they would be running Jrue-EB pick and pop all day against Lin and Amare, two brutal defenders.
Jrue should be back soon. I didn't see any reason to go to Meeks with the way he was playing against Lin.
Can the Sixers get a mulligan? Make a shot please...
They're free.
This is sad
Lou's gotta drive.
No need to double Amare there. Come on.
Yay!
Get Lou and Meeks out. Completely takes away the advantage.
Jodie is a lousy guy to have in the game right now. He lets the Knicks hide Lin on defense and just got killed by Fields on the other end.
Get Jrue back in for Jodie. He's useless right now, Doug.
back-to-back three seconds calls, huh?
Chandler sitting a while. Let's score.
two back to back 3 second calls! is Andy Reid coaching the 1st quarter?
The second unit has been just as bad offensively. I didn't mind Thad for a big but taking out both guards is just bad.
Alright, just settle down. And Doug, get this ridiculous lineup out of there.
Iguodala has to be more aggressive offensively.
I'm so embarrassed with this output. So embarrassed.
How is it that Collins only has true confidence in 1 of his 5 starters?
lou,jodie turner
not fan of this lineup
he's taking iggy out?
come on turner.
Did he cough that up, I was looking down.
Bernard king on MSG only saving grace at this point
Good job Brand. Been active on rebounds. And loved that hustle play.
Stoudemire should've gotten a tech there.
Thad hasn't gotten a body on Amare yet. Finally bit him in the ass.
Stupid play, Lou.
PHI 11, NYK 19 after one.
Clean this shit up.
that was one rare occasion i wanted lou to shoot. should have just gone for the floater.
It is too bad they cut Battie! could use him in the middle and will not take ill advised Hawes 18 foot airballs!
Fucking shameful to be this discombobulated. It's the fucking Knicks.
really, interviewing spike lee
We should be down 20. We're not. So that's a good thing...
Great, Hawes is back in.
the fuck hawes
Novak is guarding Hawes, and that's the look he gets?
Put Iguodala in for Hawes right now. They're so small, you can out small them.
get hawes out!
Get.Hawes.The.Fuck.Out.
And then Hawes turns it over. Come on, man.
hawes with the turnover.
knicks trying to let us back in, come the fuck on.
This is fucking pitiful. Novak is guarding our center. NOVAK.
Hawes is a turkey. I can't wait until he's gone.
Fuck you Hawes. Fuck you.
Why the fuck does turner hold the ball outside the 3-point line looking to pass it, not even taking a dribble? Is it 2011 again?
Because theyre running a play
Well any time the ball has gone to hawes today bad things have happened. I hope they either get him the fuck out of the game, or not pass it to him.
LOU! Spencer back where he belongs
I always wondered if I could guard Spencer Hawes. Now I know.
cotgt
Lou+1. Hit the freebie.
Quick ball movement. Nice move by Lou.
Hawes, are you ever going to be any better?
*crickets*
Well then I guess just pout!
Nice Archer reference!
Floor spacing is terrible ...
dang Elton!!!
We really need Voose and Lavoy in this game. No way they play worse than Spencer. No fucking way.
Keep the ball moving!
Nice work, Jrue.
Stops.
The only time Jrue gets contact in the lane is when he's called for a charge.
Lou can't get open against Shumpert. He really struggled with him the first game, too.
Thad's gotta take Novak there, no? They are looking to pass to get into something when there's clearly a matchup to be exploited right in front of them.
Didn't you see Novak's sick defense on Hawes? They were probably scared.
Did Jrue get contact, or think he was going to get it on that three? looked odd.
eb
can't buy a bucket in this one.
Fucking halfway down, ugh.
There is a lid on the rim. We are a poor shooting team, but nothing is falling.
Love when Brand boxes out to the point where he drives them into the stand.
Why is Hawes back in?
jrue
c'mon that was a charge
I realize I'm biased because I simply hate the guy, but how can Collins defend putting Hawes back in this game right now?
He can't. I know Voose has been bad recently, but this is as bad as a center can play.
I'll bite:
Voose and Allen will never be better than back ups. Doug believes that Hawes could be a real starting center - roll the dice and see if he bounces back.
Not that I agree.
How loud will the crowd cheer if Hawes makes a basket?
why all the hawes minutes? just, why?
Collins back to his old starting lineup.
Brought Meeks in because they're doubling so much. No fucking idea why he brought Hawes back in.
EB baseline J.
meeks 3
MEEKS FOR THREE off a good push and swing pass.
That Meeks three was huge. HUGE.
dre to eb
Let's fucking GO!
jodie!!!
Jodie off the curl. Beauty!
Fucking punish them.
dammit. that fields and-1 did a lot to kill the momentum.
Nice weak-side help, Hawes.
Charge was certainly available if he wanted it there.
Ah, Jodie giveth and Jodie taketh away. Landry Fields can't break you down off the dribble like that.
Horrible shot, Dre. Come on, man. Get into the lane there.
Annnnnnnddd, Hawes flubs another rebound. Nice.
Fucking bank shot. Give me a break.
iguodala with two bad plays in row
Bad shot, turnover, bank shot. Back to 9, in the blink of an eye.
Iguodala and Turner have given them zilch.
Now, Jrue takes a bad stepback. Are these guys fucking kidding? You have 29 points this half, you have no right to be taking horrible shots early in the shotclock.
annnnd right when you say that, Iguodala penetrates for an EB jumper and scores in the open court.
Hawes mercifully to the bench.
Hawes' foul was jumping away from Amare. What a soft bitch.
