The irony of writing a post under that headline the day after Jrue Holiday carried the Sixers with 33 points is not lost on me. This post isn't about a guy taking 20 shots in a game, though. It's about the change that began last season in the playoffs, and has carried on through the beginning of this year.
Here's what I'm talking about. Prior to the playoffs last season, what was your general feeling if the game was tied or close with a couple minutes left in the fourth quarter? My guess is your answer ranged from panic, to fear, to repulsion, to acceptance that this team would find a way to lose. They'd forget everything that had worked on the offensive end for the previous 40+ minutes, instead opting for an isolation for Lou or Iguodala on most offensive possessions. They'd fail to make smart plays on both ends of the floor and a new hero would be crowned on the side as the Sixers left the court shrugging their shoulders in defeat.
Without Igoudala getting the ball because he's the highest paid, or Lou getting the ball because at least he won't turn it over, the Sixers have played the final possessions of the game the same way they play every other minute, as a team. Think back to the past week. They played three tight games, each with key possessions where Lou would've been iso'd last season. In those situations, Lavoy has gotten multiple shots off the pick-and-roll. Jason Richardson got the ball with a mismatch. Evan Turner used picks to get the ball into the paint. Thad has gotten the ball off cuts or on the block. Wright got a good look at a corner three off dribble penetration. And of course Jrue got his looks off the bounce as well.
Is it a coincidence the team has been much better in close games since they abandoned the 1-4, pray for a miracle offense? I don't think so. In this season of frustration over Bynum's absence, this is one area where they can lay the groundwork. Having a dominant center doesn't necessarily translate to success in those late game situations. This team is going to have to run offense to get scores in crunch time, so hopefully this success will serve as a blueprint if/when this team is playing with Bynum, in the playoffs.
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I mentioned this in the game thread, I believe, but Jrue was the third Sixer in the past 27 years to score 30+ and hand out 12+ assists. Barkley did it once and Iverson did it four times.
The funny thing about us trying to ape the end of the game one on one(or 5) heroics from superstar led teams is that it doesn't really work that well for the games best scorers, it was destined not to work for us.
I can't help but wonder if Holidays improved play is a result of the development or Coach Collins finally giving him the keys to the car. He's the guy I want to have the ball in his hands late in the game, sort of like Nash, he might dominate the ball for most of the possession but if someone gets open he will see it happening right away.
I'm interested to see if anyone here has a different opinion on Turner than they did coming into the season. I know a lot of people were extremely down on him - has his play changed that opinion? I'm asking because even though he's had games where he is nowhere to be found, he's had some really really nice ones too.
My outlook for him has improved somewhat. If he can became get to a point where his points per shot is average for a guard, I see him being a net positive on the floor. He needs to become a smarter offensive player. More threes, more drives to the basket, less long range two point shots. He has showed flashes of this the last couple weeks, we'll see if he can keep it up and improve upon it.
Games like last night encourage me more than games like he played vs. OKC do. When his shot is on, he can score. So when he's hitting the 15-footers, and he shoots better than 50% from the floor, he's going to be useful. Those games are going to be few and far between, though. If he can somehow manage to score efficiently when he doesn't shoot the ball particularly well, then maybe he'll be a decent offensive player. Last night, he was 4/13 from the floor, but still managed break-even efficiency (16 points on 16 attempts). If that's one of his average, or even bad games, then you might have something. But we're talking about three games the entire year where he's been better than 1:1, and that's not going to cut it for one of your offensive weapons, if that's what you're hoping for.
also, he needs to get a lot tougher on the defensive end. I was extremely impressed with how he handled Westbrook's quickness, but he's their starting three and he gets bullied by other SFs. If people thought he'd take over for Iguodala, they were wrong. He didn't even get the assignment on Durant in that game, Richardson did. They put Turner on Thabo.
I read all the posts but not all the comments, so I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but it'll be interesting to see what type of contract Bynum is offered if he doesn't play at all this season, and if the Sixers would still sign him long-term, max deal or less. Obviously his status/condition at the time will be the biggest factor, but does anyone think he will get a max offer?
Yep. He'll get a max offer, and if the prognosis is that he'll be 100% for next season, he'll get the max offer from the Sixers. They really don't have a choice in the matter at this point, unless they can get him for less, or they find out he won't be ready to start next season either.
Speaking of Summer Time Offers, its a good thing we signed Holiday to an extension. He'd command a lot more on the open market than he got in November.
Story (with Thad Young video): Sixers big men need to get physical:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/sixers/no-inside-job-for-sixers/article_2474125c-98e6-590a-9aa0-0ed7bbcf260f.html
No NHL - the eagles terrible - I mean it's ripe for the sixers ain't it? If only bynum didn't - you know
Yeah, the Sixers sudden ability to finish games is one of the hidden secrets of this young season. It's probably the biggest reason why they have a relatively solid record so far. Their overall play has been worse than last year, but their record is better completely because of finishing games without isos on every singe offensive possesion.
sure seems like that's something the young core learned in the past two playoff runs...which certain people would rather have tanked than had them experience...
Easy on the "sudden ability" 'finishing game' tack. I offer Exhibit A, Nov. 12, Milwaukee Bucks (4Q 13-22) and Exhibit B, Nov 24, Oklahoma City Thunder (OT 11-18). The last 2 weeks have also included 1st half pancakes against Pistons and Cavs. (Even Mrs. Butterworth cringed.)
Sixers are a "pre-owned" car with frequent maintenance needs and a devout, tinkering mechanic. That this automobile has traveled to the 8-6 highway marker is testament to the chatty laborings of town favorite son "Goob" Collins and his cogitative garage buddies.
No team is perfect at finishing games. I'd say the Sixers have shown more good in that area in these 14 games than in the past 2-3 seasons, when they were on the brink of blowing almost every single game.