Oh no! Hawes is in foul trouble! Perhaps we'll have to go to one of our other bigs!
Hit both, please. Pretty please.
I hate the fucking Knicks, and their loser bandwagon ass fans.
allen is locked in the dog pen and the key thrown away
so wait when did amare get his legs back?
Frightful.
Iggy looks like a shell of himself lately
that was shameful. turner is incognito once again
PHI 35, NYK 43 at the half.
terrible half. Big deal, they tied the second quarter.
I'm ashamed to say Spencer Hawes is the starting center for my favorite team.
Jrue and Turner just gave up on that last play. That's inexcusable. Amare picks a ball up on the floor before those two? ET can't disappear like this when he starts.
Iggy too. At least hack him
I would like to see Vucevic or Allen get some burn. Amare is abusing us. Brand has played like a warrior, but he's gonna get gassed.
35 pts at halftime. Against the Knicks. Is that good?
I just love amares stance after he dunks it on on guards!
Pathetic. Where is the Turner from the last Knicks game? Why not let him handle the ball more, Iguodala clearly doesn't have it tonight.
Nobody put Evan in the corner.....nobody except Collins that is.
What is the deal with Turner? He plays great and then all of the sudden it's like he went right back to how he was before he was starting. I really want him to do well but he is a big time head case.
Agree. He seems so tentative again. It doesn't make any sense. He's getting his minutes. He should just take the ball and attack every possession.
0 mintues for voose, i know he hasnt been playing well but even brian can do better then hawes
Can't watch this garbage halftime show.
You're better off than me, I'm ashamed to say that Spencer Hawes starts at center for my favorite team and I'm just as ashamed to say that Evan Turner masquerades as a shooging guard for my favorite team.
Abysmal showing, hope we don't have anymore ESPN national games, stink it up every single time we're on.
the game on friday(vs the celtics) is on espn
And that half right there showed why the JTI lineup will not be able to score against a good defensive team on a consistent basis. The Knicks not only packed the lane but they literally had 4 players in the paint at any given time, especially in the first quarter before Meeks got into the game. I understand that you advise your players to drive to the basket, but this is why you need to have some shooting and floor spacing.
+1,000,000
and 1 more
JTI played 8 minutes. And JTI also torched this team 10 days ago.
Oh...and STOP RUNNING THE STUPID FUCKING DRIBBLE HAND OFF PLAY WITH HAWES AT THE THE TOP OF THE KEY!!!
I like it when Hawes posts up at the three point line
You mean gets pushed out there by Steve Novak? Yeah, that's my favorite, too.
They went to him 4 straight times w/ Novak on him, two terrible shots and 2 turnovers.
I think one of the reasons turner isnt playing as well is because he's not getting as many defensive rebounds which spring the break and helps him get easier baskets
No Voose in the first half, huh? I guess because Hawes was so dominant.
You know, it's good to go away from your depth when you've got a team on the second half of a back-to-back.
10 turnovers in the first half. Come on.
Yay, more Spence!
c'mon spencer! let's go pick up foul #4 early!
Battie was telling Doug, come on coach. hawes sucks tonight. give me some burn.
Turner outfights Hawes for the defensive rebound. Shocker.
Sissy 17-footer missed on the other end.
he did better against amare on that instance though.
AI9 finally hits one. Is that the second jumper they've hit tonight? Meeks had one and that one. I guess EB has hit a couple from the foul line.
Ha Jrue plows into Lin. He's played very good defense on him so far. That and Brand's play have been the only bright spots so far.
yay 4 on hawes
Turner was fouled on the dunk, I believe. Nope.
Without Brand the Sixers would be down 20. Stoudemire sure doesnt look like the washed up player some here have made him out to be.
LOL Hawes with a rough foul. We got 3 team fouls.
... well i guess now i'll root for hawes to get his 5th.
Both of Turner's 3s were halfway down
turner hits a shot
Turner jumper good
Alright, Turner finally hit one. Get hot, someone.
How is this trash a 6 point game?
Defense.
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!
Turner complaining to the bench about a no-call tonight instead of the refs. He learned a little something.
jrue 3!!
damn. amare and-1.
Come on. They call that garbage? Jesus.
not sure i saw a foul on that one..
That was NOT a foul on Thad
what happened to letting him play 2 ticky tack fouls!
Jrue to the line. Hit 'em both.
Nice cut and find by AI9.
Jrue draws the contact off a good cut and nice Iguodala pass in traffic.
why does it take us 10sec. to get into our half court sets?
We have half court sets?
Frustrates the hell out of me too.
Jrue has been very strong defensively.
Good job on Lin so far.
But damn we got no answer for Amare.
thats like 10 in the key on chandler
we never get these calls
Great D there. Jrue was all over Lin, he actually carried the ball.
Pretty, pretty break. Great D by AI9.
Let's go. Stops.
AI93!!!!!
AI943!
Took the lead, now build it.
like to see meeks again
dre to the line
EB w/ a man's o-board.
AI9 to the line. Split 'em?
yep.
Love Iggy being aggressive now.
Brand POTG for sure.
Iguodala made the first free throw! Six more weeks of winter!
Don't start w/ the o-boards for them now.
fuckin lou
Wish he'd start this lineup every night.
jrue 3
JRUE43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smart move putting Jrue on Davis and Lou on Shumpert. Shouldn't have taken three possessions to figure that out.
I don't understand why they are having anybody but AI9 initiating the offense. Let him get into the lane and find people.
Come on, finish this quarter strong.
Jrue, AI9 and EB to the bench. That's fucking dangerous w/ 2 minutes left in the quarter.
What kind of a lineup is this?
thad at center
doug matching up with the knicks, size wise. Thad Young at center
Hawes subbed in for the first freebie, out for the second.
His effort level just wasn't cutting it out there.
GRAB THE FUCKING BALL MEEKS! And they get a three off the o-board. That's a killer. God damnit.
Jeffries had inside position on Turner with the switch, but that ball was literally right in Jodie's area. Gotta have that one.
Nice job by Lou to get them back.
Good job, Lou. Should be shooting the +1 now.
Thad draws the charge, great job. Get another hoop here.
lou 3!
Lou came up big there to end the quarter.
PHI 58, NYK 59 after three.
Give me that exact same quarter again w/out the few lapses and this is a 10-point win. Come on.
sam young with a monster swat
That was sick.
I could get used to that kinda defense.
That's all I wanted him for on the sixers roster, better dfense than Jodie :)
That wasn't a 50/50 ball, that was a defensive rebound in Meeks' hands.
Ugh, Spencer's back
Hawes w/ the rejection! Limited athleticism vs. diminished athleticism.
Get Jrue in to guard Lin, please.
Sissy baseline J, good.
5 on Hawes.
Go back to the bench big wussy.
Grab a fucking board.
Hey Doug, PUT SOME TALL PEOPLE IN
All the sixers 'tall people' suck
The lineup is too damn small. what the hell Doug
Thad has to have that rebound. He has to.
Gotta go w/ Brand a the five the rest of the way. He sat the last two minutes of the third, he can go the final 8:35. Take either Lou or Meeks out.
Doug Collins has no clue what to do with this line up to score points
allen and vucevic stay glued to the vinyl cushions while T young plays center
my gosh
lou 3!
Lou43!
I like that play, down screen for the open look.
FUCKING O-BOARDS!
Lou show. Boo.
Iguodala just ate Melo's lunch.
IGUODALA DPOY!!!!
Brand gets in, gets the board.
Loving the playoff vibe in the arena.
Jrue... what was that...?
Jrue air ball. Ugh.
This crowd is fucking embarrassing.
No idea why Doug played Jodie Meeks so long tonight.
Cause Turner stunk it up?
To your enjoyment I'm sure. Again, misguided thinking though, thinking that two guys can only sub in and out for each other. He should have extended Jrue's minutes or played Thad at somewhere else not center.
If you think Jodie has been good, your crazy.
No one ENJOYS Evan Turner suckage, but come on it was a few 'great' games against bad teams and now he's laid some eggs, consecutively, so the whole 'evan turner has arrived' nonsense was just that nonsense - he had a good run, for about a week, and now he's having a bad run.
No one who roots for the sixers WANTS him to fail - but he is failing - on his own - it's all on him - all those 'good games' showed is what he could do - but he isn't doing it consistently - and it's on him - for gods sake I despise the guy but I don't think he WANTS Turner to fail, he just is, he's a failure as a second pick in the nba draft so far (of course john wall is a failure as the first pick too so maybe it was just a crappy ass draft)
I took an unwarranted shot at Eddies. I know he doesn't actually want him to suck.
Good to HEAR you screaming to yourself though, you really MADE some really obvious points.
Easier than writing out the HTML tags...
It's probably wrong that while watching the commercial for the hunger games I think that the sixers should do such a thing...that would get rid of the dead weight
They are getting good shot. We're not.
Jodie Meeks is single handedly raping this game
Did Breen really call Melo an excellent passer?
small sample size.
I'd have Brand-Thad-Iguodala-Lou-Jrue as the lineup, with Iguodala running screen and roll with Brand and Thad.
He's staying small instead. Did Thad get a rest once he came in last quarter?
sounds about right.
Meeks has had 3 d boards bounce off his hands! no clue on that side
He's taken a couple of excellent long twos on the move that have had zero chance too.
C'mon Doug cut the crap with the EFJ midget line up, you don't try to outscore them, you make this game a grind with defense and rebound and then the knicks will implode..
Bring Turner and Hawes back in
Bad shot, Lou.
Shot selection has been poor past few minutes.
Why is Turner on Lin?
Not a good time to go all boss without anyone else touching the ball.
Nice give and go.
Jrue runner.
Get a fucking stop.
Take all fucking day for Holiday to get off a fading left J, he made it though. Too long to get into anything.
He got the ball w/ 7 left on the shot clock way out on the floor, knew he was taking the shot, and took his time to get something good. Not a bad play. Bad that he was on an island w/ 7 seconds left on the clock, though.
Why is Jrue not on Lin? Lin is running the show.
When Amare is playing D, you know shit just got serious.
"No Body contact" says hubie brown as Stoudamire jumps on brands back for the block
Eh, that block seemed alright to me, especially with how this game has been officiated. EB should have known Amare was right there and pump faked him.
this is gonna be so painful
Meeks still on Lin, this is stupid.
I hope this doesn't kill them.
AI93
AI943!!!!!!!!!!!!
Iggy with a big 3!
Nice work, AI9.
That's a three.
Did they take a point away?
Come on Iggy.
splitsville?
thats bullshit
WTF of a call is that? Bullshit!
Ugh.
Doug Collins "What's wrong with you guys! What's wrong with you guys."
Ball don't lie.
Fucking Meeks. Come on, man.
Layup. Wow
They deserve to fucking lose after that Dre missed bunny.
Jeez.
He always has been a lousy finisher, that might have been one of the worst ever though - on a fast break no less - no contact and misses the easy 2 - sigh...
He was probably scared he'd have to shoot free throws.
As the saying goes - Haters gonna hate
Great D. Come on.
Brand does not deserve to lose tonight.
lou and meeks backcourt.....wonder why we don't get stops.
Fuck Lou Williams and Fuck Doug Collins for bringing him in the cgame.
Game
That's probably game. Lou and Meeks is one too many defensive liabilities to have in the game in a 3-point game. Two too many.
Having Lou or Meeks on Lin in the fourth tonight killed us. That is all.
How many times will doug give lou the role of carrying the offense in the fourth.
They put Hawes in just to grab a rebound if that freebie was missed. Melo went right around him. It would've been a dunk if the shot didn't fall.
I wouldn't have completely went away from Thad, who got them back in initially. Doug just went away from Thad for Jodie. I don't understand what the thinking is there.
Like I said, game.
Poorly coached game
annnnnnndddd a Andre airball off a set play, Yeah that sounds about right
Passionate. Intense. Proud. Fucked.
FUCK DOUG
This was an offensive abortion from this team. Plain and simple.
I want to cry. I hate half this team
Just pathetic.
Lou with a 26 foot contested 3. Rebound off of Hawes' hands right to Melo. Watching the Sixers at the end of games is absolute torture.
Good game EB
Bunch of soft choking mother fuckers
This team blows. Fucking blows.
I know they put some effort and all but I;m tired of watching the Sixers lose like this every time it's close. At some point you have to start blaming the coach. DC cannot commit to anything, forever panicking when something does not work and like a battered wife rushing back into the comfort of his 2 worst enemies; Lou Williams and Jodie Meeks.
Hawes is pathetic.
POTG Brand.
I need to see some changes on this roster in the off-season.
comment of the game
yeah I've been feeling the same way. As tk said this morning it kind of summed up how I feel, it's just not compelling anymore because it's become too predictable. And I'm usually never like this. But another trade deadline come and gone and still the same ol' shit is really frustrating. Having to watch Hawes and Turner start is painful. One is way past soft and the other is limited as far as versatility unless he's completely dominating the ball, a one trick pony that can't really shoot as your shooting guard. Basically a roster that isn't going anywhere. Wonder if Thorn has any foresight like pawning off Turner when he hit the unsuspecting 3 game hot streak? Guess not .....
So Collins is going back to Meeks as the starting 2?
No even worse than that, he's gonna let him finish games instead.
Why the fuck didn't they foul him? IT was a god damned 3-point game? Who was that? They still had a timeout.
PHI 79, NYK 82 Final.
It was Lou who just sort of stood next to the guy
This team is getting tough to watch offensively.
Pretty sure Lou just stood there.
never in my life have i seen a team that is this bad in the fourth quarter, its embarrassing
Dear Lou
Please leave
Well, guys. I'm leaving in the morning for a vacation. Couldn't come at a better time. I'll get game threads up for every game, but I'm not sure how much beyond that I'll be able to do. Back in a week.
Enjoy your vacation
You do more than your fair share and do provide with the BEST sixers coverage out there compared to the other blogs (in my opinion)...though I'm not sure I even believe they're going to win the division any more.
They should not lose to the knicks - period
Have a good vacation man. Everyone could use one. This team is giving everyone headaches right now.
Speak for yourself - I have no headaches - I just remember how I felt at the beginning of the season and remind myself to go with my gut - and trust my gut instead of buying into mirages in the future - i usually don't.
This is the team I expected them to be, this is the hawes I expected them to be.
I'm disappointed by Jrue so far - but Thad has pleasantly surprised me. The early season run was a mirage, the 3-13 start was a mirage, the 13-4 run last year was a mirage
Put it all together and you get a team that is good enough to go around 500 and maybe win in the first round if they're in a particularly crappy division and get the 4 seed by virtue of winning the divsion (which I no longer think of as a given...the way they've been playing I think they might not win the division)
enjoy your vacation
ditto. you deserve it man.
feel like i need one after watching this game though.
call me racist if you want but i want a tough black center
Racist. I'd take a tough purple center. Tough is the only thing that matters.
I will call you racist cause you could ahve just said you want a tough center
Not really racist; he's just saying he wants his center to be as different from Spencer Hawes as possible.
I'd agree, and add that I would like a tough black center who votes Democrat.
lou gave up.
I think I need a vacation from this team.
Dr Jack drilled in the lack of a 'big man' for most of the fourth quarter - kept talking about not having a big man to go to for those buckets and free throws
He had no explanation that made sense for the second half disappearance of elton brand
Mine goes with 'elton brand is old' (in basketball terms) and can't do all that for a full game
Doug cost us the game, damn it !
How many times do I need to see Lou-ball bring us down at the end of the games ?
Collins homo affection for Lou is bringing this team down
Its clear that ET on the starting line up isn't one of Doug's ideas, the order came from above.
Im happy that his midget ball back fired on him, too bad team had to take a loss
In no rational way can one say something like that - Jodie Meeks SUCKS, and a shake up was needed, the only other option was Lou, and Lou can't start because, sadly, he's the only 2nd teamer in the back court who can score
Putting Turner in the starting line up at the time was the right thing to do, but Turner isn't a quality NBA player yet, someday he might be (Meeks never will)
Dear god - will the sixers do the national tv 'double suck' and lose to the celtics on Friday as well?
I hope not
Damn I've just always liked Ramon Sessions
76ers = The Ultimate Fan Tease
Notes:
Does everyone agree that Turner at his worst is still a better option than Jodie Meeks?*
*as long as he doesn't launch 16 shots.
When Lou is faced with a really tough defender or does not get his boss calls, he sort of fades and becomes useless offensively.
Jrue played great D on Lin today. Albeit between his own offensive woes.
Vucevic, Allen, did not touch the floor tonight. When Hawes was in foul trouble, DC went small, smaller. BTW we were out-rebounded 47-39 tonight even after Brand's monstrous dozen.
That may be slightly defendable if say Hawes was actually a better option than the former(s).
This may be just an overreaction to probably his worst coached game, but at this point I wouldn't mind him burning out early and letting Curry take over. That was brutal Doug. Didn't we just hear a few games ago that you were gonna stick with the Jrue/ET backcourt for the rest of the season?
At least Hawes provided a little comedy...so bad
And has doug moved away from the jrue et back court yet? He was bad tonight...doesn't mean he won't be starting next game.
When did curry last act as a head coach?
This will just fan the flames of "spiller is a conspiracy theorist" and I'm fine with that, but Turner had 4 borderline superstar games, and then Collins took him off the ball. Why?
Yes, it is a conspiracy theory
Because you're ignoring how badly Turner played, with the ball, in the games following those 'super star' games (nonsense first of all) against lesser opponents
Tonight - 1-7
Bobcats - 3-11
Bulls - 2-8
6 for 26 in the last 3 - sub 25%
If Jodie Meeks did that for three straight games you'd be screaming bloody murder
Now however they're 'taking the ball out of his hands.
He went 3 for 11 against one of the worst god damn teams in the league - 'super stars' show up for games against the god damn bob cats
We were winning when we let Turner take over the games and Meeks was playing 7 minutes. Now we're back to Turner struggling for minutes, standing in the corner, while Meeks' role is back to where it was before (too many minutes). And suddenly we're losing again. This has been going on all year.
And that's my last comment so I don't turn this into a Turner vs. Meeks thread. The results speak for themselves, I'm quieting myself.
Which results? We've had bouts of success and failure with both in the starting lineup.
Turner was the PG for 4 games. We won 3 of them. We've only beaten the Bobcats since Turner was taken off the ball again.
Oh, and the fact that in the two games Jodie played 6 and 7 minutes, we won, against two competitive teams (the Knicks and Jazz).
did you guys see the post game pc?
Cooney: seems like Evan played better when he had the ball in his hands more. Why haven't you put the ball in his hands more the last 3 games.
Collins: Well how many rebounds did he have in NY?
Cooney: 15
Colins: how many tonite?
Cooney: 5
Collins: Theres 10 more time he could of had the ball in his hands.
Really dude? The only way he can get the ball is to grab a shit ton of reb. Mean while lou can dribble the shot clock down to nothing whenever he wants. Pure bullshit.
Thats crazy!!
that really was a troubling comment, insulting to bob cooney's intelligence, not to mention the fans. turner came in and turned the offense into a high octane machine-yes, for a very small sample size, but it's the only sample size we have of turner being utilized on the ball. the only variable between the our only winning streak of the last 20 games and what we've seen otherwise is evan turner playing on the ball for 40 minutes!because the coach told him to, NOT because of his 15 rebs-in fact, I would say the 15 rebs came because the coach told him to play his game and he was, with confidence, for the first time since columbus.
Look-am I proclaiming Turner the surefire savior?Of course not. Has he looked terrible in the last few contests?Of course-just as he has the rest of his NBA career since the coach refuses to utilize his skills!Collins admitted as much in his presser after the Boston game!
You can tell from his on court demeanor with the refs and stuff that ET is kind of a headcase and I'm sure it rubs Doug the wrong way-but good God!What happened to "seeing what we have"?Why did he move away from Turner?Was it a wishful thinking trade showcase on Collins' part all along?It is so maddening-if I have to watch LouWill dribble for twenty seconds on every important offensive poss for ONE MORE GAME, I swear...
Doug is cracking up
I think it shows that Collins values his personal relationships with Jrue and Jodie, to the detriment of the team.
Everyone benefited (the team overall, and Iggy an Lou especially) from Turner playing PG, except Jrue and Jodie. Jodie was getting no minutes, and Jrue was slumping. But we won 3 out of the 4 games Turner played PG (and against three good teams, Utah, Boston and the Knicks).
The fact that Collins changed things after Turner went 3-1 as a PG doesn't say much for Collins as a coach or as a person. We are now 1-4 since Turner went back to off the ball. Jrue's and Jodie's numbers have gone back up though, so yay for that right Doug?
I'm not always sure about it but I'm pretty sure the argument you just made is
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
The sixers aren't losing because of jodie meeks (or evan turner) they werne't winning just because of evan turner, they were playing shitty teams and quite possibly would have won if Turner had maintained his role of coming off the bench.
You want it to be about Turner, so you fashion your argument to make it about Turner
The sixers front court is piss poor - at a whole lot of things - and Evan Turner doesn't cure them all - he's not Aqua Vida - you have tunnel vision - all you do is watch the evan turner aspect of the game - you ignore everything else - if it's bad - it's because Turner wasn't there - if it's good - it's because of turner.
And that's my last comment - to you - on the Turner situation at all - until you take off your blinders.
Of all the coaching decisions I simply didn't get, Collins' decision to not put Jrue on Lin in the fourth is the one I can't get my mind around at all.
Lin was 1/11 and couldn't even come close to getting a good look on Jrue heading into the fourth. Then he has Jrue stand in the corner and guard JR Smith when the game is on the line? Even when Lin wasn't scoring in the fourth (when he had Lou or Meeks or Turner on him), he was able to easily get the Knicks into offensive sets. There was no pressure on the ball. I'll never understand that decision. If you must have Meeks in the game, let him just stand near JR Smith. That's all you need to do.
Game story (with Brand video): Slow starts dooms Sixers against Knicks:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/slow-start-dooms-sixers/article_64eca2a3-cc51-59c1-9bb1-f28c529ea08c.html
Here's your game capsule w/ rotation chart and advanced stats.
Brand was the player of the game. He was their only offensive option in the first half, even if he completely disappeared in the second half. He also was the only big who did anything all night. 12 points, 12 boards, 5 blocks.
Could've gone with Jrue, who carried the scoring in the second half, and did a great job on Lin until he was moved off him in the second half for some reason. Could've also gone with Iguodala who manhandled Melo all night, but I went with Brand.
I'm suffering from serious Doug Collins fatigue. I hope they don't make personnel decisions based on his input, I don't sense that he's here for the long haul.
Not sure why any of you expected a different outcome. The Sixers have been playing bad for about 6 weeks now(except against really bad teams or good teams with no rest)-there have been a few exceptions but not many as evidenced by their record.
The Knicks are playing better(although still not great) and they have more talent than the Sixers.
Its not media hype--its truth. You guys think because me and some others here pick the Knicks to win or discuss how mediocre the Sixers are and have been were not fans---or if someobody like Magic thinks the Knicks will win the division hes "believing the hype"--nonsense.
What will you say at the end of the season when the Knicks or Celtics win the division and the Sixers are at the 7 or 8 seed ?
Watch the games objectively, if that's possible.
Please - go post on a blog for the team you root for?
this is the team I root for. Can you only post here if you pretend the Sixers are great and all other teams suck because their not the Sixers ?
Would you stop acting like a diva? You make comments like the Knicks are better than the sixers then you do nothing to back up those comments except cry when people call you out on it. It's pathetic. Give it up already. Here's something I can use to prove you wrong - strength of schedule - Knicks - #2, Sixers - #11
I'm not crying about anything genius. Just pointing out the facts. Somehow in your distorted world the better team always loses. Will be interesting to here you throw out some worthless stats and lame ass excuses at the end of the season once he final standings are up.
Judging from your inability to understand the difference between "their" and "they're" as well as "here" and "hear" I'm going to safely assume that you are very uneducated. Yes, I threw out "lame-ass stats", which is a lot more than you were able to throw out. If you're not smart enough to know elementary uses of the English language, then I suppose you're not smart enough to know when you're wrong either.
Lame ass stats are of course defined as any piece of factual information that disproves his rantings
Yeah because everyone makes sure all their posts are grammatically correct before posting. Weak. At the end of the day, your stats don't mean squat. Its all about wins and losses. Your like the idiot at the bar who argues that Michael Vick is better than Eli Manning.
Well, if an argument is comprised of a claim which is supported by evidence and reason, then your claim that the Knicks are the better team and will end up with a better record is neither supported by evidence nor a valid reason. Thus, your argument is that of a blathering moron.
I said they were more talented, and they are. The Sixers are better coached and play better together but they have a lack of talent in comparison. Your probably going to come to that same conclusion in about 20 games or so.
Jrue wasn't guarding Lin because he was playing as a 3 on D with 1 and 2 spots being defended by Lou and Meeks.
This mother f4cking Doug Collins said that the MO to play the sixers is be physical with them, sure this is right when he put that midget line up on the court.
So sick of Collins and his bullshit.
No Nick or Lavoy ? How could you blame Turner for not rebouding and not say a thing about our bigs rotation being destroyed out there ?
Lou if you put a good physical defender on him, he can't do sh8t ! Just hope for some foul call from the zebras. He can't defend, he can't rebound, he only passes when his onwn options are totally toke away. Meeks is the same only less potent when caught fire and with less handle.
Guys are blaming Turner for not being productive but this happens when you are on developt mode, they have a good game and trash the other, Kevin Durant toke 2 seasons with plenty on playing time to start to make some noise, and Durant is way more talented than everybody on this team.
Doug is coaching for his record and for his glory, he want no part of developting guys, just go with the veterans and see what happens, let me tell you Doug, this veterans are already know product 50/50 ball 41 wins and 41 losses on normal season, try the new ones so the frontoffice know what they have in hands before make some trades or signed them for the long haul.
Evan isn't Doug's cup of tea. It's a shopworn but certainly apt phrase, one which brings me to recall the quaint 'Starbucks at PCOM double espresso w/sugar' stories at the start of Doug's return to these parts, when everything he said glistened on the media's ears. Ah, those were the days of no-whines and fragrant supposes.
Since "The Villain" has proven to Doug (and this city) that he shoots best with his mouth, a marriage counselor is of no use. One will have to go. Doug's passionately in love with quick-delivery roundball shooters and, therefore, this shotgun marriage has no shot. This town isn't big enough for those two simmering, chippy, disjunctive egos. Thorn, do something. The new owner-era is fast becoming the Barn'em & Boredom Circus.
Shopping reminders:
1 large rebounder & defender who actually enjoys rebounding & defending (avoid the Dalembert brand)
1 Norm Nixon-narrated meditation CD for Jrue
1 container of Gumout fuel injector cleaner for Iggy
19 to go, 12 on the road. It may be time for a return to Dunkin' Donuts, always the better choice for on-the-go proletariats everywhere - "Just great taste, not for fussy Gussies; we welcome the rabble and promise to rouse!"
Jeremy Lin: 4Q difference; 10-10 from line; wickid fawma Hahvud god.
by that token, I hereby nominate Lou Williams for MVP. save the clutch argument for ESPN.
Lin was only able to wake up bcos Jrue was de-assigned off of him, 4-17 with 3 ast and 2 TO, that's the line. Stoudemire and Chandler, that's the story for the night. Mr. Lin party crashed. Not that I even care that much about the Knicks or Lin anyway.
Argument? Who's arguing? I typed 1 line. There is no argument with 10-10 perfection at the free throw line.
"Lin was only able to wake up bcos Jrue was de-assigned off of him"... your opinion, not fact.
"Not that I even care that much about the Knicks or Lin anyway"... You care enough to comment. Your words negate your front of indifference about the Kuh-nicks.
Don't be modest.
ESPN. You're above that fare, huh? You must be special, possibly splendiferous.
Nah, that's a fact. He was 1/11 heading into the 4th with Jrue on him. The damage he did in the fourth was with someone else on him.
Interesting Hollinger article saying that the Sixers late game offense is bad, but the defense may be the problem. Also some numbers showing they are historically bad in close games this year.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/conversations/_/id/7721996/nba-philadelphia-sixers-crunch-time-failures-blame-d
"Focus all you want on the lack of a go-to scorer; you're looking at the wrong end of the court. The main reason for the Sixers' clutch blight, this season and last, is their inability to get stops.
On the surface, this makes no sense. The Sixers have the league's leading defense on the season and have arguably its best perimeter defender in Andre Iguodala. They have athletic, interchangeable wings who can switch screens and smart, veteran bigs. They should be great at this.
They are not. Emphatically so.
This season, in the last five minutes of five-point games, they rank 21st in defensive efficiency, allowing 107.5 points per 100 possessions.
And in the final two minutes of games within two points, it worsens to 126.1 -- the 28th-ranked figure. In the last minute of such games, they worsen yet again, to a ridiculous 135.2. In a related story, the Sixers have lost all 10 games that reached that point of being within two points with a minute to go."
wow, interesting stuff-it makes sense to me. Even though I have a lot of confidence in this team on d in general, I realized last night that I did not expect them to get the crucial stops they needed...actually consciously noticed this and wondered what my deal was so timely piece for me to read, thanks
Negative connotations obviously but at least the team is getting some national press :)
I can't believe the team would fail to execute in crunch time on either end with such a cool, calm, and collected coach...
Just speculative of course, maybe they don't feel that nervous energy, but maybe they do...
I've just been so disappointed in Doug lately, a shame because he knows the game and is clearly a great motivator, it's just, he's ALWAYS "on", and if we're looking at his history at each stop, you've really got to start to worry about what direction this is all headed in...
Well, I never stopped looking at his history of all his stops...i've constantly said he won't finish out next season as the sixers head coach.
I still believe that. I believe if the sixers hadn't started out so well this year, Doug would already be out of work. New Owners want to clean house, they just couldn't - but the second half swoon gives them good cause to let Doug go if they want to. Thorn I believe has been all but fired for a while now
God I hope you're right. If I knew that falling out of the playoffs would get Collins fired, it would be the only time in my life that I'd root against the team. Even the Eddie Jordan team I didn't root agains, because I knew he was getting fired anyway.
The data won't upend the conventional wisdom, which is that the Sixers' lack of a go-to scorer, dependence on transition buckets and general lack of deep shooting conspire against them in late-close situations in which most of the offense comes from half-court situations. Philly probably doesn't help itself, either, by trying to run a hero-ball offense for Lou Williams rather than staying unpredictable.
Are you listening Doug?
ALso something interesting about the 'repeatability' of clutch defense that probably bears more study.
But needless to say - the sixers score poorly in 'clutch defense' this year and last year
This is my last one..
Sean Williams was released by Dallas
The guy could be a knucklehead, but boy, he is talented
If those years away from the league had make him more mature and more level headed, his talents is what this team need. Of course Thorn would do nothing and even if he did it, Collins wouldn't play the guy because he is not ballfriendly and soft enough for his starting 5.
Thorn drafted him, so he recognized the talent. I was calling for Sean Williams all last year. Unfortunately I think Thorn knows the reason Sean was thrown off the Nets and probably wants no business near him.
Sixers story (with Holiday, Collins video): Players hope meeting pays off:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/players-hope-team-meeting-pays-off/article_a8543a73-691e-5875-bc5a-a55d46618d8f.html
"A couple of guys in there said we're playing selfish... It's good because me, personally, I never would have known" - that's truly funny, coming from someone who's pumpin' up 17.5 shots per game in last 4 (30-70, .429). Can't entirely blame the kid as his coach apparently has given him license to attack, fire away without fear of censure.
[On prospect of player personnel movement] "Don't know right now. We'll see. Probably not." The Rod Thorn we've come to know and tolerate. The original Seattle Supersonics Rod would've at least taken a shot.
Illuminating quotes, Tom. Jrue, oblivious and forthcoming. Rod, stodgy and succinct.
This is just sad.
Every playoff team are strenghtning themselves, while Rod Thorn do nothing, achieve nothing. The softness of the frontcourt is a glaring hole but FO refuse to accept it or is just looking to the other way. Yey ! continuity
I"m not really sure what you suggest that Thorn do. Do you even know it's Thorn or maybe ownership won't take on more salary? Who would you like Thorn to add, is Ronny Turiaf a difference maker? Is JJ Hickson a difference maker.
You guys are worse than Laker fans sometimes.
PS - I believe the Hornets have been working with the Saints cause Jason Smith just collected the bounty on Blake Griffin, and demonstrated that Jason friggin Smith is tougher than Spencer Hawes
I actually do think Sean Williams would be a difference maker and that's who JH had proposed. No way Thorn does it though.
Yes, Sean Williams who has performed so well for every team that has gotten rid of him in the NBA would definitely be the difference maker that gets the sixers past chicago or miami in the second round
I know Turiaf is not a difference maker kind of talent but could help this team not be pushed around on the block every f&cking night, I know JJ Hickson for this team is not a difference maker; because he just scores. Sean Williams could be if his head is right.
The point my friend is the teams that are really looking to contend are adding pieces, even the non difference making kind.
The Heat add Turiaf, Boston might add Ryan Hollins (good luck) Lakers add players at the trade line, Indiana just add Fesenko and Barbosa, the Bucks did a trade, Clippers did it too.
They saw holes on their teams and are acting to solve those problems. What the sixer did it ? Sam f$cking Young ! And this is not the biggest hole on this team, the tissue paper frountcourt is !! And they did nothing ! Im calling out Thorn because the owner said they could spend to make the team better. The sixers don't have a shotblocker on the roster, don't have a rebounder. Reggie Evans for Christ sake was signed for the minimum and who we signed ? Battie !
Im pissed to invest so much in a season to see them just telling fucking lies about try to improve the team, we have a coach with a young team but he doesn't wanna developt guys, ok but the veterans we have is the same core for a couple of years i.e. 50/50 ball. Continuity !!!
Damn i miss Jason Smith. I love what he did there with Blake Griffin, and probably Brian would have enjoyed that big time as well.
I dont think you really miss Jason Smith.
No matter how much you dislike Griffin, what he did was deserving of a suspension.
But it's understandable that New Orleans is so bitter about the Clippers. That was their playoff match, for that night alone it felt like anything could fly.
Blog: Sixers must beat Celtics to stay in first place:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/sixers-must-beat-celtics-to-maintain-atlantic-lead/article_61f3a5d8-8cff-587f-8383-585d6ed296d0.html
"Imperative" is a favorite word of Elton's. He likes the sound of it. Maybe because it takes him back to Duke lecture halls. Or to his agent: "It's imperative that a suitor pays you 82 million, even after blowing out your achilles. Let's call Ed Stefanski."
It's imperative that Elton resembles a positive factor tonight against the C's of potential standings change. The chance exists as a Sixers day of refreshment and restoration was a schedule imperative.
EB usually follows a good game where he's a monster on the boards, and offensively by a couple of sub-par games before his legs come back. Here's to hoping 2 days rest is sufficient.
After the summary of Hollinger's hypothesis, I'm wondering if that's true, what it is that makes the Sixers D so uniquely prone to self-destruct mode in the final 3:00?
Putting my conventional wisdom aside that tell me that they JUST CANT SCORE WHEN IT COUNTS, a few things come to mind:
- presence of Lou Williams on the court guarding a perimeter player is an easy defensive breakdown.
- closing lineup always features Thad who is not exactly known for boxing out his man. So many, many times we have given 2nd chance opportunities in the final 3 off O-boards.
- Collins' asinine play calling out of a timeout, or better said, Iguodala and Williams' botching of DC's weak out of timeout plays often lead to turnovers and a fast break.
- Star/Superstar fouls?
- EB being too gassed out by the 4th to play meaningful minutes or provide effective big man play in that small period.
Any thoughts?
Last 3 minutes - test of strength of mind, true grit.
Sixers lack it.
The obvious solution is Clint Eastwood
Either Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn or Mattie Ross will do. Take your pick among John Wayne, Kim Darby, Jeff Bridges or Hailee Steinfeld. They all showed it. Sixers need it.
You're on to some good thoughts here:
- Good defense leads to good offense -> our shitty O helps theirs
- Lou/Thad as you said
- Star calls are definitely a factor
- Rebounds are a huge factor, but I'm not sure why it'd be more of an issue late - unless you consider point 2 again
At the end of games Lou being on court along side Thad at PF which usually puts Brand guarding the center give us a crap rebouding team, thats why so many offensive rebounds plus not near the team best defensive unit out there. So the sixers are weak at rebouding and mediocre at D at end of games, that's put too many pressure on the offensive end to score to keep up with oponent. This is not the team strength, they should turn the end game into a grind with suffocating D, to break the other team will to win.
That is the plus of Turner in the line up; and this is not a praise to him, but by default on this squad he is a top 2 rebounder and top 3 wing defender. Folks, this is the talent level of this team. Maybe with Hawes back at full strength (funny sentence!), the rebouding issue could be solved without Turner in the end game line up.
Collins at end of games is like Stan V. Gundy but without the tatics savvory, he keeps the team tense, it bogus the execution, plus the zebras seems to despise the sixers because they show no respect at all, no calls.
EB is old and the lonely real NBA material big man on this team. You nailed, he's gazed at the end to do anything, Collis should not run him to the ground or else we wouldn't have any NBA big man at all on the playoffs.
This shouldn't be hard to check out. Do the replays support this hypothesis? Could someone check synergy?
Jim Buss will take calls from fans for an hour this afternoon (west coast time)
Did the new owners ever hit the radio like that yet?
Sixers video: Collins on the team meeting, tempo of games and facing the Celtics:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/sports_columnists/tom_moore/doug-collins/youtube_ec774cd1-b8f4-59d0-9c61-dc7d4755a756.html
Spurs picked up a waived Boris Diaw. This seems very smart. Not sure he would help us though.
Diaw looked fat and slow the last time I saw him play - no thanks